The United States Army has introduced new recruitment rules that expand eligibility, allowing older applicants to join. Under the updated policy, individuals up to 42 years old can now enlist in active duty, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard. This marks a notable shift from the previous age limit of 35. 

Alongside the change in age requirements, the Army has revised its stance on applicants with minor cannabis-related convictions. Those with a single offense involving possession of cannabis or related items such as pipes or similar equipment are no longer automatically subject to additional hurdles. In the past, such cases required a formal waiver issued by Pentagon officials. Applicants also had to wait two years before becoming eligible and pass a drug screening. 

Officials say the updates are part of a broader effort to strengthen recruitment, which has lagged in recent years. In 2022, the Army fell significantly short of its enlistment goals, missing its target by roughly a quarter. The new measures are intended to widen the pool of eligible candidates and address ongoing staffing challenges. 

The decision to raise the age cap also aligns the Army more closely with other branches of the military, including the Air Force and the Navy, both of which have already adopted higher age limits. 

Analysts have pointed out that older recruits often bring valuable qualities to the force. A 2023 study by the RAND Corporation suggested that individuals who enlist later in life tend to be more disciplined, motivated, and prepared for the demands of basic training. They may also bring prior work experience, particularly in technical fields, which can be useful in specialized military roles. 

Army officials have acknowledged this shift in focus. Angela Chipman, who oversees personnel accessions, indicated that the service is increasingly interested in candidates with practical skills and professional experience. She noted that certain positions, especially those requiring advanced technical knowledge, could benefit from recruits who have already developed expertise outside the military. 

These policy changes come at a time of heightened military activity overseas. The United States has recently deployed thousands of troops to the Middle East, including paratroopers and Marines, as part of ongoing operations linked to tensions involving Iran. 

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington are considering additional funding requests tied to the conflict. A proposed package could add $200 billion to defense spending, which already exceeds the $900 billion budget. 

The marijuana industry, including leading firms like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF), is likely to welcome the easing of marijuana-linked restrictions on enlistment into the Army given the realities on the ground where drug policy has been reformed in more than half the country’s states to permit the use of marijuana either for medical or recreational purposes. 

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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Several large cannabis companies operating across multiple U.S. states collectively owe over $1.6 billion in unpaid federal taxes, according to information disclosed in recent corporate filings. The outstanding balances stem largely from disputes over Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, a provision that significantly limits the deductions marijuana businesses can claim. 

Some marijuana companies have intentionally withheld payments in an attempt to preserve cash while challenging the rule. In a recent court filing tied to a marijuana tax dispute, IRS attorneys said the liabilities remain enforceable under existing law. They also say recent political developments surrounding federal cannabis policy do not alter obligations tied to earlier tax years. 

Section 280E prevents businesses that handle substances listed under Schedule 1 or 2 of the Controlled Substances Act from writing off many routine operating costs on federal tax returns. The restriction has long weighed heavily on cannabis companies, many of which operate legally under state law but remain prohibited federally. 

Over 40 operators have taken their arguments to the U.S. Tax Court, hoping to weaken or overturn the rule. Those efforts have so far not succeeded. 

A New Mexico company, Top Organics, which sells products under the Ultra Health brand, is the latest to seek relief. Court records show the business filed a petition in December 2024 asking to claim deductions under Section 280E for tax years 2018 through 2020. 

In an October filing, the company said the federal push to move marijuana to a less restrictive classification could transform the legal landscape. The filing pointed to an August 2023 recommendation from federal health regulators suggesting cannabis should move to Schedule 3. 

However, marijuana remains listed under Schedule 1 for now, even after an executive order issued by President Trump on December 18 directing officials to begin the rescheduling process. 

The DOJ has yet to carry out that directive. Until any formal change takes effect, the IRS maintains that prior tax obligations remain governed by the law in place when the income was earned. 

In a March 6 court filing tied to the Top Organics dispute, IRS Acting Chief Attorney Kenneth Kies argued that courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of Section 280E. Because marijuana was classified as a Schedule 1 substance during the years cited in the case, he wrote, the court must apply the rules that existed at that time. 

The agency has taken the same position before, including in a memo issued in 2024. 

Meanwhile, several large cannabis operators that began disputing their 280E liabilities in late 2023 have accumulated substantial uncertain tax positions. Trulieve Cannabis Corp. reported the largest exposure. The company amended returns dating back to 2019 and sought roughly $143 million in refunds based on its interpretation of the law. Its financial statements now list $630 million tied to the ongoing tax dispute. 

