AGP Executive Report

Virginia Budget & Cannabis Retail: Virginia lawmakers passed a $207B compromise budget after a data-center tax standoff, adding a new electricity consumption fee on data centers expected to raise about $600M a year, and locking in adult-use cannabis retail rules for sales to begin next summer (up to 350 locations) after Gov. Spanberger’s earlier veto. Courtroom Ripple (Weed & Guns): A major U.S. Supreme Court ruling continues to reshape how marijuana use affects Second Amendment rights, with lower courts and agencies adjusting guidance. Industry Pressure (Canada): Canada’s Cannabis Council of Canada says it’s suspending operations, blaming financial strain from the illicit market and complex regulation. Local Licensing (Canada): Victoria, B.C. is set to review a new cannabis shop application at Oak Bay Junction after limited resident responses and provincial “fit and proper” checks. Enforcement & Seizures: Police reports include a Schenectady man charged after 300 pounds of cannabis were found in a traffic stop, plus multiple drug busts and arrests tied to cannabis trafficking. Politics & Reform (NZ): New Zealand’s Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party says it’s preparing to run in the 2026 elections, pushing for a regulated, taxable market.

Cannabis enforcement: Thailand’s DTAM issued tougher guidelines for cannabis businesses that break 2025 rules, with licence suspensions of 30–90 days and possible revocation for repeat offences. Social consumption delays: In Massachusetts, cannabis lounge plans are stuck as local zoning revisions push approvals to July, leaving small operators bleeding cash while the state rolls out supplemental licences first. Drug-court ripple effects: A UK court gave a €300 poor-box donation instead of conviction for a driver found with a small cannabis stash in his car. Police disruption of illegal grows: New Zealand police foiled a commercial cannabis operation in Feilding, seizing 800+ plants, dried cannabis, and cash. US legal rights (weed + guns): The US Supreme Court kept narrowing federal gun restrictions for marijuana users, ruling the government can’t automatically disarm casual users. CBD therapy watch: Australia’s Avecho entered a trading halt ahead of phase III insomnia results for its synthetic CBD therapy, targeting OTC approval. Local crime with cannabis: UK police remanded a man in Sheffield after a raid allegedly found 100+ cannabis plants.

U.S. Supreme Court & Guns: The court ruled 9-0 that the federal gun ban tied to marijuana use alone is unconstitutional, reshaping Second Amendment rights for cannabis users. DEA Rescheduling Hearing: The DEA invited only marijuana opponents to a June 29 hearing on federal rescheduling, drawing backlash from consumers and state-licensed businesses. State Policy Watch: North Carolina Senate Democrats filed a bill to put cannabis legalization amendments on the November ballot, but GOP leadership signaled low odds of action; in Wisconsin, marijuana remains illegal even if bought legally out of state, while CBD is legal. CBD/Industry & Consumer Notes: A shoplifting case involving CBD oil ended with a court decision that kept the discharge in play, and TSA reminders highlighted what travelers can’t bring through security (including liquids like ranch). Enforcement Roundup (Global): Police and customs raids kept coming—Mumbai seized Bangkok-linked hydroponic weed worth ₹6.65 crore; Kenya police nabbed suspects with bhang worth Ksh 12.1 million; Nigeria’s NDLEA arrested elderly alleged drug dealers selling to secondary school students and intercepted synthetic cannabinoid shipments. Public Safety & Health: A new cannabis-and-brain study roundup pointed to moderation questions as ER cases for heavy use continue to rise.

Police Accountability: Trinidad & Tobago Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro says 290 officers are suspended as part of a crackdown on misconduct, including a case where an officer allegedly tampered with police exhibits involving marijuana. Court & Bail Reform: A Court of Appeal ruling in Malaysia has reignited calls to amend the Dangerous Drugs Act to allow bail discretion in trafficking cases, after a defendant was blocked from transferring a case without a chemist report. Regulation Watch: Washington state health officials posted World Cup-focused guidance on using legal cannabis products, urging low doses and slow start due to varying strengths. Tech & Moderation: A UK model steam festival ad was removed by Facebook after automated systems flagged smoke as “promoting cannabis,” highlighting how platform rules can misread harmless imagery. Enforcement & Seizures: Cyprus police seized more than 7 kilos of drugs including synthetic cannabis “Kif,” arresting two men. Policy & Industry: Himachal Pradesh approved amendments to regulate cannabis cultivation for medical/scientific use under a “Green to Gold” plan aimed at major revenue growth. Public Safety: Scotland court reporting shows cannabis drug-driving enforcement continues, with a driver losing their licence after THC levels exceeded the legal limit.

