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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 |
FMCPG HAS BEEN SERVING
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HOW TO HANDLE NEW PATIENT RENEWALS WITH THE STATE
CONTINUED DISCUSSION ON THE RESCHEDULING OF CANNABIS BY THE FEDERAL GOVT
REVIEW OF THE OMMU AND CHANGES TO THE DOCTOR'S AND PATIENT INPUT PORTALS ON THE OMMU WEBSITE.
DOCTORS WITHIN OUR GROUP WILL DISCUSS HOW THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND SOME OF THE CHANGES
REF'S ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS
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We want to apologize for the inconvenience caused by the recent technical issues affecting our ability to provide the current news updates, announcements, press releases, and information you rely on from the Florida Cannabis community.
As a result of these website-related issues, some of the latest news and updates have been delayed from appearing as scheduled in the Cannabis News Florida E-Newsletter.
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NEWS FROM THE PAST WEEK
RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF MMTC'S
IN FLORIDA Click on Company Logo to be Transferred to Web Site
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Trulieve Cannabis Corp. Added to S&P Total Market and S&P Completion Indices
Inclusion Marks Another Milestone as Trulieve Broadens U.S. Capital Markets Exposure
Sept. 22, 2026 — Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (NYSE: TRLV) (“Trulieve” or “the Company”), a leading and top-performing medical cannabis company in the U.S., today announced that the company has been added to the S&P Total Market Index (TMI), S&P Completion Index (CI), and sector sub-indices S&P TMI Health Care and S&P CI Health Care.
“Trulieve’s addition to S&P indices represents another important step forward following Trulieve’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange and domestication to the U.S.,” said Trulieve Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. “Index inclusion raises visibility for Trulieve, ultimately improving liquidity and attracting new institutional investors.”
The S&P TMI is one of the broadest equity benchmarks published by S&P Dow Jones Indices, encompassing a wide range of U.S. companies that meet eligibility criteria. The S&P CI includes the S&P TMI minus the S&P 500.
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Trulieve to Open Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Dunwoody, Georgia
Sept. 4, 2026 — Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (NYSE: TRLV) (“Trulieve” or “the Company”), a leading and top-performing medical cannabis company in the U.S., today announced the opening of a new medical cannabis dispensary in Dunwoody, Georgia.
“This new DeKalb County dispensary expands access to medical cannabis for patients throughout Metro Atlanta,” said Trulieve Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. “We are excited to serve the Dunwoody community and provide patients with Trulieve’s high-quality products and exceptional customer experiences.”
A grand opening celebration will be held Thursday, September 10, featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m., food truck, storewide discounts, and merchandise giveaways.
Trulieve Dunwoody, located at 4675 N. Shallowford Road, Suite 100, is open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The dispensary offers a wide selection of popular products from Trulieve’s in-house brands Modern Flower, Momenta, Roll One, and Trulieve, in a variety of formats including capsules, inhalable flower, tinctures, topicals, troches, and vaporizers.
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Red White & Bloom Brands Expands Into Europe with Strategic Cannabis Transaction
Transaction Establishes RWB in Germany and the United Kingdom, Two of Europe’s Most Important Medical Cannabis Markets
Businesses Comprising the European Platform Dispensed or Distributed More Than Twelve Tonnes of Medical Cannabis in the Twelve Months Ended July 20261
Sept. 11, 2026 — Red White & Bloom Brands Inc. (CSE: RWB) (“RWB” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has closed a strategic transaction with HEAL Botanicals Pharma Inc. (the “Transaction”), pursuant to which RWB now holds a controlling interest in HEAL Europe Holdings Corp. (“HEH”), a newly incorporated entity established by HEAL Botanicals Pharma Inc. for purposes of the Transaction. HEH provides RWB with an integrated European medical cannabis platform comprising operations and investments in Germany, the United Kingdom and other European markets (the “European Platform”).
