Latest Cannabis News: October 22, 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.

Adult Use

U.S. Virgin Islands: After legalizing adult-use cannabis in January 2023, the U.S. Virgin Islands is now opening the door for commercial cannabis business licenses.

Applications, along with a $5,000 fee, must be submitted by Dec. 19 to be considered.

Last week regulators issued licenses to 13 cultivators across St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, and dispensary licenses are currently under review. Importantly, all applicants (other than micro-cultivators) must meet certain ownership eligibility criteria, including a requirement to be majority-owned by someone who has lived in the territory for 10 out of the last 15 years or attended school there for at least five years.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/cannabis-business-licensing-opens-in-virgin-islands/

Medical

Florida: A renewed, high-profile push to legalize recreational cannabis via the Smart & Safe ballot initiative is facing legal challenges from state officials and procedural disputes over petition signatures and ballot language.

The last battle to legalize marijuana in the nation’s third-largest state triggered lawsuits, finger pointing and a possible criminal investigation.

During the last go-round, the Florida Supreme Court reviewed the recreational pot amendment in early November 2023. The court approved it on April 1 — the constitutional deadline — by a 5-2 margin.

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/19/florida-legalized-pot-smart-safe-lawsuit-00613927

New Hampshire: New Hampshire lawmakers are once again debating adult-use cannabis legalization under House Bill 186, which would allow adults to possess up to two ounces and create state-licensed stores. Despite about 70% public support, the bill faces strong resistance from Governor Sununu and many senators, making passage uncertain. A hearing is set for October 28 before the House Commerce Committee.

Sullivan predicted Monday, Oct. 20th, his House Bill 186 will win bipartisan support in the panel when it comes up for an initial vote on Oct. 28, and in the full House, which will consider it next year. But he’s not holding out much hope for its chances in the N.H. Senate, and notes that Gov. Kelly Ayotte also opposes legalization.

Source: https://vnews.com/2025/10/17/marijuana-legalization-new-hampshire/

Ohio: Multiple developments: lawmakers taking up bills to revise the voter-approved marijuana law (including hemp restrictions), the Ohio Senate passed reforms to marijuana OVI/DUI thresholds, and a judge temporarily blocked Gov. DeWine’s short-term ban on “intoxicating” hemp products.

The legislation would still address the state’s recreational marijuana program, however, with provisions touching on tax revenue allocation, according to a key lawmaker.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-lawmakers-will-take-up-bill-to-revise-voter-approved-marijuana-law-and-add-hemp-market-restrictions-this-week

Pennsylvania: The state Senate Law & Justice Committee scheduled a vote on creating a statewide Cannabis Control Board to oversee medical program and potentially adult-use regulation.

While the proposal wouldn’t legalize adult-use cannabis as the lead sponsor has supported, it would establish a regulatory infrastructure that could be used to oversee such a program.

Sen. Dan Laughlin (R) who has sponsored legalization bills in the past, previewed the measure in May, writing that Pennsylvania should first take steps to make sure the state is “ready to act when legalization becomes law” by establishing a Cannabis Control Board (CCB) now.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/pennsylvania-senators-will-vote-on-bipartisan-cannabis-bill-to-create-new-regulatory-body-next-week/

Low-THC, High-CBD

Wisconsin: Republican lawmakers introduced a medical marijuana legalization bill and a Senate committee scheduled a hearing to consider it.

Wisconsin’s GOP Assembly speaker said last week that he hopes lawmakers in the state can “find a consensus” on legislation to legalize medical marijuana. But he added that the new cannabis bill filed by his Republican leadership counterpart in the Senate is “unlikely” to pass his chamber because it is “way too broad and way too wide-ranging.”

Despite Republicans’ move to cut legalization from the budget legislation, party leaders recently acknowledged that the debate over medical marijuana legalization is “not going to go away,” and there’s hope it can be resolved this session.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/wisconsin-senate-committee-schedules-hearing-on-gop-leaders-new-medical-marijuana-bill

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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