NewsRoom Articles - CannabisNewsWire

WednesdayApr 15, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Alabama to Finally Launch its Medical Marijuana Program

Alabama is preparing to roll out its long-awaited medical cannabis program, with the first dispensary set to open in the state capital next month. Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery is scheduled to begin serving patients on May 4, marking a milestone for a system that has faced repeated setbacks. The shop is the first of nine dispensaries expected to be operating by the summer, according to updates shared during an April 9 meeting of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Commission Chair Dr. Sam Blakemore said progress is ongoing but not yet complete. One additional license remains tied up, delaying the full rollout. He expressed hope that all 12 approved…

TuesdayApr 14, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Federally Funded Research Reports Breakthrough in Marijuana Breathalyzer Development

A newly published study points to a possible step forward in efforts to create a cannabis breathalyzer, offering early evidence that a compact and affordable device could detect recent cannabis use without requiring laboratory testing. The research, led by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Emanuele Alves, focuses on addressing a long-standing gap in roadside testing. While alcohol impairment can be measured quickly with breath-based tools, law enforcement has lacked an equivalent method for THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. As legalization expands across multiple states, the demand for fast and dependable roadside screening methods has grown more urgent. The team experimented with cartridges produced through…

MondayApr 13, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — California Firms Say Consumers Aren’t Interested in Low-THC Beverages

Low-dose THC drinks may be gaining shelf space in bars and retail chains, but they are not resonating with marijuana shoppers in California, according to industry representatives. Data shared with state legislators shows a clear preference among consumers for stronger products. Beverages containing over 10 milligrams of THC make up over 93 percent of yearly sales in the state’s cannabis drink segment. The figures were presented in a letter from a coalition of licensed operators and advocacy organizations seeking to influence pending legislation. In California, hemp-derived THC drinks, commonly found in national outlets such as Total Wine & Spirits and…

FridayApr 10, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Pennsylvania is Handing Revenue to Neighboring States as Marijuana Legalization Stalls

On a cold Friday afternoon near the New York–Pennsylvania border, cars begin to line up outside Organic Blooms, a recreational cannabis shop that has quickly become a regional draw. Vehicles with New York plates share space with those from Pennsylvania, a sign of a growing cross-border market fueled by differing state laws. Organic Blooms opened in September 2025, and nearly half its business comes from customers crossing state lines, particularly from Ohio and Pennsylvania. While Ohio legalized recreational cannabis following a 2023 ballot vote and launched retail sales the following year, Pennsylvania remains one of the few states in the region without a similar law. Advocates for legalization argue that this…

ThursdayApr 09, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Advisory Council Recommends Marijuana Legalization in North Carolina

A state-appointed advisory panel is urging North Carolina legislators to move toward legalizing cannabis under a controlled system that would permit adult sales. The group argues that regulation would improve public safety and generate significant revenue for the state. While cannabis remains prohibited under federal law, most states have adopted some form of legalization. North Carolina stands among a shrinking number of states that have not approved either recreational or medical cannabis programs. According to the newly released advisory council report, residents are already spending billions of dollars on illicit marijuana. At the same time, a growing market of loosely regulated cannabis-derived products continues to expand, often operating outside meaningful…

WednesdayApr 08, 2026 4:00 pm

420 with CNW — Colorado Governor Enacts Bill Allowing MMJ Use in Hospitals

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has approved new legislation allowing patients with terminal illnesses to access medical cannabis while receiving care in hospitals and similar facilities. While supporting the bill, Polis raised concerns that revisions may have moved it away from its original intent. Speaking during the bill signing, Polis highlighted the state’s history of recognizing the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. He noted that many patients nearing the end of life depend on cannabis to ease symptoms such as chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, and loss of appetite. For some, he said, it can mean remaining conscious and connected with loved ones rather than being heavily medicated in their last days. However,…

TuesdayApr 07, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — US DOJ Turmoil Unlikely to Derail Cannabis Rescheduling

The abrupt dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi by President Donald Trump is unlikely to significantly alter the trajectory of cannabis rescheduling efforts, according to several individuals familiar with the situation. Industry observers say the underlying dynamics remain unchanged, regardless of whether the Department of Justice is temporarily led by Todd Blanche or eventually by Lee Zeldin, who is widely viewed as the president’s preferred long-term appointee. Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to reclassify cannabis, and sources indicate that efforts within the DOJ are already progressing. One person close to the process suggested that movement could come within the next one to two months. Still, questions remain about what happens after a…

MondayApr 06, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Fresh Lawsuit Filed Challenging Michigan’s New Cannabis Tax

Michigan’s legal cannabis sector has launched a second legal challenge against a recently implemented 24% wholesale tax. According to the lawsuit, the levy, which took effect at the start of the year, pushes the overall tax burden on marijuana beyond limits established in the state constitution. Rose Tantraphol, speaking on behalf of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, said the system effectively layers one tax on top of another. She explained that the wholesale levy operates similarly to a sales tax, meaning it is applied before the standard 6% retail tax. As a result, customers end up paying tax on top of an already taxed product, a practice commonly referred to as tax pyramiding. The contested levy also…

ThursdayApr 02, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — How Educational Institutions Are Embracing Legal Marijuana

As the cannabis sector continues to expand, universities and colleges across the U.S. are adjusting their academic offerings to keep pace with a growing need for trained professionals. The industry currently supports an estimated 425,000 full-time positions nationwide. This has prompted higher education institutions to introduce targeted programs that prepare graduates for roles in medical use, product innovation, regulatory compliance, cultivation, and retail operations. Cannabis-focused education is no longer limited to a handful of schools. Instead, a wide network of institutions now offers courses and certifications designed to align with the demands of this evolving field. A major contributor to…

WednesdayApr 01, 2026 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Governor Vetoes Mississippi Bills Granting Expanded Access to Medical Marijuana

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has vetoed two measures aimed at broadening access to medical cannabis, even as he approved a separate measure to advance research into a psychedelic drug with potential therapeutic uses. One of the vetoed proposals, HB 1152 (Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act), sought to expand eligibility for patients who do not currently meet the state’s strict list of qualifying conditions. The bill would have allowed physicians to petition the state Health Department on behalf of individuals suffering from serious or life-threatening illnesses. Under the plan, the state health officer would have had authority to approve or…