NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

WednesdayJun 03, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Sales Dip Again in Q1 2026 in California

California’s regulated cannabis sector posted another quarterly decline, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the nation’s largest legal marijuana market. State figures indicate that licensed marijuana stores generated approximately $956.7 million in sales during the first three months of 2026. That total was modestly lower than the $976.5 million recorded during the same period in 2025. It also trailed the $1.07 billion reported in the opening quarter of 2024, continuing a downward trend that has persisted for several years, according to data released by the state’s Tax and Fee Administration Department. In many regions, businesses have managed to move higher volumes of products while earning less money due to sustained…

TuesdayJun 02, 2026 11:54 am

420 with CNW — TSA Starts Allowing Medical Cannabis Through Airports

Travelers moving through Orlando International Airport are responding to a recent change in Transportation Security Administration guidance that permits, in limited situations, medical cannabis to pass through airport security screening. The adjustment represents a notable departure from earlier federal rules that treated marijuana as prohibited during airport screening processes. Officials, however, emphasize that authorization at the federal checkpoint does not override state or municipal regulations governing possession and use. Several people interviewed by News 6 at the airport admitted they had not heard about the revised approach until recently. One traveler said the information came as a surprise, adding that the adjustment could benefit people who rely on…

MondayJun 01, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — DEA Prepares for Hearings on Federal Marijuana Rescheduling

Federal regulators are moving closer to a key decision on cannabis policy as the DEA prepares to hold a hearing in June on the reclassification of marijuana under national law. The proceedings have already attracted interest from groups on both sides of the legalization debate, highlighting the continuing divide over cannabis reform in the U.S. Advocacy organizations supporting legalization, including NORML, have officially signaled plans to join the hearing. At the same time, anti-legalization voices such as Smart Approaches to Marijuana are also expected to take part. The event represents another important stage in the long-running effort to reconsider marijuana’s…

FridayMay 29, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Missouri Regulators Prepare Final Marijuana License Lottery

Missouri cannabis regulators are preparing for a statewide outreach effort ahead of the final lottery that will distribute 77 microbusiness marijuana permits, with officials hoping recent policy changes will strengthen oversight and reduce problems that have troubled earlier rounds. Throughout June, Missouri’s marijuana regulatory division chief equity officer Lesley Turek plans to host informational sessions in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Jefferson City along with five virtual events. The meetings are intended to guide prospective applicants through the process, explain eligibility standards and answer questions before submissions begin later this summer. A key focus of the presentations will be new regulations scheduled to take effect at…

ThursdayMay 28, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Massachusetts Officials to Start Conducting Checks on THC Potency Inflation

Massachusetts cannabis regulators are planning to test whether THC levels listed on marijuana products truly reflect what consumers are buying, following a commitment made late last year to tighten oversight of the industry. The state’s Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) said it will begin auditing cannabis items sold in Massachusetts and take enforcement measures if laboratory findings differ significantly from the potency claims printed on packaging. Travis Ahern, the CCC Executive Director, noted that ensuring marijuana products are correctly labeled supports the agency’s responsibility to provide residents with safe, fair, and reliable access to the legal cannabis market. Under the commission’s guidelines, THC content shown on…

WednesdayMay 27, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Spanberger Vetoes Virginia Bills Establishing Marijuana Sales System

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed two measures aimed at launching a legal retail cannabis industry, arguing that the proposals arrived too soon and lacked safeguards needed for a responsible rollout. In her veto message, the governor said Virginia was not yet fully equipped to introduce a commercial system without creating risks tied to regulation, enforcement, and public safety. Spanberger said any future system should place emphasis on public safety, youth protection, product quality, and accountability. She also pointed to lessons from other states, arguing that Virginia must be fully prepared with adequate testing, inspections, and enforcement tools before retail sales begin. The governor…

TuesdayMay 26, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Indiana Officials Await Federal Action on Marijuana

Indiana legislators may soon return to discussions surrounding medical cannabis, though state officials say there is still uncertainty about whether federal action will prompt any immediate changes in state policy. During a meeting on May 11, members of the Indiana Board of Pharmacy examined a federal notice concerning cannabis rescheduling. However, the board did not move forward with any decisions, emphasizing that Indiana would only consider a response once the federal government formally completes the process. As a result, existing cannabis laws in the state remain intact for the time being. Despite the uncertainty, state senator Mike Bohacek has revealed…

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…