420 with CNW Archives - CannabisNewsWire

WednesdayApr 01, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Governor Vetoes Mississippi Bills Granting Expanded Access to Medical Marijuana

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has vetoed two measures aimed at broadening access to medical cannabis, even as he approved a separate measure to advance research into a psychedelic drug with potential therapeutic uses. One of the vetoed proposals, HB 1152 (Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act), sought to expand eligibility for patients who do not currently meet the state’s strict list of qualifying conditions. The bill would have allowed physicians to petition the state Health Department on behalf of individuals suffering from serious or life-threatening illnesses. Under the plan, the state health officer would have had authority to approve or…

TuesdayMar 31, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US Military Scraps Cannabis Restrictions, Bumps Up Recruitment Age Bracket

The United States Army has introduced new recruitment rules that expand eligibility, allowing older applicants to join. Under the updated policy, individuals up to 42 years old can now enlist in active duty, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard. This marks a notable shift from the previous age limit of 35. Alongside the change in age requirements, the Army has revised its stance on applicants with minor cannabis-related convictions. Those with a single offense involving possession of cannabis or related items such as pipes or similar equipment are no longer automatically subject to additional hurdles. In the past, such cases required a formal waiver issued by Pentagon…

MondayMar 30, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Feds Arrest Four During Operations Targeting Illicit Marijuana in Las Vegas

Federal prosecutors have charged four individuals accused of operating multiple illegal cannabis cultivation sites across the Las Vegas Valley, according to information obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators. The defendants, identified as Jiejiao Zhang, Changtian Mai, Hoi Man Mak, and Jianwen Mai, are each facing a count of conspiracy to produce a controlled substance in a restricted zone. Court records indicate that one of the alleged grow sites was located within 1,000 feet of a public playground, a factor that elevated the severity of the charge. The investigation dates back to May 2025, when Las Vegas law enforcement officers detained Mak and another individual following a search at a residence near Tenaya Way and Craig Road. Authorities described the…

FridayMar 27, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — CMS to Cover Up to $500 in CBD Health Program

A new initiative by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could soon allow some patients enrolled in government-backed health insurance programs to receive partial coverage for hemp-based products. The proposal would allow eligible participants to access up to $500 annually in qualifying CBD products, with initial phases possibly starting as early as April 1. The program focuses primarily on CBD products but permits limited levels of THC. Officials noted that guidelines may be revised depending on anticipated changes to federal hemp regulations. The move follows a December executive order signed by President Donald Trump directing the attorney general to…

TuesdayMar 24, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Ohio Law Banning CBD, THC Beverages Takes Effect

New restrictions approved by GOP legislators in Ohio have officially taken effect, altering the state’s voter-backed cannabis framework and introducing fresh criminal penalties. The measure, Senate Bill 56, also bans intoxicating hemp products, including drinks containing THC or CBD. The law moved forward after a campaign to place a repeal measure on the November ballot fell short of the required signatures. For many in the hemp industry, the shift brings uncertainty. Hemp grower Joey Ellwood noted that most of his customers rely on hemp products for relief from anxiety, pain, and sleep issues rather than for intoxication. He warned that some may now turn to prescription medication or travel outside…

MondayMar 23, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia Lawmakers Send Marijuana Sales Bill to Governor

Virginia is on the verge of establishing a legal marketplace for recreational cannabis, five years after lawmakers permitted possession but stopped short of creating a system for sales. The General Assembly approved legislation that would set up a regulated retail structure, resolving a long-running gap in state policy. The state Senate signed off on a negotiated version of HB 642 late Friday, passing it with a 21 to 18 vote. A day later, on the last day of the 2026 legislative session, the House of Delegates backed the measure 64 to 32. The bill now awaits action from Governor Abigail Spanberger. If approved, it would allow adults aged 21 and older to purchase marijuana legally…

FridayMar 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federal Agencies Retain Employee Marijuana Testing Guidelines

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) announced that federal workplace drug testing programs will continue screening for cannabis metabolites, maintaining the current approach. The announcement comes despite a December 2025 executive order by President Trump which called for cannabis to be reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act as quickly as federal procedures allow. Earlier last year, the agency made a narrower adjustment by updating the terminology used in reporting cannabis test results to align with modern scientific standards. However, marijuana’s legal status at the federal level remains unchanged. It is still categorized as a Schedule I substance, a classification reserved for drugs considered to have a high risk of misuse and no accepted medical use. In recent years, many…

ThursdayMar 19, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Finds That Marijuana Legalization Lowers Crime Rates

A new study suggests that marijuana legalization may be linked to changes in crime patterns over time. Researchers found that allowing cannabis for recreational use among adults appears connected to gradual declines in violent offenses, while laws permitting medical marijuana are associated with decreases in property-related crimes. The study, published in Economic Modelling, explored how separate forms of legalization might affect criminal activity over time as more U.S. states adopt some version of cannabis reform. According to the authors, the findings highlight a clear contrast between recreational and medical frameworks. Their statistical models suggest that each approach to regulated cannabis access corresponds with distinct patterns in crime…

WednesdayMar 18, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Georgia House Approves Bill Easing Medical Marijuana Program Access

The Georgia House of Representatives has approved medical marijuana legislation designed to broaden patient access. The proposal cleared the chamber with strong bipartisan support, passing 138 to 21. The measure, Senate Bill 220 by Senator Matt Brass, proposes expanding the number of medical conditions that qualify for treatment, revising possession limits, and allowing patients to use vaporized cannabis products. Representative Mark Newton, who guided the bill through the House, said the revisions were shaped by findings from a House study committee that reviewed the state’s program last year. Speaking before the vote, Newton said the system has not consistently served the patients it was intended to help. Under current Georgia law,…

MondayMar 16, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Texas to Start Enforcing Smokable Hemp Ban Law on March 31

New regulations approved by Texas health officials will force retailers to remove smokable hemp products from store shelves before the end of March. While most edible hemp products remain legal, they will face tighter oversight involving packaging standards and product testing. At the same time, businesses that manufacture or sell these products will see licensing costs rise sharply. Even though the final fees are lower than early proposals, many operators warn that the increases could push prices higher or drive smaller companies out of the market. State health authorities first introduced the regulatory overhaul in December. The effort followed an executive order from Governor Greg Abbott after lawmakers failed…