AGP Executive Report

Hemp THC Crackdown: A federal ban on many hemp-derived THC products is set to take effect Dec. 11, after a delay from Nov. 12. The law’s 0.4-milligram total-THC limit could upend a $28 billion market; Roseau, Minnesota, is weighing whether to stop sales. Cannabis Regulation: Ohio’s new limits on cannabis flower, vapes and edibles are now in effect. Michigan also enacted a law requiring health officials to educate parents about youth cannabis and tobacco risks. Federal Policy: The DEA has opened a registration portal for medical cannabis businesses, even as a judge’s pause keeps the rescheduling process on hold. Medical Access: Georgia regulators approved medical cannabis home delivery, which could begin before November. Hemp in Court: Georgia’s Supreme Court revived a grower’s claim after police destroyed $37,000 worth of legal hemp, overturning a decades-old precedent. Industry Dispute: A St. Louis jury awarded $10 million in a fight over ownership of Missouri cannabis businesses and licenses.

Gun + hemp legal fight: Georgia’s Supreme Court revived a dispute over whether the state must pay “just compensation” after police aircraft allegedly destroyed $37,000 in legal hemp during a 2021 drug-suppression operation. Federal crackdown: U.S. authorities indicted 20 people tied to Georgia’s GoodFellas gang in a case involving stolen guns (nearly 1,500) and drug trafficking. Marijuana enforcement + courts: Michigan’s court ruled a marijuana farm illegally violated protected wetlands in Iosco County. Hemp rules watch: A Michigan explainer says pending federal hemp restrictions could shift the definition using total THC (not just delta-9), with an expected effective date of Dec. 11. Medical cannabis access: Georgia regulators approved medical cannabis home delivery, and a separate report says England saw nearly 2 million unlicensed medical cannabis items prescribed privately over the past year. Local policy: Houston voters will decide whether misdemeanor marijuana possession becomes the lowest law-enforcement priority. Business + compliance: A Fair Work case targets former operators of two Oliver Brown cafes in Newcastle over alleged underpayment of migrant workers. Local cannabis zoning: Front Royal, Virginia weighs limited cannabis business rules as the state licensing timeline approaches.

Hemp Packaging Deadline: New analysis says hemp brands may need to repackage weeks before the Dec. 11 federal THC cap date, because packaging “container” rules and production timelines can make the practical deadline earlier than the law’s headline date. UK Cannabis Enforcement: Police in Coventry found a cannabis factory with 100+ plants and arrested a suspect, warning illegal power use can trigger catastrophic fires. Tourist-Resort Crackdown: Spain’s National Police arrested eight and shut two cannabis clubs in Playa de las Américas after raids tied alleged club activity to illegal drug sales. US Court Fight Over Police Searches: A Supreme Court petition tied to “knock-and-talk” searches was rejected, leaving the dispute over warrantless entry theories unresolved for now. Drug Policy Debate (Taipei): Taipei mayoral candidates spar over drug policy after one candidate’s past writings about marijuana and school drug screening resurfaced. Ghana Bishops Call for Action: Catholic leaders urged stronger laws and enforcement against tramadol and marijuana abuse among youth, saying the focus can’t be only on high-profile drugs. Cornell Fallout: Cornell’s president faced renewed protests over how the university handled a gang rape lawsuit involving alleged ketamine and marijuana use.

Federal hemp fight: A coalition asked the D.C. Circuit to revive a CMS hemp-access case, arguing patients can’t be blocked from federally legal hemp products. Minnesota market shock: Incoming federal changes (narrower hemp definition) could hit Minnesota’s hemp-derived THC drinks and edibles sold outside dispensaries, with businesses warning about banking and licensing fallout. North Carolina policy push: HB 328 is still stuck in the House; advocates say it would restrict intoxicating hemp consumables to adults 21+ and curb products tied to rising youth THC ER visits. Local enforcement & consumer protection: San Diego launched a Consumer Fairness and Public Protection Unit, filing lawsuits against AppLovin, Roblox and Polymaker over children’s safety and privacy. Canada cannabis compliance: Manitoba proposes letting cannabis stores remove window coverings to reduce staff risk. Courtroom spotlight: A Jersey City dispensary is suing over a required labor peace pact, seeking a ruling that New Jersey can’t force it. Criminal cases: Police seized cannabis and shabu in the Philippines; a Vancouver-bound smuggling case ended with a year in jail for a man caught with 31 kg of pot.