The Transaction represents a significant milestone in RWB’s international growth strategy and provides the Company with exposure to established businesses spanning across pharmacy operations, pharmaceutical distribution, medical cannabis brands, patient access, fulfillment and logistics. The European Platform includes the Grünhorn group of companies (“Grünhorn”), which fulfilled approximately 290,000 medical cannabis prescriptions in the twelve months ended July 2026. Collectively, the businesses comprising the European Platform dispensed or distributed over 12 tonnes of medical cannabis in the same period2.
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INDIVA CANNABIS
M&V Investment One LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “M&V”) and Royal Group Resources Ltd. (“RGR”). SEVEN LOCATION IN FLORIDA
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Cresco Labs Announces Filing of Management Information Circular for Annual General and Special Meeting Shareholders to vote on measures that streamline capital structure and governance to position the Company for a potential senior U.S. exchange listing
CHICAGO–SEPT 24 2026- Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company”) today announced that it has filed its Management Information Circular (the “Circular”) and related proxy materials for its annual general and special meeting of shareholders to be held on October 30, 2026 (the “Meeting”), as it prepares for a potential listing on a senior U.S. exchange.
At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve three special resolutions relating to:
(1) a share exchange (the “Share Exchange”) involving the creation of a new parent company (“TopCo”),
(2) a subsequent redomicile of TopCo from British Columbia to Delaware (the “Redomicile”), and
(3) an extension of the listing sunset date applicable to the Company’s multiple voting shares (the “MVS”) from the first to the third anniversary of a U.S. listing.
“The proposals we are putting before shareholders are designed to position Cresco Labs for listing on a senior U.S. exchange,” said Charles Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs. “Taken together, they streamline our corporate and capital structure while lowering administrative cost and complexity.”
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Cresco Labs Appoints Edward Tilly to Board of Directors
Former CBOE Chairman and CEO brings more than 35 years of exchange, listings and capital markets leadership to the Board
Sept 17, 2026 — Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company”), the industry leader in branded cannabis products with a portfolio of America’s most popular brands and the operator of Sunnyside dispensaries, today announced the appointment of Edward Tilly to its Board of Directors, effective September 18, 2026. Mr. Tilly will serve as an independent director and join the Audit Committee, bringing the Board to eight directors.
Mr. Tilly is a financial markets executive with more than 35 years of experience spanning exchange operations, market structure, capital markets and global regulatory engagement. He served as Chairman and CEO of CBOE Global Markets for a decade, helping transform the company from a domestic options exchange into a diversified global market infrastructure operator, growing its market capitalization from approximately US$2 billion to more than US$18 billion. During his tenure, he led CBOE’s US$3.4 billion acquisition of BATS Global Markets and expanded the company’s operational footprint to six continents.
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Cresco Labs Acquires Nine Pennsylvania Dispensaries in Accretive Transaction to Strengthen Market Leadership
September 2, 2026 – Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) (FSE: 6CQ) (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company”) today announced the closing of its acquisition of 100% of the outstanding equity interests in PharmaCann Penn, LLC (“PharmaCann”) for an aggregate consideration of US$50 million (the “Transaction”). The Transaction consists of nine operational retail medical marijuana dispensaries in Pennsylvania, advancing Cresco’s leadership position in the second-largest medical marijuana market, which generated more than US$1.1 billion1 in annual sales last year.
“We are focused on deploying capital into opportunities that strengthen our competitive position and generate attractive long-term returns. This transaction expands our retail footprint in a core market through a highly strategic acquisition while creating additional opportunities to leverage our existing infrastructure,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs. “Pennsylvania is one of our core markets, where scale and vertical integration create durable competitive advantages. Pairing more retail doors with our scaled cultivation and leading wholesale business reinforces our position as the consolidator of choice in the markets that matter most.”
Following closing, Cresco will be the #1 retailer providing medical marijuana to patients across the state. Together with its position as Pennsylvania’s #1 wholesaler, Cresco is uniquely positioned to leverage its scale and brand strength across the market. The Transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to revenue, margins, and cash flow.
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CURRENTLY OWED BY VIREO GROWTH INC.
