NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

FridayJun 26, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Missouri to Start Receiving Cannabis Microbusiness Applications in July

Missouri’s applications for 77 available cannabis licenses will be accepted from July 13 through July 27, with a random drawing set for September 9. Officials expect successful applicants to receive their licenses in December. According to the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, the microbusiness initiative was created to expand access to the legal cannabis market for individuals and groups that have historically faced barriers to participation. The program was established after voters approved recreational marijuana legalization through a constitutional amendment in 2022. As preparations begin for the upcoming application period, the division’s chief equity officer, Lesley Turek, has spent recent weeks traveling across Missouri to explain the process…

ThursdayJun 25, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing Features Only Prohibitionists, Triggering Concern

A forthcoming federal hearing on cannabis policy is facing criticism after the DEA approved participation exclusively from individuals and organizations that have voiced skepticism about marijuana legalization, leaving reform advocates and industry representatives out of the discussion. The hearing, set for June 29 in Virginia, will focus on issues tied to the federal classification of marijuana. The proceedings could influence future decisions affecting cannabis businesses, taxation rules, banking access, and broader regulatory policy across the country. Documents released by the DEA show that seven participants were selected to take part. Each of those approved has previously expressed concerns about legalization or the expansion…

WednesdayJun 24, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Supreme Court Rules That Marijuana Users Can Own Guns

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a broad federal restriction that prevented cannabis users from possessing firearms, marking another significant ruling in the court’s recent series of Second Amendment decisions. In a unanimous judgment, the justices sided with Ali Danial Hemani, a Texas resident who challenged a federal statute that bars people who regularly use illegal drugs from owning guns. Hemani argued that the measure violated constitutional protections for firearm ownership. Writing for the court, Justice Neil Gorsuch said the government cannot automatically treat all cannabis users as dangerous individuals. He noted that Hemani had not been accused of…

TuesdayJun 23, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Virginia to Start Retail Cannabis Sales in July 2027

Virginia leaders have reached an agreement on legislation aimed at establishing a regulated recreational cannabis market across the Commonwealth, a watershed moment in the state’s long-running debate over legal cannabis sales. Under the deal, licensed recreational cannabis sales would begin on July 1 next year. A statewide tax of 6% would take effect when the market launches, increasing to 8% two years later. Cities and counties would also have the option to impose an additional local tax ranging from 1% to 3.5%. Governor Abigail Spanberger said the proposal is designed to reduce illegal cannabis activity while creating opportunities for farmers and small business owners through a regulated and competitive system. …

MondayJun 22, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Massachusetts Marijuana Prohibitionists Survive Lawsuit, Petition Remains

A legal effort to overturn Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis framework cleared a significant hurdle after the state’s highest court upheld the petition process, keeping it on track for a possible appearance on the November 2026 ballot. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court determined on June 12 that state AG Joy Campbell acted within her authority when she certified, in September 2025, a ballot proposal that seeks to dismantle the state’s recreational marijuana system, a market valued at about $1.6 billion and approved by voters in 2016 with 54% support. The campaign, led by the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, cleared the first signature-gathering stage after submitting 74,574 verified signatures in December. Organizers must now collect an additional 12,429…

ThursdayJun 18, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Shows Marijuana Extracts Notably Improve Symptoms of Cancer Patients

A new clinical study indicates that cannabis-derived medicinal extracts may help reduce several symptoms associated with cancer, including difficulty sleeping and anxiety, though patient responses varied considerably depending on which cannabinoid profile worked best for each individual. The study team evaluated oil-based formulations with different proportions of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) using a randomized, placebo-controlled trial that was triple-blinded to reduce bias. Overall results suggest that cannabis oil treatments produced meaningful relief in about half of participants, with improvements most often reported in sleep-related issues and closely connected symptoms. When outcomes were averaged across the study population, no single formulation consistently showed superior performance compared with the others. Among the 89 participants who had…

WednesdayJun 17, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Illinois Governor Signs Law Restricting Sales of Intoxicating Hemp Products

Illinois has enacted new restrictions on intoxicating hemp-derived products, bringing them under rules similar to those governing recreational cannabis sales across the state. Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3222 into law on Friday, establishing a minimum purchase age of 21 for products containing intoxicating hemp compounds. The measure targets products such as HHC, Delta-8 THC, THC-P, and Delta-9 THC, which have largely been sold outside Illinois’ regulated cannabis marketplace. Under the new law, these hemp-derived products will now face many of the same requirements imposed on recreational marijuana, which is already legal for adults aged 21 and older in Illinois. The legislation takes effect immediately, preventing retailers from selling intoxicating hemp products to anyone…

TuesdayJun 16, 2026 4:40 pm

420 with CNW — Missouri’s May Cannabis Sales Notch Record-Setting $135.1m

Missouri’s legal cannabis industry reached a new high in May, recording $135.07 million in sales and reinforcing its position as one of the stronger marijuana markets in the U.S. at a time when growth has stalled in several other states. Figures released by the state’s Missouri Health and Senior Services Department show that recreational cannabis generated $124.24 million during the month, while medical cannabis contributed $10.83 million. The combined total marked the highest monthly revenue ever reported in the state, setting records for overall sales, adult-use purchases, and average daily revenue. Industry data indicates that consumers are paying slightly less…

MondayJun 15, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federal Cannabis Trafficking Cases Dwindle Amid State-Level Legalization

Federal prosecutions tied to marijuana trafficking have dropped to their lowest level on record, reflecting a 95% decline that has unfolded over more than a decade, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The commission’s data shows that fewer than 400 individuals faced federal marijuana trafficking charges in 2025. That marks the smallest annual total ever recorded and highlights the changing landscape of cannabis enforcement across the country. Marijuana-related cases accounted for just 2% of all federal drug trafficking prosecutions during the year. The contrast with earlier years is striking. In 2012, federal courts sentenced close to 7,000 people for offenses involving marijuana trafficking.…

FridayJun 12, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Documents Marijuana’s Protective Effects Against Diabetes

New research from the University of California, Riverside, has shed light on a long-standing question surrounding cannabis use and metabolic health. While marijuana is widely known for stimulating appetite, regular users have frequently been found to have lower body weight and a reduced likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes compared with non-users. For years, population-based studies have suggested that people who use cannabis regularly often display more favorable metabolic indicators than those who do not. This observation has puzzled scientists because cannabis is commonly associated with increased food consumption, often referred to as the “munchies.” The new study examined whether substances naturally present…