NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

FridayMay 22, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New York Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurs Stuck As State Support Underwhelms

When New York legalized recreational marijuana in 2021, it framed the move as a step toward restorative justice, promising an industry that would benefit communities most harmed by prohibition. A central piece of that plan was the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program, designed to give retail licenses to individuals with prior cannabis-related convictions. The idea was that those most impacted by decades of enforcement would be first in line to take part in the legal market. Applicants followed state requirements, completed training, submitted paperwork, and waited through delays while investing personal savings to prepare for opening. Later, the state launched a $200 million Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund through the Dormitory Authority…

ThursdayMay 21, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — DOT Says Marijuana Rescheduling Doesn’t Change Drug Testing Requirements

Commercial drivers and other safety-sensitive transportation workers will remain subject to penalties if they use state-legal medical marijuana, according to updated guidance from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The clarification, issued in a memorandum dated May 26, confirms that federal drug testing rules have not shifted, even after the Department of Justice moved to reclassify state-approved medical marijuana. The memo stresses that cannabis obtained through state medical programs or other non-prescription channels cannot be considered a valid medical justification under federal testing standards. It points to 49 CFR § 40.137(a), which defines what qualifies as a legitimate medical explanation in workplace drug testing. According to…

WednesdayMay 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US House Passes Amendment Allowing VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana

The U.S. House has approved a measure that could expand healthcare options for military veterans by allowing physicians within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend medical cannabis in states where it is permitted. The amendment, introduced by Representatives Brian Mast, Dina Titus, and Dave Joyce, cleared the House through a voice vote on Thursday. If it becomes law, the proposal would stop the VA from applying an existing policy that prevents agency doctors from helping veterans enroll in state-approved medical marijuana programs. At present, VA healthcare providers may talk with patients about cannabis use, but they are barred from completing paperwork or formally recommending participation in state medical…

TuesdayMay 19, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia Governor Signs Bill on Cannabis Resentencing

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has approved a sweeping package of legislation passed during the 2026 General Assembly session, signing 25 measures into law that address issues ranging from criminal justice and firearm regulations to workplace rights, election procedures, and energy affordability. The newly enacted laws reflect a broad policy agenda aimed at public safety, economic relief, and government oversight. Among the most closely watched changes are measures revisiting sentences tied to marijuana convictions, restrictions on assault-style weapons, expanded protections for immigrant employees, and new investments in clean energy and utility assistance programs. One of the landmark actions signed by Spanberger…

MondayMay 18, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Georgia Governor Signs Bill Expanding Access to Medical Marijuana

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has approved legislation that broadens access to the state’s medical cannabis program, introducing several changes aimed at expanding treatment options for eligible patients while maintaining restrictions on recreational marijuana. The measure, Senate Bill 220, adds new qualifying medical conditions, revised rules on THC limits, and expanded methods for how patients may use cannabis products. Under the updated law, individuals diagnosed with lupus will now qualify for medical cannabis treatment in Georgia. The move widens eligibility under a system that already permits access for patients coping with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism spectrum disorder,…

FridayMay 15, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Suggests Marijuana Could Boost Weight Loss, Support Metabolic Health

A new preclinical investigation from the University of California, Riverside, is offering fresh insight into a puzzling trend researchers have observed for years: people who regularly use cannabis often show lower body weight and a smaller likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, even though marijuana is widely known to stimulate hunger. Led by Professor Nicholas V. DiPatrizio of the UCR School of Medicine, the research explored why long-term marijuana users frequently show healthier metabolic patterns than non-users, despite the drug’s reputation for triggering cravings and overeating. The study focused on how different cannabis compounds influence body weight and blood sugar…

ThursdayMay 14, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Advertising is Unlikely to Change Much after Recent Rescheduling

Recent moves by the Trump administration to loosen federal limits on medical marijuana have sparked fresh conversations across the technology sector, particularly among major digital platforms evaluating the future of cannabis advertising. Several leading search and social media companies quietly reached out to marketing professionals to better understand what federal rescheduling could mean for the industry. Among those contacted was Dan Serard, founder of the Boston-based agency Cannabis Creative Group, who advises cannabis businesses on digital strategy. The possibility of marijuana companies eventually using major online platforms in the same way as conventional businesses could transform the sector. Yet, despite growing curiosity, tech firms…

WednesdayMay 13, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — What Marijuana Firms Need to Know About Retroactive Section 280E Relief

The cannabis industry has spent years debating what the eventual rollback of Section 280E could mean for businesses operating legally under state law. Tax professionals have largely agreed on one point: if marijuana is moved to a lower federal drug classification, any tax relief would likely apply only going forward. Still, recent developments have revived discussions around whether cannabis operators could receive tax refunds for prior years. A recent order offered a measure of optimism by directing the Treasury Secretary to examine the possibility of retroactive relief from Section 280E for businesses holding qualifying medical cannabis licenses. While far from…

TuesdayMay 12, 2026 4:20 pm

Federally Funded AMA Research Finds More Older Adults Opting for MMJ

A newly released federally backed study suggests that many older Americans are turning to cannabis not for recreation, but in search of relief after struggling with traditional medical treatments. The new research explored why adults aged 60 and older have become the fastest-expanding group of cannabis users in the U.S. Investigators from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Utah Health focused on what motivates seniors to try marijuana and what kinds of products they are most likely to choose. Researchers interviewed 169 adults over age 60 as part of a community-based qualitative study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Participants were…

MondayMay 11, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Congressional Researchers Explain Limitations, Implications of Marijuana Reclassification

A new report from congressional researchers is shedding light on what the Trump administration’s move to reclassify cannabis could mean for the industry, while also outlining the limits of the policy shift under federal law. The analysis, released recently by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), examines the DOJ's decision to move medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the CSA. The report explains that while the change could offer legal protections to some patients and licensed medical cannabis operators, it does not fully legalize cannabis businesses at the federal level, particularly those tied to recreational sales. According to the report, the rescheduling decision creates a pathway…

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