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Vireo Growth Inc. to Acquire Planet 13 Holdings Inc. |
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS |
Optimi Health Appoints Melanie Pump to Board of Directors Seasoned finance executive brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across technology, digital infrastructure, software, fintech and emerging growth companies Seasoned finance executive brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across technology, digital infrastructure, software, fintech and emerging growth companies
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 29, 2026 — Optimi Health Corp. (NASDAQ: OPTH) (CSE: OPTI) (FSE: 8BN) (“Optimi” or the “Company”), a commercial-stage manufacturer and clinical-stage developer of regulated psychedelic drug products, today announced the appointment of Melanie Pump to its Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Ms. Pump is a seasoned finance executive with more than 25 years of experience across technology, digital infrastructure, software, fintech and emerging growth companies. She currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Qu Data Centres.
“We are pleased to welcome Melanie to Optimi’s Board,” said Dane Stevens, Optimi Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “Her extensive financial leadership experience across technology-driven and emerging growth companies, together with her public company board experience, will add valuable perspective as Optimi continues to execute on its strategic priorities and advance its position in the regulated psychedelic pharmaceutical market.” READ MORE |
BrewDog Builds Momentum for Next Growth Chapter with Expanded Senior Leadership Team New appointments strengthen marketing, hospitality, category, and international commercial leadership as BrewDog advances long-term growth under Tilray Brands
ELLON, Scotland and LONDON, Sept. 28, 2026 — BrewDog, a leader in U.K. craft beer and one of the world’s most recognised beer brands, owned by Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY; TSX: TLRY), today announced a series of senior leadership appointments designed to strengthen execution, sharpen brand and commercial focus, and support BrewDog’s next phase of growth across the United Kingdom and international markets.
The appointments reflect BrewDog’s continued investment in the people, capabilities, and leadership needed to unlock the full potential of its iconic global brand and build on the momentum of its next chapter as part of the Tilray Brands family.
The senior leadership appointments include:
John Beasley, Chief Marketing Officer — leads BrewDog’s marketing strategy, with responsibility for strengthening brand building, consumer engagement and commercial momentum across key markets. With more than 25 years of beverage marketing experience, including leadership roles at Red Bull and Monster Energy, John brings proven brand-building expertise and a global perspective to support BrewDog’s next phase of growth.
Gemma Hampton-Stone, Managing Director of Bars and Hospitality — leads BrewDog’s bars and hospitality business, with responsibility for creating standout customer experiences while strengthening performance and growth across the hospitality estate. With nearly two decades of hospitality leadership experience, including overseeing a portfolio of more than 36 pubs, restaurants, hotels and live music venues, Gemma brings the operational expertise and customer-first mindset needed to strengthen BrewDog’s bars business and enhance the guest experience.
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Optimi Health Completes Psilocybin Production for Health Canada-Approved Phase 2 MDD Trial and Commercial TRD Supply
One cGMP batch, manufactured in-house under Optimi’s Health Canada Drug Establishment Licence, supplies both the Canadian trial and Australian clinics
One cGMP batch, manufactured in-house under Optimi’s Health Canada Drug Establishment Licence, supplies both the Canadian trial and Australian clinics
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2026 — Optimi Health Corp. (NASDAQ: OPTH) (CSE: OPTI) (FSE: 8BN) (“Optimi” or the “Company”), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical manufacturer of regulated psychedelic drug products, today announced the completion and quality release of a production batch of 5mg naturally derived psilocybin capsules, manufactured end to end at the Company’s cGMP facility in Princeton, British Columbia, under a Health Canada Drug Establishment Licence. The batch will supply the recently announced Phase 2 clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy evaluating psilocybin-assisted therapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder (“MDD”) and commercial customers in Australia.
This Health Canada-authorized trial is a multisite, open-label study of up to 200 participants, each receiving a single supervised dose of Optimi’s . Patient dosing is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Data from the trial are intended to assess the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the hope of building the necessary evidentiary base to support registration in Canada and other jurisdictions.
