AGP Executive Report

Xenophobia Watch: Human Rights Watch warns South Africa is seeing a new wave of xenophobic attacks as anti-immigration groups step up protests and vigilante-style actions, with reports of intimidation, evictions, clinic discrimination, and even physical assaults. Drug Enforcement: In Ireland, Gardaí and Revenue seized about €1.25m of cannabis in Dublin and Limerick and arrested two men; in India, NCB seized 702kg of ganja worth ₹3cr hidden in grocery cargo and arrested two. Court & Crime: A man tied to a major Yorkton-area drug and weapons bust returned to court as charges proceed. CBD/THC Policy: Delaware lawmakers are split over the future of hemp-derived THC products, with multiple bills aiming to steer intoxicating hemp into either the regulated marijuana system or separate rules. Public Health: A new push highlights rising youth vaping concerns, while Kentucky reports child THC exposure cases tied to gummies. Industry/Science: Augusta University researchers propose genetically engineering cannabis to produce green hydrogen fuel while also yielding medical cannabinoids.

Federal cannabis tax shock: A new federal order moving certain state medical marijuana activities from Schedule I to Schedule III could finally let operators deduct normal business expenses that were previously blocked under 280E—potentially unlocking billions. Rescheduling backlash: GOP lawmakers and anti-marijuana groups are pushing a “carve-out” to keep THC testing rules for safety-sensitive workers, even as DOT says its policies aren’t tied to the rescheduling change. State implementation fights: Alabama voted to object to rescheduling to buy time for rollout, while Virginia’s retail legalization veto remains unpopular with voters (poll shows 70% support for letting it pass). Enforcement still dominates headlines: Police in the UK seized cannabis/CBD sweets and counterfeit cigarettes in Wolverhampton; in Nigeria, officers arrested two and recovered suspected Cannabis sativa variants in Enugu; and in Scotland, a woman was convicted after £170,000 of cannabis was found in her suitcase at Edinburgh Airport. Product market noise: New THC gummies and THC beverage launches keep rolling out, even as regulators tighten rules on intoxicating hemp drinks.

Virginia Cannabis Stalemate: Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed HB 642 and SB 542, again blocking a retail recreational marijuana market, saying the plan lacked the timeline, structure, and resources to replace illicit sales safely. Enforcement Crackdown: In New York’s Massena, federal agents shut three unlicensed dispensaries (“Operation Weed Out”), seizing 1,000+ pounds of marijuana/THC products, meth, and illegal guns, with claims of prohibited THC items and sales to minors. Legal Pressure on States: Colorado cultivators filed a class-action alleging “sham transactions” distorted excise tax calculations and that the state owes $100M+ in refunds. Workplace Compliance Watch: Connecticut’s new Public Act 26-12 overhauls workplace rules, adding major employer compliance duties—important for any CBD/kratom businesses hiring and operating in the state. Public Safety on the Ground: Police charged 33 people in Manitoba’s biggest illicit drug case ($37M seized), while Auckland firefighters battled a blaze at a CBD hotel under construction.

Virginia Cannabis Policy: Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a “rushed” plan to launch Virginia’s adult-use retail cannabis market, citing a tight timeline and too many stores, pushing legal sales to 2027 at the earliest. Local Enforcement & Courts: New Buffalo Township rescheduled hearings that could revoke four adult-use dispensary special land use approvals for June 22. Safety & Security: A Sacramento dispensary security guard faces felony charges after a deadly shooting during a burglary, while Melbourne police arrested a man after a Bourke Street threat call sparked a major CBD response. Industry Moves: Panda Biotech and Culturewell Hemp launched India’s first integrated hemp fiber-to-yarn supply chain, aiming to scale traceable U.S. hemp for textile mills. Research & Tech: EN-SCAN rolled out a field-portable VOC lab tool, signaling faster on-site analysis workflows. Hemp/CBD Reality Check: A TSA update allows medical marijuana on flights but still leaves travelers without clear rules, keeping confusion—and risk—alive.

