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Greetings, Zingers! TGIF! Nicolás Rodríguez and Patricio Liddle here, bringing you this week’s essential news to stay up to date with the latest and greatest in cannabis.

The green wave is gaining ground, shaking up even the most conservative strongholds as populist leaders challenge the status quo. While Trump’s latest moves on cannabis legalization contrast with DeSantis’s firm stance, the spectacle-driven politics of figures like Boris Johnson, Javier Milei, and Trump himself—complete with their iconic hairdos—are breaking tradition. 

In the Midwest, Jim Belushi is expanding his cannabis empire, Ohio's sales are hitting new highs, and Missouri is locked in a legal battle over hemp. With momentum building, the region's growing influence on the national cannabis market is impossible to ignore.

Conservatives Crumble On Cannabis?

A green wave seems to be sweeping through traditionally conservative strongholds—think North Carolina, Nebraska and Trump’s Florida. Recent developments are also shaking up the South, with a major merger covering 25% of the U.S. population, including Texas. Cannabis prohibition is steadily thinning as more states warm up to the economic benefits: tax revenues and job creation. Mississippi’s medical market, for instance, offers a pro-business approach that has turned heads.

Taking a step back to the global stage, the rise of right-wing populism is impossible to ignore. Trump in the U.S., Johnson in the U.K., and Milei in Argentina—besides the wild hairstyles—share a common playbook: rejecting the status quo. In this spectacle-driven political environment, the question is how long traditional conservatives can stand on their prohibitionist stance against the backdrop of family values and faith. 

A Ragnar Research poll shows strong support for cannabis legalization in swing states Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, with 84% backing medical marijuana and 62% favoring adult-use legalization.

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Midwest Magic: Jim Belushi Hits Chicago, Ohio Sales Surge, Missouri's Hemp War

Jim Belushi isn’t just chasing laughs—he’s chasing the cannabis magic too. Teaming up with HighBridge Premium, his Magical Ice TeaZ THC-infused beverage line is ready to roll out in up to 15 states by year-end. The actor, farmer, and cannabis mogul will be taking the stage at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago this October, ready to share his insights and—if you’re lucky—a few of those Majical drinks. 🍵✨

Meanwhile, Ohio isn’t just dipping its toes in the cannabis waters; it’s diving in headfirst. Sales hit a stunning $44 million in just one month, with new adult-use consumers flooding dispensaries like never before. 

But the Midwest isn’t all smooth sailing. In Missouri, Governor Parson is doubling down on his hemp crackdown, citing a 600% increase in child cannabis poisonings. Retailers aren’t going down without a fight, though—legal challenges are piling up, making the state a battleground for the future of hemp products. Will hemp stay in the spotlight, or will the governor's push for regulation win out? Stay tuned.

Weekend Weed Reads:

• Famed Weed Grower Green Bodhi Debuts Limited-Edition Seed Drop With I Love Growing Marijuana, Celebrates With Giveaways

• Money Doesn't Grow On Trees, But It Helps Grow Your Cannabis Business: New Partnership Expands Access To Lending

• Robert Kennedy Jr. Says VP Harris Flip-Flopped On Cannabis And Can't 'Put Together An English Sentence'

• 'Tofu-Like' Psychedelic Gets FDA Nod - Mindstate's AI-Designed Therapy To Begin Human Trials

• Idaho Cannabis Activists Shift Focus To Non-Commercial Legalization For 2026 Ballot

Our Writers Today

Nicolás holds a B.A. in International Relations, an M.A. in International Affairs, and an M.Phil in Public Policy. He is a doctoral student in Public and Urban Policy at The New School in New York City. After working for the United Nations in 2014, Nico pivoted his research to studying the relationship between the cannabis industry and economic development.

Patricio is a development economist with extensive experience in IT, finance, and banking. He writes about the economic and social opportunities obscured by over fifty years of drug prohibition. Beyond his professional expertise, Patricio is a committed advocate for social change, passionately working to promote harm reduction and reform drug policies.

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