The Week In Cannabis: Delays, Decrees And Deals Reshape The Global Playbook

Another busy stretch reminded the cannabis industry that momentum rarely moves in a straight line.

Minnesota punted its adult‑use launch to at least 2026, while Germany's new coalition left legalization intact. In Latin America, Chile pushed a sweeping adult‑use bill even as Panama tightened medical rules and Italy stunned hemp operators with a sudden ban.

Companies stayed active: SNDL Inc. SNDL inked a 32‑store acquisition and started trading in Canada, MariMed Inc. MRMD elevated a longtime brand builder to chief commercial officer and Tilray Brands Inc. TLRY trimmed guidance after softer cannabis sales.

Below is a recap of every headline that mattered.

Politics And Regulation

U.S. Rescheduling Could Drift Under Trump

Former DEA adviser Matt Lawrence told an Ohio State University forum that, without explicit White House backing, the DEA might "do essentially nothing at all," leaving the Schedule III proposal in limbo. Former HHS counsel Patricia Zettler added that new DEA nominee Terrance Cole's long agency tenure "doesn't bode particularly well for support of rescheduling," warning that the simplest outcome may be prolonged delay.

The discussion, reported by Marijuana Moment, highlighted how politics—not science—will likely dictate the timetable. Speakers also noted that DEA could revive the process quickly if President Trump deems it a priority, but the administration's first‑year drug plan omitted any reference to cannabis reform.

Medicare And Medicaid Draw A Hard Line

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a rule clarifying that "alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis products" are ineligible as supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage plans. CMS said it had fielded questions about covering medical marijuana but reiterated that cannabis remains illegal federally.

In the same notice—slated for the Federal Register on June 3—CMS specified that CBD products also fail the "primarily health related" test, effectively barring coverage. The policy details appear in the agency's rulemaking summary, also covered by Marijuana Moment.

Minnesota's Retail Clock Slips

Consultant Stefan Egan, who helped draft Minnesota's adult‑use law, told KSTP‑TV that absent final rules, licenses won't be issued before late spring 2026. Sen. Mark Koran projected another nine to twelve months for build‑outs and product testing, pushing first sales into late spring or early summer 2026.

Both sources warned that uncertainty hampers investment. The Office of Cannabis Management noted more than 1,000 qualified applicants stand ready once regulations land, but it offered no firm timeline.

Germany Keeps CanG in Place

Germany's new CDU/CSU‑SPD coalition will not roll back the 2024 legalization law. Instead, the government plans a "neutral evaluation" in autumn 2025.

The compromise came after Bavaria's CSU pushed for reinstating prohibition. Federal drug commissioner Burkhard Blienert called the existing framework "an important contribution to a more honest and decriminalized approach to drugs," urging patience until the review.

Read the full story on Benzinga

Chile Advances Adult‑Use Bill

A cross‑party coalition introduced legislation allowing six‑plant home‑grows, 40‑gram public possession and nonprofit cultivation clubs. Lead sponsor Ana María Gazmuri said the proposal "allows us to catch up with international standards."

Civil‑society leaders told El Planteo the bill addresses organized crime by offering legal access. Presidential contender Vlado Mirosevic pledged to champion legalization if elected, calling prohibition a "failure of drug policy."

Read the full story on Benzinga

Panama Regulates, Italy Prohibits

Panama's Decree No. 6 broadens physician prescribing rights but bans vaporizers, a restriction reformer Carlos Ossa called illogical because "70% of patients use vaporizers." Production licenses remain pending, so the country still relies on imports.

Only a few days before that, Italy issued an emergency decree banning all hemp and CBD flowers. Trade group Canapa Sativa Italia warned the move threatens up to 30,000 jobs and violates EU precedent that CBD is not a narcotic.

Read the full story on Benzinga.

Netherlands Launches Supply‑Chain Pilot

Ten municipalities—including Arnhem, Groningen and Tilburg—began requiring coffeeshops to stock only state‑licensed cannabis. Hashish will follow once supply stabilizes, officials told Dutch media. Shop owner Willem Vugs welcomed the phased roll‑out, saying growers need time to "produce the right quality and variety."

The four‑year experiment, detailed by Dutch News reporting, aims to replace the decades‑old "back‑door" model where sales are tolerated but large‑scale cultivation remains illegal.

