420 with CNW Archives - CannabisNewsWire

MondayApr 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Idaho MMJ Ballot Initiative Supporters Have 100k Signatures as Deadline Looms

Backers of a proposed medical marijuana measure in Idaho say they have surpassed 100,000 collected signatures and are now racing to meet an April 30 deadline that would place the issue before voters in November. The campaign, led by the Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho, aims to allow patients with serious illnesses to access cannabis for therapeutic use. Conditions listed by organizers include PTSD, cancer, epilepsy, AIDS, and Crohn’s disease. At present, Idaho prohibits all forms of cannabis. This stands in contrast to neighboring states, where some form of legalization exists. States such as Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Nevada allow recreational use,…

FridayApr 17, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Nebraska Medical Marijuana Regulations Now Await AG and Governor’s Approval

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission has approved a set of rules governing the state’s emerging cannabis supply system, almost a year after first adopting temporary guidelines. The framework has operated under short-term extensions lasting 90 days at a time. The measures, repeatedly renewed, outline how medical marijuana businesses must operate. They address licensing limits, security standards, approved product types, and the qualifications required for physicians who recommend cannabis to patients. The newly adopted rules now move to State Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who must review them for constitutional and legal compliance. Final approval rests with Governor Jim Pillen. Both officials have previously raised concerns about the voter-backed measures that legalized medical cannabis and established regulatory oversight. When the…

ThursdayApr 16, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Michigan Reports Increased Monthly Marijuana Sales Despite Price Increases

Legal cannabis sales in Michigan rebounded sharply in March, even as retail prices continued to edge higher for a third month in a row, according to newly released figures from the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency. Consumers spent more than $255 million on both recreational and medical marijuana products in March. That total represents a 9 percent increase compared to February, when sales reached $234.5 million. The month-to-month gain is the strongest recorded since March 2025. State data also shows a recurring pattern, with March sales climbing significantly each year since 2023. The strong performance follows a weak start to 2026. In January, the market experienced its steepest decline in recent years,…

WednesdayApr 15, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Alabama to Finally Launch its Medical Marijuana Program

Alabama is preparing to roll out its long-awaited medical cannabis program, with the first dispensary set to open in the state capital next month. Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery is scheduled to begin serving patients on May 4, marking a milestone for a system that has faced repeated setbacks. The shop is the first of nine dispensaries expected to be operating by the summer, according to updates shared during an April 9 meeting of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Commission Chair Dr. Sam Blakemore said progress is ongoing but not yet complete. One additional license remains tied up, delaying the full rollout. He expressed hope that all 12 approved…

TuesdayApr 14, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federally Funded Research Reports Breakthrough in Marijuana Breathalyzer Development

A newly published study points to a possible step forward in efforts to create a cannabis breathalyzer, offering early evidence that a compact and affordable device could detect recent cannabis use without requiring laboratory testing. The research, led by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Emanuele Alves, focuses on addressing a long-standing gap in roadside testing. While alcohol impairment can be measured quickly with breath-based tools, law enforcement has lacked an equivalent method for THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. As legalization expands across multiple states, the demand for fast and dependable roadside screening methods has grown more urgent. The team experimented with cartridges produced through…

MondayApr 13, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — California Firms Say Consumers Aren’t Interested in Low-THC Beverages

Low-dose THC drinks may be gaining shelf space in bars and retail chains, but they are not resonating with marijuana shoppers in California, according to industry representatives. Data shared with state legislators shows a clear preference among consumers for stronger products. Beverages containing over 10 milligrams of THC make up over 93 percent of yearly sales in the state’s cannabis drink segment. The figures were presented in a letter from a coalition of licensed operators and advocacy organizations seeking to influence pending legislation. In California, hemp-derived THC drinks, commonly found in national outlets such as Total Wine & Spirits and…

ThursdayApr 09, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Advisory Council Recommends Marijuana Legalization in North Carolina

A state-appointed advisory panel is urging North Carolina legislators to move toward legalizing cannabis under a controlled system that would permit adult sales. The group argues that regulation would improve public safety and generate significant revenue for the state. While cannabis remains prohibited under federal law, most states have adopted some form of legalization. North Carolina stands among a shrinking number of states that have not approved either recreational or medical cannabis programs. According to the newly released advisory council report, residents are already spending billions of dollars on illicit marijuana. At the same time, a growing market of loosely regulated cannabis-derived products continues to expand, often operating outside meaningful…

WednesdayApr 08, 2026 4:00 pm

420 with CNW — Colorado Governor Enacts Bill Allowing MMJ Use in Hospitals

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has approved new legislation allowing patients with terminal illnesses to access medical cannabis while receiving care in hospitals and similar facilities. While supporting the bill, Polis raised concerns that revisions may have moved it away from its original intent. Speaking during the bill signing, Polis highlighted the state’s history of recognizing the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. He noted that many patients nearing the end of life depend on cannabis to ease symptoms such as chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, and loss of appetite. For some, he said, it can mean remaining conscious and connected with loved ones rather than being heavily medicated in their last days. However,…

TuesdayApr 07, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US DOJ Turmoil Unlikely to Derail Cannabis Rescheduling

The abrupt dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi by President Donald Trump is unlikely to significantly alter the trajectory of cannabis rescheduling efforts, according to several individuals familiar with the situation. Industry observers say the underlying dynamics remain unchanged, regardless of whether the Department of Justice is temporarily led by Todd Blanche or eventually by Lee Zeldin, who is widely viewed as the president’s preferred long-term appointee. Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to reclassify cannabis, and sources indicate that efforts within the DOJ are already progressing. One person close to the process suggested that movement could come within the next one to two months. Still, questions remain about what happens after a…

MondayApr 06, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Fresh Lawsuit Filed Challenging Michigan’s New Cannabis Tax

Michigan’s legal cannabis sector has launched a second legal challenge against a recently implemented 24% wholesale tax. According to the lawsuit, the levy, which took effect at the start of the year, pushes the overall tax burden on marijuana beyond limits established in the state constitution. Rose Tantraphol, speaking on behalf of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, said the system effectively layers one tax on top of another. She explained that the wholesale levy operates similarly to a sales tax, meaning it is applied before the standard 6% retail tax. As a result, customers end up paying tax on top of an already taxed product, a practice commonly referred to as tax pyramiding. The contested levy also…