Cannabis Briefs for August 19, 2025
August 19, 2025•Boulder, Colorado-based Canopy USA has named a new executive team, bringing in a new CFO, COO, and chief business development officer to steer the company. Canopy USA has named Casey Rash CFO. He joins from edible maker Kiva Brands, where he most recently served as vice president, distribution and manufacturing. Rebecca Kirk, the company’s new COO, joins from Canopy subsidiary Acreage, where she was also COO. Finally, Canopy has named Kelly Flores as chief business development officer. Before this role, Flores served as COO at Canopy subsidiary Wana Brands.
•The Texas State Senate has passed another bill that would ban hemp-derived THC products in the state, just hours after Governor Gregg Abbott called a second special legislative session to regulate the Lone Star State’s multibillion-dollar hemp-derived industry. Special legislative sessions in Texas cannot last for longer than 30 days, but the governor has the ability to hold as many as he’d like. While the Texas House and Senate appear firmly against regulation for hemp THC, Governor Abbott continues to demand a framework to keep products on shelves, and vetoed a previous ban passed through the legislature.
•Vermont-based hemp-THC brand Upstate Elevator has expanded into Tennessee, gaining footholds in both chain and independent retailers across the state. Upstate notes that Tennessee is an appealing new market for the industry due to its clearly defined regulations around hemp-derived products. The company’s portfolio includes a variety of drinks at 1mg, 3mg, 5mg and 10mg in different fruit flavors, with Tennessee launching with 10mg products. Initially, Upstate Elevator’s THC-infused drinks will be available in retailers like Total Wine & More in Knoxville and Brentwood, Gateway Wine & Spirits in Murfreesboro, 109 Liquor & Wine in Lebanon, R&B Liquor in Nolensville, and Mt Juliet Beer in Mt. Juliet.
•Canada’s cannabis industry contributed C$76.5 billion ($55b) to the nation’s GDP between 2018 and 2024, according to a new report from the Ontario Cannabis Store and Deloitte. In that time, the industry supported roughly 100,000 jobs per year. For Ontario specifically, the cannabis industry has contributed C$23.1 billion ($16.7b) to province GDP and sustained roughly 32,000 jobs annually. The industry has added C$29.6 billion ($21.4b) in tax revenue to the nation’s coffers since legalization began. Total sales for 2024 (including adult-use and recreational) neared C$6 billion ($4.3b), flat against the previous year.
Tagged : Canada cannabis, cannabis, Canopy US, Texas Hemp, Upstate Elevator
