NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

MondayJun 23, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Discussions to Legalize Marijuana Market Reach Pivotal Stage in Pennsylvania

Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania’s lawmakers are rushing to reach a deal on next year’s budget. With the deadline of July 1 fast approaching, there are still major disagreements over how to cover Shapiro’s proposed spending increases, particularly with a government split between Democrats controlling the House and Republicans holding the Senate. One of the central goals for the governor and his Democratic allies is to boost funding for public education and transit systems. Republican lawmakers don’t oppose those ideas outright but are more focused on controlling costs, especially rising Medicaid expenses and the widespread use of “skill games”—video gambling…

FridayJun 20, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana’s Skunky Smell Could Soon Be a Thing of the Past

Not far from the highway, down a stretch near the local sheriff’s station, there’s a high-security facility surrounded by barbed wire. If you happen to drive past, you might catch a sharp, earthy scent in the air, which some call skunky and others say smells like fuel. Either way, it’s unmistakably the scent of cannabis. The facility is home to District Cannabis, where over 15,000 pounds of marijuana flower are grown annually. Founder and lead cultivator Andras Kirschner proudly calls it their dream “weed factory.” Inside, the air is thick with earthy plant aromas, hints of citrus, and soft floral…

WednesdayJun 18, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Finds That Market Forces Are Reducing Biodiversity in Marijuana Plants

A new study on marijuana genetics reveals that the legal cannabis industry may be unintentionally reducing the plant’s genetic diversity. The push for faster-growing plants with higher cannabinoid content, mainly for economic and regulatory reasons, has led to a narrowing of the genetic pool. The study, conducted by graduate student Caleb Y. Chen at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, draws from both genetic data and interviews with cannabis breeders. According to Chen, selective breeding practices in the current “post-prohibition” market are creating what he refers to as a genetic “bottleneck.” While humans have always shaped cannabis genetics to suit their…

TuesdayJun 17, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Facebook Appears to No Longer Censor Marijuana Searches

Earlier this year, Meta stated it would shift how it handles controversial topics by loosening certain content rules, particularly around issues frequently debated in politics, such as gender identity and immigration. However, when it came to cannabis, the company continued to censor search results for key terms. Instead of showing related content, users saw alerts asking them to report any drug sales. The restriction appears to have been lifted, with searches that were previously blocked now delivering actual results and the earlier warnings no longer appear. Though many digital platforms enforce rules against selling drugs and limit who can view…

MondayJun 16, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Could Hemp-Sourced THC Finally Push Congress to Act?

Congress is finally moving toward addressing laws tied to the marijuana industry after years of inaction. However, instead of expanding support—such as allowing marijuana businesses access to banking services, easing tax burdens, or opening up interstate trade—lawmakers are shifting their focus to restricting products made from hemp-derived THC. Industry experts and lobbyists say a recent GOP-backed budget plan, introduced in the House and passed by a subcommittee, aims to outlaw products made with hemp-derived THC at the federal level. Even if the proposal doesn’t make it through Congress, it signals a turning point. Many in the industry now believe the…

FridayJun 13, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Sky News Investigation Uncovers Illicit Marijuana Sellers in the UK Using QR Codes to Attract Buyers

While walking through Burton upon Trent, Steve noticed unusual stickers on lampposts and bins with a shiny green marijuana leaf, a QR code, and the phrase “get your delivery.” Curious, he scanned the code with his phone and was taken to a polished website selling cannabis in various forms—vapes, oils, gummies, buds, and even pre-rolled joints. Steve had recently moved to the area and was dealing with severe pain from a back injury. He wanted an alternative to prescription opioids but didn’t feel safe buying drugs on the street. The site he found operated like a legitimate online store. It…

ThursdayJun 12, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — The Unseen Immigration Risks Associated with Working in the Marijuana Industry

With the current presidential administration putting a spotlight on immigration enforcement, it’s more important than ever for employers to make sure their hiring and employment practices follow federal immigration rules. This is especially critical for businesses involved in the legal marijuana industry at the state level. Even though more states are legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use, federal law still lists marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance—meaning it is treated as illegal under federal statutes. For individuals who are not U.S. citizens, any connection to marijuana—even if it’s legal under state law—can lead to serious immigration consequences. According…

WednesdayJun 11, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Missouri Officials to Make Unannounced Cannabis Retail Location Visits to Test Products

Missouri’s marijuana oversight agency will kick off a new initiative aimed at ensuring cannabis products on store shelves are truly safe from next month. Inspectors from the Division of Cannabis Regulation will begin making unannounced visits to dispensaries each month, collecting roughly 50 products for independent analysis at the Missouri State Public Health Reference Laboratory. These samples will be tested for contaminants such as pesticides, mold, and other potential hazards. According to Ryan Bernard, who leads the division’s research and testing team, the program has been in the pipeline for some time. It’s designed to add an extra layer of…

TuesdayJun 10, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana CEO Asks Texas Governor to Veto Bill Banning THC

Texas is on the verge of banning a wide range of THC-infused items like vapes, edibles, and beverages. A newly approved bill by state lawmakers is now in the hands of Governor Greg Abbott, who will decide whether to sign it into law. If Abbott approves the bill, it would introduce new felony charges for activities such as producing, distributing, or intending to distribute certain hemp-based products. The proposal also outlines penalties for falsifying lab reports and operating without proper authorization. Some violations would be classified as misdemeanors and could lead to fines or even jail time. Under the proposed…

MondayJun 09, 2025 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Are the Days of THCA Now Numbered?

Steven Brown, the CEO of Nothing But Hemp, believes that THCA flower is legal under federal law due to Farm Bill 2018. But even though his company runs 11 stores across two states and offers a wide range of hemp-derived products, you won’t find THCA flower on his shelves—or his website. Why? The legal environment is changing fast. More states without legal recreational cannabis are updating their laws to treat THCA flower the same as traditional marijuana, making it illegal under state law. Some legal experts maintain that THCA is still permitted under current federal law. But as states give…