NewsRoom Articles - Page 3 of 613

MondayApr 27, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Illinois Disburses $32M to Cannabis Social Equity Firms

Illinois has taken another step in its effort to promote fairness in the legal cannabis market, issuing $31.8 million in loans to businesses identified under its social equity program. State officials confirmed that 95 companies received funding in this latest round, with individual loan amounts between $50,000 and $750,000. The loans come with favorable terms. Borrowers will not pay interest for the first 18 months, and no payments are required during that period. In addition, companies may be eligible to have the full amount forgiven if they meet certain conditions tied to how the funds are used. Lieutenant Governor Juliana…

FridayApr 24, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How Top Brands, Politicians Celebrated Marijuana’s 4/20 Holiday

April 20, widely known as 4/20, has become an informal holiday associated with cannabis use. As public attitudes continue to shift and legalization spreads across the U.S., more public officials and companies are openly acknowledging the day. This year, messages shared online reflected a mix of celebration, policy advocacy, and public safety reminders. Lawmakers used the occasion to highlight economic and legislative arguments tied to marijuana policy. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro pointed to the financial impact of prohibition in his state, noting that residents are traveling elsewhere to purchase cannabis, taking significant tax revenue with them. He urged lawmakers to act and move legalization legislation forward. California Governor Gavin…

ThursdayApr 23, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How Federal Reclassification Could Reshape Marijuana Taxes

Last December, President Trump signed Executive Order 14067, titled “Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research.” The directive calls for marijuana to be reclassified from Schedule 1 to 3 under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), a move that could reshape the financial landscape for cannabis businesses. The proposal is not yet in effect. It must pass through a federal rulemaking process and may face legal challenges along the way. Even so, industry participants are already evaluating what a lower tax burden could mean for their operations, long-term planning, and expansion strategies. A key issue is Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which currently blocks companies involved…

WednesdayApr 22, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — CNN Documentary Explores How Medical Marijuana is Helping Women

According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, his long-running documentary series “Weed” has grown far beyond its original scope, evolving into an ongoing examination of cannabis, medicine, and patient experience. When filming began in 2012, the intention was to produce a single documentary exploring a controversial plant and its possible medical uses. Instead, the project became a continuing series, with each installment revisiting the topic as new evidence and personal stories emerged. The latest chapter, titled “Weed 8,” turns its attention to women and their increasing reliance on cannabis for health concerns. Across months of reporting and travel, a consistent theme emerged. Many women are turning to cannabis after exhausting…

TuesdayApr 21, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Bipartisan Congressional Bill to Let States Have Their Own Hemp THC Rules

A new bipartisan effort in Congress is offering states a way to sidestep an upcoming federal crackdown on hemp-derived THC products, instead of forcing an immediate nationwide ban. The proposal, introduced last week, would let individual states maintain their existing regulatory systems rather than adopt a stricter federal standard scheduled to begin in November. The measure is backed by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar and Republican Senator Rand Paul. While the full legislative text has yet to be released, the intent is to create a patchwork approach similar to how marijuana laws currently operate across the country. This move reflects growing hesitation in Washington over the sweeping hemp policy approved last fall. Under that…

MondayApr 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Idaho MMJ Ballot Initiative Supporters Have 100k Signatures as Deadline Looms

Backers of a proposed medical marijuana measure in Idaho say they have surpassed 100,000 collected signatures and are now racing to meet an April 30 deadline that would place the issue before voters in November. The campaign, led by the Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho, aims to allow patients with serious illnesses to access cannabis for therapeutic use. Conditions listed by organizers include PTSD, cancer, epilepsy, AIDS, and Crohn’s disease. At present, Idaho prohibits all forms of cannabis. This stands in contrast to neighboring states, where some form of legalization exists. States such as Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Nevada allow recreational use,…

FridayApr 17, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Nebraska Medical Marijuana Regulations Now Await AG and Governor’s Approval

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission has approved a set of rules governing the state’s emerging cannabis supply system, almost a year after first adopting temporary guidelines. The framework has operated under short-term extensions lasting 90 days at a time. The measures, repeatedly renewed, outline how medical marijuana businesses must operate. They address licensing limits, security standards, approved product types, and the qualifications required for physicians who recommend cannabis to patients. The newly adopted rules now move to State Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who must review them for constitutional and legal compliance. Final approval rests with Governor Jim Pillen. Both officials have previously raised concerns about the voter-backed measures that legalized medical cannabis and established regulatory oversight. When the…

ThursdayApr 16, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Michigan Reports Increased Monthly Marijuana Sales Despite Price Increases

Legal cannabis sales in Michigan rebounded sharply in March, even as retail prices continued to edge higher for a third month in a row, according to newly released figures from the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency. Consumers spent more than $255 million on both recreational and medical marijuana products in March. That total represents a 9 percent increase compared to February, when sales reached $234.5 million. The month-to-month gain is the strongest recorded since March 2025. State data also shows a recurring pattern, with March sales climbing significantly each year since 2023. The strong performance follows a weak start to 2026. In January, the market experienced its steepest decline in recent years,…

WednesdayApr 15, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Alabama to Finally Launch its Medical Marijuana Program

Alabama is preparing to roll out its long-awaited medical cannabis program, with the first dispensary set to open in the state capital next month. Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery is scheduled to begin serving patients on May 4, marking a milestone for a system that has faced repeated setbacks. The shop is the first of nine dispensaries expected to be operating by the summer, according to updates shared during an April 9 meeting of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Commission Chair Dr. Sam Blakemore said progress is ongoing but not yet complete. One additional license remains tied up, delaying the full rollout. He expressed hope that all 12 approved…

TuesdayApr 14, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federally Funded Research Reports Breakthrough in Marijuana Breathalyzer Development

A newly published study points to a possible step forward in efforts to create a cannabis breathalyzer, offering early evidence that a compact and affordable device could detect recent cannabis use without requiring laboratory testing. The research, led by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Emanuele Alves, focuses on addressing a long-standing gap in roadside testing. While alcohol impairment can be measured quickly with breath-based tools, law enforcement has lacked an equivalent method for THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. As legalization expands across multiple states, the demand for fast and dependable roadside screening methods has grown more urgent. The team experimented with cartridges produced through…