Latest Cannabis News: November 12, 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.

Federal

Part of the recently passed Senate spending bill, intended to reopen the government, proposes a ban on the sale of many hemp-derived THC products by lowering the allowable THC limit to 0.4 milligrams. Some hemp store owners claim it would effectively illegalize 99% of their current inventory. On Monday, the U.S. Senate approved a funding measure to reopen the federal government. The U.S. House could vote on the plan as soon as Wednesday.

Source: https://www.wral.com/news/local/north-carolina-hemp-industry-upheaval-senate-bill-thc-ban-2025/

Low-THC, High-CBD States

Wisconsin: During the gubernatorial candidate forum in Wisconsin, several candidates voiced support for legalizing adult-use cannabis, in part to generate revenue for broadband infrastructure expansion. Legalization is being framed not just as a social-policy issue but as part of the state’s economic development and tech agenda.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/legalize-marijuana-to-fund-broadband-access-expansion-wisconsin-democratic-candidates-for-governor-say/

Medical

Florida: Florida Republican Rep. Alex Andrade has introduced a bill to ban public smoking and vaping of marijuana, extending current tobacco restrictions to include cannabis use in places like parks, sidewalks, and beaches. The proposal notably exempts unfiltered cigars. While Andrade supports broader cannabis reform, he says the bill aims to prevent public-use concerns as Florida’s 2026 legalization campaign—led by Smart & Safe Florida—moves forward. The group has already gathered more than 660,000 verified signatures for its adult-use ballot initiative. The measure reflects an effort to balance legalization momentum with public-consumption limits, signaling that Florida lawmakers are preparing for potential recreational approval in the near future.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/florida-gop-lawmaker-files-bill-to-ban-public-marijuana-smoking-as-campaign-works-to-put-legalization-on-2026-ballot/

Oklahoma: Oklahoma’s latest bid to legalize recreational marijuana has failed. The group Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action did not collect the required 173,000 valid signatures by the November 3 deadline to qualify for the 2026 ballot. A new state rule limiting how many petition signatures can come from a single county made the task even harder.

The defeat comes as Oklahoma’s medical cannabis market continues to shrink, with thousands of licenses lost and sales dropping sharply since 2020. Unless the legislature takes action, adult-use legalization is effectively off the table for now.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/oklahoma-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-bid-fails/

Adult-Use States

Massachusetts: A group of Massachusetts citizens have filed an initiative petition to roll back marijuana legalization in the state, according to the MA attorney general’s office.

On Aug. 6, the attorney general’s office announced that 19 groups had filed 47 initiative petitions for new proposed laws or constitutional amendments.

Two of the proposed laws, both filed by Caroline Cunningham and signed by about 14 others, would repeal provisions in the current marijuana law passed in 2016 that allow for the drug to be sold commercially in the state. However, the process to become law is lengthy, and there are other challenges in its way.

Source: https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/11/could-legal-cannabis-be-rolled-back-in-massachusetts/85614295007/

Ohio: In Ohio a new survey found that nearly half (47 %) of respondents support the construction of new cannabis dispensaries, while 61 % say existing dispensaries are positively impacting the economy and 41 % say they’ve improved quality of life. The poll also revealed more caution around public-safety and environmental impacts of dispensaries. Additionally, Ohio lawmakers’ eye intoxicating hemp fix, cannabis law update before Thanksgiving. Lawmakers are reportedly eyeing legislation to address the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp products in the state.

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/most-ohioans-support-opening-new-marijuana-shops-in-the-state-and-say-they-improve-the-economy-poll-finds/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ohio-lawmakers-eye-intoxicating-hemp

Virginia: In Virginia, the issue of legalizing recreational cannabis is back on the agenda as the incoming governor prepares to take office. The article notes that although Virginia has decriminalized and allowed home-use of marijuana, the retail market remains absent, with the state’s medical-cannabis market around $180 million while the underground market is estimated near $3 billion.

One proposed bill from 2024 would tax adult-use sales at up to 11.6 % (8 % state tax, 2.5 % local option, 1 % for K-12) if passed. Dispensary owners are hopeful that the policy pendulum will shift “to where it makes sense in the middle,” enabling regulated adult-use sales and giving small businesses a role.

https://www.29news.com/2025/11/07/recreational-cannabis-is-back-table-virginia/

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!

Contact Info@thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com for more information on how to apply for a cannabis business license.