AGP Executive Report

Medical Cannabis Access: Kentucky opened a new medical cannabis dispensary in Bowling Green, with plans to help patients get cards on-site after Gov. Beshear’s executive order expanded qualifying conditions. Regulation & Enforcement: Philadelphia City Council passed bills to tighten rules on smoke shops, targeting kratom and hemp-based THC with permits, testing, and age limits, plus penalties for landlords. Public Safety & Legal Risk: A Siskiyou County investigation found THC in cookies after a teacher and students at Dunsmuir Elementary fell ill; officials say follow-up continues. Market Oversight: Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management held a listening tour on the state’s cannabis market and is gathering input on a possible psilocybin pilot for PTSD and depression. Court/Crime Spillover: A UK case highlighted cannabis and drug trafficking tied to a deported man running Leeds cannabis farms, while U.S. reports included marijuana-linked charges and seizures alongside broader drug-and-gun enforcement.

Medical Cannabis Expansion (Kentucky): Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive order nearly quadruples Kentucky’s qualifying conditions for medical cannabis, expanding the list from 6 to 21, with clinicians pointing to benefits for chronic pain and PTSD. Corporate/Market Shake-Up (Michigan): TerrAscend says Michigan became “an extremely difficult market,” exiting dispensaries and cultivation—sparking job-loss concerns as other facilities follow with closures. U.S. Stock Moves (Trulieve): Trulieve announced its NYSE uplisting plan, with subordinate shares expected to start trading June 10 under “TRLV,” tied to federal medical cannabis rescheduling momentum. Legal/Local Governance (Virginia): Virginia lawmakers and the governor’s office are reportedly negotiating a compromise to revive vetoed recreational cannabis legalization via budget legislation. Enforcement & Courts: A 6th Circuit ruling says a marijuana retailer license denial didn’t create a protected property interest for a substantive due process claim; separately, Michigan’s wholesale marijuana tax debate continues as officials argue it’s too early to judge the 24% tax. Public Safety: Police warn impaired driving includes cannabis and other substances; Lancaster County also reports marijuana-related arrests during a traffic enforcement push. Prison Smuggling: A woman was caught bringing cannabis into a UK prison after staff noticed a “strong smell,” leading to seizure and charges.

Medical Cannabis Access (Kentucky): Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order expanding Kentucky’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions from 6 to 21, aiming to broaden options for patients with chronic pain and certain mental health conditions. School & Public Health (California): Parents at Dunsmuir Elementary say multiple students became ill and later tested positive for marijuana after a school incident involving shared food; the district says it reported it to law enforcement and is cooperating. Drugged Driving (UK): A York man was fined, banned, and ordered to pay costs after a blood test found THC; he argued he only smoked once at a party and didn’t realize it would linger. Local Enforcement (Maryland): Baltimore City cracked down on illegal “smoke shops,” seizing 73 pounds of illegal cannabis products and nearly 18,000 untaxed tobacco items in recent actions. Courts & Cannabis Cases (UK): A Preston Crown Court case ended with a 4-year-plus sentence for a dealer convicted after police found cocaine and cannabis at his home. Regulatory Watch (Rhode Island): Rhode Island named a new chair for its cannabis regulator, setting up another personnel change as retail licensing moves slowly.

Medical cannabis driving rules: A NSW op-ed blasts proposed “medicinal” cannabis driving reforms, arguing THC impairment can hit key driving functions and that a “three strikes” fine-only approach won’t prevent more crashes. Hemp & cannabis regulation: Illinois is moving to regulate “intoxicating hemp” products and tighten sales rules, including raising the purchase age to 21 for THC-containing hemp items. Legal fight over marijuana use in care: An Iowa nursing home is suing after a resident’s involuntary discharge over alleged marijuana use was reversed by state regulators—setting up a new court battle over what counts as a legal basis for eviction. Criminal cases with cannabis in the mix: A Nebraska man faces felony child abuse charges after police say he drove intoxicated while a 14-year-old took the wheel, with allegations he provided marijuana and alcohol; in Illinois, a teen accused of threatening to “kill an officer” was also charged after police found suspected cannabis during arrest. Industry/commerce: A Missouri AG deal forces CBD American Shaman to suspend in-state kratom and 7-OH sales, ending litigation over alleged misleading marketing. Money & policy: California reported about $248M in cannabis tax revenue in Q1 2026, including excise and sales tax collections.