Ketamine Alarm: Dorset Police and the county’s commissioner say ketamine misuse has surged, with treatment up four-fold since 2021 and seizures rising sharply—raising fears of a new “epidemic” among young users. Cannabis Courts: A “naïve” nail bar worker was locked up for helping run large cannabis farms, while another case saw a Dunmore pensioner charged after police allegedly found dozens of plants at her home. Trial Watch: Avecho says it has dosed the last patients in its phase III insomnia study; interim results are due in June for its synthetic cannabinoid (CBD) candidate. Policy Shock: Virginia Gov. Spanberger vetoed bills to create a retail marijuana market, pushing legal sales to at least 2027 at the earliest. Enforcement Push: New Zealand is rolling out nationwide roadside drug testing by July, and police also expanded action after a major prison corruption probe led to 20 arrests. Travel Confusion: TSA guidance updates keep medical marijuana allowed in luggage, but discovery can still trigger law enforcement—so flyers can’t assume “legal” equals “safe.”

Cross-Border Crackdown: Canadians are being warned to expect major Memorial Day delays and tighter U.S. border screening, with CBP urging travelers to have documents ready and declare goods. Drug Enforcement: Sabah police say they’ve crippled two trafficking syndicates, including one distributing THC-laced vape products, seizing THC liquid, syabu, and cannabis worth over RM3.25M. UK Cannabis Disruption: Essex Police found a “professional” indoor cannabis grow in a former Barclays bank—960 plants seized and a 22-year-old arrested. Cash-for-Cannabis Link: Merseyside Police seized £20K cash hidden in a Royal Mail package after a cannabis smell triggered a search. Medical/Policy Signal: TSA says it now lets passengers fly with doctor-prescribed cannabis, focusing on security rather than hunting for drugs. Product Buzz: nuEra is back with Canna Sours—now in a pickle flavor—launching in Chicago. Research/Health Claim: A new study says electronic cannabis delivery systems show far lower screening hazard than combustion smoke.

Retail Policy Clash: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed bills that would have created a regulated adult-use cannabis retail marketplace, saying the plan lacked the timeline, enforcement structure, and resources needed for a safe rollout—pushing negotiations to 2027 while critics argue it keeps the illicit market alive. Public Safety & Travel: TSA updated guidance for medicinal marijuana travelers, reiterating that screening is for security and illegal substances found can trigger law enforcement referral. Enforcement Push: Central Texas agencies wrapped a five-day “Operation Joint Venture” with nearly 100 arrests, seizing firearms, narcotics, and cash. Local Crackdowns: Police in Red Hill charged three people after finding a firearm, ammunition, and cannabis during coordinated raids. Health Warning: A Minnesota pediatrician warned after children became ill from THC candy, highlighting how edible products can be dangerously easy to access.

Regulation Clampdown: A city is tightening its cannabis and low‑potency hemp ordinance—shifting age checks to the county, removing fixed sales hours, and using strict zoning buffers that effectively squeeze legal retail into tiny commercial pockets. Enforcement Push: Police in Swansea found a cannabis factory after responding to a disturbance, arresting three men (and one teen) tied to the operation. Big Seizures: Gardaí seized €360,000 of suspected cannabis in Castlebar and arrested a man after a vehicle stop. Industry Moves: Planet 13 says Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use approved its BHO extraction facility, unlocking full concentrate category access. Wellness Education: 55plus CBD launched a CBD/CBG/CBN dosage calculator aimed at helping older adults use cannabinoids more responsibly. Business & Crime Spillover: A UK court heard how a “vintage clothing” smuggling scheme allegedly hid up to £19.3m street-value cannabis in US shipments. Local Disruption: Nairobi’s matatu strike hit day two, leaving the CBD eerily quiet and commuters stranded.