M&A Watch: Curaleaf sweetens its bid for Aurora Cannabis, raising cash and share components and the cap price as it moves to acquire the Canadian company. Tax & Policy: U.S. officials say marijuana tax guidance tied to federal rescheduling will be a priority in the next year, with 280E implications front and center. Industry Finance: Vireo Growth secures $60M in real estate financing for cannabis cultivation and production facilities in New York and Florida. Regulation & Compliance: New Mexico Senate Democrats name Sen. Linda Trujillo as majority leader, with adult-use cannabis program experience cited as relevant amid affordability focus. Legal System: A court in India orders strict action against lawyers who casually defy court orders, underscoring enforcement pressure across the legal world. Public Safety & Crime: Virginia State Police report a weekly haul of 33 pounds of marijuana plus cocaine and fentanyl, while South Carolina’s Operation Summer Heat 2.0 tallies major arrests and seizures. Consumer Safety: A cybersecurity roundup warns about common scams, including recovery scams targeting people who already got duped. Local Ballot Impact: Massachusetts voters face Question 8, which would repeal retail recreational marijuana legalization while keeping limited possession and the medical program.

Hemp/THC Policy Fight: America’s $28B hemp THC market is bracing after Senate leadership moved to close a loophole that’s kept “hemp-derived” products on shelves, with a federal ban delayed to Dec. 11 while lawmakers debate regulation. Regulation Updates: Missouri’s DHSS proposed rule changes that could reshape cannabis facility ownership, licensing operations, recall procedures for untraceable products, and how prior violations affect participation. Medicinal Cannabis Marketing: Australia’s online prescriber Medicinal Organic Cannabis Australia admitted it wrongly described products as TGA-approved, even though most aren’t assessed by the regulator. Workplace & Liability: A new report says more workers test positive for marijuana, while some employers are dropping pre-employment cannabis tests—raising workers’ comp and liability concerns. Enforcement & Seizures: Nigeria’s NDLEA reported major port seizures of “Loud” cannabis and codeine syrup worth over N5B, plus arrests tied to drug smuggling methods. Legal/Casewatch: Cornell’s rape allegations continue to trigger scrutiny, including claims of threats aimed at the accuser and renewed questions about campus handling.

Hemp & CBD Legal Shock: Georgia’s Supreme Court revived a lawsuit after police allegedly destroyed $37,000 of legal hemp, overturning decades of government “police power” protection and reopening the door for property-damage claims. Federal Hemp Threat: A $28B hemp THC industry is scrambling as Congress moves toward a federal ban, with advocates pushing for regulation instead of elimination. Public Consumption Policy: North Carolina’s cannabis advisory council is drafting a THC public-use framework, with other states’ lounge-style models and stricter penalties shaping the plan. Court & Enforcement Roundup: Georgia and the UK saw fresh cannabis cases—from a Waterford man fined €500 for possession to multiple UK arrests involving cannabis found in cars or homes. Drug Busts at Borders: Nigeria’s NDLEA reported major cocaine and “Loud” cannabis/codeine syrup seizures at airports and ports, including a Milan-bound case with cocaine hidden in shoes and bags. Politics & Voting Fight: In India, Maharashtra’s opposition leaders protested the SIR electoral-roll revision, demanding paper ballots and cancellation over alleged voter deletions.

Hemp Policy Fight: A new federal “hemp THC” ban could wipe out much of the impairing-hemp market, with Oregon retailers and growers warning businesses may be forced to close unless Congress changes course. Federal Oversight Pressure: Minnesota hemp farmer Winona LaDuke says federal policy is creating uncertainty and “regulatory jiu-jitsu,” even as she argues fiber hemp (not CBD) should be treated fairly. Lawmakers Demand Action: U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and GOP colleagues urged the DOJ to investigate Chinese criminal networks tied to illegal marijuana and intoxicating-hemp operations, including alleged trafficking and money laundering. Local Enforcement: Kerala’s drugs control department asked for a six-month interim curb on interstate pharmaceutical procurement to improve traceability. Crackdowns Abroad: Philippines police dismantled a drug den in Cotabato (shabu recovered) and seized P4.9M in suspected marijuana in Pangasinan; Pakistan’s customs seized 47kg of suspected cannabis/hashish at Islamabad airport. Cannabis in Practice: Jersey City opened Xena, its first cannabis consumption lounge in Hudson County.

