Cannabis Regulatory Action Tracker

Pennsylvania CCB Proposes Rule Capping Grower-Processor and Dispensary Cross-Ownership at 25% for Non-Microbusiness Applicants (December 2025)

The Pennsylvania Cannabis Control Board published a proposed rule that would cap cross-ownership between grower-processor and dispensary licenses at 25% for applicants who do not qualify as microbusinesses, responding to legislative pressure to prevent vertical monopolization of the Commonwealth's newly authorized adult-use market.

Florida OMMU Issues Enforcement Notice to MMTC for Security System Failures at Three Dispensary Locations (November 2025)

The Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use issued an enforcement notice to a licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Center after compliance inspections at three dispensary locations revealed inoperative alarm systems, camera dead zones covering vault areas, and absence of required panic buttons at dispensing counters.

Virginia CCA Opens Priority Application Window for Pending Social Equity Applicants from 2023 Lottery (November 2025)

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority opened a 60-day priority application window for the 150 social equity applicants selected in the 2023 lottery who were unable to complete licensing due to capital and site-control barriers, offering a no-cost reinstatement pathway and expedited review.

Missouri Court Upholds DHSS Authority to Deny Delivery-Only Retailer Licenses Without Physical Storefront (October 2025)

The Cole County Circuit Court affirmed the Missouri DHSS's interpretation of Amendment 3 that requires adult-use retailer licensees to maintain a physical storefront, rejecting a petitioner's argument that delivery-only retail licenses must be created as a separate license category.

Minnesota OCM Opens First Adult-Use Cannabis License Application Window for Retailers and Cultivators (October 2025)

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management opened its first adult-use cannabis retail and cultivator license application window on October 1, 2025, 29 months after HF 100 legalized adult-use cannabis, with applications prioritized for social equity applicants and medical cannabis manufacturers converting to adult-use.

Maine Supreme Judicial Court Rules That Municipalities May Not Impose Stricter Buffer Zones Than State Law Requires (September 2025)

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court held that a Portland ordinance imposing a 750-foot buffer between cannabis retail stores and schools — versus the 500-foot state minimum under 28-B MRS § 504 — is preempted by state law and cannot be enforced against licensed cannabis retailers operating in compliance with state buffers.

New York OCM Opens Next Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Application Window (September 2025)

The New York Office of Cannabis Management announced a 30-day application window for the next cohort of Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licenses, prioritizing applicants from justice-involved communities in New York City, Buffalo, and Rochester.

New Jersey CRC Suspends Conditional License for Failure to Commence Operations Within the 18-Month Window (September 2025)

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission suspended six conditional adult-use retail licenses and issued show-cause orders to 14 more after licensees failed to open operational retail locations within the 18-month conditional license period, citing persistent financing and real estate difficulties.

Texas DSHS Issues Enforcement Notice to 34 Hemp Retailers for Selling Delta-8 THC Products That Exceed 0.3% THC on a Dry-Weight Basis (August 2025)

The Texas Department of State Health Services issued enforcement notices to 34 hemp product retailers across the state after market surveillance testing found delta-8 THC products that tested above 0.3% total THC on a dry-weight basis, making them illegal under Texas Health and Safety Code § 443.204.

Ohio Division of Cannabis Control Suspends Testing Lab Certification for Using Unapproved Analytical Methods (August 2025)

The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control suspended the testing certification of a licensed testing laboratory for 60 days after finding the lab had substituted a non-approved high-performance liquid chromatography method for the state-required HPLC-UV protocol on 1,400 samples, producing results that overstated CBD content by an average of 12%.

Michigan CRA Revokes Class C Grower License Following Diversion Investigation (August 2025)

The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency permanently revoked a Class C grower license after a joint investigation with the Michigan State Police revealed that over 200 pounds of cannabis were diverted to unlicensed distributors over a six-month period. The licensee faces parallel criminal charges under MCL 333.27965.

Nevada CCB Finalizes Consumption Lounge Regulations Including Mandatory HVAC Standards and 500-Foot Buffer from Schools (July 2025)

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board adopted final regulations governing cannabis consumption lounges, establishing mandatory HVAC ventilation standards, a 500-foot buffer from K-12 schools and parks, maximum occupancy limits tied to ventilation capacity, and a prohibition on alcohol service in the same licensed space.

