NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

ThursdayApr 30, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Sales Record Major Spike on 4/20

Cannabis retailers across the U.S. recorded a notable surge in sales on April 20 (4/20) this year, with particularly strong gains in states that have recently approved legal use. Data released by online ordering company Jane Technologies shows that total sales on April 20 climbed by 46.9% compared to the same date last year. The number of transactions also rose sharply, increasing by 46.6%. The figures reflect activity from stores that were operating in both 2025 and 2026, a method the company used to avoid overstating growth due to newly opened locations. Socrates Rosenfeld, co-founder and chief executive of Jane Technologies, said the yearly spike offers insight…

WednesdayApr 29, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Trucking Industry in Grey Area as Marijuana is Reclassified Federally

A directive signed by Acting AG Todd Blanche on April 22 and put into force the next day shifts two categories of cannabis from Schedule I of the CSA to Schedule III. One includes marijuana-based medications approved by the FDA. The other applies to cannabis produced, distributed, or sold under state-issued medical licenses. The second group carries particular relevance for trucking. It covers legally sanctioned dispensaries where drivers with valid medical authorization can purchase cannabis in most states. However, beyond these categories, little else has shifted. Recreational use remains in Schedule 1. Cannabis outside federal approval or state medical frameworks is still treated the same as before. For drivers, this means recent positive drug tests still…

TuesdayApr 28, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US DOJ Moves Some Marijuana Products to Schedule III

The Justice Department (DOJ) has rescheduled certain marijuana products, signaling a notable policy shift after decades of strict federal control. Acting AG Todd Blanche announced that cannabis products approved by the FDA or authorized under state medical cannabis programs will be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III. This adjustment places them alongside medications such as codeine-based pain relievers, reflecting a lower perceived risk and recognized medical use. Blanche also directed officials to begin a formal review that could lead to broader changes, including the possible reclassification of cannabis in its entirety. A public hearing has been scheduled for June…

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…