Corporate And Market Moves

SNDL Expands Retail Footprint And Lists On The CSE

SNDL Inc. agreed to buy 32 Cost Cannabis and T Cannabis stores from 1CM Inc. EPIC for C$32.2 million in cash, per the companies' joint release. CEO Zach George said the deal "aligns with our stated capital priorities" and boosts the network to 219 owned or franchised outlets.

The transaction—covering locations in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan—generated C$53 million in revenue for 1CM's fiscal 2024. Closing is expected by Q3 2025, pending court and shareholder approval, after which 1CM plans to return "a substantial portion" of the proceeds to investors.

Two days after the acquisition announcement, SNDL began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the same ticker. George said the move "creates optionality for shareholders" and positions the company to pursue growth with "greater agility."

The CSE listing allows investors to trade shares in Canadian dollars and fits the exchange's cannabis‑friendly framework, according to SNDL's statement.

MariMed Names Chief Commercial Officer

MariMed Inc. promoted Ryan Crandall—co‑creator of Betty's Eddies Chews—to chief commercial officer. CEO Jon Levine credited Crandall with building "our innovative and trusted portfolio of brands."

Crandall, who joined MariMed in 2018, will oversee sales, marketing, product development and retail. He called the role "a fantastic journey" and pledged to strengthen MariMed's market position.

Scotts Miracle‑Gro Spins Off Hawthorne Collective

The Scotts Miracle‑Gro Company SMG transferred its Hawthorne Collective investment arm to an independent partner in exchange for an interest‑bearing note. CEO Jim Hagedorn said the move reduces cannabis‑sector volatility and lets Scotts focus on core lawn and garden products.

The company retains an option to reacquire Hawthorne Collective if federal reform—such as rescheduling or the SAFER Banking Act—boosts sector prospects. Hagedorn noted that "four years of unkept promises" have hampered growth.

Tilray Trims Revenue Outlook

Tilray Brands reported Q3 revenue of $185.8 million, down from $188.3 million a year earlier and below consensus. Cannabis sales fell to $54.3 million, while beverage alcohol rose slightly to $55.9 million.

Citing SKU rationalization and a shift of product from Canada to higher‑margin export markets, Tilray cut its FY‑2025 revenue target to $850–900 million from up to $1 billion, as detailed in Benzinga.

Market Forecasts

Whitney Economics Slashes U.S. Sales Projections

Data firm Whitney Economics reduced its 2025–2030 U.S. retail forecast by $21.1 billion, blaming oversupply, high taxes and hemp‑derived substitutes. Founder Beau Whitney said, "Lower prices, lower participation and more substitutes will result in lower revenues."

California took the biggest hit, with a $606 million downgrade for 2025. New York and Maryland were bright spots, reflecting faster‑growing new markets.

Read the full story on Benzinga.

Science, Education & Events

Avicanna Calls Clinicians To Toronto

Avicanna Inc. AVCNF AVCN will host its fifth medical symposium—"From Emerging Evidence to Clinical Practice"—on June 6 at Toronto's MaRS Discovery District. Executive VP Dr. Karolina Urban said the gathering aims to "enhance our collective understanding of cannabinoid‑based medicines."

Speakers include researchers from Washington State, Johns Hopkins and the University of British Columbia, covering topics from CBG's therapeutic potential to opioid–cannabinoid interactions. Healthcare professionals can register or submit poster abstracts at avicanna.com/symposium.

Argentina Explores Cannabis Tourism And Chemo Pain Relief

Mendoza passed a law creating a provincial cannabis registry, while entrepreneur Gonzalo Llamas Bianchetti's Proyecto Vallecitos seeks to revive an abandoned ski town with hemp‑based eco‑lodging and cultivation. Provincial health leader Daniel Llaver said the registry focuses on patient access and industry compliance.

Separately, a three‑year preclinical study by CONICET and Universidad Austral found a 1:1 CBD‑THC oral blend prevented chemotherapy‑induced neuropathic pain in rats without added toxicity. Both stories were detailed in Benzinga.

Recommended Reads Of The Week

• Who's Blocking Cannabis Reform in the Senate?
• Latino Entrepreneurs Are Thriving in NYC's Cannabis Market—Here's the Proof
• Ice‑T Says He Doesn't Get High—So Why Did He Open a Cannabis Dispensary With a Playboy Playmate?

Check back next week for a new recap of what’s going on in the most exciting industry in the world. Until then, stay high(drated).