Latest Cannabis News: May 20, 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, High CBD

North Carolina: A bill that would establish a regulated marijuana industry (recreational and medical) is stuck in a North Carolina Senate committee.

Filed on March 19, Senate Bill 350 proposes a maximum of 10 supplier licenses for eight dispensaries. Dispensaries would be ABC Applicants must have two years of state residency and demonstrate experience in cultivating, producing, and distributing cannabis. The bill would establish a commission responsible for developing regulations, including the creation of at least six tiers of cultivation facilities. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Source: https://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2025/05/14/local-state/medical-cannabis-bill-on-pause-in-north-carolina-senate/

Medical

Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey signed a controversial bill aimed at regulating consumable hemp products into law on Wednesday.

HB 445, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, faced strong opposition from the hemp industry, which claims the bill overregulates federally legal products, and the Alabama Policy Institute, a conservative think tank, which argued it did not regulate the products enough.

Source: https://alabamareflector.com/2025/05/14/gov-kay-ivey-signs-controversial-alabama-hemp-regulation-into-law/

Nebraska: On Tuesday, May 20, the Nebraska Senate is scheduled to debate LB 677 with Amendment 1251. The bill includes a regulatory framework for legal medical cannabis sales, along with new restrictions. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is calling for passage of the bill with the amendment and asking supporters to call and email their state senators.

Source: https://blog.mpp.org/blog/neb-senate-voting-on-medical-cannabis-bill/

Pennsylvania: A Pennsylvania Senate committee has rejected a bill to legalize marijuana with state-run stores that narrowly passed the House last week.

On Tuesday, the Senate Law and Justice Committee defeated the legislation from Reps. Rick Krajewski (D) and Dan Frankel (D) in a 7-3 vote.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/pennsylvania-senate-committee-rejects-marijuana-legalization-bill-that-was-approved-by-house/

Texas: At Monday’s Senate committee meeting, Republican Sen. Charles Perry, the sponsor of a HB 46 companion bill in the Senate, SB 1505, said that the legislation is a “work in progress” that would likely be amended before final passage. He added that some of the provisions still being debated include the number of additional medical cannabis dispensaries that will be added.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2025/05/19/texas-senate-panel-considers-medical-cannabis-expansion-bill/

Recreational

Connecticut: NEW MILFORD — With the town’s ban on the sale of recreational cannabis set to expire this year, the Town Council plans to hold a public meeting to get feedback on whether the moratorium should be extended for another year.

Connecticut will be giving out 4 licenses for Cannabis Transporter, 12 Retail Licenses, 6 Product Packager Licenses, 4 Micro-Cultivator Licenses.

Source: https://www.wiltonbulletin.com/newmilford/article/new-milford-cannabis-moratorium-end-extend-decide-20325038.php

https://portal.ct.gov/cannabis/knowledge-base/categories/licensing-and-business-information/licensing—lotteries-and-application-information?language=en_US

Minnesota: Adult-use marijuana sales have yet to launch in Minnesota, but state lawmakers are already proposing a tax hike.

A recently announced budget agreement would raise the gross receipts tax from 10% on sales at licensed businesses to 15%, according to CBS News Minnesota.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-marijuana-tax-hike-proposed-ahead-of-legal-sales-launch/

The Cannabis Business Advisors have more than thirty years of combined industry experience, spanning across the U.S. and around the globe. C.B. Advisors offers a comprehensive suite of services, including application and licensing preparation, operational analysis, merger and acquisition support, policy and procedures, exit strategy guidance, and business development planning. Stay up to date on the latest cannabis news with The CB Advisors!

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