NSW Medicinal Driving Reform: Australia’s NSW is moving to let registered medicinal cannabis users drive legally under a THC limit, but the plan still includes a 24-hour roadside ban after a positive test and harsher penalties for repeat offences—sparking pushback from the Coalition and praise from Greens. Federal Court Pressure on Cannabis Businesses: A federal court fight is heating up around cannabis dispensary lending and loan disputes, while industry players rush to secure DEA registrations after the U.S. rescheduling shift. International Enforcement Crackdowns: Telangana’s EAGLE task force says it busted an international hydroponic cannabis smuggling ring from Thailand, seizing Rs 12 crore and arresting multiple suspects; Indonesia also arrested an Australian over cannabis vape liquid, with up to 20 years on the table. EU CBD Food Crackdown: France is cracking down on CBD foods and flowers under EU “novel food” rules, threatening the grey market for non-psychoactive cannabis products. Local UK Youth Vaping Concern: A UK borough reports high use of illegal THC/Spice vapes among schoolchildren, fueling calls for stronger prevention and enforcement.

Federal vs. state rescheduling fight: Wyoming’s AG filed an objection to marijuana rescheduling, arguing the state legislature—not an automatic administrative process—should decide how federal changes affect Wyoming’s Controlled Substances Act. Border enforcement: Oman customs seized 6.179 kg of marijuana at Muscat International Airport, while Ghana’s NACOC reported a major Volta Region cannabis haul (2,372.38 kg) tied to a suspected storage/distribution site. Driving access for medical patients: NSW proposed a “commonsense” scheme letting registered medicinal cannabis drivers keep driving if roadside THC stays under 50 ng/mL, avoiding automatic suspensions and court handling in most cases. Local policy and taxes: Los Angeles voters backed a measure to extend cannabis business taxes to unlicensed operators, with analysts projecting tens of millions for the general fund. Medical access expansion: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill doubling allowed medical dispensaries from 5 to 10. Enforcement and court cases: A Glasgow taxi driver’s license was suspended after police alleged large cannabis and herbal drug possession; in North Carolina, a teen accused of a deadly shooting also faces marijuana/paraphernalia charges. Retail crackdown: Trafford (UK) raided shops after tips and seized “cannabis lollipops” in child-appealing packaging.

Liberia Enforcement: The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency says it arrested 233 people and seized 422.08 kg of drugs in Q1 2026, including marijuana and “Kush,” with officials calling it part of a national security push. Illicit Vaping Online: A UK study finds TikTok is awash with rule-breaking vape content aimed at young people, while credible health messaging struggles to reach them. Cannabis Farm Bust: UK police say a gang of Albanian illegal immigrants was caught running a large cannabis grow in a Nottinghamshire industrial unit, with sentencing delayed to June 30. Medical Cannabis Access: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued an emergency regulation adding 15 qualifying conditions to the state’s medical cannabis program. Water Use Research: A UC Berkeley-led study reports cannabis is rarely the top water user in Northern California watersheds, with impacts showing up more at monthly than annual scales. Local Courts/Policy: Pennsylvania’s House approved “Ryan’s Law,” allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in hospitals and care facilities. Workplace/Community Safety: A Suva health ministry push targets bus idling near a busy market, urging council action to curb exhaust fumes.

New Jersey Cannabis Access Shift: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a law letting some already-approved medical cannabis dispensaries expand into adult-use without another local vote, a change critics say weakens municipal control. Kentucky Medical Cannabis Expansion: Gov. Andy Beshear ordered emergency rules adding 15 qualifying conditions to the state’s medical cannabis program, aiming to reduce confusion that’s kept patients from getting cards. Virginia Retail Market Still in Limbo: Lawmakers met after Spanberger vetoed a bill creating a retail weed market; they’re talking compromise as they try to avoid keeping businesses and the public stuck. Employer/Workplace Compliance Watch: A new federal reclassification places certain marijuana-derived drugs into Schedule III, while most other marijuana stays Schedule I—creating a dual federal setup employers will need to navigate. Local Enforcement & Court Cases: Police say a York County couple allegedly left cocaine in a child’s daycare lunch bag; in Naperville, “teen takeover” gatherings led to at least nine arrests including cannabis charges. Medical Cannabis Product Update: Kentucky’s Beshear also announced expanded access, while Texas Original debuted a medical marijuana vaporization device for faster, metered dosing. Drug Crime Headlines: Authorities reported major cannabis seizures and tunnel discoveries tied to trafficking, plus multiple arrests in drug cases across the U.S. and abroad.

