Best of the Week: September 19 – September 25, 2025

Let’s dive into the top stories shaping the conversation this week. Summaries of each article are listed below.

1. RISE Dispensaries Begins Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in Minnesota

RISE Dispensaries, a cannabis retail chain that is owned by Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb), announced that they were beginning adult-use cannabis sales when the state of Minnesota began allowing adult-use cannabis sales in mid-September. There are dispensary locations in New Hope, Willmar, Brooklyn Park, Mankato, and Eagan. The company donated the profits from the first day of adult-use cannabis sales to local nonprofit organizations that included Metro Meals on Wheels and Balanced Veterans Network.

Medical cannabis first began in the North Star State in 2021.

2. Virginia Reports $30 Million in Medical Cannabis Sales with New Seed-to-Sale Tracking System

The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) reported data on medical cannabis sales and most popular products for July to August 2025. The data listed included:

• 17,786 plants harvested
• $29,942,138 in sales
• 256,432 transactions

The most commonly purchased products were:

1. Flower (buds) – 47%
2. Concentrates – 32%
3. Infused edibles – 15%
4. Shake trim – 5%

Only licensed medical cannabis companies can use the sed-to-sale system, enhancing safety by ensuring only tested and regulated products reach patients.

3. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser Shuts Down 1906 Cannabis Brands Over Undisclosed Health Risks

The 1906 cannabis brands and co-founder must pay $400,000 to Colorado and cease operations after failing to disclose health risks of "Midnight Drops." The settlement comes after an investigation was conducted and discovered that the companies “failed to disclose health risks associated with the products to consumers and misrepresented the products’ health benefits,” a news release from Attorney General Phil Weiser stated. Midnight Drops, marketed as a sleep aid, were linked to liver problems, with complaints known since 2020; reformulations in 2022 did not ensure safety.

Companies involved in the settlement included Nuka Enterprises LLC, Sima Sciences LLC, and Nuka Properties LLC. The companies will need to pay $400,000 in fines to the state of Colorado and cease operations in the state as well. If these companies meet certain conditions, there is a chance that they may be granted to resume operations at a later time in the future.

4. New Review Highlights CBD’s Potential in Skin, Wound Healing, and Oral Health

A new literature review highlights CBD’s potential in skin health, from acne to psoriasis, while exploring delivery challenges and future applications. The bibliographic review, “Cannabidiol in Skin Health: A Comprehensive Review of Topical Applications in Dermatology and Cosmetic Science,” was published in Biomolecules in August 2025.

The review explained that CBD exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, interacting with the skin's endocannabinoid system to manage various skin conditions. However, challenges include CBD's limited skin absorption and solubility, necessitating new delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic potential.

“With continued innovation and scientific validation, CBD may become a valuable and well-integrated active ingredient in dermatological and cosmetic therapies, as well as in emerging applications within oral health care,” the researchers concluded.

5. Colorado Cannabis Safety First: What the New MED/CDPHE Surveillance Program Means

New statewide testing is coming to Colorado's regulated cannabis market. Starting in October and continuing through January 2026, the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) will collect samples of regulated cannabis from medical and retail cannabis stores throughout the state. After collecting the samples, they will be sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Reference Laboratory to be tested.

The data will be used to:

• Understand the potential prevalence and type of contamination
• Evaluate the accuracy of potency labels compared to potency test results
• Collect additional data points to inform future Science & Policy Forum topics

Patients and consumers will have the option of purchasing the data.