Courtroom Fallout: A Florida judge approved an end to a $13M tax-debt fraud suit tied to cannabis firm Devi Holdings, while a separate New York case claims a company “ghosted” an investor after using its regulatory status to land a dispensary license. Retail & Product Rules: Tuscaloosa, Alabama quietly reopened the door for two stores to sell low-dose hemp-derived THC seltzers after state limits had them off shelves. Enforcement Pressure: New York’s Mott Haven saw a third major raid at the same “Bud-Zotic” property, with authorities seizing at least 100 pounds of cannabis products and THC vapes. Business & Consumer Trends: Older adults are increasingly using cannabis mainly for sleep, pain, and mental health—often via word of mouth, not clinicians—per a new JAMA Network Open study. Industry Marketing: A new analytics study says campaigns using both classic and digital out-of-home deliver 39% higher ROI than digital-only. Brand Spotlight: WWE legend Rob Van Dam launched RVD420, pairing cannabis/hemp products with a multi-state retail rollout and a national CBD e-commerce push.

Policy Shock (CBD): France has banned CBD-infused edibles starting May 15, citing a 1997 EU “novel foods” rule—while hemp flower and vaporizers stay on shelves, and trade groups call the move “absurd.” Regulatory Momentum (US): Minnesota lawmakers passed a cannabis bill that merges medical and adult-use supply chains, cuts indoor canopy limits, and creates a new microbusiness license starting in 2027. Enforcement Pressure (Retail): Burglars hit CBD/kratom shops in Chicago and Lisbon, while a 14-year-old was arrested in New York for allegedly breaking into a cannabis store and stealing THC products. Safety & Compliance (Driving): A Colorado case highlights how drugged-driving tracking lags—tests found THC in a driver convicted after a crash killed two workers and a passenger. Industry Finance: Safe Harbor Financial reported Q1 2026 results, with loan income up 55.6% year over year. Hemp Tech: Algorae says its AI platform completed a multi-anchor prediction phase, expanding beyond CBD to 18 anchor drugs.

Funding Snub: Wellington’s councils and Metlink missed out on $145m in NZ public transport money for projects like a harbour-quays bus spine and Waterloo station upgrades, after an OIA request flagged 78 nationwide public transport bids totalling nearly $782m that didn’t get funded. CBD/THC Policy Shift: Dardenne Prairie, Missouri voted to let hemp-infused intoxicating liquor products be sold without being locked away before purchase—while keeping the under-21 restriction. Public Safety Push: Colorado’s CDOT expanded Spanish-language outreach to teens and parents, warning cannabis impairment can still mean DUI. Crime & Enforcement: Lisbon police are investigating a break-in at a cannabis store; in Sydney, two teens were charged after an alleged violent CBD spree involving bus passengers and US tourists; and Australia’s ME CABS promoted fixed-price airport transfers as travel demand grows. Drug Supply Crackdowns: Nigeria’s NDLEA reported military-grade ammo hidden in garri plus more cocaine/opioid export seizures.

Ohio CBD/THC Policy Shock: A new Ohio crackdown on intoxicating hemp products is already triggering fallout—business owners warn of layoffs, lost investments, and product pullbacks after rules changed fast enough to strand companies that had built around THC beverage and other hemp lines. Federal Hemp Reimbursement Tension: At the same time, CMS is piloting Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement for hemp-derived products (up to $500/year), but a looming federal hemp ban could criminalize many CBD items just as the program starts. Indiana Legalization Momentum: Indiana Republicans are growing more open to medical marijuana; Sen. Mike Bohacek says he’s drafting a 2027 medical legalization plan after federal reclassification. Enforcement Still Loud: NDLEA reports cocaine and opioid seizures hidden in shipment packaging headed to the UK/Australia, plus major skunk destruction in Delta. Business Watch: PointsBet’s latest results show a slight group revenue dip, with Canada strength and an Alberta launch on deck.

