Here is today's cannabis news in 60 seconds. Nearly every Republican in Congress backed by $11.5 million in cannabis industry money, routed through a Trump-linked PAC, lost last week.
Money and politics
Marijuana Moment reports that Trulieve, Curaleaf, Verano and Ascend Wellness, along with entities tied to Green Thumb and AYR Wellness, gave a combined $11.5 million to America First Agriculture Action in June. Almost every GOP lawmaker it supported lost. Senate appropriators, meanwhile, proposed keeping the rider that shields state medical marijuana programs, declined to join the House in blocking rescheduling, and asked federal officials to explain seizures from state-legal businesses.
New governors
Kansas's incoming Democratic governor wants to legalize, saying federal rescheduling makes state action easier. Wisconsin Governor-elect David Crowley wants legalization revenue to offset federal Medicaid cuts. In Texas, Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin called a bill to regulate THC products one of her top priorities.
Hemp
Illinois began enforcing its restrictions on intoxicating THC products on Nov 12. Missouri's new law moved many hemp-derived products into the licensed marijuana market, and some hemp shops are clearing shelves or closing.
Business
Verano opened its 88th Florida dispensary, its 165th store nationwide. Quebec's SQDC reported $207.5 million in Q2 sales, driven by new stores and vapes. Decibel began trading on the OTCQX.
International
Brazil's medical cannabis market reached $90 million a year, up 15% year over year. Morocco's Pharma 5 launched the first anti-seizure medicine made entirely in Morocco from medical cannabis. A new study estimates 1.2 million adults in Great Britain use cannabis daily or almost daily.
The takeaway: the industry's political money backed the losing side, and reform is now moving through newly elected leaders in Kansas, Wisconsin and Texas.
Should cannabis companies rethink how they give after this election?
Sources: PAC results (Marijuana Moment): https://www.marijuanamoment.net/almost-every-gop-lawmaker-that-trump-linked-pac-supported-with-marijuana-industry-donations-lost-their-election/ Senate CJS bill (Marijuana Moment): https://www.marijuanamoment.net/senate-panel-proposes-extending-state-medical-marijuana-protections-without-houses-anti-rescheduling-provision/ Kansas (Marijuana Moment): https://www.marijuanamoment.net/incoming-kansas-governor-wants-to-legalize-marijuana-saying-trumps-federal-move-eases-the-parth-for-state-action/ Wisconsin (Marijuana Moment): https://www.marijuanamoment.net/incoming-wisconsin-governor-says-marijuana-legalization-can-offset-medicaid-cuts-as-top-lawmaker-calls-it-a-2027-priority/ Texas (Marijuana Moment): https://www.marijuanamoment.net/texas-officials-say-cannabis-reform-is-a-priority-for-2027-session-and-tout-hemp-as-saving-grace-for-farmers/ Illinois enforcement (Times-Tribune): https://www.timestribunenews.com/2026/11/12/illinois-takes-action-to-enforce-new-thc-product-regulations-strengthen-consumer-protections/ Missouri hemp law (Marijuana Herald): https://themarijuanaherald.com/2026/11/missouris-new-hemp-restrictions-take-effect-today-moving-numerous-products-into-licensed-marijuana-market/ Verano Florida (Cannabis Business Times): https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/dispensary/news/16425483/verano-opens-88th-florida-dispensary-mv-daytona-beach SQDC Q2 (StratCann): https://stratcann.com/news/sqdc-reports-strong-q2-2026-sales-driven-by-new-stores-and-vapes/ Decibel OTCQX (GlobeNewswire): https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/13/3402478/0/en/decibel-cannabis-company-inc-begins-trading-on-otcqx-best-market.html Brazil market (High Times): https://hightimes.com/news/brazils-medical-cannabis-market-reaches-90-million-a-year-as-prescriptions-surge/ Morocco (Yabiladi): https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/207532/morocco-pharma-launches-first-medical.html Great Britain study (High Times): https://hightimes.com/news/1-2-million-people-in-great-britain-use-cannabis-daily-study-estimates/
#cannabisindustry #cannabispolicy #hemp #cannabisnews
