Here’s a breakdown of the key issues discussed in the Trade To Black (TTB) segment powered by Dutchie, focusing on two major cannabis policy flashpoints: Pennsylvania’s legalization gridlock and Texas’s sweeping vape ban.
🟩 Pennsylvania Cannabis Stalemate
- Governor Josh Shapiro included adult-use cannabis legalization in his budget proposal for 2025.
- The House advanced a state-run model, while Senators Dan Laughlin and Sharif Street are pushing for a private licensing system with a Cannabis Control Board.
- Despite growing pressure from neighboring legal states (NY, NJ, MD), the Senate GOP remains resistant, creating a legislative deadlock.
- The delay could cost Pennsylvania hundreds of millions in tax revenue and jobs.
🟥 Texas Vape Ban & Hemp Policy Shakeup
- Senate Bill 2024 (SB 2024) went into effect on September 1, banning the sale and marketing of vape products containing cannabinoids like Delta-8, CBD, THC, and THCa.
- Violations are now considered Class A misdemeanors, with penalties up to 1 year in jail and $4,000 fines.
- SB 6, a broader ban on hemp-derived THC products, is still under debate, with a September 14 deadline looming.
- Retailers are scrambling to pivot, and patients outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) face reduced access to therapeutic options.
💼 Investor & Industry Impact
- These policy shifts raise compliance risks, reshape market opportunities, and influence the cannabis investment outlook.
- Executives remain pessimistic about federal rescheduling in 2025, though many see it as critical for 280E tax relief.
If you want to dive deeper into the full discussion, you can watch the Trade To Black episode on YouTube or read the Vaporana summary article.