DEA/Rescheduling Court Fight: MMJ International Holdings joined a D.C. Circuit challenge to Trump’s cannabis rescheduling order, arguing the new rules reward state-market operators while penalizing companies that built FDA-style drug pathways. Consumer-Facing Lawsuit: A Chicago-area federal class action compares cannabis marketing to Big Tobacco, alleging major Illinois marijuana firms downplayed risks while promoting products for medical conditions not approved by the FDA. Product Safety Crackdown: Czech authorities expanded enforcement against synthetic cannabinoids and illegally sold kratom under a nationwide “Korund” operation, targeting high-risk products after poisoning reports. Local Enforcement/Policy: Illinois’ Normal Town Council banned kratom sales and distribution (possession remains legal), while other local reports show ongoing cannabis-related arrests and prison contraband cases. Broader Drug Trends: Cambodia reported fewer drug arrests and seizures in the first five months of 2026, even as enforcement efforts continue. Legal/Criminal Spillover: Courts also saw cannabis show up in unrelated cases, including a driver found with cannabis and cocaine indicators and a prison visitor caught smuggling cannabis.

Federal Cannabis Fight: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill withdrew from a lawsuit challenging Trump DOJ’s marijuana rescheduling, leaving Indiana and Nebraska still pushing the appeal. Courtroom Fallout: A coalition of anti-marijuana activists, doctors, and a cannabis biopharma filed another challenge that even names Trump, arguing the rescheduling process skipped required steps. State Rules—THC Crackdown: Tennessee hemp shops are bracing for major closures as final rules tighten THC/THCA limits, with shelves expected to clear as licenses expire. State Rules—Hemp/THC Limits: Japan moved to ban CBN, and Germany expanded smoking/vaping restrictions that also cover cannabis-related e-cigarettes. Industry & Access: California’s AG says tribes can’t participate in statewide marijuana commerce without their own state commercial licenses. Local Enforcement: Oklahoma City raided a seafood restaurant tied to alleged illegal marijuana grows and alleged human trafficking links. Business Impact: Florida’s hemp café Seed & Bean closed as its parent company consolidates operations. Criminal Cases: UK police sentenced a man for threatening all-girl schools and admitted cannabis possession; a Merseyside prison watchdog was jailed after smuggling drugs and sending messages to inmates.

Indigenous Rights vs. Development: Brisbane’s Victoria Park Olympic stadium work has started, with Traditional Owners saying sacred “healing waters” will be harmed as police cleared protesters for the $3.8B project. Public Health & Youth: A UniSQ study finds teens who use social media frequently are about three times more likely to try cannabis, with impulsivity and risk-taking driving the link. Medical Cannabis Access: Georgia signed SB 220, expanding eligibility and product options for medical cannabis starting July 1. Law Enforcement Crackdowns: Nigeria’s NDLEA says it seized drugs hidden in water purifier machines plus military-grade ammunition; Mexico prosecutors move against four Cubans tied to marijuana trafficking in Cancun; Australia’s NSW police charged 11 in a drug-and-alcohol driving operation. Legal System Watch: Florida’s Supreme Court disciplined 13 attorneys, including disbarring two and suspending eight. Community & Safety: A UK report says residents in Dedham complain of litter and “smell of cannabis” during tourist surges.

Medical Marijuana Rescheduling: The DOJ’s move to downgrade medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III is already reshaping tax and research expectations, but states still face a messy patchwork on prescribing, compliance, and coverage. Hemp Rules Tighten: Tennessee finalizes new hemp rules that ban selling THCA and other hemp products starting July 1, as regulators move to close the “hemp loophole.” State Program Moves Forward: Alabama’s long-stalled medical marijuana rollout is finally getting dispensaries open, with Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery starting May 4 and more licenses set to follow. Enforcement & Seizures: Nigeria’s NDLEA says it intercepted ketamine and MDMA hidden in water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands, and also seized 1.7+ tonnes of drugs in coordinated operations. Border Crackdowns: India’s customs arrested a man accused of smuggling hydroponic cannabis worth ₹7.43 crore from Vietnam, while Oman seized 6.179 kg of marijuana at Muscat airport. Industry/Policy Watch: Japan plans to ban the cannabis ingredient CBN from June, adding to the global regulatory churn. CBD/Green Tech: A study highlights hemp-derived materials as a potential eco-friendly alternative to petroleum plastics.

