Cannabis News Roundup: Week 2025-24: Alabama Felony Hemp Law, New York Recalls Contaminated Weed, Cannabis Chaos in Texas

14 Jun, 2025

In this episode, we cover major cannabis policy shifts across the U.S.—from Alabama’s new law making smokable hemp a felony to Florida’s crackdown on medical cannabis patients with drug convictions, and Missouri’s dual push for product safety and THCA enforcement. We also dive into Minnesota’s steep cannabis tax hike, Texas’s proposed ban on hemp-derived THC, and New York’s product recall over pesticide contamination. Hear updates on tribal cannabis reform in Mississippi, medical marijuana legislation in South Carolina and Pennsylvania, and the uncertain rollout of Nebraska’s new cannabis program.

Tags: cannabis news 2025, US cannabis laws, medical marijuana updates, hemp THC ban Texas, Alabama hemp laws, Missouri THCA crackdown, Minnesota cannabis tax, Florida cannabis patients, New York cannabis recall, Mississippi Choctaw marijuana, Nebraska medical marijuana, South Carolina medical cannabis, Pennsylvania cannabis workplace, Colorado cultivation shutdown, Montana cannabis tax veto, cannabis podcast, cannabis regulation, state cannabis updates, marijuana legalization USA

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SUMMARIES:

• Alabama's new hemp law, HB445, will take effect on July 1. It bans smokable hemp, limits THC in products, and imposes felony penalties for possession. Small businesses say the law could force them to close or move operations, while lawmakers say it brings needed regulation.
• Green Dragon, a major cannabis operator in Colorado, is closing its 92,000-square-foot cultivation facility near Denver at the end of June. The company blames falling wholesale prices and rising labor costs. Forty-five employees will lose their jobs. Green Dragon’s dispensaries will remain open, sourcing cannabis from third-party growers.
• Florida lawmakers are backing a bill that would revoke medical marijuana cards from patients and caregivers convicted of certain drug offenses. The proposal, now likely to pass as part of a broader health bill, would suspend access once charges are filed and revoke it entirely if the person is found guilty—potentially affecting thousands of users in the state’s medical cannabis program.
• Minnesota's cannabis rollout hit a snag this week after the state’s Office of Cannabis Management mistakenly emailed all 249 cannabis license lottery winners to say they’d been denied. The agency corrected the error within an hour, but business owners say the mistake could have real consequences and is shaking their confidence in the process. // Minnesota just raised its cannabis tax from 10% to 15%, giving the state one of the highest rates in the country. Lawmakers also cut out local governments from sharing in cannabis revenue. With dispensaries still months away from opening, groups like NORML warn that higher prices could push people back to the illegal market.
• The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has approved a referendum supporting the development of marijuana laws on tribal lands. With 55% of members voting in favor, the tribe could soon establish Mississippi’s first legal adult-use cannabis market. Tribal officials will now begin research and planning for a possible legalization framework.
• Starting July 1, Missouri will begin surprise inspections of cannabis dispensaries and collect products for state lab testing. The effort is aimed at adding a new layer of safety and compliance, checking for mold, pesticides, and THC levels. While regulators say they trust current labs, experts warn the results could reveal problems similar to those found in other states. // Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is cracking down on sales of THCA flower, a hemp product that becomes intoxicating when smoked. He’s sent cease-and-desist letters to at least 18 companies, arguing these products violate state consumer laws. But legal experts say the move might not hold up in court, since Missouri doesn’t have laws explicitly banning THCA.
• Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has vetoed a bill that would have shifted cannabis tax money from mental health and conservation to law enforcement and prisons. The decision keeps the current funding model in place, supporting programs approved by voters. The veto has sparked a broader political debate, and lawmakers may still try to override it.
• New York’s Office of Cannabis Management has recalled several cannabis products made by IndoGrow LLC after re-testing found illegal pesticide residues. The affected products were sold in adult-use dispensaries across the state. Consumers can return the products, even if opened, and report any health concerns to the state.
• Nebraska’s Medical Cannabis Commission held its first meeting in Lincoln on June 9. With a July 1 deadline to create rules and an October 1 licensing start date, commissioners are working fast—despite budget shortfalls and ongoing lawsuits questioning the law’s constitutionality. Advocates are urging the commission to move quickly to ensure patients can access medical cannabis safely and legally.
• Pennsylvania lawmakers are proposing a bipartisan bill to clarify workplace rules for medical marijuana users. The legislation won’t change protections under existing law but will define testing procedures and disclosure requirements, especially for safety-sensitive jobs. This comes as the state debates full legalization.
• South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster says there’s a “very compelling” case for medical marijuana, marking a shift in tone as Republican Senator Tom Davis renews efforts to pass a conservative legalization bill by 2026. Despite widespread public support, the proposal still faces skepticism in the House and among law enforcement.
• Texas lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 3, a controversial bill that would ban most hemp-derived THC products. But a new poll shows most Texans—including Republicans and veterans—oppose the ban, warning it could eliminate jobs and fuel black market activity. Governor Greg Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto the bill.