The same batch will also supply the Company’s Australian customer base of licensed clinics, where 5mg psilocybin capsules are prescribed to patients with treatment-resistant depression under the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Authorised Prescriber Scheme, with reimbursement from public and private payers including the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, WorkCover and Medibank. More than 750 clinicians have completed Mind Medicine Australia’s Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies, and Optimi is not aware of any reported serious adverse events since commercial supply began in 2025.
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TerrAscend Strengthens Leadership Position in New Jersey with Closing of Aunt Mary’s Transaction Expands New Jersey retail footprint to five dispensaries
Dispensary generates over US$10 million in annualized revenue and will be immediately accretive to EBITDA and cash flow
Sept. 16, 2026 — TerrAscend Corp. (the “Company”) (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF), a leading North American cannabis operator, today announced that its consolidated entities (together with the Company, “TerrAscend”) have closed on the previously announced transaction with Aunt Mary’s Dispensary LLC (“Aunt Mary’s”), located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Aunt Mary’s is TerrAscend’s fifth retail location in New Jersey and will be immediately accretive to TerrAscend on an EBITDA and free cash flow basis.
“Aunt Mary’s generates more than US$10 million in annualized revenue today, and we see meaningful opportunities to enhance sales and profitability through the integration of our premium brand portfolio,” said Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend. “We are excited to welcome the Aunt Mary’s team to the TerrAscend family.”
In June 2026, TerrAscend entered into an agreement with Aunt Mary’s and the other parties named therein for total consideration of US$9 million, comprised of (i) US$3 million in the form of a five-year unsecured convertible debenture (the “Debenture”) bearing interest at 6.0% per annum (subject to the Company’s right to pay interest in kind at the interest rates provided for and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Debenture) for an option to purchase 35% of Aunt Mary’s (the “Option”) and (ii) US$6 million payable in cash upon exercise of the Option.
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HEMP LAW UPDATE: BEFORE CURRENT PROPOSAL
A massive federal hemp-THC ban is scheduled to take effect on November 12, 2026. Signed into law as part of the FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act, it redefines legal hemp to a 0.3% total THC limit (inclusive of THCA and delta-8) and caps final-form cannabinoid products at 0.4 mg of THC per container, rendering about 95% of current hemp-derived products federally unlawful. The situation remains highly fluid at both the federal and state levels: Federal Updates
The Ban Scope: The impending rules prohibit synthetic cannabinoids and those "synthesized or manufactured outside the plant," which directly impacts popular products like delta-8 THC, HHC, and most THCA flower.
White House Pushback: The White House has actively urged Congress to either delay the November 2026 implementation date or pass a fair regulatory framework to preserve access to full-spectrum CBD products.
Legislative Push: Various lawmakers, including Rep. Andy Barr, have pushed proposals to establish a legal regulatory pathway for domestic consumer hemp, though its fate remains undecided. State-Level & Local Enforcement
Texas Ban: Following a state Supreme Court ruling, Texas will start enforcing strict rules on July 31, 2026, effectively reclassifying and banning common consumer hemp derivatives (like delta-8 and THCP) from state shelves.
Missouri Lawsuit: Ahead of the November federal changes, Missouri enacted a state-level ban on intoxicating hemp products that is actively being challenged in federal court by hemp coalitions. Other States: States like New Jersey and Minnesota are actively passing legislation attempting to tightly integrate hemp products into their existing licensed, regulated cannabis frameworks. FLORIDA:
Florida's hemp market faces a massive collapse as the November 12, 2026, federal ban collides with intense local political maneuvering, strict state-level packaging rules, and a locked recreational cannabis market.
Because Florida's popular hemp-THC products currently average 1 to 10 milligrams of THC per container (such as those sold at mainstream retailers), the upcoming federal 0.4 mg cap is projected to eliminate nearly the entire state hemp sector. Political Battles and Veto History Past Governor Veto: Governor Ron DeSantis previously vetoed a strict state-level hemp ban, warning it would cause "dramatic disruption and harm" to small retail businesses.