Other companies have reported sizable amounts as well, including Curaleaf Holdings with $531.5 million, Verano Holdings at $378.26 million, and Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) with $171.4 million. 

Many legal specialists remain skeptical that businesses will ultimately avoid the tax burden. Lawyer Henry Wykowski warned in a 2024 interview that betting on favorable court rulings is a dangerous approach. He said firms pursuing that path could face additional penalties exceeding 20% on top of unpaid taxes if their arguments fail. 

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For most marijuana retailers, the humble penny has rarely been a topic of concern. That is changing. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Mint to halt production of the penny. 

Since then, financial institutions have begun limiting the number of pennies they distribute. The shift has drawn little public attention, but businesses that rely heavily on cash are beginning to feel the impact. Cannabis dispensaries are among the first to notice. 

Although digital payment tools have expanded in recent years, marijuana sales still involve a significant amount of physical currency. In many states, store owners estimate that about one-third of transactions are settled in cash, though the figure can be higher depending on location and clientele. When exact change becomes difficult to provide, that problem repeats itself at the counter all day. 

One purchase, rounded up or down, may seem insignificant. Hundreds in a single day tell a different story. 

Without pennies, merchants are advised by the U.S. Treasury to round totals to the nearest nickel. That approach leaves no middle ground. If the final figure is adjusted upward, customers pay slightly more. If it is reduced, the retailer absorbs the shortfall. Over time, those five-cent differences accumulate. 

If rounding decisions create a variance of even $15 to $25 each day, the monthly effect becomes noticeable. Over the year, the total can reach into the thousands. For operators managing slim margins, especially in competitive markets with high compliance costs, that sum matters. 

Beyond the financial impact, inconsistency is emerging as a concern. Many dispensaries have not formally set a rounding policy. In practice, the decision often falls to individual employees. One cashier may round down, another up. A third might try to balance things based on instinct. The result is uneven treatment at the register and discrepancies in the till. 

That inconsistency can complicate bookkeeping. Most point-of-sale systems were designed with exact change in mind. When coins are unavailable, small gaps appear between recorded sales and cash on hand. Drawer shortages become more frequent. Minor sales tax differences surface during reconciliation. None of these issues triggers immediate alarms, but over time, they create irregularities in financial reports. 

In the marijuana sector, irregularities attract scrutiny. Regulators, auditors, and financial partners tend to examine even small discrepancies closely. For businesses operating in a tightly regulated environment, added noise in the numbers is unwelcome. 

There is also a governance question. If rounding is occurring, it should be clearly documented. Otherwise, it remains unclear who bears the difference and how it is reflected in accounting records. Many existing point-of-sale contracts did not anticipate a scenario in which pennies would be unavailable, and some operators have yet to revisit those arrangements. 

Larger metropolitan markets may have more flexibility, including alternative payment options and broader banking relationships. Newer or smaller markets often depend more on lean staffing and cash. In those settings, even modest inconsistencies stand out. 

To solve the issue, some retailers have chosen a specific rounding method, configured their systems accordingly, trained employees, and monitored the results. When customers ask about a five-cent adjustment, staff can provide a straightforward explanation. 

Others continue to treat the change as a minor nuisance. The same purchase is processed differently depending on who is behind the counter. Over time, those small variations compound, making reconciliation more complex. 

The shrinking supply of pennies is not, by itself, a crisis for marijuana businesses. It does, however, highlight how interconnected routine operations can be. Cash management, margin pressures, and compliance requirements already demand careful attention. A small disruption in coin availability can ripple through daily processes more than expected. 

For marijuana, the solution is deliberate planning. Establish a clear policy. Implement it consistently. Monitor the numbers. A single coin will not determine a company’s future. But a series of small, unaddressed issues can compound over time, and this is one more factor operators can no longer afford to ignore. 

It would be interesting to hear what experience established entities like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) are having with the shrinking supply of pennies for use during cash transactions. 

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For decades, a cannabis conviction from 1980 trailed Roosevelt Myles, lingering on his record long after he served his time. Myles, an Illinois resident, spent nearly three decades behind bars for a murder he maintained he did not commit. An appellate court later overturned the conviction, and a judge granted him a certificate of innocence after finding no physical evidence connected him to the crime. 

When he was released in 2020, Illinois had already legalized recreational cannabis and created a process to clear certain marijuana offenses. With help from attorneys at New Leaf Illinois, an online resource that assists with record clearing, Myles petitioned to seal his cannabis conviction and expunge the wrongful murder charge. Last fall, a judge approved both requests. 

Earlier that year, Myles said he was turned down for a job due to his criminal history. The court’s decision felt like a major step forward after what he described as reaching his lowest point. 