Regulatory whiplash hits Ohio hemp: Ohio’s new crackdown on intoxicating hemp-derived THC is already triggering layoffs and product pullbacks as businesses say the rules changed after they invested in equipment, testing, packaging, and distribution. Enforcement stays aggressive: Police raids across the week include a Baldwin Park, CA operation with 1,000+ plants and electricity theft, plus a UK Essex “cannabis factory” in an abandoned pub with 420 plants. Medical access expands unevenly: Thailand tightens cannabis handling to licensed medical facilities and herbal shops, while Georgia expands medical cannabis vapes and removes the THC potency cap. Health and safety spotlight: A UC San Diego long-term study links childhood cannabis use to worse cognitive outcomes, and a new lab study finds vaporizing reduces many toxic byproducts versus smoking. Legal pressure points: Texas hemp retailers face court-driven bans and re-openings, and Missouri lawmakers wrapped up a session with major GOP wins including an intoxicating hemp ban.

Law-and-order crackdown: East Lancashire put 15 drug dealers behind bars, including a mother-and-son duo accused of trying to smuggle Class As, while Essex police found a huge cannabis “factory” in an abandoned pub with 420 plants and no arrests yet. Public safety & enforcement: Colorado’s CDOT rolled out Spanish-language messaging for teens and parents on cannabis impairment and DUI risk, and Illinois State Police ran a Metro East violent-crime sweep that seized 818g of cannabis alongside firearms. Medical policy shift: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 220 to expand medical cannabis access—easing vape rules and removing the old THC potency cap. Legal market pressure: Missouri consumers filed a class-action lawsuit accusing Good Day Farm of monopolizing recreational cannabis pricing. Child-safety alarm: Oklahoma reported a 4-year-old hospitalized after ingesting a high-dose THC gummy found at a playground. Business spotlight: Port Jervis’ first legal dispensary, DeMarino’s, celebrated its grand opening.

Regulatory Push in the US: Medicare patients are set to get free CBD as the Trump administration rolls out a healthcare-style program aimed at tracking whether CBD can cut chronic pain and costs. Local Market Rules: Canandaigua, New York is weighing whether to allow state-approved cannabis “showcase” pop-ups at a venue—without changing its retail zoning. Medical-First Shift Abroad: Thailand is tightening cannabis sales so shops gradually operate like medical clinics, with doctors or authorized practitioners prescribing. Legal/Compliance Pressure: Texas’ Supreme Court set a deadline on an injunction in a smokeable hemp THC fight, while Utah’s new kratom rules kick in (including bans on non-“pure leaf” products). Enforcement Spotlight: Police in Kano, Nigeria seized 879 cannabis parcels and arrested a suspect; Fairfield, California also cracked down on illegal products tied to tobacco retailers. Health Debate: New studies keep raising questions about heavy marijuana smoking and cancer risk, alongside research linking medical cannabis to lower opioid use. Business Moves: Charlotte’s Web is banking on a BAT deal to strengthen liquidity, and Allegany County opened its first dispensary in Alfred, New York.

Courtroom Win: Malaysia’s High Court acquitted a 23-year-old accused of trafficking 3.4kg of cannabis, saying prosecutors failed to prove possession and calling a police complainant’s testimony “doubtful.” Retail Expansion: Good Nature Cannabis opened its first Massachusetts dispensary in Wareham, soft-launching a new store after acquiring the former Trade Roots site. Enforcement Crackdowns: UK police dismantled a suspected “cannabis factory” in Newcastle city centre after a fire, while Essex officers found ~420 plants in an abandoned pub; in Ireland, Laois/Offaly Gardaí seized €8,000 of suspected cannabis products and arrested a man. Policy Shock for THC Drinks: Florida’s THC beverage boom faces a looming threat from a federal provision aimed at hemp-derived intoxicating drinks, with hospitality experts warning it could push many products off shelves. Medical Momentum: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a medical cannabis expansion law, removing the 5% THC cap and adding new qualifying conditions plus THC gummies and vaping options.