NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

FridayMar 27, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — CMS to Cover Up to $500 in CBD Health Program

A new initiative by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could soon allow some patients enrolled in government-backed health insurance programs to receive partial coverage for hemp-based products. The proposal would allow eligible participants to access up to $500 annually in qualifying CBD products, with initial phases possibly starting as early as April 1. The program focuses primarily on CBD products but permits limited levels of THC. Officials noted that guidelines may be revised depending on anticipated changes to federal hemp regulations. The move follows a December executive order signed by President Donald Trump directing the attorney general 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 24, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Ohio Law Banning CBD, THC Beverages Takes Effect

New restrictions approved by GOP legislators in Ohio have officially taken effect, altering the state’s voter-backed cannabis framework and introducing fresh criminal penalties. The measure, Senate Bill 56, also bans intoxicating hemp products, including drinks containing THC or CBD. The law moved forward after a campaign to place a repeal measure on the November ballot fell short of the required signatures. For many in the hemp industry, the shift brings uncertainty. Hemp grower Joey Ellwood noted that most of his customers rely on hemp products for relief from anxiety, pain, and sleep issues rather than for intoxication. He warned that some may now turn to prescription medication or travel outside…

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,…

TuesdayMar 17, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — IRS Clarifies Post-Rescheduling 280E MSO Marijuana Tax Arrears

Several large cannabis companies operating across multiple U.S. states collectively owe over $1.6 billion in unpaid federal taxes, according to information disclosed in recent corporate filings. The outstanding balances stem largely from disputes over Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, a provision that significantly limits the deductions marijuana businesses can claim. Some marijuana companies have intentionally withheld payments in an attempt to preserve cash while challenging the rule. In a recent court filing tied to a marijuana tax dispute, IRS attorneys said the liabilities remain enforceable under existing law. They also say recent political developments surrounding federal cannabis policy do not alter obligations tied to earlier tax years. Section 280E prevents businesses that handle substances listed under…

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…