NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

ThursdayApr 09, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Advisory Council Recommends Marijuana Legalization in North Carolina

A state-appointed advisory panel is urging North Carolina legislators to move toward legalizing cannabis under a controlled system that would permit adult sales. The group argues that regulation would improve public safety and generate significant revenue for the state. While cannabis remains prohibited under federal law, most states have adopted some form of legalization. North Carolina stands among a shrinking number of states that have not approved either recreational or medical cannabis programs. According to the newly released advisory council report, residents are already spending billions of dollars on illicit marijuana. At the same time, a growing market of loosely regulated cannabis-derived products continues to expand, often operating outside meaningful…

WednesdayApr 08, 2026 4:00 pm

420 with CNW — Colorado Governor Enacts Bill Allowing MMJ Use in Hospitals

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has approved new legislation allowing patients with terminal illnesses to access medical cannabis while receiving care in hospitals and similar facilities. While supporting the bill, Polis raised concerns that revisions may have moved it away from its original intent. Speaking during the bill signing, Polis highlighted the state’s history of recognizing the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. He noted that many patients nearing the end of life depend on cannabis to ease symptoms such as chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, and loss of appetite. For some, he said, it can mean remaining conscious and connected with loved ones rather than being heavily medicated in their last days. However,…

TuesdayApr 07, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US DOJ Turmoil Unlikely to Derail Cannabis Rescheduling

The abrupt dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi by President Donald Trump is unlikely to significantly alter the trajectory of cannabis rescheduling efforts, according to several individuals familiar with the situation. Industry observers say the underlying dynamics remain unchanged, regardless of whether the Department of Justice is temporarily led by Todd Blanche or eventually by Lee Zeldin, who is widely viewed as the president’s preferred long-term appointee. Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to reclassify cannabis, and sources indicate that efforts within the DOJ are already progressing. One person close to the process suggested that movement could come within the next one to two months. Still, questions remain about what happens after a…

MondayApr 06, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Fresh Lawsuit Filed Challenging Michigan’s New Cannabis Tax

Michigan’s legal cannabis sector has launched a second legal challenge against a recently implemented 24% wholesale tax. According to the lawsuit, the levy, which took effect at the start of the year, pushes the overall tax burden on marijuana beyond limits established in the state constitution. Rose Tantraphol, speaking on behalf of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, said the system effectively layers one tax on top of another. She explained that the wholesale levy operates similarly to a sales tax, meaning it is applied before the standard 6% retail tax. As a result, customers end up paying tax on top of an already taxed product, a practice commonly referred to as tax pyramiding. The contested levy also…

ThursdayApr 02, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How Educational Institutions Are Embracing Legal Marijuana

As the cannabis sector continues to expand, universities and colleges across the U.S. are adjusting their academic offerings to keep pace with a growing need for trained professionals. The industry currently supports an estimated 425,000 full-time positions nationwide. This has prompted higher education institutions to introduce targeted programs that prepare graduates for roles in medical use, product innovation, regulatory compliance, cultivation, and retail operations. Cannabis-focused education is no longer limited to a handful of schools. Instead, a wide network of institutions now offers courses and certifications designed to align with the demands of this evolving field. A major contributor to…

WednesdayApr 01, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Governor Vetoes Mississippi Bills Granting Expanded Access to Medical Marijuana

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has vetoed two measures aimed at broadening access to medical cannabis, even as he approved a separate measure to advance research into a psychedelic drug with potential therapeutic uses. One of the vetoed proposals, HB 1152 (Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act), sought to expand eligibility for patients who do not currently meet the state’s strict list of qualifying conditions. The bill would have allowed physicians to petition the state Health Department on behalf of individuals suffering from serious or life-threatening illnesses. Under the plan, the state health officer would have had authority to approve or…

TuesdayMar 31, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US Military Scraps Cannabis Restrictions, Bumps Up Recruitment Age Bracket

The United States Army has introduced new recruitment rules that expand eligibility, allowing older applicants to join. Under the updated policy, individuals up to 42 years old can now enlist in active duty, the Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard. This marks a notable shift from the previous age limit of 35. Alongside the change in age requirements, the Army has revised its stance on applicants with minor cannabis-related convictions. Those with a single offense involving possession of cannabis or related items such as pipes or similar equipment are no longer automatically subject to additional hurdles. In the past, such cases required a formal waiver issued by Pentagon…

MondayMar 30, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Feds Arrest Four During Operations Targeting Illicit Marijuana in Las Vegas

Federal prosecutors have charged four individuals accused of operating multiple illegal cannabis cultivation sites across the Las Vegas Valley, according to information obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators. The defendants, identified as Jiejiao Zhang, Changtian Mai, Hoi Man Mak, and Jianwen Mai, are each facing a count of conspiracy to produce a controlled substance in a restricted zone. Court records indicate that one of the alleged grow sites was located within 1,000 feet of a public playground, a factor that elevated the severity of the charge. The investigation dates back to May 2025, when Las Vegas law enforcement officers detained Mak and another individual following a search at a residence near Tenaya Way and Craig Road. Authorities described the…

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…