Volume 1, Issue 8
The Newsletter’s Aim
Weeding the News – a breakdown of the month’s cannabis news, important events, and top-notch accounting tips – aims to entertain and inform you as we watch the cannabis industry transform before us.
© 2025 BTA Corp. All rights reserved.
What’s on the Docket
New Jersey may be facing an impending tax hike; but New Hampshire residents may soon be able to possess small amounts of cannabis; Florida residents could very well find it harder to get ballot initiatives approved. And in what could have been ripped straight from a Guy Ritchie movie, eight people in England have been jailed for posing as utility workers to siphon power to several cannabis farms. Meanwhile, a dire warning from a Doctor of Economics underscores the importance of prioritizing compliance in cannabis operations.
Cannabis in Los Angeles and Beyond
According to a new report, legal cannabis production in California has increased by nearly 12%, while the illicit market is almost double this figure. Read more on MjBizDaily.
Also of note in California, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development declared $18 million will be allotted to cannabis equity applicants and licensees. Read more on Fox 40.
Medical cannabis users in Georgia may find it easier to obtain cannabis soon as lawmakers are advancing “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act,” which would broaden patients’ access to cannabis. Read more on Cannabis Business Times.
New Hampshire residents may be able to live a little easier as lawmakers are advancing a plan to legalize possession of small amounts of cannabis. Read more on Marijuana Moment.
According to a new report, more than three-quarters of cannabis sales growth in the U.S. over the next three years will come from six states (Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, and Minnesota). Read more on Ganjapreneur.
© 2025 BTA Corp. All rights reserved.
While California is waiting to see if a proposed tax hike will go through, New Jersey may also implement a steep tax hike of their own (a 500% increase in the cannabis excise fee). Read more on Cannabis Business Times.
An oral cannabinoid drug for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has received application clearance from the FDA to advance to phase 2 of clinical trials. Read more on PR Newswire.
Idaho lawmakers are looking to exclude voters from deciding for themselves if cannabis should be legalized or not. Read more on NORML.
Similarly, Florida lawmakers are looking to put restrictions on putting initiatives on the ballot, which could impede legalizing marijuana in 2026. Read more on Marijuana Moment.
February enjoyed robust cannabis sales, rising 2.1% for a total of $2.3 billion over 15 markets, according to new data. Read more on New Cannabis Ventures.
© 2025 BTA Corp. All rights reserved.
Abroad
The New Association of Judges (NRV) in Germany has stated their disapproval for reversing cannabis legalization, citing the strain of chasing small-time cannabis users, which would divert necessary resources from tackling organized crime. Read more on the International CBC.
Curity Pharma, a Greek cannabis operator, has obtained a government cultivation license. The medical facility is part of an “export plan to establish Greek medical cannabis as a reference point across Europe,” says Curity’s CEO, Manos Chatiras. Read more on MJBizDaily.
Upcoming Events
The Situation Report
© 2025 BTA Corp. All rights reserved.
A New York woman is suing six cannabis retailers, alleging the websites infringed on her right to be protected from discrimination. Read more on the Green Market Report.
An Oakland rapper, Donte Kittling Jr., AKA “Lil’ Donk,” has been charged in connection with the carjacking of an armored van carrying $80,000 in cash for marijuana dispensaries in Oakland. Two other suspects have also been identified, all allegedly belonging to the gang known as the “Fein Team.” Read more on the Mercury News.
Several cannabis shops in D.C. were burglarized recently, with cameras capturing the faces of many of the allegedly burglars. Read more on abc 7 News.
A California hemp company, California Gold Farm, is suing the Madison County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee, alleging they seized and destroyed nearly $4 million worth of hemp products mistaken for cannabis during a traffic stop. Read more on WBBJ-TV.
Abroad
Eight people in England have been jailed for masquerading as utility workers to divert electricity to multiple cannabis farms across the UK. Read more on the BBC.
Industry Insight: Compliance is Survival
Dr. Ruth Fisher PhD, CannDynamics
“As cannabis markets mature—and especially if and when cannabis is either rescheduled or descheduled—cannabis companies will increasingly become subject to the FDA standards required of all other food, supplements, drug, and tobacco suppliers. Suppliers who start sooner rather than later to ensure all their processes meet minimum levels of FDA compliance, such as cGMP, will be much more likely to survive in the more stringent operating environment. They will also experience fewer legal problems than non-compliant operators associated with product recalls and/or lawsuits due to unsafe products being released into markets that subsequently cause harm to consumers.
“It’s going to put a lot of cannabis companies out of business. They’re simply not able to comply with all the oversight regulations that normal companies are subject to, including OSHA, EPA, etc. Plus, I think there’s going to be a lot of lawsuits as people who have bad experiences start suing.”
Much-Needed FAQs
Instead of answering questions that have been asked all the time, we offer a few questions that should be asked. If asked, the questions would save you a lot of time and trouble. Trust us.