Massachusetts CCC Issues Consent Agreement to Manufacturer for Mislabeled Potency on Edible Products (July 2025)

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission entered into a consent agreement with a licensed manufacturer after laboratory re-testing revealed that 14 edible SKUs had THC potency values printed on packaging that exceeded actual potency by more than 15%, violating the CCC's ±15% variance standard.

California DCC Issues $85,000 Fine to Los Angeles Retailer for Social Media Advertising Violations (June 2025)

The California Department of Cannabis Control assessed an $85,000 civil penalty against a Los Angeles-area retail licensee for 23 Instagram posts that contained imagery appealing to minors, failed to include required age-gate disclaimers, and used unlicensed celebrity endorsements without proper disclosure.

Washington LCB Revokes Retailer License After Licensee Transferred 45% Ownership Without Board Approval (June 2025)

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board revoked a retail cannabis license after a routine ownership audit revealed that 45% of membership interest had been transferred to a new investor who had not undergone the required background check and suitability review, constituting an unauthorized structural change under RCW 69.50.342.

New Mexico RLD Issues Compliance Order to Dispensary for Failure to Maintain Budtender Certification Records (June 2025)

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department issued a compliance order to an Albuquerque cannabis dispensary after a licensing inspection found that the operator could not produce valid certification records for 8 of 11 active budtenders required under NMAC 16.8.2.28 to complete state-mandated cannabis handler training.

Connecticut DCP Adopts Final Rules Permitting Cannabis Delivery by Licensed Retailers with GPS Tracking Mandate (May 2025)

Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection adopted final regulations establishing a home delivery framework for adult-use cannabis retailers, requiring real-time GPS tracking of all delivery vehicles, maximum per-order purchase limits of $500, ID verification at delivery, and a prohibition on cash transactions.

Arizona DHS Suspends Dispensary for Selling Products with Expired COAs and Undisclosed Lab Switching (May 2025)

Arizona's Department of Health Services suspended a Phoenix-area dispensary for 14 days after investigators found 22 product lots on retail shelves with Certificates of Analysis older than 365 days and evidence that the licensee had switched testing laboratories mid-batch without reporting the change.

Illinois IDFPR Amends Social Equity Scoring Criteria for Dispensary License Applications (April 2025)

The Illinois IDFPR published final rules amending the social equity scoring rubric for adult-use dispensary license applications, adding 15 points for applicants who demonstrate direct ownership by individuals residing in Disproportionately Impacted Areas for at least five consecutive years. The rule takes effect June 1, 2025.

Oregon OLCC Fines Producer $60,000 for Employing Workers Without Valid Oregon Cannabis Handler Permits (April 2025)

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission issued a $60,000 civil fine to a Willamette Valley cannabis producer after investigators confirmed that 12 harvest crew members lacked valid Oregon Marijuana Handler Permits (MHPs) at the time of employment, including two workers who had previously failed MHP criminal background checks.

North Dakota Department of Agriculture Reduces Hemp COA Validity Period from 12 Months to 6 Months for Consumable Products (April 2025)

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture amended its industrial hemp rules to shorten the Certificate of Analysis validity period for consumable hemp products from 12 months to 6 months, citing concerns about degradation of cannabinoid content over time and the proliferation of expired COAs in retail supply chains.

Montana DOR Cannabis Control Division Fines Dispensary $12,500 for Delivering Cannabis Without a Delivery Endorsement (March 2025)

The Montana Department of Revenue Cannabis Control Division fined a Helena-area dispensary $12,500 after investigators confirmed the licensee had conducted 47 home-delivery transactions over a 30-day period without holding the required Delivery Endorsement to its adult-use dispensary license.

Colorado MED Suspends Cultivator License Over METRC Inventory Discrepancies (March 2025)

Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division issued an emergency 30-day suspension to a Front Range cultivator after routine audit revealed over 400 untracked plants in the state METRC seed-to-sale system. The licensee has been ordered to reconcile all inventory before reinstatement proceedings may begin.

Maryland Cannabis Administration Issues Corrective Order to Manufacturer for Non-Child-Resistant Packaging (February 2025)

The Maryland Cannabis Administration issued a corrective order requiring a licensed manufacturer to recall and repackage six product lines after investigators found packaging that failed federally-incorporated ASTM D3475 child-resistant standards, including squeeze-and-turn caps that did not require simultaneous lateral pressure.