His case, however, stands in contrast to statewide trends. Research from the Paper Prisons Initiative estimates that about 2.2 million Illinois residents were eligible to clear or seal their records in 2021. Yet only around one in ten had filed the necessary paperwork. 

Advocates cite several obstacles for this gap, including limited awareness, court costs, prolonged wait times, and fear of navigating the legal system. Lawmakers hope the recently approved Clean Slate Act will help. Beginning in 2029, the law will automatically seal eligible nonviolent records for more than 1.7 million people. 

Not all legislators supported the change, however. Senator Steve McClure argued that automatic sealing could prevent employers and families from accessing important background information, particularly in cases involving financial abuse of older adults. 

Even after a judge signs an order, records are not always updated right away. By law, agencies have 60 days from the date of receiving a court order to comply, but delays are common. Myles said that although his sealing order was approved in October 2025, he has yet to receive confirmation from the state police that his record has been changed. Until the state’s criminal history database reflects the change, background checks may still show the old charges. 

Meanwhile, the federal government is considering reclassifying cannabis to acknowledge its medical use and lower potential for abuse. Legal experts say that the shift would not change eligibility rules in Illinois, since record clearing is governed by state law. 

Some argue that federal reclassification could impact contested cases, particularly in counties where judges are more likely to be skeptical of expungement requests. Still, they emphasize that meaningful relief depends on efficient implementation at the state level. 

For Myles, recent reforms offer hope, but closure remains out of reach as long as his records remain in limbo. 

Marijuana businesses like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) based on Illinois and those operating in other states with legal marijuana markets will be hoping that laws requiring the expungement of certain cannabis-linked crimes are swiftly implemented in the spirit of providing restorative justice now that drug laws have evolved. 

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Florida’s push to legalize recreational marijuana has entered a more volatile phase as state officials and campaign organizers trade accusations just weeks before a critical signature deadline. 

State AG James Uthmeier stated that his office has opened dozens of new investigations tied to alleged election-related crimes connected to the ballot effort, a move that supporters of the initiative describe as politically motivated. 

Smart and Safe Florida, the group leading the legalization push, rejected the claims. The group has until February 1 to deliver more than 880,000 verified signatures from registered voters. If the proposal reaches the ballot, it would still need approval from at least 60% of voters statewide to take effect. 

The DeSantis administration has consistently opposed broader cannabis access, and the legalization effort has encountered resistance at nearly every stage. Uthmeier accused 50 individuals hired to collect signatures for the campaign of committing fraud. He alleged that petitions were submitted without voter permission and that some signatures were forged, including names belonging to people who have died. 

According to a letter dated January 20 from State Prosecutor Brad McVay, 9 campaign workers have already been taken into custody. McVay also indicated that additional arrest warrants could be issued in the coming days. The same letter requested authorization to issue subpoenas directly to Smart and Safe Florida to examine whether the organization itself violated election statutes. 

The expanded criminal inquiry follows reports of mounting pressure on county election offices to invalidate petitions that had already been accepted. Campaign representatives say that they are complying with election rules and flagging any irregularities to state officials as required. A spokesperson suggested that the attorney general’s criticism stems from the campaign’s strict adherence to those regulations. 

Legal battles are also playing out in court. Both the campaign and the state are involved in lawsuits over the legitimacy of thousands of signatures already submitted. Last week, a judge in Leon County ordered roughly 29,000 petitions gathered by out-of-state workers to be thrown out. The campaign appealed that decision. 

Uthmeier’s role has drawn scrutiny as well. Before becoming attorney general, he served as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff during the 2024 election cycle, when cannabis legalization last appeared before voters. During that period, about $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was directed into a political fund overseen by Uthmeier. Advocates for legalization argue that the money was improperly used to campaign against the measure, an accusation the administration has denied. 

Florida is currently the nation’s largest medical-use market, making it a key target for companies seeking broader legalization. Still, public support appears to have softened. A recent survey commissioned by the Florida Chamber of Commerce found that only 51% of respondents back legal marijuana, the weakest showing for the idea in four years. 

Many firms like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) are likely to be concerned about the escalating relations between the Florida state government and the advocates seeking to put the legalization measure on the state ballot since ordinary residents could lose out on having their voices heard on the matter. 

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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New York regulators have published a series of year-end reports outlining how the state’s legal cannabis industry has developed, highlighting strong sales, growing tax revenue, progress on equity goals, and expanded access for medical patients. 

