Latest Cannabis News: October 8, 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.

Medical

Nebraska: Nebraska officials missed a deadline this week, granting licenses to marijuana growers as part of a voter-approved measure that legalized medical marijuana, offering the latest example of pushback in Republican-led states against efforts to legalize the drug. Nebraska Republican leaders from the governor to the state’s attorney general and conservative lawmakers are working to weaken or even kill the new law, despite its overwhelming support at the ballot box.

Nebraska state Sen. John Cavanaugh (D) last week submitted a formal complaint to the state Medical Cannabis Commission over the emergency regulations. Cavanaugh also took aim at the commission missing the October 1 statutory deadline to begin issuing cannabis licenses, calling the failure “a clear breach of the Commission’s duty.” Cavanaugh is asking the General Affairs Committee to hold a hearing on his complaint.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/voter-approved-medical-marijuana-opposition-nebraska-dd27ba6c4a6105c4422f80753cd489dd

https://ganjapreneur.com/nebraska-sen-submits-formal-complaint-against-medical-cannabis-commissions-emergency-regulations/

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania state senators have introduced a bipartisan bill called “Ryan’s Law” that would allow terminally ill patients to use non-smokable forms of medical marijuana while hospitalized. The proposal would amend the existing medical cannabis statute to include provisions for storage, facility guidelines, and protections for health care facilities regarding federal enforcement action. It’s framed as a way to expand compassionate care options for patients who want to remain alert and present with loved ones in their final days.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/terminally-ill-patients-would-be-able-to-use-medical-marijuana-in-pennsylvania-hospitals-under-new-bipartisan-bill/

Adult Use

Michigan: The Michigan Senate has approved a sweeping 24% wholesale tax increase on cannabis that is anticipated to generate around $420 million in additional revenue. The proposal, which targets the cannabis supply chain rather than retail sales, is part of the state’s effort to bolster funding for various public priorities. The decision comes amid objections from industry stakeholders, who warn that such a steep tax increase could drive consumers back to the illicit market or squeeze smaller operators out of business. Meanwhile, proponents argue the revenue is essential for supporting health, education, infrastructure, and other state programs.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2025/10/06/michigan-senate-approves-420-million-cannabis-tax-hike/

Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, led by Chair Shannon O’Brien, released a statement outlining her priorities for regulating the state’s estimated $8 billion cannabis market. She emphasized balancing strong consumer protections with regulations that don’t overburden businesses, especially smaller ones, pledging a review of rules to streamline compliance. Key focus areas include bolstering oversight of independent testing laboratories (ITLs) to protect public health, standardizing lab accountability and transparency, and reforming the Social Equity Program to expand access to capital, licensing, and technical assistance for communities historically harmed by prohibition.

Source: https://masscannabiscontrol.com/2025/10/chair-shannon-obrien-issues-statements-regarding-her-priorities-for-the-cannabis-control-commission/

Virginia: A Virginia legislative commission convened another meeting, where lawmakers and advocates discussed plans to prepare the state for the legalization of recreational marijuana sales. The plan is for the body to suggest a proposal that the full legislature can consider passing in the 2026 session that begins in January. With the election in November and early voting currently underway, Virginia voters have the chance to decide on whether their next governor will be someone who supports or opposes legalizing recreational marijuana sales in the commonwealth—with the two major party nominees holding diametrically opposed views on the future of cannabis policy.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/virginia-lawmakers-discuss-steps-to-prepare-state-to-legalize-recreational-marijuana-sales-next-year/

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