•The Tinley Beverage Company has launched a new line of delta-9 hemp-derived THC drinks under the Beckett’s Tonics brand. The new range includes four flavors—Stone Daisy Lime Margarita, Flying Mule Moscow Mule, Juniper Fly Gin & Tonic, and Mystic Dove Paloma—all at 5-mg. of THC and 35 calories per 12-ounce can. For the initial rollout of the Beckett’s hemp tonics, Tinley has partnered with Total Wine & More to bring the brand to roughly 80 stores in Florida and Texas. According to Tinley, this move will allow the brand to scale up across the U.S. through Total Wine, where hemp-derived THC drinks sales are allowed.

•Last week, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and six hemp producers sued in California to prevent the Golden State’s hemp THC ban from going into effect. The lobby group was joined by Cheech and Chong’s, JuiceTiva, Blaze Life, Boldt Runners Corp., Lucky to Be Beverage Co., and Sunflora, with all arguing that Governor Newsom and the state have not demonstrated the need for emergency regulation. Newsom’s emergency regulations made sales of hemp THC products through liquor stores and other retailers illegal, among other restrictions.

•Canadian cannabis sales reached C$440 million ($328m) in July, setting a new sales record for 2024. Compared to June, sales in Canada were up 1.6% for July. Although July set a new record for 2024, year-over-year sales declined by 3.9%, according to government data. Overall for 2024, sales have continued to build month-over-month, but the year-over-year picture is one of slight declines. On the province level, Alberta and Quebec saw substantial year-over-year gains of 5% and 19% respectively, while Ontario and British Columbia saw sales drop by 14% and 12%, respectively.

•California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill approving cannabis cafes in the Golden State, while vetoing another measure that would have allowed direct sales to consumers by small farmers. The state’s cannabis cafe law becomes effective January 1, but must be approved by local governments. “There’s no doubt that cannabis cafes will bring massive economic, cultural and creative opportunities and benefits to our state,” said the bill’s author, assembly member Matt Haney.