The Canopy Daily — April 2, 2026

Your daily briefing on what's moving in the cannabis world.

DC Mayor Proposes Cannabis-Infused THC Beverages

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has introduced legislation that would allow breweries and distilleries to partner with medical cannabis companies to manufacture cannabis-infused, alcohol-free beverages. The products would be sold exclusively through dispensaries to registered patients, with a 6% sales tax.

This is a creative approach to a growing product category. Cannabis-infused beverages are one of the fastest-growing segments in legal markets, and pairing cannabis operators with established beverage manufacturers could accelerate product quality and distribution. The alcohol-free requirement is key — these would be cannabis beverages, not cannabis-alcohol hybrids, which remain illegal under federal law.

For the broader industry, DC's model of leveraging existing beverage infrastructure for cannabis product development is worth watching. It could become a template for other jurisdictions looking to grow their cannabis markets without issuing entirely new manufacturing licenses.

Source: Marijuana Moment

Massachusetts Cannabis Businesses Sue to Block Legalization Rollback

Marijuana operators in Massachusetts have filed a lawsuit to prevent an initiative from reaching the November ballot that would roll back key provisions of the state's legalization framework. The complaint alleges the measure violates state constitutional requirements by combining "impermissibly unrelated subjects" — affecting criminal justice, equity programs, and regulatory protections simultaneously.

The case highlights a growing pattern: voters legalize cannabis, then opposition groups attempt to undo or weaken the framework through subsequent ballot measures. Massachusetts operators argue that regulatory stability is essential for business viability and consumer protection. The outcome could set important precedent for how legalization rollback attempts are handled in other states.

Source: Marijuana Moment

Maryland Passes Off-Duty Medical Cannabis Protections for First Responders

Maryland's House approved legislation protecting firefighters and rescue workers from employment penalties for using medical cannabis outside work hours. The bill addresses a practical reality: first responders deal with chronic pain, PTSD, and anxiety at elevated rates, and many are registered medical cannabis patients who face career consequences for legal, off-duty use.

This is a meaningful step toward normalizing medical cannabis in professional settings. Similar protections exist for off-duty alcohol use in most jurisdictions — extending the same logic to cannabis is overdue. For Hightree's audience, this signals continued movement toward treating cannabis as a legitimate medical option rather than a career liability.

Source: Marijuana Moment

Virginia Posts Regulatory Jobs Ahead of Adult-Use Launch

Virginia state officials have posted nearly a dozen cannabis regulatory positions — including licensing directors and compliance officers — signaling active preparation for an adult-use market set to launch in January 2027. When a state starts hiring the people who will review license applications and enforce regulations, it's a strong indicator that the launch timeline is real.

Virginia's market will be one of the largest East Coast adult-use programs, and the hiring push suggests the state is serious about meeting its target date despite ongoing social equity debates.

Source: Marijuana Moment

Texas Approves New Medical Cannabis Licenses

The Texas Department of Public Safety conditionally approved three new medical marijuana businesses in phase two of the state's expansion plan, joining nine previously selected operators. The state is working toward issuing 12 total new licenses — a modest but meaningful expansion for a market that has been among the most restrictive in the country.

Combined with last week's news that Texas lawmakers have been ordered to study cannabis and psychedelics, the state's approach is slowly evolving. It's incremental, but the direction is clear.

Source: Marijuana Moment

In Brief

White House holds first CBD enforcement policy meeting. The White House Office of Management and Budget convened its first stakeholder meeting on FDA's pending enforcement approach for CBD products. Industry representatives discussed legality concerns and potential policy expansion. This is the meeting series we covered yesterday — it's now underway. (Marijuana Moment)

Tilray posts record Q3 revenue of $207 million. Tilray Brands reported 11% organic revenue growth and expanded gross profit in Q3 fiscal 2026. International cannabis operations showed particularly strong momentum. The results suggest that despite broader market headwinds, well-positioned operators continue to grow. (New Cannabis Ventures)

Cannabis stocks crushed in March. The cannabis sector saw significant equity declines across both U.S. and Canadian operators during March, reflecting broader market volatility and continued uncertainty around federal policy timelines. For long-term investors, the gap between improving fundamentals and depressed valuations continues to widen. (New Cannabis Ventures)