Welcome to the latest edition of “Last week in Weed,” catching you up on the latest breaking news and industry developments in the world of cannabis.
Here’s what you may have missed over the last week:
The Final Curtain Falls on the Prince of Darkness
It is with a heavy heart that we begin this week’s news the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and a pioneer of heavy metal, at the age of 76. While best known for shaping the sound of rock, Ozzy also left a mark on cannabis culture. A longtime user and vocal supporter of legalization, he embraced both THC and CBD for pain management later in life. Though never a formal advocate, his openness helped destigmatize cannabis use in music and mainstream media. Ozzy’s legacy lives on not just in platinum records, but in the countercultural spirit he helped elevate.
Cannabis Reform Omitted from DEA Priorities
Despite vowing during his confirmation hearing to make cannabis rescheduling early priority, DEA head Anne Milgram has excluded cannabis from her strategic directives. Her newly issued list centers on fentanyl, cartel enforcement, crypto‑enabled trafficking and the dark web—but notably omits rescheduling efforts. To the trained eye, the silence screams louder than any recent actions, a telltale sign that the so-called “momentum” is just more smoke, mirrors, and political sedatives.
THC + CBD Combo Shows Strong Relief for Migraines
A placebo‑controlled clinical trial found vaporized cannabis with 6% THC and 11% CBD significantly outperformed placebo at 2 hours post‑use, delivering sustained relief up to 48 hours for migraines. THC alone yielded 27.9% pain‑free rates after two hours; CBD alone produced 22.8%. This throws another log on the fire for anyone following the science backing balanced THC-CBD blends—proving it’s not just hippie snake oil, but legitimate migraine medicine for the masses.
New DOJ Rule May Block Gun Rights Restoration for Cannabis Users
The Justice Department’s proposed rule clarifies that anyone currently using cannabis—even lawfully—would fall under federal prohibition via 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3) and likely be ineligible to have gun rights restored. Only those who’ve ceased use and meet other criteria could qualify for relief. Applications go through local law enforcement and comments on the rule are accepted through October 20. Cannabis users—whether they’re medicating or just chasing a buzz—are staring down the barrel of some serious long-term firepower restrictions. The government’s tightening the screws, deepening the ugly chasm between state‑level legality and federal statute
Cannabis Stocks: Top Picks
Analysis from MarketWatch and other sector watchers highlights several major players poised for growth amid shifting policy landscapes: Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries (GTI), Cresco Labs, Verano Holdings, and Ayr Wellness.
- Curaleaf is the largest cannabis company globally by revenue (~$1.34 B in 2024)
- Green Thumb Industries continues expanding retail footprint across multiple states
- Cresco Labs, listed OTC in the U.S. and on the Canadian exchange, remains a vertically integrated major in the sector
