Quick Hit August 2026: What We Missed in Recent Weeks

As regular Newsweed consumers will have noticed, we've been on hiatus for the past few weeks. But since news doesn't wait for us, here's a recap of what's been happening in the meantime on Planet Cannabis.

France

Various general-interest media outlets relay the challenges faced by hemp producers and sellers of CBD products since the so-called «ban» on CBD in food products.

While the challenges facing the industry are very real, the Council of State has nevertheless provided a clarification significant in its decision dismissing the motion for preliminary relief filed by associations in the CBD hemp industry against the DGAL's CBD Product Inspection Plan. Contrary to what has been widely claimed, this monitoring plan could not, on its own, serve as a ban. Ministries therefore could not communicate as if the marketing of CBD in food products were now prohibited.

This obviously does not prevent the DGCCRF and the DDPP from targeting producers and distributors of CBD products for other reasons, notably the evident presence of cannabinoids in these products under the «Novel Foods» regulations. However, in the absence of an individual administrative decision requiring them to remove the products, retailers are not, in principle, required to voluntarily withdraw their products from sale simply because of the existence of this enforcement plan.

When an inspection results in a withdrawal order or an administrative order, the company in question also retains the right to defend itself and, if necessary, to challenge that decision in court.

The problem, then, lies elsewhere: in practice, these proceedings can drag on for a long time and place the affected companies in an extremely difficult economic situation. Between inspections, injunctions, litigation, and administrative delays, the government has tools at its disposal that can, in fact, cause lasting damage to a company even before a final decision on the merits of the case is rendered.

Europe

The Italian Council of State has referred the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the Classification of orally administered CBD.

The number of medical cannabis prescriptions in the United Kingdom is expected to reach 1.7 million in 2025 (official figures have not yet been announced), which is 1.7 million more than in France.

Curaleaf continues its takeover bid for Aurora Cannabis and has now submitted a formal offer to acquire its Canadian competitor. Aurora’s board of directors has already responded to the offer, urging shareholders to «take no action» until it issues a formal recommendation, which is expected within 15 days.

Miguel Martin, Aurora’s CEO, accused Curaleaf of making its offer public in order to «pressure our shareholders into making a short-term decision that is in the best interest of Curaleaf’s shareholders.».

Germany has set a new record for imports of medical cannabis. According to the BfArM, 67 metric tons of medical cannabis products were imported into Germany from other countries in the first quarter of 2026.

Barcelona is launching «Operation Druida» to crack down on public drug use. Catalan cannabis clubs are also in the crosshairs.

The European Union set new THC content limits for tea made from hemp leaves, effective January 2027. Hemp leaves intended for use in herbal teas must not contain more than 40 mg/kg of total THC equivalents, while the THC content of the ready-to-drink herbal tea is limited to 0.02 mg/kg.

United States

Total sales of cannabis for adult use in Ohio exceeded $1.5 billion since the market launched in 2024. In July, the average price per gram was just over $6.50, and the average price of a cannabis-based product for adults was about $25.

Delaware has produced More than $53.4 million in recreational cannabis sales during the first year of legal sales in that state. Since the market launched, sales have continued to rise month after month, with July 2026 setting a new record for monthly sales.

The authorities of the U.S. state of Georgia are considering to authorize the delivery of medical cannabis by mail. If adopted, this regulation would allow for the delivery of medical cannabis products to patients registered with health care providers via the U.S. Postal Service or a private carrier, provided that deliveries are made directly to the patient.

Cannabis-Related Tax Revenue in Connecticut have increased of approximately 67% since the beginning of the year, despite a sales volume that has remained virtually unchanged. This discrepancy is due to the government’s current tax structure for cannabis, which sets the tax rate based on a product’s total THC content: 0.625 cents per milligram of THC in cannabis flowers, 2.75 cents per milligram in infused edibles, and 0.9 cents per milligram for other cannabis-based products.

Cannabis Retailers in New Mexico exceeded The $2.35 billion in total revenue recorded in June 2026. This figure includes more than $1.7 billion in sales to adults and nearly $643 million in sales for medical use. The state launched its medical cannabis program in April 2022 and its adult-use market in April 2024.

The latest Gallup poll revealed 17% of Americans report smoking cannabis, including 15% women and 18% men. This rate of cannabis use matches the previous record set by the polling institute in 2023. In addition, 15% of those surveyed reported using cannabis-infused edibles.

The U.S. DEA says once again that cannabis «can no longer be classified in Schedule I,» even as the reclassification process continues.

Canada

New Brunswick's cannabis regulatory authority, Cannabis N.B., develops is currently implementing a new strategy to revitalize its market. Several objectives from its previous plan remain relevant, including expanding legal access in rural areas, introducing in-store tastings and on-site consumption, and launching a loyalty program. To compete with illegal retailers, Cannabis N.B. is increasingly focusing on low prices and convenient products, including the promotion of $2 pre-rolled joints, which sold 188,000 units after attracting customers from an unregulated store that had been raided by police. Legal retailers remain at a disadvantage due to regulatory limits on product potency—particularly for edibles—as well as higher prices.

Canada took hold of as the world's largest regulated cannabis market by setting a new monthly sales record in June, surpassing California by approximately $2 million. California reportedly has 3.7 cannabis dispensaries or delivery services per 100,000 residents, while Canada has 7.9 per 100,000 residents.

Rest of the world

The prices of cannabis sold in Uruguayan pharmacies rose moderately as of August 1, by about 40 centimes for a 5-gram package. In August 2025, the Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis had already raised the prices of the four authorized varieties by 10 Uruguayan pesos (20 cents). Prices had also been raised in February 2026.

Search

Researchers studying the link between cannabis use and irregular heart rhythms have discovered that regular cannabis users experienced fewer premature beats while using the drug. Premature or missed heartbeats are called «cardiac ectopias» and can be a predictor of heart failure.

Canada launches A cannabis research consortium with a budget of $24 million to study topics ranging from the therapeutic potential of cannabis to its effects on brain health. The Canadian Consortium on Cannabis and Brain Health will bring together researchers from across the country to study the impact of cannabis on brain health, according to the country’s health minister.

A small Spanish study found that using a spray with a balanced THC:CBD ratio alleviated restless legs syndrome in patients suffering from it.

Events

The conference Mind Forward London On December 1, at the famous Ministry of Sound in London, it will host a one-day event covering a wide range of topics, from mental health to innovation in healthcare, psychedelics, digital therapies, and longevity, with each session framed through the lenses of business, investment, and healthcare. Full details can be found found here.