The Week In Cannabis: Delays, Decrees And Deals Reshape The Global Playbook
Another busy stretch reminded the cannabis industry that momentum rarely moves in a straight line.
Minnesota punted its adult‑use launch to at least 2026, while Germany’s new coalition left legalization intact. In Latin America, Chile pushed a sweeping adult‑use bill even as Panama tightened medical rules and Italy stunned hemp operators with a sudden ban.
Companies stayed active: SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL) inked a 32‑store acquisition and started trading in Canada, MariMed Inc. (OTC: MRMD) elevated a longtime brand builder to chief commercial officer and Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) trimmed guidance after softer cannabis sales.
Below is a recap of every headline that mattered.
Politics And Regulation
U.S. Rescheduling Could Drift Under Trump
Former DEA adviser Matt Lawrence told an Ohio State University forum that, without explicit White House backing, the DEA might “do essentially nothing at all,” leaving the Schedule III proposal in limbo. Former HHS counsel Patricia Zettler added that new DEA nominee Terrance Cole’s long agency tenure “doesn’t bode particularly well for support of rescheduling,” warning that the simplest outcome may be prolonged delay.
The discussion, reported by Marijuana Moment, highlighted how politics—not science—will likely dictate the timetable. Speakers also noted that DEA could revive the process quickly if President Trump deems it a priority, but the administration’s first‑year drug plan omitted any reference to cannabis reform.
Medicare And Medicaid Draw A Hard Line
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a rule clarifying that “alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis products” are ineligible as supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage plans. CMS said it had fielded questions about covering medical marijuana but reiterated that cannabis remains illegal federally.
In the same notice—slated for the Federal Register on June 3—CMS specified that CBD products also fail the “primarily health related” test, effectively barring coverage. The policy details appear in the agency’s rulemaking summary, also covered by Marijuana Moment.
Minnesota’s Retail Clock Slips
Consultant Stefan Egan, who helped draft Minnesota’s adult‑use law, told KSTP‑TV that absent final rules, licenses won’t be issued before late spring 2026. Sen. Mark Koran projected another nine to twelve months for build‑outs and product testing, pushing first sales into late spring or early summer 2026.
Both sources warned that uncertainty hampers investment. The Office of Cannabis Management noted more than 1,000 qualified applicants stand ready once regulations land, but it offered no firm timeline.
Germany Keeps CanG in Place
Germany’s new CDU/CSU‑SPD coalition will …