💸 The Tape

California has officially decided that scientific progress shouldn’t take a lifetime. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has signed a bill to streamline research on marijuana and psychedelics, cutting through bureaucratic lag and giving scientists a faster lane to study Schedule I and II substances.

The measure—authored by Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D)—empowers the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAPC) to conduct expedited reviews of study proposals through January 2028. In practical terms, that means fewer meetings, faster approvals, and a slightly less Kafkaesque experience for researchers trying to study compounds that could help treat PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and opioid use disorder.

The panel’s chair can now assign small teams of members to greenlight proposals on behalf of the full group, and reviewers can even collaborate asynchronously—an elegantly bureaucratic way of saying “email each other instead of scheduling yet another meeting.”

Why It Matters

For veterans’ groups like Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), the bill is a breakthrough. The organization called on Newsom to sign the measure, saying it would “cut through red tape and expedite approval for psychedelic research projects at California’s world-class institutions.” Translation: it will get life-saving therapies off the lab bench and into clinical testing faster.

The law’s intent is straightforward: enable California’s scientists to explore whether cannabis and psychedelics can be leveraged to address the mental health crises plaguing veterans and first responders—particularly suicide and addiction. As the bill’s summary puts it bluntly, “Eliminating any and all unnecessary delays in commencing such clinical research in California will save lives.”

The Fine Print

The new legislation also extends the panel’s exemption from open meeting laws—a practical move that allows researchers to discuss proprietary data and trade secrets behind closed doors until January 1, 2028.

It’s not the first time Newsom has acted to modernize California’s drug research framework. Last year, he signed a similar measure from Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R) to help the panel clear a backlog of pending psychedelic study applications. The bipartisan push reflects a growing consensus that research into controlled substances shouldn’t be controlled by red tape.

Big Picture

While the federal government continues to debate how to handle emerging psychedelics research, California is carving out its own pragmatic path. The Golden State may not have legalized psilocybin yet, but it’s doing something arguably more radical: making science move at the speed of science.

📈 Dog Walkers

$PLNH ( ▲ 1.1% ) Expands In Florida

What’s Going On Here: Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (CSE: PLTH) (OTCQX: PLNH), the vertically integrated cannabis powerhouse known for blending retail flair with premium products, has officially opened its newest Florida dispensary in DeLand — located at 309 Woodland Blvd in the heart of the city’s historic downtown.

The new shop sits steps away from Stetson University, surrounded by brick-lined streets, boutique stores, and a community that perfectly fits Planet 13’s elevated-yet-approachable vibe. The store will be open seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., ensuring locals never have to go without their favorite flower, vape, or edible fix.

“We’re thrilled to expand our presence along the I-4 corridor and bring Planet 13’s award-winning products and best-in-class service to DeLand,” said Co-CEO Bob Groesbeck, who emphasized the shop’s “high visibility and accessibility” in a bustling retail district that connects nearby Deltona and Orange City.

A grand opening celebration is planned for November 15, 2025, featuring local vendors, exclusive giveaways, and plenty of Planet 13 swag to mark the occasion.

With the DeLand launch, Planet 13 continues to build its Sunshine State momentum, solidifying its brand as one of Florida’s most recognizable cannabis names.

New York Continues To Make Progress

What’s Going On Here: The New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) took a strong stance at its latest public meeting, declaring local cannabis restrictions in Southampton and Riverhead to be “unreasonably impracticable” under state law. The decision reinforces that municipal ordinances cannot override state cannabis policy, signaling that local bans designed to stifle licensed operators won’t hold up under New York’s Cannabis Law.

“Local laws do not override the laws of New York State,” said Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). “Cannabusiness means jobs and opportunity—so long as they follow the rules, they have earned the right to exist.”

As of October 6, 2025, the CCB has issued 1,950 adult-use licenses, with 56.4% awarded to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants, including 299 CAURD licensees. The Board also approved 33 new licenses spanning cultivators (11), distributors (3), microbusinesses (3), processors (6), dispensaries (8), and additional CAURD holders (2).

“These approvals reinforce the promise of a fair and thriving cannabis industry for all New Yorkers,” said CCB Chair Jessica García, emphasizing the Board’s continued focus on equity and transparency.

The CCB meeting also covered school-proximity litigation, the upcoming Medical Cannabis Symposium, and a seed-to-sale implementation timeline, signaling a busy regulatory quarter ahead.

Meanwhile, the CAURD Grant Program has distributed $5 million across 159 licensees, with grants up to $30,000 used for rent, payroll, compliance, and build-outs. The collaboration between Empire State Development and OCM continues to provide essential support for small operators as New York’s cannabis economy gains traction.

Bottom line: New York is tightening its regulatory muscle—and loosening the grip of local obstruction.

🗞️ The News

📺 YouTube

Why Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Admitted Cannabis is Popular | TTB Powered by Dutchie

What we will cover:

✅So here’s the question: what happens when even Governor Ron DeSantis admits that marijuana legalization is popular with Florida voters — but still refuses to support it? In today’s episode, we break down the governor’s latest comments to Marijuana Moment, what they reveal about Florida’s 2026 political landscape, and whether the state’s adult-use ballot initiative could reshape the entire southeastern cannabis map.

TDR Trade to Black Podcast presented by Dutchie, with host Shadd Dales and Anthony Varrell, takes a closer look at the numbers, the politics, and the pressure mounting on Florida’s leadership to follow the will of its voters.

In our second segment, Michael Bronstein, President of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, joins us to talk about the latest developments in Virginia’s adult-use fight — and whether Abigail Spanberger’s slipping momentum in the governor’s race could derail legalization efforts after her underwhelming debate performance against Winsome Earle-Sears. We’ll review the reactions from Virginians and what they might mean for one of the country’s most closely watched state elections.