Here's what's good to know this week.
Three Ways DEA Is Saying No To Cannabis Applicants
DEA has registered more than 900 medical dispensaries, but three recent cases, over corporate ownership, Minnesota's combined medical and adult-use license, and two employees with felony records, show a state license does not guarantee a federal one. DEA's Oct. 30 guidance also expects applicants to establish compliant supply chains by Nov. 29, buying only from registrants or timely applicants. Our 12-point checklist covers how to clear DEA's ownership, staff and vendor checks before Nov. 29, plus what to do in your first 30 days if an order to show cause arrives.
Legacy Vs. Legal: Licensed Shops Need Regulators To Pull Their Weight
Brandon Van Asten opened My Dealer in Bayport, Minnesota, on Oct. 5 and says illegal delivery sellers move a pound for $1,300 while he pays $2,500 to $2,600 wholesale, prices CP has not independently verified. Enforcement can work when it keeps coming back: New York has padlocked 738 illegal storefronts and DC 114. Until it reaches your town, our game plan shows how to win on trust, safety and service the plug can't copy, and how to report illegal sellers so regulators act.
All-In-One Vapes Pass Half Of U.S. Vape Dollars
All-in-ones hit 51.1% of vape dollars in May in BDSA's tracking, with 12-month sales up 41% to $3.8 billion while cartridges fell 14% to $4.19 billion. The mix swings by state, from 79% in Arizona and Oklahoma to 32% in Florida, so check your own POS before moving a facing. Simple hardware does not mean a milder product, and our breakdown covers what budtenders should explain on potency, price per gram and batteries to a first-time shopper.
Massachusetts Keeps Adult Use As Statehouses Shift
About 75% of Massachusetts voters rejected Question 8, which would have ended licensed adult-use sales in 2028, according to unofficial tallies. Democrats flipped both Wisconsin chambers and claim a Pennsylvania Senate majority, though some races were still being counted, and a pending Pennsylvania bill, SB 120, would let adults 21 and over possess 30 grams of flower. With every result unofficial until certified, the advice for managers is to watch statehouses, not ballots, before making any capital decisions.
Cheers,
Bob Wood
Cannabis Professional
