Snoop Goes E-Commerce, Aurora Cannabis Goes Profitable, Autism Breakthroughs And Hemp Battles Persist

Hey Benzinga Cannabis community, Maureen Meehan here - your go-to green gal bringing you today’s most talked-about cannabis news. From parents exploring marijuana for autism to Snoop Dogg expanding his weed empire online, the cannabis world is buzzing.

We’ve got updates on Aurora’s profitability quest, a fresh GOP crackdown on candy-like edibles, California’s war on hemp THC, and, yes, an upcoming Supreme Court challenge that could shake the foundation of federal marijuana laws.

Grab a cup of something cozy and let’s dig into what’s making waves today in weed.

In today's issue:

• 🧠 Marijuana And Autism: A Growing Movement

• 🏛️ Politics & Policy

• 🧴 Hemp Under Fire

• 💹 Market Moves

• 🎤 Culture & Biz

🌱 Marijuana To Treat Autism? Some Parents Say Yes

Cannabis is entering a new and controversial frontier—autism treatment. More and more parents are sharing stories online about using marijuana to manage symptoms in children with autism, despite limited scientific consensus and general hesitation from the medical community.

One pediatric neurologist, Dr. Mohsin Maqbool in Plano, Texas, says demand is real—about 40% of his autism patients are treated with cannabis. “We’re not trying to get kids high,” he told the Wall Street Journal. Instead, carefully dosed combinations of THC and CBD are being used to manage aggressive behavior, anxiety, and more.

Parents also say that the risk is no greater than conventional medications, which often come with a laundry list of side effects. And for many, this is the first thing that’s actually helping.

🍭 GOP Senators Target ‘Candy-Flavored’ Edibles

Get ready for another prohibition-era flashback. A group of Republican senators led by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) just reintroduced a bill that would toughen penalties for making or selling marijuana edibles that look like candy or drinks—especially if they might be sold to minors.

The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act wants to bring the hammer down on anything from weed gummies to infused sodas. Even though many states already regulate child-targeted marketing, this federal proposal would crank things up big time.

⚖️ Supreme Court Challenge: Cannabis Companies Aren’t Giving Up

The federal ban on marijuana could be headed to the nation’s highest court. After a U.S. appeals court tossed out the claims of cannabis companies trying to end federal prohibition, the plaintiffs are now setting their sights on the Supreme Court.

The legal challenge, Canna Provisions v. Bondi, has heavyweight law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP in its corner. Attorney Jonathan Schiller confirmed that SCOTUS is their next stop. If accepted, this case could rewrite cannabis law as we know it.

🚫 California Moves To Permanently Ban Hemp THC

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is looking to make permanent its emergency ban on hemp-derived THC products, including drinks and vapes. And the economic hit could be massive.

According to CDPH estimates, the ban could cost 18,478 jobs, slash $3.14 billion from business revenue over five years, and force 115 companies to shut down. Gov. Gavin Newsom argues that these products are unregulated and too easy for minors to access, but small businesses and retailers say this move could crush the market.

🧪 Tenths Of A Percent Will Define Hemp’s Future

Hemp’s fate hangs by a decimal point. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp with a Delta-9 THC cap of 0.3% by dry weight—but now, lawmakers want to close what they call a “loophole” by including all psychoactive cannabinoids under the same limit.

This tweak could wipe out legal pathways for popular compounds like Delta-8 THC and THCA. It’s all coming to a head as the Farm Bill faces long-overdue reauthorization. Hemp companies, get ready: margins matter now more than ever.

🩺 Aurora Cannabis Set For First-Ever Profitable Year

Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ: ACB) is finally stepping into the green. After years of over-expansion, leadership shakeups, and costly missteps, the Canadian giant is on track for its first profitable year.

Thanks to CEO Miguel Martin’s pivot to high-margin medical cannabis, slashed costs, and better margins (from 54% to 74%), Aurora’s looking sharper than rivals like Tilray and Canopy. Their Q4 and FY2025 results drop Wednesday—eyes are on whether they officially cross that profitability finish line.

🌎 Global Cannabis Cultivation Market To Hit $651 Billion

The global cannabis cultivation market is projected to skyrocket to $651.8 billion by 2034, with a healthy 15.3% CAGR. What’s driving the growth? Legalization, demand for high-quality flower, and smarter farming tech.

Still, challenges loom—regulations, operational costs, and sustainability questions remain top-of-mind for cultivators eyeing long-term success.

💻 Snoop Dogg Launches TryDeathRow.com

Snoop Dogg is leveling up his cannabis game—again. He just launched TryDeathRow.com, a new e-commerce cannabis hub that blends his Death Row Records swagger with a cannabis lifestyle brand.

The site features federally compliant hemp-based goodies—CBD, Delta-9, flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and drinks. This move follows Snoop’s rollout of SWED.com, his dispensary and coffee shop concept. As the Doggfather himself said: “This is the place cannabis was meant to live.”

🌱That’s a wrap for today, friends. Whether you're watching the Supreme Court or shopping Snoop's new stash, the cannabis world is keeping us all on our toes. Catch you tomorrow with more green goodness 💚

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