Why “Regulate Cannabis Like Alcohol” Is Catching On
On this episode of the Trade To Black podcast, Shadd Dales and Anthony Varrell discuss some of the highlights from Mary Jane Berlin and the major developments in both US and international cannabis markets—from Texas politics to European expansion. Gretchen Gailey joins the show as we explore why “regulate like alcohol” is catching on among politicians and people alike.
Back from his whirlwind trip to Germany, host Shadd Dales says that the Mary Jane Berlin conference drew 2,500 exhibitors and over 100,000 attendees. Mike Tyson, who Shadd Dales had a chance to speak with, reportedly called it the best event he’s attended since the MJBizCon boom of 2015-2016.
Turning to business developments, the panel spotlighted Tilray’s historic move into the Italian market. The company has become the first fully authorized supplier of branded cannabis in Italy, a country with 59 million people and significant growth potential. The hosts noted Italy’s market is only €12 million now, but expected to expand quickly—especially with government-backed medical cannabis initiatives.
Pivoting to the North American market, we break down Governor Greg Abbott’s veto of Senate Bill 3 (SB3). The SB3 bill would have effectively banned all consumable hemp-derived THC products in Texas, including Delta-8 and Delta-9. Abbott called the bill “overly broad,” warning it could unintentionally criminalize parents, veterans, and legal operators.
Gailey defended the need for unity. “One plant, one set of rules,” she says, and criticized anonymous online attacks that oppose her advocacy for regulation. Gretchen feels that both hemp and cannabis must embrace regulation to survive—especially with federal changes looming via the farm bill.
Shadd, Anthony, and Gretchen dive into why calls to regulate cannabis like alcohol are beginning to appeal: because it gives lawmakers an easy framework, and avoids the need to reinvent the wheel if they adopt a similar three-tier system to alcohol’s.
Shadd and Anthony weigh in: was this a rare win for the hemp industry, or just a temporary pause before stricter regulation? Then, we take a data-driven look at legalization’s impact more than a decade in: over $24.7 billion in state tax revenue has been generated since 2014. States like Colorado, Illinois, and Nevada are reinvesting that money into education, infrastructure, and equity. Even more surprising? Teen cannabis use is down sharply in most legal states, thanks to strict retail enforcement and prevention programs.