According to the reports, total legal marijuana sales in the state have now passed $2.5 billion since recreational use was approved. Of that amount, roughly $1.6 billion came in during the most recent year, through November. The number of licensed retail outlets has also grown from 261 stores in 2024 to 556 by 2025, nearly doubling in just one year. 

The Office of Cannabis Management noted that New York continues to surpass its social equity targets. About 55% of recreational cannabis licenses are held by social and economic equity entities. Within that group, 50% are owned by people from minority communities, and 47% are run by women. 

State officials also detailed enforcement efforts aimed at limiting illegal cannabis sales. In 2025, regulators carried out more than 2,000 enforcement actions, seizing more than $20 million worth of unlicensed marijuana products. 

The reports also note changes to the state’s medical marijuana program signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. The updates expand access by simplifying patient certification, allowing reciprocity for visitors from other states, and permitting adults aged 18 and older to grow marijuana plants for therapeutic purposes. Officials said the changes are intended to modernize the program and better serve patients across New York. 

Tax revenue remains a major outcome of legalization. From April 2023 through the end of November 2025, the state collected approximately $341 million in cannabis-related taxes from recreational and medical sales. However, officials acknowledged that sales are concentrated among a relatively small group of retailers. As of late November, the top 10 cannabis stores accounted for nearly 30% of all sales, while the top 50% of operating locations generated about 80% of total revenue. 

The data also suggest that legalization has not led to increased youth use. Surveys show that the share of adolescents reporting recent marijuana use declined from 20% in 2013 to 12.5% in 2023. 

Regulators also announced an extension for conditional recreational cannabis licenses, pushing the renewal deadline to the end of the year. The move is intended to give license holders more time to secure compliant locations, particularly amid zoning concerns affecting more than 100 businesses located near schools or religious institutions. 

Separately, lawmakers passed a measure that would give marijuana distributors and manufacturers additional time to file quarterly tax returns. If approved, the filing window would expand from 20 days to 50 days after each reporting period ends. 

This positive information coming after the hiccups that threatened to derail the program in its initial stages after the launch of legal sales comes as a welcome relief to industry players like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) that are happy to see new markets succeed at giving adults access to products from licensed outlets in states with enabling regulations. 

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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A Michigan court has refused to pause the state’s newly approved 24% tax on wholesale marijuana, clearing the way for the levy to begin on January 1, 2026. The decision, issued by Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel, was closely watched by marijuana companies and policymakers who have debated for months whether the Legislature overstepped its authority when it added the tax to this year’s budget. 

Patel sided with state officials who argued that the new charge does not alter the substance of the 2018 ballot measure that opened Michigan’s recreational cannabis market. State lawyers maintained that the voter-backed law remains intact and that the tax is simply a tool to raise money for infrastructure projects, particularly road improvements. 

Patel noted that early drafts of the road funding measure already envisioned higher tax collections to support transportation, even though they did not spell out where those dollars would come from. According to the judge, the underlying purpose of the legislation stayed consistent. 

Under the state’s Constitution, any revision to a voter-approved statute requires a three-quarters vote in both legislative chambers. The wholesale tax did not meet that bar, which became a central argument for the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association (MCIA). 

The group contended that creating a new levy without overwhelming legislative support effectively changes the framework voters endorsed six years ago. Business owners have warned that layering a sizable wholesale tax on top of the existing retail excise tax could push some companies to the brink. 

Industry representatives also cautioned that higher prices might push buyers back toward unlicensed sellers, undermining efforts to build a stable and regulated marketplace. The court said these predictions were too uncertain to justify blocking the policy. 

MCIA spokesperson Rose Tantraphol said the organization intends to keep pressing its case, insisting that lawmakers ignored the intent of the electorate when they approved the budget provision. 

A scheduling conference is planned for January 13 to determine how the case will proceed. The next formal step for the industry group is an appeal to the state’s Court of Appeals. Regardless of how that panel rules, both sides expect the issue to reach the state Supreme Court. 

The wholesale levy, combined with the state’s existing 10% retail cannabis excise tax, will place Michigan among the states with the highest marijuana tax rates in the country. 

Marijuana sales in Michigan are already showing signs of decline. Legal retailers reported $3.2 billion in revenue in 2024, making Michigan the second-largest marijuana market in the nation after California. 

Companies like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) with operations in Michigan will be hoping that the legal process yields an outcome that doesn’t impose an exorbitant tax burden on licensed marijuana companies in the state. 

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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A new report from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association says many retailers that advertise legal hemp products are instead selling cannabis products with high THC levels. The group’s findings come from laboratory tests on 55 products purchased at gas stations, smoke shops, and stores that market themselves as hemp or CBD sellers. 

