The Weekly Roll - February 7th 2025

Happy Friday!

Welcome to The Weekly Roll, your go-to roundup of cannabis and art news. Here are some of the big stories this week:

Pennsylvania to Join the Northeast Market? : Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has proposed cannabis legalization in his 2025-2026 budget, targeting July 1 for legal adult use and January 1, 2026, for retail sales. The proposal projects $250 million in annual tax revenue, with plans to allocate $10 million for restorative justice initiatives and $25 million to support small and diverse businesses entering the market. With nearly all neighboring states having legalized adult-use cannabis, Shapiro argues that Pennsylvania is at a competitive disadvantage and could benefit from legalization.  Article 

Tribal Dispensaries Expand Footprint in Minnesota : The White Earth Band of Chippewa is set to open Minnesota's first off-reservation cannabis dispensary in Moorhead next month, with plans to expand to St. Cloud and potentially other cities like Mankato and Rochester. Waabigwan Mashkiki, the tribe's cannabis company, is doubling its production to 1,400 pounds monthly to supply these new storefronts, taking advantage of tribal sovereignty while meeting or exceeding state regulatory standards. The expansion comes amid delays in Minnesota's broader recreational cannabis market, which has been stalled by litigation and administrative challenges regarding social equity applications. Article

Interesting Number : $3.51 per gram. The all-time lowest price of cannabis in Oregon in December 2024. Oregon's cannabis market hit a critical point in 2024, with prices plummeting to an all-time low amid a record-breaking harvest of 12.3 million pounds—28% more than the previous year. The oversaturated market now produces nearly double the consumer demand, straining marijuana businesses with razor-thin margins and increasingly competitive pricing. The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission suggests that federal policy changes allowing interstate commerce may be the only solution to stabilize the market's economic challenges.  Article

Mona on the Move : The Mona Lisa is getting a dramatic upgrade at the Louvre, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing a dedicated underground exhibition space for the iconic painting that currently endures 20,000-30,000 daily visitors in a cramped gallery. The renovation, estimated to cost around €500 million, will be funded by increased ticket prices for non-EU visitors and aims to transform the painting's viewing experience from its current "scene of intense agitation" to a more dignified presentation. By giving Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece its own entrance and ticket, the Louvre hopes to both preserve the artwork and create a more enjoyable experience for the nine million annual museum visitors. Article

Have a great weekend! 

Aidan