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Good morning! Nicolás Rodríguez and Patricio Liddle here with today’s stories including Donald Trump’s pro-business playbook—Dr. Oz takes on Medicare, while hemp rules could get a billion-dollar shake-up, and Millennials spend big on pre-rolls to save time. Plus, we explore how Trump’s election could transform cannabis and cryptocurrency in ways nobody saw coming. Let’s dive in and make this morning worth your while!

Trump’s Rx: Dr. Oz For Medicare

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a choice sparking debate from boardrooms to barbershops. Known for his controversial medical advice and failed 2022 Senate bid against John Fetterman, Dr. Oz now finds himself in the heart of Trump's evolving health policy agenda.

The doctor-turned-celebrity, once criticized by Scientific American for "misleading and science-free" claims, has since adjusted his stance on cannabis. Now, Oz sees medical marijuana as a safer alternative to narcotics for seniors managing pain, urging those over 65 to "give it a try" if recommended by their physician. Despite his past skepticism, Oz has called cannabis "one of the most underused tools in America" and suggested the U.S. "completely change our policy."

Trump praised his pick, declaring, “There may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again.” Whether this marks a turning point for federal cannabis policy remains to be seen, but with Oz collaborating alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the administration’s healthcare vision is already raising eyebrows.

Trulieve Execs Double Down

Trulieve's top execs are putting their money where their mouths are. They've just bought up 26,000 shares of the company's stock, in an effort to signal confidence in Trulieve's future. COO Marie Zhang made the biggest splash, snagging over 21,000 shares at around $7.19 each. 

This insider buying spree comes after the stock dipped from a mid-October high of $14 down to about $6.34, following Florida's failed cannabis legalization ballot and the uncertainties brought on by Trump's election victory. With Florida being Trulieve's biggest market, these setbacks stung. But with the brass upping their stakes, they might be hinting at a brighter horizon ahead.

Scratch That: Hemp Rules Could Get A Billion-Dollar Edit

A simple edit in the 2024 Farm Bill could send shockwaves through the hemp industry. Senate Agriculture Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has proposed replacing "delta-9 THC" with "total THC" as the standard for compliance, a small change with massive implications. The amendment also includes THC-A in the 0.3% THC calculation, redefining what qualifies as industrial hemp.

This subtle yet critical tweak aims to close loopholes that allowed intoxicating derivatives like Delta-8 THC to flourish, while still preserving pathways for low-THC products like CBD. It’s a sharp pivot for the billion-dollar hemp market, signaling stricter regulations with far-reaching consequences for growers, investors, and product manufacturers alike.

Will this amendment stabilize the industry or create new challenges? Stay tuned as the Farm Bill takes shape.

Millennials: Too Busy Paying Rent To Roll Joints

Pre-rolls are the go-to choice for time-strapped Millennials, with over 80% of cannabis users saying they’ve bought one and 94.2% listing joints as their preferred method of consumption, according to a white paper by, Custom Cones USA and Headset. Millennials dominate the market, accounting for 44.6% of pre-roll purchases, the average buyer is a 43-year-old who consumes cannabis multiple times a day and has been smoking for over 20 years.

Frequency plays a big role: nearly 80% of pre-roll smokers use cannabis multiple times daily, but only 16% of dispensary visits include pre-roll purchases, hinting at selective use for convenience or special occasions. Multi-pack formats remain the favorite, with full-gram pre-rolls leading in consumer preference despite half-gram packs topping sales. 

Premium options are booming, with infused pre-rolls capturing 44.4% of the market. Features like kief coatings and live resin infusions drive innovation, and 21.4% of buyers are shelling out weekly for high-end enhancements like glass tips, paying $2-$5 extra for the experience.

Trump Win Ignites Cannabis-Crypto Fusion

Trump's win has some folks in the cannabis and crypto worlds buzzing with anticipation. Ronald Strauss, CEO of GetTangi Corporation, sees this as a potential turning point thanks to Trump's pro-business stance. GetTangi is developing the Tangi token to facilitate cashless transactions in the cannabis industry—a big deal since companies like Visa and MasterCard still steer clear of it. With heavy hitters like former Trump advisor Zachary Fuentes and ex-Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on board, GetTangi aims to bridge the gap between cannabis and cryptocurrency. This fusion could signal a major shake-up, potentially revolutionizing both industries.

And with that exciting prospect, we'll wrap up today's newsletter. Stay tuned for more updates as the cannabis landscape continues its fast-paced evolution!

Stories In The Spotlight:

• Greenlane Cuts Q3 Net Loss Despite 66% Revenue Drop, Shifts Product Strategy

• Enveric Biosciences Trims Losses, Eyes Key Drug Approval For Difficult-To-Treat Mental Health Disorders

• Expert Tips To Create Effective Cannabis Content On Instagram, TikTok And More: Focus On Content, Not Packaging

• Colorado Springs Finally Clears The Air: Legal Cannabis Sales Approved Though Issues Linger

• European Leaders Meet In Berlin To Discuss Cannabis Policies

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 half a century of failed drug prohibition. Beyond his professional expertise, Pato is a committed advocate for social change, passionately working to promote harm reduction and reform drug policies.

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