Global Cannabis Industry Round-Up
September 2026 Edition
Global Cannabis Industry Round-Up
September brought another month of regulatory, commercial and market developments across the global cannabis industry.
From evolving federal policy in the United States to continued international expansion and shifting medical markets, cannabis businesses are operating in an environment where change remains constant.
This month's developments highlight a market that continues to mature — but at very different speeds depending on where you look.
Canada
Canada's cannabis sector continues balancing the realities of a mature domestic market with opportunities emerging internationally.
Provincial & Federal Updates
Ontario – Municipal oversight of cannabis retail is back in the spotlight. Aurora Town Council endorsed recommendations calling for greater provincial support to address cannabis store clustering, locations near sensitive areas and community complaints, including renewed advocacy for municipalities to have more control over store placement and density.
Québec – The SQDC reported $197.3 million in sales during the first quarter of its 2026–27 fiscal year, up 9% compared with the same period last year. Comprehensive income reached $31.9 million, up from $27.7 million a year earlier, as Québec's legal cannabis market continues to grow.
Nova Scotia – Cannabis sales through the NSLC reached $36.8 million during the first quarter, an 11.2% increase year-over-year. Sales of locally produced Nova Scotia cannabis increased 13.7% to $10.5 million and represented nearly 29% of total cannabis sales.
Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan RCMP seized approximately 1,928 pounds of dried cannabis, 56 pounds of hashish and 15 litres of THC resin during a September traffic stop near Maple Creek. Police said the vehicle was travelling from British Columbia to Ontario, highlighting the continued scale of Canada's illicit cannabis supply chain alongside the regulated market.
Federal – The federal government moved forward with changes intended to streamline Canada's cannabis tracking requirements. Amendments published in September reduce and simplify some reporting requirements under the Cannabis Tracking System, part of broader efforts to reduce regulatory burden on the legal industry.
White Ash Perspective
Canada's cannabis market continues to mature, but the challenges and opportunities look different across the country. Provinces are navigating everything from retail oversight and illicit market competition to continued sales growth, while federal regulators look for ways to reduce the burden on licensed operators.
For Canadian businesses, success increasingly depends on the ability to adapt — whether that's responding to changing regulation at home or identifying opportunities beyond Canada's borders.
United States
Federal cannabis policy remained one of the biggest industry stories in September, while individual states continued moving forward with their own regulatory and market developments.
Federal & State Updates
Federal Reform – A federal appeals court rejected an attempt to pause the federal government's Schedule III order for medical cannabis while a legal challenge moves forward. Separately, the DEA's broader review of whether cannabis should be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III remains ongoing, keeping federal reform and its potential tax, regulatory and operational implications firmly in focus.
California – California's regulated cannabis market has now generated nearly $8.4 billion in state tax revenue since 2018. State officials are also increasing enforcement against illicit operators, including a recent seizure of approximately $13.3 million in illegal cannabis and tobacco products from a Los Angeles County warehouse.
Minnesota – Minnesota surpassed $250 million in combined adult-use and medical cannabis sales during the first year of state-licensed adult-use retail. The state's emerging market continues expanding, with licensed businesses now operating across communities throughout Minnesota.
Illinois – Illinois expanded its medical cannabis market by issuing medical dispensary licenses to 37 existing adult-use retailers, allowing them to serve both recreational consumers and registered medical patients from the same locations. The move represents the state's largest medical cannabis retail expansion in a decade.
Massachusetts – Massachusetts surpassed $10 billion in adult-use cannabis sales since recreational retail launched in 2018. The milestone comes as voters prepare to consider a November ballot measure that would significantly change the state's adult-use cannabis framework.
Virginia – Virginia released draft regulations for its upcoming adult-use cannabis market, outlining proposed licensing, fees and operating requirements for retailers. Regulators are working toward opening licensing applications in early 2027 as the state prepares for legal recreational sales.
Nebraska – The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of a challenge to the state's voter-approved medical cannabis laws, allowing implementation of the program to continue. Regulators have already begun licensing cultivators, with manufacturer and dispensary licensing expected to follow.
New York – New York regulators are increasing scrutiny of THC-infused beverages and other cannabinoid products being sold through unlicensed grocery stores, delis and bodegas. Officials have raised concerns about consumer safety and the impact unlicensed sales are having on businesses operating within the regulated cannabis market.
Ohio – A federal judge temporarily blocked portions of Ohio's new hemp restrictions from being enforced against companies challenging the law. The dispute centres in part on rules that would classify certain higher-THC hemp products as marijuana and require them to move through Ohio's regulated cannabis system.
White Ash Perspective
The U.S. cannabis industry continues moving forward on multiple fronts at once.
Established markets are reaching major sales and tax milestones, newer markets are building out their regulatory frameworks, and federal reform remains in focus. But the differences between state approaches mean expansion still requires a market-by-market strategy.
For operators, understanding those differences is just as important as identifying where the next growth opportunity exists.
Europe
Europe remains one of the most closely watched regions for international cannabis growth, particularly as established medical markets continue to mature.
Country Updates
Germany – Germany's medical cannabis framework continues to evolve. Lawmakers are working through changes affecting first-time cannabis prescriptions, while recent reimbursement changes have also created new questions around patient access and prescribing. Germany remains Europe's largest medical cannabis market, but September reinforced how quickly the regulatory environment can change.
United Kingdom – Canopy Growth announced plans to supply four Canadian-grown medical cannabis strains to the UK through GROW Group, marking the introduction of its Spectrum Therapeutics portfolio into the British market. The expansion is another sign of growing international interest in the UK's developing private medical cannabis sector.
France – France extended transitional access to medical cannabis for patients who participated in the country's now-completed medical cannabis experiment. The extension is intended to prevent interruptions in treatment while the country awaits the next stage of its permanent medical cannabis framework.
Jersey – Jersey is considering tighter oversight of its rapidly expanding medical cannabis system after concerns emerged around prescribing practices and patient monitoring. Approximately 4% of the island's population now holds a cannabis prescription, demonstrating how quickly the market has expanded.
Czech Republic – The Czech Republic is preparing for significant cannabis reform taking effect in 2027. Adults 21 and older will be permitted to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for personal use and possess up to 100 grams at home and 25 grams outside the home, marking another step toward liberalization within Europe.
European Union – New EU rules establishing maximum THC levels for hemp leaves used in herbal infusions are set to apply beginning January 2027. The regulations introduce additional standards for hemp-derived food products sold across European markets as the EU continues developing its approach to cannabinoid products.
White Ash Perspective
Europe's cannabis landscape continues to evolve quickly.
Germany and the UK are attracting international investment, France is working toward a more permanent medical framework, and other jurisdictions are reconsidering how cannabis should be regulated and accessed.
The opportunity is growing, but so is the complexity. Regulatory expertise, pharmaceutical-quality standards, reliable distribution and strong local partnerships will continue to separate companies that simply enter these markets from those that can build a lasting presence.
Talent Implications
As cannabis markets become more complex, companies continue placing greater value on leaders with experience across regulatory affairs, quality assurance, international business development, supply chain and multi-market operations.
For employers, the challenge isn't simply finding people who understand cannabis.
It's finding leaders who understand how to operate as the industry changes.
Closing Thought
September's developments show an industry continuing to mature — but not necessarily becoming simpler.
Canada is refining an established legal market. U.S. states are moving at very different stages of development while federal policy continues to evolve. Across Europe, medical markets are expanding while regulatory frameworks become more sophisticated.
For cannabis businesses, the opportunity isn't simply in following where markets are growing.
It's in understanding how those markets are changing — and having the people, strategy and infrastructure in place to change with them.
