NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

FridaySep 11, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Trump Grants Clemency to More Marijuana-Linked Convicts

President Trump has commuted the federal sentences of two men convicted in marijuana cases, granting relief as his government advances efforts to change cannabis policy. The clemency grants announced last Thursday apply to Kevin Harden and Jerry Haymon, both of whom were serving lengthy sentences for cannabis distribution offenses. Haymon received a mandatory 10-year federal term for participating in a cannabis distribution conspiracy. He had spent the last year under home confinement and had about another year remaining. During that time, restrictions prevented him from taking some jobs, including social media work for a marijuana company and research for a policy group involved in marijuana issues. Haymon said the…

ThursdaySep 10, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Nebraska Supreme Court Reaffirms Validity of State’s Medical Marijuana Laws

Nebraska’s highest court has upheld a pair of voter-endorsed medical marijuana measures, dismissing a legal effort that argued that fraud tainted the petition campaign that placed them before voters in 2024. In a unanimous 7-0 ruling, Jeffrey Funke, the Chief Justice, said a Lancaster County judge was correct to conclude that supporters had gathered sufficient valid signatures. The 49-page decision rejected claims brought by John Kuehn, a former senator in the state and a vocal critic of medical cannabis, along with arguments advanced by state AG Mike Hilgers and Bob Evnen, the Secretary of State. The challengers alleged widespread misconduct by petition circulators and notaries. Hilgers said Friday he disagreed with the ruling, calling it a setback for election integrity, but acknowledged that his office…

WednesdaySep 09, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Bipartisan Group of House Lawmakers Asks Trump Admin to Clarify Marijuana Reclassification Framework

Four bipartisan House lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration for more details about how the federal government plans to implement its new approach to medical marijuana. The lawmakers, led by Representative Dina Titus, sent a letter on August 18 to President Donald Trump, AG Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and HHS’ Robert Kennedy Jr. They are seeking answers about the practical consequences of placing certain state-regulated medical marijuana businesses and FDA-approved cannabis products in Schedule III. Reps. Greg Steube, Dave Joyce, and Ilhan Omar joined Titus in signing the letter. The administration took the rescheduling action on April 23. Blanche’s order cited authority connected to the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, an international…

TuesdaySep 08, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Pro Sports Still Unable to Embrace Legal Marijuana Advertising

Online betting platforms and alcohol companies have become familiar sponsors across U.S. professional sports, reaching fans inside arenas and through television and digital broadcasts. Cannabis businesses, despite the industry’s growth in many states, remain largely absent from the same advertising spaces. Industry executives and marketing specialists say major cannabis companies are unlikely to secure prominent professional sports partnerships until federal policy becomes clearer and states adopt more consistent rules governing marijuana promotion. Broadcasters also face significant legal exposure. Since many operate under federal licenses, even a potential change in marijuana’s federal classification may not immediately persuade them to accept advertising from businesses selling recreational cannabis, according to Ricardo Baca, chief executive…

FridaySep 04, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Convenience Is Giving an Edge to Entities Selling Marijuana

Marijuana companies are increasingly betting that convenience will determine what consumers buy, as shoppers show growing interest in products that require little preparation and can fit easily into everyday routines. The shift is particularly visible among newer cannabis customers, who may be less comfortable with traditional consumption methods. An analysis of Headset data found that disposable, all-in-one vaporizers generated roughly $2.82 billion from 94.8 million units, representing annual gains of 23.8% in sales and 22.9% in volume. The average price was about $29.77. Meanwhile, cartridges, historically the biggest vape category, recorded approximately $2.89 billion in sales but declined 14.1% in…

ThursdaySep 03, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Study Finds Sick Days Decrease Among Medical Marijuana Users

A study by the University of Georgia suggests that laws allowing medical cannabis may help reduce health-related employee absences and potentially deliver significant savings for employers. Published June 10, the research examined employment and demographic information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. Researchers reviewed records involving over 20 million people from 1990 through March 2025 to assess whether changes in cannabis policy were associated with workplace attendance. Their analysis found that states adopting medical cannabis decriminalization experienced an estimated 6.9% decline in absences linked to health problems. By comparison, recreational marijuana legislation was not associated with a statistically meaningful change in health-related absenteeism. Over 40 states had…

WednesdaySep 02, 2026 10:00 am

420 with CNW – Medical Marijuana Helps 9 in 10 Older Adults Combat Insomnia, Mood Issues

A new preprint study suggests that supervised medical cannabis may help ease pain, sleep problems, and mood or behavioral symptoms among older adults, although researchers caution that the findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The retrospective research examined 124 patients aged 65 and above who received cannabis-based treatment at a specialist clinic in Colombia. Symptoms were documented when treatment began, while 44 patients returned for an assessment roughly three months later. Most participants had no previous experience with cannabis. Their most common medical conditions included pain and musculoskeletal problems, cancer, and neurological disorders, both degenerative and non-degenerative. The main reasons for seeking treatment were insomnia, pain management, mood or behavioral difficulties, and…

TuesdaySep 01, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Illinois Adds PCOS to Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana

Illinois has expanded its medical cannabis program to cover chronic pain linked to polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, as well as pain caused by sickle cell disease. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced last Tuesday that physicians can now certify patients with either condition for medical marijuana treatment. The change took effect immediately, allowing eligible patients to seek cannabis as part of their care. The department said the decision followed an extensive assessment conducted by the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board and IDPH staff. Both conditions were added to Illinois' list of approved debilitating medical conditions after officials…

MondayAug 31, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – DEA Judge Publishes Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing Transcripts

Over 2,500 pages of testimony from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s marijuana rescheduling proceedings are now available to the public following the release of transcripts from the 11-day hearing that ended July 15 in Virginia. Derek C. Julius, the agency’s chief administrative law judge, issued the finalized records on August 25. His next step is to prepare a nonbinding decision on whether cannabis should remain in Schedule I or be transferred to Schedule III. The recommendation will then proceed to DEA Administrator Terry Cole for consideration. Those involved in the hearing represented federal agencies, law enforcement groups, medical professionals, advocacy organizations, and families affected by drug-related issues. The DEA called Dr. Dominic Chiapperino, a Food and Drug Administration official…

FridayAug 28, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW – Oregon Lawmaker Unveils Plan to Have THC Cap Imposed on Edibles

When Oregon voters approved recreational marijuana in 2014, Douglas County resident Karma Clarke supported the measure, believing cannabis posed little danger. Her view changed several years later after her son, then 20, began using marijuana frequently. Clarke said her son had been a successful student and athlete before returning home after earning an associate degree. His behavior then changed dramatically. He became isolated in his bedroom and struggled with basic activities he had previously handled without difficulty, including reading a tape measure and responding to questions. Following multiple medical appointments, he was hospitalized twice for psychiatric treatment. Clarke said drug screenings did not detect…