Virginia Cannabis & Budget Deal: Lawmakers in Virginia reached a compromise budget that keeps data-center tax breaks while setting up a first regulated adult-use cannabis market launch next year, with details still moving through the final vote process. US Supreme Court—Gun Rights for Marijuana Users: Legal analysts are reacting to a unanimous Supreme Court ruling limiting the federal gun ban for marijuana users, with commentary calling parts of the decision’s reasoning “absurd.” Public Safety & Enforcement: The DOJ/FBI reported major results from “Operation Spring Cleaning,” including seizures of marijuana and other drugs alongside nearly 1,000 firearms. International Policy: India’s Himachal Pradesh cabinet approved regulated cannabis cultivation, framed as a way to boost farmer income via industrial hemp and low-intoxicant medicinal cannabis. Research Watch: A study of seized illicit cannabis found fentanyl was not detected in tested samples, while other drugs appeared only at trace levels. Local Crime & Courts: Police reported multiple cannabis-related arrests and seizures, including a UK raid uncovering hundreds of plants and a US case where a driver allegedly consumed medical cannabis before a fatal crash.

US Supreme Court & Guns/Weed: In United States v. Hemani, the court ruled marijuana users can’t be automatically stripped of Second Amendment gun rights just for using cannabis, with Justice Neil Gorsuch writing the majority opinion. US Immigration: New Zealander Everlee Wihongi was released from ICE detention after more than two months tied to an old cannabis conviction that was later quashed. Customs Crackdown: Nigeria’s customs intercepted expired pharmaceuticals worth about N12.8bn and seized 1.8 tonnes of cannabis at Apapa Port. Policy Push (South Africa): A new coalition launches June 26 calling to end criminalisation of personal drug use and possession, aiming for a health-and-rights approach. Local Cannabis Governance (Virginia): Virginia lawmakers’ budget deal includes a compromise to create a legal retail cannabis market, with sales targeted for 2027. Local Cannabis Expansion (California): Chico City Council voted to move forward on an ordinance for legal commercial cannabis cultivation. Study on Older Adults & Edibles: A University of Utah/CU Boulder study finds many adults over 60 use cannabis edibles mainly to feel better—often for sleep, mental health, or pain—not to get high.

Supreme Court & Guns: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the federal gun ban for marijuana users can’t be applied just because someone uses weed, dealing a major blow to efforts to disarm “unlawful users.” Virginia Retail Cannabis: Virginia lawmakers and Gov. Spanberger reached a compromise that would set up a regulated adult-use market with retail sales proposed to start July 1, 2027, after budget approval. Nevada Public Use: Nevada’s rules still bar smoking weed in public streets and parks (except licensed consumption lounges), even though recreational use is legal statewide. Campus Crackdown: NACOC raided Central University and arrested five students tied to alleged cannabis production and sales on campus. Local Court/Enforcement: A Sudbury case charged a driver with careless driving causing death and “cannabis readily available,” while multiple other drug-and-gun arrests and charges popped up across the week. Hemp/CBD Industry: Bluegrass Hemp Oil expanded consumer education focused on full-spectrum CBD, labeling, and third-party testing.

Supreme Court Gun-Rights Update: In a unanimous 9-0 ruling (US v. Hemani), the U.S. Supreme Court said the federal government can’t automatically strip gun rights from regular marijuana users under the Gun Control Act—unless officials can show the person is dangerous under the Constitution and history. Local Enforcement: Ohio’s Lake Milton crackdown led to 15 arrests/citations, including multiple marijuana possession and THC vape-related summonses, as deputies and ODNR targeted beach-area violations. Youth-Targeted Packaging: A new study finds adolescents may find cannabis edibles more appealing when packaging uses colorful branding, cartoonish imagery, and snack-like photos—suggesting regulators may need to rethink design rules. Retail Expansion Watch: Minnesota’s La Canna opened as the state’s first dispensary in La Crescent, with legal experts warning that products legal in one state can still be criminal across state lines. Industry Pressure Point: Oklahoma’s cannabis market is collapsing under oversupply and price drops, with calls from leaders to shut down the medical program amid diversion concerns.

