NewsRoom Articles - Page 3 of 607

TuesdayJan 27, 2026 4:25 pm

420 with CNW — Medical Cannabis Sales Set New Arkansas Record in 2025

Medical cannabis sales in Arkansas reached a new high in 2025. According to data released by the state finance department, patients spent $291.1 million at licensed dispensaries during the year. That total represents a 5.5% increase from 2024 and surpasses the prior record of $283 million achieved in 2023. Medical dispensaries across Arkansas sold 79,223 pounds of medical cannabis in 2025, an increase of 4.8% from the 75,597 pounds sold in 2024. The state has 37 licensed dispensaries operating statewide. Since Arkansas launched its medical cannabis program in 2019, total spending at dispensaries has exceeded $1.6 billion, according to DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin. December proved to be the strongest month of the year, with sales reaching $25.749 million. Several dispensaries…

MondayJan 26, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Legalization Campaigners in Florida Are Being Arrested

Florida’s push to legalize recreational marijuana has entered a more volatile phase as state officials and campaign organizers trade accusations just weeks before a critical signature deadline. State AG James Uthmeier stated that his office has opened dozens of new investigations tied to alleged election-related crimes connected to the ballot effort, a move that supporters of the initiative describe as politically motivated. Smart and Safe Florida, the group leading the legalization push, rejected the claims. The group has until February 1 to deliver more than 880,000 verified signatures from registered voters. If the proposal reaches the ballot, it would still need approval from at least 60% of voters statewide to take effect. …

FridayJan 23, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Recreational Marijuana Legalization Support Dips as Florida Officials Oppose Campaign

Florida officials under Governor Ron DeSantis are stepping up their opposition to a proposed ballot measure that would allow recreational marijuana, drawing county election offices into the fight and prompting accusations that the state is trying to derail the effort before voters weigh in. Critics say the administration’s actions amount to an aggressive campaign against legalization at a time when public backing appears to be weakening. Florida requires at least 60% voter approval to amend its constitution, and recent polling suggests support for adult-use cannabis is well below that mark. The latest push comes from Smart and Safe Florida, a group backed largely by Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a multistate cannabis company based in Tallahassee. The…

ThursdayJan 22, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New Study Says No Science Supports Federal Categorization of Marijuana

A new scientific review is challenging the foundations of U.S. drug law, arguing that the legal system governing controlled substances no longer reflects modern scientific understanding of risk. According to the analysis, drugs such as marijuana are regulated far more harshly than evidence would justify, while substances responsible for widespread harm often face looser oversight or fall outside the system altogether. American drug policy has largely been shaped by the Controlled Substances Act, passed in 1970. The law created a series of fixed schedules meant to classify drugs based on their danger and potential for abuse. More than five decades later, researchers say those categories…

WednesdayJan 21, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — UCLA Gets $7.3M in State Grants to Study Marijuana

$7.3 million from the California Cannabis Control Department (DCC). The funding will support studies that examine medical applications of cannabinoids, potential heart-related risks linked to marijuana consumption, and ways to better understand and respond to California’s illegal cannabis market. Faculty members from multiple UCLA divisions will participate, including researchers from the Fielding School of Public Health, the David Geffen School of Medicine, and the College of Letters and Science. UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Ziva Cooper noted that the awards highlight the university’s growing role in marijuana research. She added that UCLA scientists are studying everything from molecular compounds created…

TuesdayJan 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Survey Finds Americans More Likely to Quit Tobacco, Alcohol Than Cannabis

As the new year begins, many Americans are once again setting personal goals, but a new survey suggests cutting back on cannabis is low on the list compared with other habits. According to recent polling, people are more likely to resolve to drink less alcohol, stop using tobacco, or even spend less time on social media than to scale back cannabis use. The poll questioned 1,003 adults across the United States about the commitments they plan to make for 2026. Participants were presented with 15 possible resolution categories, ranging from health and fitness to lifestyle habits. Reducing cannabis use emerged as the least popular choice among those options. Only 8%…

FridayJan 16, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Trends Impacting the US Marijuana Industry in 2026

As the legal marijuana sector enters another year of adjustment, new data points show an industry still working to find its footing. While some long-standing challenges remain unresolved, recent developments suggest parts of the market may finally be moving toward a more sustainable balance. Tax policy remains one of the most consequential issues for cannabis retailers. For years, Section 280E of the federal tax code has prevented marijuana businesses from deducting ordinary operating expenses, including rent, wages, and compliance costs. This framework has routinely pushed otherwise viable stores into the red. In many established cannabis markets, the tax burden created by 280E has exceeded total net income, effectively eliminating profits…

ThursdayJan 15, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Government-Funded Research Says Cannabis Users are Being Wrongfully Jailed for DUI

Government-funded research is raising serious concerns about how cannabis driving laws are being enforced in the United States. According to a new scientific study, many cannabis users are being arrested, charged, and even jailed for driving under the influence despite showing no real signs of being impaired. The research suggests that current DUI laws related to marijuana are not based on sound science and are unfairly punishing innocent people. In almost 20 U.S. states, lawmakers use what are known as per se or zero-tolerance THC laws. These laws set a fixed amount of THC in the blood that automatically labels a driver…

WednesdayJan 14, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Some Changes Resulting from Marijuana Rescheduling Could Take Time

President Trump’s executive order directing federal agencies to loosen restrictions on marijuana is being welcomed by cannabis businesses and researchers, but experts caution that the practical effects will unfold slowly and unevenly. While the move signals a shift in federal posture, it does not immediately dismantle decades of drug policy. The order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to move marijuana toward Schedule III under federal law, a lower-risk category than its current classification. However, executive action alone does not rewrite the Controlled Substances Act, which has governed drug scheduling since 1970. According to Gillian Schauer, executive director of the Cannabis Regulators Association, rescheduling typically requires a formal rulemaking process or…

TuesdayJan 13, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — UW Scientists Study Health Hazards of Marijuana in Workplaces

Researchers at the University of Washington are taking a close look at the potential health risks for marijuana production workers. A new study from the university’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences is examining whether people employed in cannabis cultivation and processing face health risks on the job, particularly those affecting the lungs. Since recreational and medical marijuana laws began to change across the U.S., cannabis businesses have hired thousands of workers. However, scientists say there is still limited information about the hazards these employees may encounter. Since cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, formal research into working conditions has lagged behind the industry’s growth. Early warning signs…