Senate-House Deadlocks: During legislative sessions, lawmakers introduced bills like SB 438 to create 50 mg package caps. However, the House and Senate failed to agree on distribution rules, causing the state-level caps to die on the floor.
Federal Lobbying: Desperate to survive the impending November 2026 cliff, Florida hemp businesses are heavily lobbying Capitol Hill and pinning their remaining hopes on the Trump administration delaying the rule or amending the 0.4 mg cap. Both Florida Senators, Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, originally voted in favor of the federal restrictions.
Current State Rules & Active Enforcement
Total THC Testing Rules: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) successfully defended its strict testing formula in court. Florida officially calculates compliance using Total THC (Delta-9 + 0.877 × THCA), rendering THCA flower highly restricted even before the federal ban hits.
Packaging Crackdown: State rules aggressively target and seize products featuring cartoon imagery or bright packaging. All items must utilize strict child-resistant locking mechanisms and include visible QR codes linking to official Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
Age Restrictions: Under active laws, you must be 21 or older to buy any ingestible or inhalable hemp extract. Newer 2026 legislation explicitly targets THC-infused beverages under the 21+ restriction.
The Broader Cannabis Landscape
The hemp industry's desperation is magnified by the status of traditional cannabis in the state. The Florida Supreme Court officially blocked the adult-use marijuana legalization initiative from the 2026 ballot due to a failure to meet signature verification rules. Because recreational cannabis remains completely dead for the 2026 cycle, hemp businesses cannot easily transition into state-licensed recreational dispensaries. Instead, the state's commercial market remains restricted to its tightly controlled, corporate medical marijuana registry.
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Trump-Backed Hemp Bill Could Replace the Federal THC Ban With Actual Regulation
Posted in HEMP NEWS by Carlos Hermida
A new bipartisan bill would regulate and tax hemp-derived THC products instead of effectively banning most of them in November. For consumers, farmers and small businesses, that is a much better conversation to be having.
JULY 26, 2026 – Congress may have discovered a strange new idea: if adults are buying a popular product, perhaps the government should regulate it instead of banning almost all of it and acting surprised when an illegal market appears.
On July 22, 2026, Republican Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota introduced the Lawful Hemp Protection Act, also identified as H.R. 9830. The bill has support from the Trump administration and would create a federal regulatory system for consumable hemp products, including some hemp-derived THC products.
The proposal arrives just months before a major change in federal law is scheduled to take effect on November 12, 2026. Unless Congress acts, the new federal definition of hemp will impose a limit of just 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container and prohibit certain synthesized or non-naturally occurring cannabinoids. In practice, that could remove a huge portion of today’s hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the legal market.
The Lawful Hemp Protection Act would take a different approach: establish rules, require testing, restrict sales to adults, collect taxes and punish irresponsible operators.
In other words, regulate the industry like grown-ups.
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BELOW ARE THE LINKS TO THE DIRECTORY OF FLORIDA CANNABIS DOCTORS AND DISPENSARIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA |
QUALIFIED PATIENTS
OVER 941,000
AND 781 DISPENSING LOCATIONS |
LATEST OMMU REPORTS FROM OFFICE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA Highlights from
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 Report BY THE NUMBERS
Qualified Patients: (Active ID Card) SEP 25,2026- 941,616
SEP 18, 2026- 941, 650 SEP 11,2026- 941,271
SEP 04, 2026- 941,509 AUG 28, 2026- 940,116 Patients Last Week: -34
Qualified Ordering Physicians: 2,029
New Doctors Last Week: 0 Reporting Period: SEPT 19 - SEPT 24 2026
Amount of Medical Marijuana Dispensed - (mgs THC) 418,715,357
Amount of Low-THC Cannabis Dispensed - (mgs CBD) 908
Amount of Marijuana in a From for Smoking (oz) 149,657.570
Approved Dispensing Locations: 781
Added Last Week: 0 |
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