According to the report, 96% of the samples turned out to be synthetic THC or cannabis. The association’s 16-page document outlines what it describes as a statewide problem involving hundreds of unregulated shops offering potent THC products while presenting them as legal hemp. It includes test results, a map of retailers the group reviewed, and a list of outlets it says are selling THC outside Missouri’s licensed system. 

Executive director Andrew Mullins said the findings point to a public safety issue that has been building for years. Mullins noted the absence of mandatory testing or child-resistant packaging leaves minors especially vulnerable. 

In nearly every tested item, THC levels surpassed the federal hemp limit of 0.3%. The results ranged from 11 milligrams of THC per package to 5,000 milligrams. One vape bought in Independence tested at 89.3% THC, a concentration far above what hemp laws allow. Nearly 30% of the samples had contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, or lingering solvents. 

Mullins said the association first raised concerns in 2021 when hemp-derived THC products began appearing routinely in convenience stores. He said the products were packaged like regulated marijuana but sold in places that faced no state controls. According to Mullins, state health officials said the issue fell to local law enforcement, some of whom believed the products were legal after recreational marijuana passed. 

The group has backed several measures in recent years to limit or oversee hemp-derived THC, though none have advanced. Mullins said some businesses resist changes because the current system benefits them. He pointed to a Warrenton case involving a shop owner accused of selling a THC vape cartridge to a 14-year-old and cited a sharp rise (400%) in poison control calls involving unregulated products. 

Mullins said some shops advertise THC levels online while labeling packages as hemp in stores, and others use the word “dispensary” despite having no license to sell cannabis. 

Not everyone agrees with the trade group’s conclusions. Columbia attorney Dan Viets said the report overlooks important sections of state and federal law. He argues that products made from hemp remain legal even if the final item exceeds the 0.3% threshold, since the definition of hemp is based on the plant’s THC level at harvest. 

Viets noted that the hemp sector has long urged state lawmakers to create rules for labeling, testing, and age limits. He argued that the licensed cannabis industry wants hemp-derived THC banned because it does not want competition. He added that restricting these products could force many retailers to close. 

Licensed marijuana companies like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) operating in other regulated marijuana markets in the country will be hoping that states clarify regulations on hemp THC so that it is explicitly clear how those products should be sold in case they are permissible. 

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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Cannabis remains illegal in Wisconsin, yet anyone driving through commercial districts could easily assume otherwise. Shops advertising CBD and THC products have multiplied across the state, filling windows with colorful displays of gummies, oils, drinks, and vape cartridges. Many grocery stores and gas stations also carry similar items. 

Their presence stems from a gap in federal law that allowed hemp products with trace levels of the psychoactive compound THC to be sold openly. That gap is now on track to close. 

A policy change in 2018 removed hemp from the federal list of controlled substances. The move permitted a wide range of products that include THC, provided they came from hemp and stayed under a strict limit of 0.3% by dry weight. The change fueled a booming market that a national hemp organization values at roughly $28 billion. 

President Donald Trump recently signed legislation to end the federal government shutdown. Tucked inside the measure was language that tightens the limit on THC levels in hemp products. Products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC would be barred, a standard that would rule out most products currently on store shelves. The new limit becomes enforceable in one year. 

This sparked immediate concern among growers, manufacturers, and retailers in Wisconsin, who fear the move could wipe out a large share of their business. Still, some legal scholars say the reaction may be stronger than the situation warrants. 

Robert Mikos, a professor at Vanderbilt University who studies drug policy, said the federal government lacks the capacity to enforce a sweeping crackdown on the wide network of companies that produce or sell these products. In his view, the future of the market will hinge largely on decisions made in states rather than Washington. 

Efforts to create state-level oversight are already moving. As the House prepared to vote on the shutdown legislation, Wisconsin’s Assembly Committee on State Affairs reviewed a bipartisan measure that would set up a thorough regulatory structure for hemp products. 

The proposal calls for mandatory testing and licensing, taxes similar to those on alcohol, and clear municipal authority. It also outlines an age requirement for purchasing and using these products, a licensing system for producers and retailers, and rules for packaging. 

A separate proposal would revise Wisconsin’s definition of hemp to match the new federal standard. That measure is expected to face a veto from Governor Tony Evers. 

Even so, Mikos said the industry is unlikely to face aggressive enforcement in the near future, even after the federal limit takes effect next year. He cautioned that small businesses could still encounter ripple effects involving taxes or federal permits. But he added that the risk of criminal penalties remains extremely low. 

Marijuana companies, such as Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF), will be tracking how this change to federal law impacts companies that have been manufacturing THC products from hemp. 

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