420 with CNW Archives - CannabisNewsWire

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…

MondayMay 04, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — GOP Congressmen Advance Legislation to Block Marijuana Rescheduling

Republican lawmakers on a key House committee are pushing forward a spending proposal that could halt federal efforts to reschedule cannabis. The move comes shortly after the Trump administration signaled plans to proceed with reclassifying the drug. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science & Related Agencies released draft legislation that includes language designed to block any funding from being used to alter marijuana’s current status under the CSA. The provision states that no funds provided through the bill could be used to change marijuana’s classification or take it off the federal schedule altogether. This is not the first time members of the committee have attempted to include such restrictions in federal spending bills. Similar provisions have been…

FridayMay 01, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — DEA Opens Portal to Register Medical Marijuana Operators

Businesses interested in operating as medical cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. can begin submitting applications starting Wednesday, April 29, following a directive from President Donald Trump to change how marijuana is classified under federal law. The update was announced through a notice published on the website of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to the agency, its online system for medical marijuana registration will open at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The rollout comes just days after the Justice Department revealed plans to ease certain federal limits on cannabis-related products and accelerate efforts to place marijuana in a less restrictive category. Companies applying for approval will need to meet several requirements. The DEA has set an…

ThursdayApr 30, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Sales Record Major Spike on 4/20

Cannabis retailers across the U.S. recorded a notable surge in sales on April 20 (4/20) this year, with particularly strong gains in states that have recently approved legal use. Data released by online ordering company Jane Technologies shows that total sales on April 20 climbed by 46.9% compared to the same date last year. The number of transactions also rose sharply, increasing by 46.6%. The figures reflect activity from stores that were operating in both 2025 and 2026, a method the company used to avoid overstating growth due to newly opened locations. Socrates Rosenfeld, co-founder and chief executive of Jane Technologies, said the yearly spike offers insight…

WednesdayApr 29, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Trucking Industry in Grey Area as Marijuana is Reclassified Federally

A directive signed by Acting AG Todd Blanche on April 22 and put into force the next day shifts two categories of cannabis from Schedule I of the CSA to Schedule III. One includes marijuana-based medications approved by the FDA. The other applies to cannabis produced, distributed, or sold under state-issued medical licenses. The second group carries particular relevance for trucking. It covers legally sanctioned dispensaries where drivers with valid medical authorization can purchase cannabis in most states. However, beyond these categories, little else has shifted. Recreational use remains in Schedule 1. Cannabis outside federal approval or state medical frameworks is still treated the same as before. For drivers, this means recent positive drug tests still…