TLDR
- FDA announces it will not enforce specific food and drug regulations against hemp-derived oral CBD products
- Marijuana sector ETF climbed 16% in the best weekly performance of 2026
- Major gains posted by Tilray, Canopy Growth, and Curaleaf on Thursday
- Policy change follows President Trump’s executive order reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III in December
- Industry experts note the guidance remains limited and lacks comprehensive regulatory structure
Major cannabis companies experienced their most impressive weekly performance of the year following the FDA’s announcement of a relaxed enforcement approach toward CBD products. The development triggered substantial increases across several prominent marijuana stocks and positioned the sector for its strongest weekly showing since December.
In a letter released Wednesday, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that the agency would refrain from enforcing specific sections of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act against hemp-derived oral products solely due to CBD content. This enforcement discretion covers products sold as dietary supplements and those administered to patients under medical supervision.
CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid extracted from cannabis plants, has become popular for various wellness applications and appears in numerous consumer health products.
The upward momentum in marijuana stocks commenced Tuesday, a day ahead of the White House and FDA launching a four-part meeting series with industry representatives to address CBD compliance and enforcement strategies.
This latest FDA position expands upon President Trump’s December executive action, which rescheduled marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III classification under federal drug regulations. That directive also instructed the FDA, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to explore pathways for broadening CBD access for therapeutic purposes.
Cannabis equities experienced a temporary surge following the December executive order before retreating. The industry continues to grapple with challenges related to financial services access, exchange listings, and cross-state business operations due to ongoing federal constraints.
Tilray Brands
Tilray emerged as one of the week’s standout performers. The stock advanced 6.7% during Thursday’s session and ranked among the sector’s highest by dollar volume traded. The enterprise conducts research, cultivation, processing, and distribution of medical cannabis throughout numerous nations, including Canada, Germany, Australia, and Argentina.
Canopy Growth
Canopy Growth posted a 2.6% gain on Thursday. The corporation markets cannabis and hemp offerings for both adult-use and medical applications across the US, Canada, Germany, and additional global territories. The company also oversees the Storz and Bickel division, which manufactures cannabis vaporization devices. Canopy received attention alongside Tilray as among the week’s most actively exchanged cannabis securities.
Canopy Growth Corporation, CGC
Curaleaf Holdings
Curaleaf delivered the most impressive Thursday performance among major cannabis companies, surging 8.4%. The enterprise operates as a US-centered cannabis provider. Its equity has attracted considerable investor attention as market participants monitor potential federal policy modifications that might enable interstate cannabis commerce.
The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis exchange-traded fund climbed 4.6% on Thursday and posted a 16% weekly advance, tracking toward its strongest weekly result since December.
An industry observer characterized the policy guidance as “narrowly scoped” and insufficient for establishing a durable regulatory foundation for the wider cannabis marketplace, urging congressional action for more comprehensive reform.
The FDA conducted its initial stakeholder consultation on CBD policy Wednesday, with three additional sessions planned as part of the ongoing series.
