These Cannabis Stocks Just Had Their Strongest Week of the Year — Here’s Why

TLDR

• The FDA announced it will not enforce certain food and drug regulations against hemp-derived oral CBD products
• Cannabis stocks logged their best week of 2026, with the sector ETF climbing 16%
• Tilray, Canopy Growth, and Curaleaf all saw strong gains on Thursday
• This development follows Trump’s December executive order reclassifying marijuana as Schedule III
• Analysts say the policy remains narrow and falls short of a full regulatory framework

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(SeaPRwire) –   Cannabis equities notched their strongest yearly gains this week following the FDA’s announcement of a more lenient approach to CBD products. This shift sent several leading cannabis stocks soaring and positioned the sector for its strongest weekly performance since December.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated in a Wednesday letter that the agency will not enforce specific provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act against hemp-derived oral products solely because they contain CBD. This policy applies to products marketed as dietary supplements and those provided to patients under a physician’s direction.

CBD is a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. It is used for a variety of health-related purposes and appears in many consumer wellness products.

The rally in cannabis stocks began on Tuesday, one day before the White House and FDA launched a series of four meetings with industry stakeholders to discuss CBD compliance and enforcement policy.

The FDA’s new stance builds on President Trump’s December executive order, which moved marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal drug law. That order also directed the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop ways to expand access to CBD for medical use.

Cannabis stocks briefly rallied after that December order before pulling back. The sector has long faced challenges with banking access, stock listings, and interstate commerce due to federal restrictions.

Tilray Brands

Tilray was among the top performers this week. Its stock rose 6.7% just on Thursday, and ranked among the cannabis sector’s highest by dollar trading volume. The company researches, cultivates, processes, and distributes medical cannabis across multiple countries including Canada, Germany, Australia, and Argentina.

Tilray Brands, Inc., TLRY

Canopy Growth

Canopy Growth’s stock rose 2.6% on Thursday. The firm sells cannabis and hemp products for both recreational and medical use across the U.S., Canada, Germany, and other international markets. It also operates the Storz and Bickel segment, which manufactures cannabis vaporizers. Canopy was flagged alongside Tilray as one of the most actively traded cannabis stocks this week.

Canopy Growth Corporation, CGC

Curaleaf Holdings

Curaleaf was the strongest performer among major names on Thursday, jumping 8.4%. The company is a U.S.-focused cannabis operator. Its shares have been among the most closely watched in the sector as investors track any shift in federal policy that could open up interstate commerce for cannabis businesses.

The AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis exchange-traded fund rose 4.6% on Thursday and gained 16% for the week, putting it on pace for its best weekly performance since December.

One industry analyst noted the policy is “narrowly scoped” and stops short of building a lasting framework for the broader cannabis market, calling on Congress to take further action.

The FDA held its first stakeholder meeting on CBD policy on Wednesday, with three more scheduled as part of the same series.