Cannabis enforcement abroad: Albania rolled out new rules for supervising and inspecting licensed cannabis activities, covering everything from seeds to export, with risk-based and “outside the annual program” inspections plus 24/7 surveillance access. Drug busts with cannabis mixed in: Philippines police uprooted and burned about 2,500 marijuana seedlings in Benguet, while another operation in Pangasinan led to the arrest of an 18-year-old after a buy-bust netted nearly P4.9M in suspected marijuana products plus an unregistered firearm. Courts and cannabis-related charges: A UK man pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin and THC with intent to supply and will be sentenced Oct. 12. Cannabis in the wider drug crackdown: In Newark, a raid tied to a monthlong probe seized nearly 400 “decks” of suspected heroin plus cocaine and more than a kilogram of suspected marijuana, alongside firearms and other pills. Community safety angle: Wisconsin counties plan a Prescription Drug Take Back Day (Oct. 24) to curb misuse and improve safe disposal.

Cornell fallout: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed AG Letitia James as special prosecutor in the Cornell fraternity gang-rape case, as student anger grows and newly reviewed disciplinary records describe the accuser saying she “felt like bait” during the alleged Oct. 2024 assault. Drug enforcement: A Georgia federal case ended with a 14-year sentence for a man tied to a ring that funneled fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids from China into southwest Georgia, using contraband phones and encrypted chats. Marijuana trafficking busts: Police in Georgia and the Philippines reported major marijuana seizures, including a Cordele synthetic-cannabinoid operation and a Pangasinan buy-bust netting millions in suspected marijuana plus an unregistered gun. THC drinks legal fight: Ohio retailers say court rulings and vetoed rules are leaving THC beverage makers in limbo, while a separate local Ohio report says only two breweries remain after legal pressure. Policy & politics: Wyoming voters will weigh a property-tax initiative, and Idaho faces a ballot push to limit citizen initiatives on marijuana and other substances.

Dubai Drug Bust: Dubai Police say they stopped a plan to promote 2 tons and 323 kg of narcotic pills and psychotropic substances, seizing items including Xanax, Tramadol, Lyrica, crystal meth and marijuana, and arresting 14 suspects tied to an overseas organized ring. Illinois Cannabis Case: An Illinois State Police traffic stop led to charges against a Momence man accused of trafficking and delivering more than five kilograms of marijuana. Ohio Undercover Sting: Police arrested an Ohio man accused of traveling to meet a 15-year-old for sex after an undercover online persona set up the meeting. Utah Ballot Fight: A Tribune editorial argues Utahns should reject Amendment B, which would raise the vote threshold for some tax-related ballot initiatives. Maryland Local Cannabis Rules: Charles County approved a one-year moratorium on most large-scale cannabis growing, while preserving personal cultivation rights under state law. UK Hemp/ Cannabis in Courts: A woman accused in a viral video threatening Ogun police over alleged Indian hemp sales was arrested and will face court.

Legal Fallout (Cornell): A new civil lawsuit says a Cornell student was drugged with ketamine and marijuana and assaulted for hours by seven Chi Phi fraternity members, with “free p*” and “Shop still open?” messages cited in court filings. **Policy Push (Age Limits): Trinidad and Tobago’s House passed a bill raising the legal age for alcohol, tobacco and cannabis to 21/25, with critics warning about enforceability and opponents preparing challenges. Local Enforcement Priority (Houston): Houston voters will decide whether misdemeanor marijuana possession becomes HPD’s lowest priority and whether no-knock warrants are barred for it. Federal Court (Cannabis Rescheduling): A judge rejected an attempt to toss an SEC pot stock fraud suit, keeping the $21M case moving. State Ballot Fight (Idaho): Idaho voters will weigh a measure that would give the Legislature sole control over legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana and other psychoactive substances. Criminal Cases (CBD/Cannabis): Police in the UK say a man was found asleep at a Wolverhampton home with 250–300 cannabis plants worth up to £300k; in Australia, a Perth man was charged after allegedly filming a woman in a shopping center toilet. Medical Market (Utah): Utah’s medical cannabis system is highlighted as a “blueprint” after federal rescheduling to Schedule III for qualifying state programs.

