Policy, Decoded

What changed in cannabis and hemp policy, and what it means before it takes effect. Every weekday morning, free, from the former regulator who built the Massachusetts program.

“It’s an excellent resource and often surfaces perspectives or commentary I would not have considered.”

Hirsh JainCEO, Ananda Strategy

“Learning about problems states are having, traps that North Carolina might hope to avoid. And keeping up with tax policy developments, too.”

Pat OglesbyCenter for New Revenue

“Regulatory updates without a biased angle and, most importantly, coming from people with expertise that I trust.”

Elliot LaneIgniteIt

From a reader survey run in August 2026, published with permission.

⚖️ “An executive agency must be rigorously held to the standards by which it professes its action to be judged.”

Nov 9, 2026

⚖️ “An executive agency must be rigorously held to the standards by which it professes its action to be judged.”

The DEA hearing has its final briefs, and the judge's recommendation comes next.

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🏛️ “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

Nov 6, 2026

🏛️ “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

Democrats have the Senate seats, the votes are short of 60, and a descheduling bill with no social equity has to explain why. Plus hemp dates, Texas fees, Wisconsin, and a military court.

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🏛️ “With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.”

Nov 5, 2026

🏛️ “With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed.”

Lawmakers return Monday and the hemp cap takes effect December 11th, with the Senate math, Pennsylvania, four states, Missouri’s initiative amendment and Illinois on November 12th.

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🏛️ “You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.”

Nov 4, 2026

🏛️ “You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.”

AP called Question 8 for No, so licensed adult-use sales continue in Massachusetts. Plus, Aurora's board backs Organigram's $401 million offer.

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🗳️ “Ballots are the rightful, and peaceful, successors of bullets.”

Nov 3, 2026

🗳️ “Ballots are the rightful, and peaceful, successors of bullets.”

Massachusetts votes on Question 8 today, and the people who set cannabis policy next year are on ballots everywhere. Plus: DEA’s dual-license states, Oregon’s record crop, Michigan’s tax pause.

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🗳️ “Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Nov 2, 2026

🗳️ “Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

DEA registered its first 900-plus medical dispensaries, all in seven states without adult-use sales. Plus: Question 8 and Idaho vote, New York’s equity fund, beer lobbyists and the hemp date.

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