US Supreme Court Gun Rights for Cannabis Users: In a unanimous 9-0 ruling, the Court said the federal government can’t automatically strip gun rights from people who regularly use marijuana, siding with Texas man Ali Hemani and narrowing how prosecutors can use the “unlawful user” firearms law. Criminal Justice Ripple Effects: The decision also highlights the Court’s limits on broad drug-and-gun rules, while leaving open that guns can still be taken in cases involving proven danger or addiction-related circumstances. Local Enforcement + Cannabis in the Mix: A Wisconsin teen faces charges after a fatal Fond du Lac County crash; the complaint says she admitted smoking marijuana before the crash. Cross-Border Legal Pressure: A New Zealand woman detained by ICE in the US over an old cannabis possession conviction is expected to be released soon after the government moved to vacate her case. Drug Trafficking Raid: Canadian police in Gatineau seized crack, ecstasy, meth tablets, psilocybin and cannabis, along with a handgun, during a raid. Industry Watch (Hemp/THC Rules): A Virginia op-ed warns a new “25-to-1 hemp loophole” change could make many currently legal hemp products illegal before the regulated retail marijuana market opens.

Virginia Cannabis Retail Push: Gov. Abigail Spanberger and lawmakers unveiled a revised plan for a regulated adult-use cannabis market, with recreational sales targeted for July 1, 2027, including a 6% launch tax (rising later) and a cap of 350 retail locations statewide. Ohio Hemp/THC Court Update: A federal judge temporarily lifted Ohio’s THC drink ban for some businesses, keeping the legal fight over hemp-derived THC beverages alive. Pennsylvania Budget Mechanics: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposal to tap nearly $4.7B from the state rainy day fund would be the biggest savings draw in history, but Republicans argue it could hurt credit and force future tax hikes. Marketing Compliance Reality Check: A new report says CBD brands still face near-total ad blackouts on Google, Meta, and TikTok, pushing marketers toward guest posts—while warning that paid guest-post networks can trigger penalties. Local Dispensary Rules: Marysville, California voted to narrow cannabis dispensary buffer zones after earlier rules made legal openings impossible within city limits. Enforcement & Courts: Police in Sheffield shut down a cannabis farm and charged a man with production; in Hong Kong, customs seized 81.2kg of suspected cannabis buds worth about $14.5M at the airport and arrested a suspect. Public Safety/Health: A study cited in coverage links commercial cannabis markets to increased addiction, adding pressure on regulators to get rules right.

Virginia Retail Cannabis: Gov. Abigail Spanberger and lawmakers struck a budget deal to launch a regulated adult-use cannabis market on July 1, 2027, after a prior plan was vetoed; the plan sets a 6% launch tax rising to 8% in 2029, with localities able to add more. Court & Safety: A judge granted conditional release to a Virginia woman found not guilty by reason of insanity in a neighbor’s accidental death, with mental health checks and drug screenings. Enforcement Crackdowns: Police in Aberdeen uncovered cannabis worth £1.3m+ in raids leading to eight arrests; in Lancashire (Fleetwood) officers found 1,000+ cannabis plants across five floors and charged a man with production. Local Cannabis Case: Minnesota police shut down an unlicensed Red Wing cannabis-growing operation, seizing 33 pounds plus THC products and cash, and charging the suspect including child endangerment. Policy Watch: Michigan lawmakers are revisiting marijuana license cap rules, adding new barriers tied to industry tax debt.

Virginia Cannabis Deal: Virginia lawmakers and Gov. Abigail Spanberger struck a budget compromise to create a regulated adult-use retail cannabis market, with sales targeted to start July 1, 2027 after a year of rulemaking for licensing, testing, enforcement, and youth protections. UK Border Force Bust: UK Border Force seized a record 12 tonnes of cannabis worth about £139 million at Southampton Port, with three people arrested for allegedly facilitating the import. Courtroom & Compliance: A Los Angeles-area lawsuit claims a cannabis drink maker hid auto-renewal terms in tiny gray font to charge recurring fees. Public Safety & Driving: A local councillor criticized a cannabis influencer for posting about vaping roadside, arguing it’s unsafe to drive after using prescribed cannabis. Enforcement Roundups: Multiple drug cases hit the headlines this week, including a “squeaky clean” farmer jailed for 10 years over a €1.6m cannabis haul, and a traffic stop in Marshall County leading to meth plus marijuana charges. Industry Watch: A report says vape products are now a major driver of cannabis sales, with younger buyers demanding more product clarity.

