💸 The Tape

In classic Washington fashion, a new federal official is vowing to prioritize marijuana reform—while expertly dodging the question of what that actually means.

Terrance Cole, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), told the Senate Judiciary Committee that reviewing the cannabis rescheduling proposal will be “one of my first priorities” if confirmed. But when pressed about whether he supports the Biden-initiated move to shift marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, Cole hedged harder than a dispensary CFO during tax season.

“I haven’t seen it,” he told Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), despite the DEA sitting on the recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services for nearly a year. Instead, Cole committed to “studying everything that’s been done” before making a determination—leaving the door wide open for either action or, well, more study.

Cole did say he’d support forming a “working group” to address the messy patchwork of state cannabis laws, especially in light of concerns raised by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) over a tribe in North Carolina legalizing adult-use marijuana despite state-level prohibition. Tillis called the system “out of control” and pushed Cole on whether it’s time for the federal government to lay down the law.

Cole agreed that the situation demands clarity, saying DEA must “stay ahead of it.” But his past remarks paint a less mellow picture—he’s voiced concerns linking marijuana to youth suicide and made it clear he’s no fan of legalization after “30-plus years in law enforcement.”

Cole’s nomination follows the withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick, a pro-decrim Florida sheriff torpedoed by conservatives. And while the rescheduling process technically began under Biden, Trump has campaigned on finishing the job—despite his own DEA acting administrator, Derek Maltz, likening cannabis to a gateway to psychosis.

Advocates say Cole’s comments signal at least some progress. “Anytime cannabis gets airtime in the Judiciary Committee, we’re winning,” quipped Don Murphy of the American Cannabis Collective.

So while the DEA may be stuck in limbo, the political dance around weed reform continues—one cautious step at a time, with Cole now front and center on the smoky stage.

📈 Dog Walkers.

Fluent Expands In NY

What’s Going On Here: FLUENT Corp. (CSE: FNT.U, OTCQB: CNTMF) is expanding its KNACK product line in New York with the launch of KNACK (Lit)les—a new five-pack of 0.35g pre-rolls now available at all FLUENT NY retail stores and third-party locations via Entourage Wholesale.

Crafted from premium flower grown in the Adirondacks using advanced indoor cultivation, the (Lit)les debut with Purple Starfruit and Citron strains. The company promises more strain options to suit every vibe.

CEO Robert Beasley says the pre-rolls are “portable, potent, and perfect for the go.” FLUENT plans to bring KNACK to Florida in Q2 2025, continuing its mission to deliver “the perfect vibe, wherever you are.”

Why This Matter: Expansion in the Empire State is much needed and expect to see more of this.

Aurora Upgrades BC

What’s Going On Here: Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB) has completed a $3 million, multi-year upgrade to its Pemberton, BC facility—now renamed Aurora Alpine. The improvements, which integrate Aurora’s proprietary high-yield genetics and advanced engineering, have doubled both yield and potency, with some strains hitting 33.7% THC.

Originally licensed in 2019 as the Whistler Medical Marijuana Company, the GACP-certified site now supports premium medical cannabis exports globally.

Executive VP Alex Miller says the name change reflects both the facility’s elevated standards and its alpine location overlooking Mount Currie. The revamped site bolsters Aurora’s global leadership in precision cultivation and medical-grade cannabis production.

Why This Matter: Expect this to bolster ACB’s exports to the EU.

🗞️ The News

📺 YouTube

TRUMP'S DEA Pick PROMISES To Review Marijuana Laws? | Trade to Black

What we will cover:

✅ Host Shadd Dales and Anthony Varrell, along with cannabis lobbyist Don Murphy will unpack a major development in Washington that could shift the future of cannabis rescheduling and marijuana policy. President Trump’s nominee to lead the DEA, Terry Cole, stated during his Senate confirmation hearing that reviewing the federal proposal to reschedule cannabis will be “one of [his] first priorities” if confirmed.

While Cole did not endorse the move to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, he emphasized it’s “time to move forward” on what’s become a delayed and politically sensitive process.

Murphy was in the room where the announcement was made, he shares which key senators he spoke with and how conversations around marijuana rescheduling are gaining serious momentum.