Latest Cannabis News: August 6, 2025

Stay up to date with the latest legalization and cannabis news with the C.B. Advisors. Every week, we will release a snippet of what’s happening with each state in the cannabis industry. Did you miss last week? No worries – click here for last week’s cannabis news.

Low THC

Georgia: Georgia lawmakers are holding statewide hearings through fall 2025 to revisit stalled efforts to expand medical cannabis access and regulate hemp-derived THC products. Led by Rep. Mark Newton, a House study committee will gather input ahead of the 2026 session. Key proposals include raising THC limits, expanding patient eligibility, and banning or regulating hemp beverages.

Source: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/aug/02/georgia-lawmakers-dig-into-medical-cannabis-hemp/

Medical

Florida: A Florida campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in 2026 has collected over 75% of the signatures needed to qualify for the ballot. The initiative would allow adults 21 and over to possess and use cannabis, with regulations on public use and marketing.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/florida-marijuana-campaign-has-now-collected-75-percent-of-signatures-needed-to-put-legalization-on-2026-ballot/

Nebraska: Commissioners were blunt at their third official meeting Monday, saying that without the statutory authority to set or collect fees and no funding to hire new staff or inspectors, the process of crafting formal rules and regulations has been difficult. The commission has until Oct. 1 to approve the state’s first registered cannabis establishments, such as cultivators, manufacturers, transporters or dispensaries, according to state law. Commissioners said they are working on an application form, but application materials conforming to the regulations can still be submitted in the meantime. Applicants may be asked to submit an application form once it is made available.

Source: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/06/medical-cannabis-liquor-control-commissions-seek-to-combine-resources-as-frustrations-flare/#:~:text=Applications%20for%20registered%20cannabis%20establishments,.contact%40nebraska.gov.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Democratic lawmakers are taking another swing at passing a bill to legalize marijuana with state-run stores, despite a different version of the proposal being soundly rejected in the GOP-controlled Senate after it passed the House earlier this session. Legalizing marijuana would help mitigate those costs and racial disparities, Delloso said. However, “permitting private companies to sell cannabis in Pennsylvania could allow large corporations to take over the cannabis industry, putting profits before the well-being of our communities,” he argued.

“For these reasons, my legislation will legalize adult use cannabis through the current state store system in order to ensure the safety and integrity of cannabis sales in Pennsylvania,” the memo says.

While other legalization proposals have since been filed in the state—including from bipartisan lawmakers in both chambers—Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R) and others have already signaled disinterest in the reform.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/pennsylvania-democratic-lawmakers-make-another-push-to-legalize-marijuana-with-state-run-stores/

Texas: Senate Bill 5 (SB 5) narrowly cleared the Texas Senate, with a 21–8 vote, authorizing a ban on all products containing any detectable amount of THC, which would criminalize possession of hemp-derived cannabinoids. A final vote is expected shortly before it moves to the House.

Simultaneously, a group of Democratic senators filed SB 54, proposing a regulated and decriminalized cannabis framework, including licensing, product standards, taxes, and expungements. HB 195 similarly would legalize possession (up to 2.5 oz) and personal storage limits

Source: https://www.chron.com/politics/article/texas-senate-ok-thc-ban-amid-proposals-to-save-it-20794324.php

Recreational

Delaware: August 1, 2025, marked a historic moment for Delaware as legal adult-use cannabis sales officially began. Adults 21 and over can now purchase recreational marijuana from licensed retailers, signaling a major milestone in the state’s legalization rollout.

Adult-use sales are possible thanks to landmark legislation passed in 2023, which legalizes cannabis for adults and creates Delaware’s regulatory structure. The legislation prioritizes public health, accountability, and social equity, and after extensive public input, OMC finalized a comprehensive set of regulations published in September 2024.

Source: https://news.delaware.gov/2025/08/01/delaware-launches-legal-adult-use-cannabis-sales-today/

Maryland: In a recent ruling, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) successfully defended its decision to deny a conditional dispensary license to JG and ND, LLC (JGND), citing regulatory violations stemming from a post-lottery ownership change. The Summary Decision Order, issued in May 2025, ends months of legal dispute and reinforces the state’s position on maintaining fairness and integrity in the cannabis licensing process.

Source: https://outlawreport.com/maryland-cannabis-regulators-deny-cannabis-license-over-post-lottery-ownership-shift/

New York: Cannabis regulators are working to resolve a major zoning error affecting 108 licensed dispensaries found to be too close to schools under corrected state law guidelines.

Acting OCM Director Felicia Reid assured impacted businesses on August 6 that they are not being told to close, move, or stop operations while the state pursues a legislative fix. The conflict stems from a shift in how the 500-foot buffer from schools is measured, now from the dispensary entrance to a school’s property line, rather than entrance-to-entrance.

While 44 provisional license applicants must find new locations, the 108 final licensees can stay put for now and renew licenses during the legislative process. Governor Hochul and Senator Sepúlveda are backing efforts to grandfather in existing dispensary locations, though it’s unclear if a special session will be called before 2026.

Source: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/us-states/new-york/news/15752378/ny-head-cannabis-regulator-sends-new-letter-to-businesses-impacted-by-school-proximity-correction

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