Federal/Policy: Three Republican state attorneys general (Nebraska, Indiana, Louisiana) asked a federal appeals court to block the Trump administration’s medical cannabis rescheduling push, arguing it conflicts with federal law and required procedures. Industry/Regulation: Illinois hemp beverage retailers are warning a last-minute bill could force hemp drinks behind the counter starting Nov. 12, 2026—potentially crushing sales for convenience stores. Enforcement/Criminal Justice: Italy carried out a nationwide anti-drug operation with 1,335 arrests and seizures including cannabis, plus 111 firearms. Courts/Seizures: Ireland’s Gardaí charged a Dublin construction firm owner and three workers after a “controlled delivery” of €5.1m cannabis hidden in a shipment of coffee tables. Business/Community: Vermont’s Lake Effect Vermont cannabis market is moving to a new South Hero location and holding a June 10 grand opening. Public Safety: A Colorado driver pleaded guilty after a crash killed highway workers; tests found oxycodone and THC far above the state’s impairment threshold. Market/Consumer: Massachusetts cannabis buyers rushed to use the state’s doubled purchase limit, placing hundreds of orders above the old cap in the first days.

Regulatory & Retail: Vermont’s Lake Effect Vermont is opening a new permanent cannabis market location in South Hero on June 10, with a ribbon-cutting and public celebration. Adult-Use Expansion: Elmira, New York’s Holy Smokes dispensary has opened on South Main Street, adding another state-licensed retail option for customers 21+. Courts & Compliance: Menominee, Michigan’s Puff Cannabis is asking a judge to reconsider a ruling that blocked its dispensary opening, tied to a waiver in its updated license application. Child Safety: A northwest Austin Montessori student was hospitalized after accidentally eating a THC-infused lollipop from a birthday goodie bag, renewing calls for tighter edible safety. Enforcement & Sentencing: “Operation Highwater” in New Zealand led to the sentencing of Steven Taiatini’s daughter for cannabis dealing, after police targeted meth, cannabis supply, and a planned gang shooting. Local Crime: A Wilmington, Delaware man was arrested after a months-long drug investigation turned up heroin, marijuana, and a loaded handgun, alongside multiple drug-trafficking charges. Policy Watch: Illinois cannabis businesses are pushing end-of-session changes to security and surveillance rules, arguing current requirements are too costly for a mature market.

Massachusetts Cannabis Reform: New higher purchase limits are already being used hard—900 orders exceeded the old one-ounce cap in the first two days after the limit doubled, with April 20 alone driving nearly $100k in over-limit sales. Georgia Cannabis Crackdown: Six foreign nationals were arrested in Tbilisi over alleged apartment-based cannabis grows, with police saying they seized THC/cannabis plants plus equipment and packaging. Canada Border Reminder: Canada’s border agency says a World Cup ticket isn’t a “FIFA visa,” and travelers can still be denied entry for bringing banned items, including cannabis without proper authorization. Local Enforcement & Safety: Pacific, Washington police seized 1,000+ marijuana plants after a fire investigation uncovered hazardous chemicals and bear traps. Legal Fight in Michigan: Puff Cannabis is asking a judge to reconsider dismissal of its Menominee dispensary lawsuit, tied to a waiver in its updated license application. Federal Rescheduling Fallout: Multiple states and groups keep pushing back on federal marijuana rescheduling, while a judge temporarily blocked an “anti-weaponization” DOJ fund—showing how court fights are shaping the policy landscape. CBD/ESA Watch: The Center for Biological Diversity sued NOAA to force ESA protections for horseshoe crabs after a delayed denial.

U.S. Sports & Cannabis Compliance: Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice remains in jail after a marijuana probation violation tied to a 2024 crash, with his release set for June 16—meaning he’ll miss OTAs and minicamp while he recovers from knee surgery. State Tax Revenue: California reported about $248M in cannabis tax revenue in Q1 2026 (excise + sales), with updates tied to amended returns. Retail/Regulation Watch: Tennessee police in Jackson tested THC products at a local shop and said samples were far above the legal limit, raising concerns about sales to minors. CBD Legal Fight: Eden Foods sued Eden Holistics in Nevada federal court, alleging it violated a settlement tied to CBD “Eden” trademark terms. Health Research: A new study in eNeuro suggests CBD may help calm brain inflammation linked to Alzheimer’s progression. Local Enforcement: Rehoboth Beach hired outside counsel to review issues tied to a widely attended “takeover” event that included arrests involving marijuana use in public. Criminal Courts: UK cases included a man sentenced to community order after cannabis found during a railway trespass incident, and another case involving 100+ cannabis plants found behind a false wall.