NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

FridayMay 29, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Missouri Regulators Prepare Final Marijuana License Lottery

Missouri cannabis regulators are preparing for a statewide outreach effort ahead of the final lottery that will distribute 77 microbusiness marijuana permits, with officials hoping recent policy changes will strengthen oversight and reduce problems that have troubled earlier rounds. Throughout June, Missouri’s marijuana regulatory division chief equity officer Lesley Turek plans to host informational sessions in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Jefferson City along with five virtual events. The meetings are intended to guide prospective applicants through the process, explain eligibility standards and answer questions before submissions begin later this summer. A key focus of the presentations will be new regulations scheduled to take effect at…

ThursdayMay 28, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Massachusetts Officials to Start Conducting Checks on THC Potency Inflation

Massachusetts cannabis regulators are planning to test whether THC levels listed on marijuana products truly reflect what consumers are buying, following a commitment made late last year to tighten oversight of the industry. The state’s Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) said it will begin auditing cannabis items sold in Massachusetts and take enforcement measures if laboratory findings differ significantly from the potency claims printed on packaging. Travis Ahern, the CCC Executive Director, noted that ensuring marijuana products are correctly labeled supports the agency’s responsibility to provide residents with safe, fair, and reliable access to the legal cannabis market. Under the commission’s guidelines, THC content shown on…

WednesdayMay 27, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Spanberger Vetoes Virginia Bills Establishing Marijuana Sales System

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed two measures aimed at launching a legal retail cannabis industry, arguing that the proposals arrived too soon and lacked safeguards needed for a responsible rollout. In her veto message, the governor said Virginia was not yet fully equipped to introduce a commercial system without creating risks tied to regulation, enforcement, and public safety. Spanberger said any future system should place emphasis on public safety, youth protection, product quality, and accountability. She also pointed to lessons from other states, arguing that Virginia must be fully prepared with adequate testing, inspections, and enforcement tools before retail sales begin. The governor…

TuesdayMay 26, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Indiana Officials Await Federal Action on Marijuana

Indiana legislators may soon return to discussions surrounding medical cannabis, though state officials say there is still uncertainty about whether federal action will prompt any immediate changes in state policy. During a meeting on May 11, members of the Indiana Board of Pharmacy examined a federal notice concerning cannabis rescheduling. However, the board did not move forward with any decisions, emphasizing that Indiana would only consider a response once the federal government formally completes the process. As a result, existing cannabis laws in the state remain intact for the time being. Despite the uncertainty, state senator Mike Bohacek has revealed…

FridayMay 22, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — New York Cannabis Social Equity Entrepreneurs Stuck As State Support Underwhelms

When New York legalized recreational marijuana in 2021, it framed the move as a step toward restorative justice, promising an industry that would benefit communities most harmed by prohibition. A central piece of that plan was the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program, designed to give retail licenses to individuals with prior cannabis-related convictions. The idea was that those most impacted by decades of enforcement would be first in line to take part in the legal market. Applicants followed state requirements, completed training, submitted paperwork, and waited through delays while investing personal savings to prepare for opening. Later, the state launched a $200 million Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund through the Dormitory Authority…

ThursdayMay 21, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — DOT Says Marijuana Rescheduling Doesn’t Change Drug Testing Requirements

Commercial drivers and other safety-sensitive transportation workers will remain subject to penalties if they use state-legal medical marijuana, according to updated guidance from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The clarification, issued in a memorandum dated May 26, confirms that federal drug testing rules have not shifted, even after the Department of Justice moved to reclassify state-approved medical marijuana. The memo stresses that cannabis obtained through state medical programs or other non-prescription channels cannot be considered a valid medical justification under federal testing standards. It points to 49 CFR § 40.137(a), which defines what qualifies as a legitimate medical explanation in workplace drug testing. According to…

WednesdayMay 20, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US House Passes Amendment Allowing VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana

The U.S. House has approved a measure that could expand healthcare options for military veterans by allowing physicians within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend medical cannabis in states where it is permitted. The amendment, introduced by Representatives Brian Mast, Dina Titus, and Dave Joyce, cleared the House through a voice vote on Thursday. If it becomes law, the proposal would stop the VA from applying an existing policy that prevents agency doctors from helping veterans enroll in state-approved medical marijuana programs. At present, VA healthcare providers may talk with patients about cannabis use, but they are barred from completing paperwork or formally recommending participation in state medical…

TuesdayMay 19, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia Governor Signs Bill on Cannabis Resentencing

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has approved a sweeping package of legislation passed during the 2026 General Assembly session, signing 25 measures into law that address issues ranging from criminal justice and firearm regulations to workplace rights, election procedures, and energy affordability. The newly enacted laws reflect a broad policy agenda aimed at public safety, economic relief, and government oversight. Among the most closely watched changes are measures revisiting sentences tied to marijuana convictions, restrictions on assault-style weapons, expanded protections for immigrant employees, and new investments in clean energy and utility assistance programs. One of the landmark actions signed by Spanberger…

MondayMay 18, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Georgia Governor Signs Bill Expanding Access to Medical Marijuana

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has approved legislation that broadens access to the state’s medical cannabis program, introducing several changes aimed at expanding treatment options for eligible patients while maintaining restrictions on recreational marijuana. The measure, Senate Bill 220, adds new qualifying medical conditions, revised rules on THC limits, and expanded methods for how patients may use cannabis products. Under the updated law, individuals diagnosed with lupus will now qualify for medical cannabis treatment in Georgia. The move widens eligibility under a system that already permits access for patients coping with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism spectrum disorder,…

FridayMay 15, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Suggests Marijuana Could Boost Weight Loss, Support Metabolic Health

A new preclinical investigation from the University of California, Riverside, is offering fresh insight into a puzzling trend researchers have observed for years: people who regularly use cannabis often show lower body weight and a smaller likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, even though marijuana is widely known to stimulate hunger. Led by Professor Nicholas V. DiPatrizio of the UCR School of Medicine, the research explored why long-term marijuana users frequently show healthier metabolic patterns than non-users, despite the drug’s reputation for triggering cravings and overeating. The study focused on how different cannabis compounds influence body weight and blood sugar…