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:
MJ Unpacked Returns to St. Louis (Sept. 3–5, 2025)
The highly curated MJ Unpacked conference is heading back to the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis this September, reinforcing its reputation as a must-attend for licensed operators, investors, and researchers. Known for its invitation-only format and focused tracks—Retail & Brand, Science & Cultivation, Investor & Finance—the event prioritizes high-value connections and deal-making. Notably, industry leaders will present on balancing brand awareness with performance marketing, a key concern in today’s cost-conscious environment. This edition promises strategic networking grounded in business—and Missouri’s robust cannabis market only adds momentum.
Presidential Expands “World’s Strongest” Blunts and Pre-Rolls to New York
Presidential, a top producer of blunts and pre-rolls, has launched its “World’s Strongest” products in New York, expanding into its fifth state. The Company is aiming to replicate the success it’s seen in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Oklahoma. CEO and Co-Founder Everett Smith, a former professional basketball player, leads the company as it strengthens its foothold in the infused pre-roll market, which now accounts for 44.4% of sales; Presidential ranks among the top five brands, generating $43.3 million in revenue and selling 2.58 million units.
Cheech & Chong’s Hemp Strategy Doubles Revenue
The iconic duo’s pivot to federally legal hemp products is paying off: their combined cannabis businesses are projected to generate $100 million in revenue in 2025, up from $50 million last year. Their shift away from California’s restrictive cannabis market has unlocked easier interstate commerce, lower taxes, and expanded retail placement, including convenience stores and dispensaries across multiple states. This is a masterclass in corporate sleight of hand—spinning red tape into gold and turning every regulatory loophole into a roaring profit.
California Cities Raise Fees Amid Cannabis Demand Collapse
Even as legal cannabis sales slump—San Diego sales have dropped nearly 50% from 2021, and statewide 2025 saw an 11% year-over-year dip—cities are hiking taxes and fees. San Diego bumped its tax rate from 8% to 10%, while Los Angeles increased licensing fees, driving up the cost of compliance. As sales dwindle and costs spiral, the market becomes a pressure cooker—forcing even the most by-the-book operators to confront harsh truths—they need to adapt fast or else they will be risking collapse.
Rangers Destroy Over 2,000 Marijuana Plants in Sequoia National Park
Park officials, working with the Bureau of Land Management, cleared 2,377 mature cannabis plants across a 13-acre site in Sequoia National Park—alongside nearly 2,000 pounds of trash, a semi-automatic pistol, and banned toxic pesticides. The cultivation had severely damaged water flows, vegetation, and habitats. No cuffs have been placed on anyone yet, but the gears of investigation are still grinding.
Mfused Taps Flow Distribution for Arizona Expansion
Mfused, known for its custom “Super Fog” smart vapes, has struck an exclusive licensing deal with Arizona’s Flow Distribution. Flow will handle operations and distribution for the brand in Arizona, while Mfused retains sales and marketing roles. Super Fog already reaches nearly 75% of Arizona dispensaries, and this partnership aims to increase visibility for both its FATTY infused pre-rolls and upcoming innovations. A cunning partnership that lets Mfused grow fast, staking out more ground in the market while keeping its own operations lean and mean.
Also Read: Redefining Natural Relief with MycroDose by Nature’s Heritage
Cannabis Market Review: Biggest Winners and Losers
This past week, the cannabis sector saw a relatively quiet trading period, with no extreme volatility in major stocks. Canopy Growth and Cronos Group experienced modest declines, while Tilray Brands held largely flat. The stock market shows sideways trading, but industry fundamentals—like strategic partnerships, hemp expansion, and regulatory navigation—remain the real drivers of growth in 2025.
