NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

FridayFeb 06, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New Wisconsin Bill Could Legalize Medical and Recreational Cannabis

Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers recently introduced legislation that would legalize marijuana for both recreational and medical use, renewing a long-running debate as the state continues to lag behind nearby Midwestern neighbors on cannabis policy. Michigan and Illinois already permit recreational cannabis, while Minnesota has moved in the same direction. Wisconsin, by contrast, still treats most marijuana possession as a crime. GOP lawmakers have previously put forward their own marijuana-related proposals, though those plans have focused narrowly on medical use under strict oversight. Meanwhile, Democrats are calling for broader access that includes recreational sales. They argue that their bill reflects shifting national attitudes and recent changes to federal hemp policy, which they…

ThursdayFeb 05, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New Study Design Could Provide Workaround to Existing Research Hurdles

A pilot study conducted in Minnesota is pointing to a possible new way for scientists to study medical marijuana without becoming entangled in federal regulatory hurdles that have long limited clinical research in this area. Researchers worked alongside Minnesota’s state-run medical marijuana program to test whether marijuana could help reduce symptoms in people recently diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. The findings suggest the approach is safe, practical, and acceptable to patients, while also offering early signs that cannabis may provide symptom relief. The study focused on individuals with locally metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a disease often accompanied by intense pain, sleep problems, and loss of appetite. Previous research…

WednesdayFeb 04, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — NRA Joins Cannabis Groups Asking Supreme Court to Lift Gun Ownership Ban

The National Rifle Association has aligned itself with prominent drug policy reform advocates in a high-profile challenge to a federal law that bars cannabis users from owning or purchasing firearms. In a brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, the gun rights group urged justices to strike down the restriction, arguing that it violates the Second Amendment and lacks grounding in American legal history. The case, U.S. vs. Hemani, centers on 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), a statute that makes it illegal for individuals who use controlled substances to possess guns. The NRA’s filing supports a lower court decision that found the provision unconstitutional. Drawing on recent Supreme Court precedent, the group maintains that gun…

TuesdayFeb 03, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Firms Boost Security Measures Amid Increasing Robberies

Cannabis retailers across Michigan are tightening security as robberies and break-ins continue to spike in waves, prompting concern among business owners and law enforcement officials alike. Law enforcement officials say the pattern has become familiar since the state approved recreational marijuana sales in 2018 and the first licensed stores began operating the following year. Steve Hinkley, Calhoun County Sheriff, noted that dispensary burglaries tend to spike suddenly, often involving several locations within a short period, before tapering off for months. According to Hinkley, these episodes have occurred repeatedly over the past several years. Southeast Michigan has seen the highest concentration of incidents. A report from the Detroit Metro Times documented at…

MondayFeb 02, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bill Enabling Recreational Cannabis Sales

Virginia legislators have advanced legislation that would legalize and oversee adult-use marijuana sales in the state. The proposal is one of several drug policy measures being debated during the 2026 legislative session. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Krizek, cleared the House General Laws Committee with a 19–2 vote. The legislation had already advanced through a Senate committee and a House subcommittee last week and will now move to the House Appropriations Committee before potentially reaching the full chamber for consideration. During the committee hearing, Delegate Adele McClure, who chairs the committee, noted that the proposal creates a detailed framework for regulating recreational marijuana in Virginia. She explained…

FridayJan 30, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Lessons That Successful Marijuana Retailers Have Learned

Mike Khemmoro expected the launch of Mango Cannabis’ New Buffalo store in Michigan to follow a familiar playbook. As chief operating officer of the small multistate company, which operates retail locations across four states, he anticipated the usual challenges that come with opening a new dispensary. What he did not expect was a sudden change in state tax policy just days before opening. Michigan’s decision to introduce a 24% wholesale tax starting January 1 forced Khemmoro and his team to rethink their strategy. The market was already crowded with large, established competitors, and prices had been under pressure for years. Opening with limited inventory was not an option, but neither was losing ground on…

ThursdayJan 29, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Links Long-Term Marijuana Use to Superior Mental Performance Among Seniors

Older adults who have used marijuana at some point show stronger cognitive abilities than those who report little or no prior exposure, according to new research published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Using data from a large national cohort in the UK of over 500,000 participants, the team examined the relationship between marijuana use, brain structure, and cognitive function in adults between the ages of 40 and 70. Participants provided detailed information about their lifetime marijuana consumption. They also underwent brain imaging using magnetic resonance imaging and completed standardized tests designed to measure different aspects of thinking and memory. The tests…

WednesdayJan 28, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New Congressional Bill Seeks to Regulate Instead of Banning Hemp

Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced new legislation aimed at setting federal rules for consumable hemp products, providing an alternative to the broad THC prohibition that became law late last year under a spending package signed by President Donald Trump. The measure, known as the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act, was introduced by Reps. Morgan Griffith and Marc Veasey. Its release comes as uncertainty continues to surround the future of the hemp-derived products market. The bill would permit the sale of consumable hemp products to adults aged 21 and over. The legislation reflects revisions made since Griffith circulated an earlier discussion draft last year, following feedback from regulators…

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. …