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:
Federal Hemp THC Ban Moves Forward as Farm Bill Advances
The House Agriculture Committee advanced the 2026 Farm Bill this week without including a proposed delay to the upcoming federal ban on intoxicating hemp-derived THC products. The decision means the industry will not receive temporary relief from regulations set to take effect later this year, leaving producers, retailers and investors bracing for major disruption across the hemp marketplace.
The looming rule change stems from federal efforts to close the so-called “hemp loophole” created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp but allowed intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp, such as delta-8 THC and THCA—to proliferate nationwide. Industry stakeholders have pushed for a delay to give businesses time to adjust, but with the ban still scheduled to take effect later in 2026, the future of many hemp-derived THC products remains uncertain.
Study Finds CBD and CBG May Help Reverse Fatty Liver Disease
Two non-intoxicating cannabis compounds, CBD and CBG, may offer a promising new approach to treating fatty liver disease, according to research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Scientists found that the cannabinoids help the liver burn fat and restore key metabolic processes, potentially addressing a condition that affects roughly one-third of adults worldwide. In the study, both compounds improved blood sugar control and reduced harmful lipids linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the most common chronic liver disorder globally.
Researchers say CBD and CBG appear to improve liver health through a process known as “metabolic remodeling,” which boosts the liver’s ability to store backup energy while restoring cellular cleanup systems responsible for breaking down waste. The study also found that CBG produced stronger improvements in several metabolic markers, including reduced body fat mass, lower LDL cholesterol, and increased insulin sensitivity. While more research is needed to determine how these findings translate to human treatments, scientists say the results highlight the growing potential of plant-derived cannabinoids as therapies for metabolic diseases.
American Basketball Player’s Cannabis Case Highlights Global Drug Law Divide
The case of American basketball player Jarred Shaw continues to draw international attention after the former Oklahoma State athlete avoided the death penalty but remains imprisoned in Indonesia over cannabis gummies he said were intended to treat Crohn’s disease. Shaw was arrested in May 2025 after ordering 132 cannabis-infused gummies to Indonesia from Thailand, where cannabis is legal. Under Indonesia’s strict drug laws—where cannabis is classified alongside heroin and methamphetamine—he initially faced possible execution before his sentence was reduced to 26 months.
Shaw’s situation has become a stark example of the widening gap between global cannabis legalization trends and countries that maintain zero-tolerance drug policies. Advocates say the case underscores the risks travelers face when crossing jurisdictions with vastly different cannabis laws, particularly for patients who rely on the plant medicinally. Shaw has also reported worsening health conditions in prison related to Crohn’s disease, prompting calls from supporters for improved medical care and potential compassionate release.
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Los Angeles Faces $400 Million Cannabis Tax Gap
Los Angeles officials are grappling with a massive tax shortfall in the legal cannabis industry, with licensed businesses collectively owing roughly $400 million in unpaid taxes and fees. City leaders are now considering a tax amnesty program that would allow cannabis companies to pay back their principal tax debt over three years while having penalties and interest forgiven.
Even with the proposed program, city finance officials estimate Los Angeles may recover only about $30 million of the total owed. The issue reflects broader challenges facing California’s regulated cannabis market, where high tax rates and competition from the illicit market continue to strain legal operators. More than 500 of the city’s roughly 700 licensed cannabis businesses currently carry tax debts, highlighting ongoing financial pressures across the industry.
Global Cannabis Brand Tilray Expands Beverage Strategy with BrewDog Acquisition
Global cannabis company Tilray Brands is continuing its expansion beyond cannabis with the acquisition of BrewDog’s Australian brewing operations, including a production facility in Brisbane and several flagship bars. The deal strengthens Tilray’s strategy of building a global beverage platform that blends craft beer, lifestyle branding, and future cannabis-infused products.
The move positions Australia as a strategic hub for Tilray’s expansion across the Asia-Pacific region, where the company hopes to scale both BrewDog and its broader beverage portfolio. Tilray has increasingly leaned into alcohol and beverage acquisitions as it waits for broader cannabis legalization opportunities in major markets such as the United States.
