Uncategorized Archives - CannabisNewsWire

TuesdayApr 28, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US DOJ Moves Some Marijuana Products to Schedule III

The Justice Department (DOJ) has rescheduled certain marijuana products, signaling a notable policy shift after decades of strict federal control. Acting AG Todd Blanche announced that cannabis products approved by the FDA or authorized under state medical cannabis programs will be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III. This adjustment places them alongside medications such as codeine-based pain relievers, reflecting a lower perceived risk and recognized medical use. Blanche also directed officials to begin a formal review that could lead to broader changes, including the possible reclassification of cannabis in its entirety. A public hearing has been scheduled for June…

MondayApr 27, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Illinois Disburses $32M to Cannabis Social Equity Firms

Illinois has taken another step in its effort to promote fairness in the legal cannabis market, issuing $31.8 million in loans to businesses identified under its social equity program. State officials confirmed that 95 companies received funding in this latest round, with individual loan amounts between $50,000 and $750,000. The loans come with favorable terms. Borrowers will not pay interest for the first 18 months, and no payments are required during that period. In addition, companies may be eligible to have the full amount forgiven if they meet certain conditions tied to how the funds are used. Lieutenant Governor Juliana…

FridayApr 10, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Pennsylvania is Handing Revenue to Neighboring States as Marijuana Legalization Stalls

On a cold Friday afternoon near the New York–Pennsylvania border, cars begin to line up outside Organic Blooms, a recreational cannabis shop that has quickly become a regional draw. Vehicles with New York plates share space with those from Pennsylvania, a sign of a growing cross-border market fueled by differing state laws. Organic Blooms opened in September 2025, and nearly half its business comes from customers crossing state lines, particularly from Ohio and Pennsylvania. While Ohio legalized recreational cannabis following a 2023 ballot vote and launched retail sales the following year, Pennsylvania remains one of the few states in the region without a similar law. Advocates for legalization argue that this…

ThursdayApr 02, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How Educational Institutions Are Embracing Legal Marijuana

As the cannabis sector continues to expand, universities and colleges across the U.S. are adjusting their academic offerings to keep pace with a growing need for trained professionals. The industry currently supports an estimated 425,000 full-time positions nationwide. This has prompted higher education institutions to introduce targeted programs that prepare graduates for roles in medical use, product innovation, regulatory compliance, cultivation, and retail operations. Cannabis-focused education is no longer limited to a handful of schools. Instead, a wide network of institutions now offers courses and certifications designed to align with the demands of this evolving field. A major contributor to…

ThursdayMar 26, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How US Marijuana Breeders Could Protect Their IP Prior to Legalization

Veteran marijuana breeder James Loud is setting his sights on a niche that continues to grow: pre-rolls and ready-to-use joints. Over the next few years, he plans to develop plant varieties tailored for these products, with a focus on durability and consistency during storage and transport. For manufacturers, longer-lasting marijuana that holds its quality in prepackaged form could offer a clear advantage. But for breeders like Loud, the challenge goes beyond cultivation. Safeguarding original work remains a persistent concern, particularly in a market where federal prohibition still complicates intellectual property protections. Loud, founder of James Loud Genetics, relies on sophisticated breeding methods and tissue culture to create new…

WednesdayMar 25, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — 7 States with a Chance to Legalize Marijuana in 2026

Efforts to expand cannabis laws across the U.S. remain active as 2026 unfolds, with seven states weighing proposals that range from limited medical access to full adult-use legalization. Timelines vary, but advocates in multiple regions are working against approaching deadlines to move their measures forward. In Idaho, a campaign to permit medical marijuana is gaining momentum. The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho is pushing to place the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act before voters this November and is racing to submit more than 70,000 valid signatures by May. Early March figures suggest the campaign has surpassed its target, though final validation…

TuesdayMar 10, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Oregon Senate Bill Limiting THC in Edibles Fails to Pass

A proposal aimed at restricting the THC amount in individual cannabis edibles will not move forward in Oregon this year after failing to clear the state House of Representatives. Senate Bill 1548 sought to prohibit the manufacture of single edible products containing more than 10 mg of THC. The measure focused on products designed to be split into several portions, such as large gummies or baked goods sold as a single piece but labeled for multiple servings. The legislation was introduced by Senator Lisa Reynolds, who noted that it was prompted by a rise in incidents involving young children who…

WednesdayMar 04, 2026 9:00 am

420 with CNW — Oklahoma Could Extend Moratorium on Licensing New Marijuana Businesses

Oklahoma lawmakers are weighing another extension of the state’s pause on issuing new medical cannabis business licenses, a move that could also lead to a long-term limit on the number of grow operations once the freeze is lifted. Two measures, House Bill 3143 and House Bill 3144, would adjust the moratorium first approved in 2022. Unless legislators act, the current pause on new licenses will end on August 1. State Representative Rusty Cornwell, sponsor of both proposals, said the goal is to bring order to a market that expanded rapidly after voters legalized medical cannabis. He stressed that the legislation…

MondayFeb 23, 2026 4:20 pm

South Dakota to Switch to Digital MMJ Cards

South Dakota is moving toward a digital system for medical cannabis cards, a change that state health officials say will make access easier for patients and caregivers. The update was shared during a meeting of the South Dakota House Health and Human Services Committee at the State Capitol in Pierre. Representative Josephine Garcia had originally planned to introduce House Bill 1211 to require the state Health Department to issue electronic cannabis cards. However, she told committee members she no longer needed to push the proposal forward. Garcia, who leads the state’s Medical Cannabis Oversight Committee, stated that the department has…

FridayFeb 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Florida Supreme Court Considers Appeal to Put Marijuana on State Ballot

Efforts to legalize recreational cannabis in Florida remain active as the state’s highest court weighs whether to take up a key appeal that could determine if voters see the issue on a future ballot. The Florida Supreme Court is reviewing a request from the Smart and Safe Florida campaign after roughly 71,000 petition signatures were thrown out. If the justices agree to hear the case and ultimately side with the campaign, the proposed constitutional amendment could move forward to the ballot in November. The group contends that the disputed petitions were improperly invalidated and should be included in the final tally required for ballot access. State officials previously excluded signatures tied to voters listed…