Federal Cannabis Seeds Rulemaking: A new GOP-backed federal proposal could reclassify many viable cannabis seeds as “marijuana” if they can grow plants above 0.3% THC, raising the risk of federal charges for seed sellers and buyers. Virginia Adult-Use Cannabis Deal: Gov. Abigail Spanberger and lawmakers announced a compromise adult-use retail market, with sales targeted for July 1, 2027, a 6% state tax rising to 8% in 2029, up to 350 licenses, and child-safety packaging rules. UK Border Force Record Bust: Border Force seized 12 tonnes of cannabis worth about £139m at Southampton from Canada, with three arrests tied to importation. Drug Trafficking Crackdowns Abroad: Kuwait reported 14 arrests across eight cases, seizing meth, hashish, marijuana, heroin, synthetic cannabinoid sheets, and drug-making equipment. Local Enforcement & Court Cases: A Holyrood RCMP stop led to charges after cannabis was found improperly stored along with paraphernalia and an unsecured firearm; in Virginia, a judge moved a murder case forward where prosecutors allege a cannabis purchase was used to set up a fatal shooting.

Massachusetts Ballot Fight: The state Supreme Judicial Court upheld a ballot question to roll back adult-use cannabis sales, rejecting claims the AG’s summary was unfair—meaning voters will still weigh the repeal. New Hampshire Medical Cannabis: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a bill that would let medical cannabis dispensaries run greenhouse grow sites, arguing against expanding cultivation. Kentucky Medical Access: Gov. Andy Beshear ended an out-of-state medical marijuana conditional pardon order, requiring patients to use Kentucky’s card system starting July 1. Retail Legalization Clash: A Toronto cannabis shop destroyed FIFA-themed “FIFA Bong” items after FIFA sent a legal notice over trademark use. Hemp/THC Rules: Illinois moved to tighten hemp/THC limits and underage sales, while other states debate age and product restrictions. Enforcement & Courts: Police actions and court cases kept rolling—from cannabis grow busts to drug-driving and possession hearings—showing how local enforcement still shapes real-world access. Public Health/Policy: The EU unveiled a drug-crisis plan targeting organized crime, overdose response, and treatment funding as deaths remain high. Everyday Weed Talk: Lawn and weed-care tips dominated some coverage, including advice focused on healthier grass to reduce invasive weeds.

Hemp & THC Policy: A GOP congresswoman is circulating draft federal legislation to keep hemp THC drinks legal, allowing adults 21+ to buy beverages with up to 5mg delta-9 THC per serving, with federal permitting and testing/labeling oversight. State Regulation: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill doubling adult-use limits and banning underage hemp THC sales, while another Illinois measure signed earlier this week strengthens hemp oversight and consumer protections. Industry & Equity: Massachusetts reports its adult-use cannabis delivery sector has grown steadily since 2021, with delivery license models set aside for social equity applicants through 2029. Courts & Enforcement: Greek authorities seized nearly 96kg of marijuana plus small amounts of cocaine near the Greek-Albanian border, following another major interception in the same area. Public Safety: Mississippi’s AG wrapped up “Operation Liberty Strike,” netting 40 arrests and major drug and weapons seizures, including fentanyl and marijuana. Local Weed/Crime: A New Orleans Marine vet’s killing is tied in court to an alleged feud over a small marijuana amount, with new details shared in the case. Community & Health: Kansas experts say a healthy lawn can help prevent weeds by avoiding scalping and using deeper, less frequent watering.

Hemp & Cannabis Enforcement: A Kansas couple was arrested after deputies saw meth, marijuana, and paraphernalia during a consent search tied to a wanted person. Court Round-Up: In the UK, a driver was fined and banned after testing positive for cannabis while driving a Ford Fiesta; another case saw a man get a suspended 18-month sentence after delays in charging over cannabis, ketamine, and cocaine. Drug Trafficking (Global): Nigeria’s NDLEA says it seized liquid-cocaine–soaked shirts and towels from a Brazil-based businessman at Lagos airport, while UNODC reports synthetic drug markets in East/Southeast Asia are expanding fast, with meth and ketamine seizures hitting records. Local Public Safety Tech: Kenya announced CCTV rollouts across Nairobi and five towns, linking cameras to command centers for real-time monitoring. Policy/Industry Watch: New York’s cannabis legalization is cited by retiring upstate lawmakers as creating economic opportunity, even as leadership changes shake up Albany.