THC Enforcement: Montgomery County prosecutors charged 46 businesses for selling illegal THC products, including gummies reportedly topping 1,000 mg, after undercover buys found unregulated items on shelves. Hemp Drink Crackdown: New Jersey liquor stores will stop selling intoxicating THC seltzers and other hemp drinks in mid-November, with a federal ban looming unless Congress acts. Cannabis Crime: A Nottingham gang used thermal drones and trackers to locate cannabis grows, then broke in and stole plants; 10 men face sentencing. Psychedelics Policy: A bipartisan U.S. congressional psychedelics caucus released a plan for federal and state cooperation to expand therapeutic access, while researchers warn psychedelic trials can be hard to blind. Consent & Intoxication Laws: Nevada’s approach to consent when a victim is intoxicated is under renewed scrutiny after the Cornell case, with lawmakers pushing for consent-focused changes. Local Cannabis Business: Minnesota’s first Mille Lacs County adult-use dispensary opened in Milaca, expanding a local hemp shop into licensed marijuana retail. Synthetic Cannabinoids: UK police seized liquid “spice” worth over £1m and charged two men after overdoses linked to a supply line. Criminal Justice Reform: Virginia’s Clean Slate Act begins automatic sealing of certain conviction records on Oct. 1.

Sports & DUI: Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks was charged with DUI after a March Scottsdale arrest tied to alleged marijuana odor; he’s set for arraignment Oct. 28. Campus Sexual Assault Probe: Penn State’s Chi Phi chapter condemned Cornell’s alleged 2024 gang-rape case, as texts and a reopened investigation keep the spotlight on intoxication and consent. Local THC Crackdown: Montgomery County prosecutors charged nearly 50 businesses for selling illegal THC products, warning stores could face felony exposure and license loss. Cannabis Policy & Equity: Minnesota’s cannabis equity push is framed as “repair,” citing past enforcement disparities. Legal/Regulatory Watch: Texas hemp interests argue a state THC rule conflicts with federal law in a federal court fight. Local Governance: Monterey County advanced a cannabis consumption-venue ordinance toward supervisors. International Enforcement: Nigeria sentenced a woman to two years for importing 31kg of cannabis. Public Safety: Shreveport’s downtown plan adds armed private security targeting marijuana use among other issues.

Cornell Probe: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing for an independent investigation into Cornell University’s handling of a 2024 gang rape allegation, where the accuser says she was drugged with ketamine, smoked marijuana, and drank alcohol before being assaulted by seven students. Local Enforcement: A cleaner at Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in South Africa was arrested after police say he tried to hand contraband to a detainee; officers seized dagga (cannabis), meth, cocaine, and phones. Court & Sentencing: In the UK, a man was jailed for life (minimum 10 years) for murder after a victim died from an epileptic fit 15 years after a violent assault. Public Health & Safety: A village in New York is considering updating “no smoking” rules in public parks to explicitly cover vaping and marijuana. Industry Watch: Canada’s pre-rolls overtook flower as the top cannabis category by revenue in 2025, with pre-roll revenue up 6.3% to $1.4B. Drug Trafficking: Oman police arrested nine people for possessing marijuana with intent to smuggle and traffic it.

DEA Marijuana Rescheduling: A federal judge paused a marijuana rescheduling move after opponents pointed to gaps in the government’s process, keeping the status quo in play. Regulatory Scrutiny: Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control let a Jackson dispensary reopen after testing found no contaminated products following “serious adverse health events” reports. Local Ballot Rules: Hermiston, Oregon passed an ordinance requiring chief petitioners to be Hermiston residents/voters—after a failed push to allow recreational marijuana sales. Medical Cannabis Due Process: New York’s OCM dispute with Nonna Farms centers on a crop that couldn’t be sold a year after an inspection, with the company alleging destruction without due process. Drug Policy & Safety: Montana leaders want clearer rules for 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), citing overdose deaths and pushing for tighter definitions. Courts & Consequences: A Peoria teen received 12 years for a fatal DUI crash tied to cannabis; in Virginia, a man’s murder conviction was vacated and he walked free after 25 years, with a plea involving marijuana/robbery. Enforcement: Kinston, NC police charged additional suspects in a marijuana trafficking case, while federal prosecutors indicted 19 people in a North Texas drug trafficking sweep.