420 with CNW Archives - Page 10 of 321

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…

FridayMar 13, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Suggests Marijuana Compounds Could Potentially Reverse Liver Disorder

Compounds derived from marijuana may offer a new direction for addressing one of the most widespread chronic liver illnesses worldwide, according to recent findings from researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The study found that cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabidiol (CBD) lowered fat buildup in the liver and improved several markers tied to metabolic function in laboratory models. CBD is among the most extensively researched cannabis compounds that does not cause intoxication. CBG, by contrast, appears in smaller quantities in the plant and serves as a biochemical precursor during the formation of other cannabinoids, including CBD. Unlike THC, neither CBD nor CBG produces psychoactive effects. Because…

ThursdayMar 12, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia Lawmakers Advance to Governor’s Desk Bill Protecting Parents That Use Marijuana

Legislators in Virginia have approved legislation to safeguard the parental rights of individuals who legally use cannabis under state law. The proposal, introduced by Delegate Nadarius Clark, received approval from both the House and the Senate after revisions were added. The measure now awaits a decision from Governor Abigail Spanberger. According to the bill’s language, the lawful possession or use of substances permitted by state law should not, by itself, justify restrictions on a parent’s relationship with their child. Courts would only be allowed to consider such factors if additional evidence shows that the behavior is harmful to the child’s well-being. The legislation also addresses drug testing in family law cases.…

WednesdayMar 11, 2026 4:25 am

420 with CNW — New York Regulators Say Marijuana Sales Could Surpass California’s

New York’s legal marijuana industry has started 2026 with strong momentum, following a year of rapid growth in 2025. State officials say sales during the opening weeks of the year suggest the market could reach new highs before the year ends. During a recent meeting of the state Cannabis Control Board, regulators reported that licensed cannabis retailers generated nearly $250 million in revenue in just the first three weeks of February. According to the state’s Office of Cannabis Management, that early performance places New York on track to reach roughly $2.6 billion in total cannabis sales by the close of 2026. For several years, New York’s adult-use marijuana program was widely viewed as a market…

MondayMar 09, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Washington State Lawmakers Send Bill Allowing MMJ Use in Hospitals to Governor

Lawmakers in Washington State have approved a proposal that would allow patients with terminal illnesses to use medical marijuana in certain healthcare facilities, including hospices, hospitals, and nursing homes. The measure now awaits action from Governor Bob Ferguson. The bill, introduced by Representative Shelley Kloba, cleared the state Senate with a 46 to 2 vote and the House by a margin of 89 to 6. If the governor signs the measure, hospices, hospitals, and nursing homes across the state would be required to allow qualified patients with terminal conditions to use medical marijuana at those locations beginning January next year. The policy would apply only under defined conditions intended to maintain safety within healthcare environments. …

FridayMar 06, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Georgia Considers Bill to End Cannabis Odor as Basis for Police Searches

A proposal now before the Georgia legislature could significantly change how law enforcement officers handle traffic stops and searches, focusing on the long-debated practice of using the odor of cannabis as grounds for action. House Bill 496, authored by Representative Jasmine Clark, would prevent officers from relying solely on cannabis scent to justify stopping or searching someone. The measure aims to revise the state’s criminal procedure rules to make clear that the scent of hemp or cannabis, whether smoked or not, does not by itself amount to reasonable suspicion or probable cause. If enacted, the legislation would prohibit officers from detaining pedestrians, conducting traffic stops, or searching vehicles and occupants based only…