420 with CNW Archives - CannabisNewsWire

ThursdayMay 21, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — DOT Says Marijuana Rescheduling Doesn’t Change Drug Testing Requirements

Commercial drivers and other safety-sensitive transportation workers will remain subject to penalties if they use state-legal medical marijuana, according to updated guidance from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The clarification, issued in a memorandum dated May 26, confirms that federal drug testing rules have not shifted, even after the Department of Justice moved to reclassify state-approved medical marijuana. The memo stresses that cannabis obtained through state medical programs or other non-prescription channels cannot be considered a valid medical justification under federal testing standards. It points to 49 CFR § 40.137(a), which defines what qualifies as a legitimate medical explanation in workplace drug testing. According to…

WednesdayMay 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US House Passes Amendment Allowing VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana

The U.S. House has approved a measure that could expand healthcare options for military veterans by allowing physicians within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend medical cannabis in states where it is permitted. The amendment, introduced by Representatives Brian Mast, Dina Titus, and Dave Joyce, cleared the House through a voice vote on Thursday. If it becomes law, the proposal would stop the VA from applying an existing policy that prevents agency doctors from helping veterans enroll in state-approved medical marijuana programs. At present, VA healthcare providers may talk with patients about cannabis use, but they are barred from completing paperwork or formally recommending participation in state medical…

MondayMay 18, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Georgia Governor Signs Bill Expanding Access to Medical Marijuana

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has approved legislation that broadens access to the state’s medical cannabis program, introducing several changes aimed at expanding treatment options for eligible patients while maintaining restrictions on recreational marijuana. The measure, Senate Bill 220, adds new qualifying medical conditions, revised rules on THC limits, and expanded methods for how patients may use cannabis products. Under the updated law, individuals diagnosed with lupus will now qualify for medical cannabis treatment in Georgia. The move widens eligibility under a system that already permits access for patients coping with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism spectrum disorder,…

ThursdayMay 14, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Advertising is Unlikely to Change Much after Recent Rescheduling

Recent moves by the Trump administration to loosen federal limits on medical marijuana have sparked fresh conversations across the technology sector, particularly among major digital platforms evaluating the future of cannabis advertising. Several leading search and social media companies quietly reached out to marketing professionals to better understand what federal rescheduling could mean for the industry. Among those contacted was Dan Serard, founder of the Boston-based agency Cannabis Creative Group, who advises cannabis businesses on digital strategy. The possibility of marijuana companies eventually using major online platforms in the same way as conventional businesses could transform the sector. Yet, despite growing curiosity, tech firms…

WednesdayMay 13, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — What Marijuana Firms Need to Know About Retroactive Section 280E Relief

The cannabis industry has spent years debating what the eventual rollback of Section 280E could mean for businesses operating legally under state law. Tax professionals have largely agreed on one point: if marijuana is moved to a lower federal drug classification, any tax relief would likely apply only going forward. Still, recent developments have revived discussions around whether cannabis operators could receive tax refunds for prior years. A recent order offered a measure of optimism by directing the Treasury Secretary to examine the possibility of retroactive relief from Section 280E for businesses holding qualifying medical cannabis licenses. While far from…

TuesdayMay 12, 2026 4:20 pm

Federally Funded AMA Research Finds More Older Adults Opting for MMJ

A newly released federally backed study suggests that many older Americans are turning to cannabis not for recreation, but in search of relief after struggling with traditional medical treatments. The new research explored why adults aged 60 and older have become the fastest-expanding group of cannabis users in the U.S. Investigators from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Utah Health focused on what motivates seniors to try marijuana and what kinds of products they are most likely to choose. Researchers interviewed 169 adults over age 60 as part of a community-based qualitative study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Participants were…

MondayMay 11, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Congressional Researchers Explain Limitations, Implications of Marijuana Reclassification

A new report from congressional researchers is shedding light on what the Trump administration’s move to reclassify cannabis could mean for the industry, while also outlining the limits of the policy shift under federal law. The analysis, released recently by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), examines the DOJ's decision to move medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the CSA. The report explains that while the change could offer legal protections to some patients and licensed medical cannabis operators, it does not fully legalize cannabis businesses at the federal level, particularly those tied to recreational sales. According to the report, the rescheduling decision creates a pathway…

FridayMay 08, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Medical Marijuana Could Expand as Feds Reschedule the Drug

A recent federal decision to reclassify medical cannabis is reshaping the outlook for licensed operators, prompting renewed attention from businesses and regulators across the country. The change, introduced under an order signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, moves state-approved medical cannabis to Schedule III of the CSA. That adjustment carries significant financial implications, particularly when it comes to taxation. Beginning in the first quarter of 2026, companies operating in the medical marijuana space will be allowed to deduct ordinary business expenses. This marks a sharp departure from previous restrictions that fell under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which has long prevented cannabis businesses from claiming such deductions. According to…

WednesdayMay 06, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Looming Federal Ban Causes Colorado Bill Regulating Hemp THC to Fail

Efforts to expand where hemp-derived THC beverages can be sold in Colorado stalled this week as lawmakers were unable to gather enough support to move the proposal forward. SB 164 sought to open the door for these drinks to be offered in restaurants and bars, rather than limiting sales to licensed marijuana dispensaries. However, the measure was withdrawn by its lead sponsor after it became clear that it would not secure the votes needed to pass. Opposition from segments of the state’s cannabis industry played a significant role in the outcome, according to reporting by The Denver Gazette. Backers of the bill argued that the legislation…

TuesdayMay 05, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Experts Say Partial Marijuana Rescheduling is Causing Confusion

While the Trump administration has taken a partial step toward rescheduling marijuana, the move has left many in the industry uncertain about what comes next. Acting AG Todd Blanche recently signed an order moving certain cannabis-related products out of the most restrictive federal category. Specifically, products sold through state-licensed medical cannabis programs, along with those approved by the FDA, will move from Schedule I to Schedule III. Despite the shift, policy experts caution that the change is limited in scope. Cat Packer, who oversees drug markets and legal regulation at the Drug Policy Alliance, said it would be misleading to describe the decision as a broad reclassification of…

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