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The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is seeking to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s upcoming administrative hearing regarding the broad rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The hearing, set for June 29, will consider the 2023 recommendation by the Department of Health and Human Services to reclassify cannabis broadly under the CSA and is separate from the recent decision by the federal government to move medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. NORML is seeking . . .

The United Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW) union is joining Democratic lawmakers in their request that President Donald Trump (R) pardon everyone in prison for all non-violent cannabis crimes. Last week, 28 Democratic lawmakers, along with independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), sent a letter to Trump and his pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson seeking the relief, noting that data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission estimates that there are about 3,000 people federally incarcerated for cannabis trafficking offenses, and some hundreds or thousands more serving . . .

A former notary for Nebraska petitions to legalize medical cannabis in 2024 is appealing his criminal convictions related to improper notarizations, the Nebraska Examiner reports. Jacy C. Todd was found guilty in February of 23 counts of “official misconduct” – each a Class II misdemeanor – and one count of making a false statement under oath. Todd was sentenced to a $2,866.44 fine, but no jail time. Todd and his attorney, Mark Porto, on May 11 filed a notice of intent to appeal the convictions and sentence. Todd was found to have improperly notarized petitions related to the campaign . . .

Litigious retailer Catalyst has filed another lawsuit against the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) on top of the one it is already waging against the agency. The ongoing lawsuit, originally filed in 2023 by a Catalyst affiliate, involves an interpretation of how the state excise tax should be applied. Catalyst argues it should only apply to cannabis and not cannabis accessories as long as they appear separately on the receipt. In . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post SCOOP: Catalyst sues Calif. tax agency, again appeared first on . . .

Three Republican state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit challenging the federal cannabis rescheduling action announced by President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice last month. The filing from the attorneys general of Indiana, Nebraska and Louisiana claims that they will “show that this agency action fails to comport with the requirements” of federal law, “was improperly promulgated and was otherwise procedurally improper,” “exceeds or is inconsistent with pertinent authority” and “ultimately, that this agency action is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not in . . .

As the U.S. cannabis industry matures, one phrase is everywhere from dispensary menus to online listings: top shelf. But what does “top-shelf cannabis” mean? For experienced consumers, it’s more than a label. It’s a combination of genetics, cultivation, processing, and overall experience. And as the market becomes more competitive, understanding what defines true quality is [ . . . ] Source: Top-Shelf Cannabis: What Defines Quality in Today’s Market from Heady NJ

CBD products have become a popular option for people seeking wellness support, stress management, recovery assistance, and better sleep who don’t want to get high via THC. THC is what gets you high in weed. This is a difficult issue for people who undergo workplace drug testing, compete in sports, or simply prefer to avoid [ . . . ] Source: How to Choose CBD Products with Lower THC from Heady NJ

When you have allegations of drug crimes against you, it is necessary to understand the legal system and what you need to do. Getting arrested for a drug crime can make you feel like your entire life seems to have changed. The hours and days following an arrest for possession, distribution, or a more serious [ . . . ] Source: What Should You Do If You’re Facing Drug Crime Charges? from Heady NJ

Bipartisan congressional lawmakers say they’re working to codify into law an executive order President Donald Trump issued to streamline research and access into psychedelic medicine. Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI)-co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus-both recently spoke about the need to enact into law provisions to protect the intent of the executive action to ensure ongoing support for psychedelics research for military veterans and people with certain mental health conditions even under future president’s. During an interview with . . .

What You Need to Know to Exercise Your Rights Under the New Cannabis Laws On April 28, 2026, federal cannabis policy changed.

When it comes to Europe’s emerging legal cannabis industry, Germany continues to stand alone as the undisputed continental leader. Germany launched legal medical cannabis sales through the nation’s pharmacies in 2017, and since that time, the nation’s legal market has increased exponentially in size and market value. One of the best ways to help quantify how large Germany’s legal medical cannabis industry has become is to look at medical cannabis import totals. In addition to domestic medical cannabis production, Germany’s legal cannabis industry imports a considerable number of products from . . .

“I’m proud to continue contributing to the growth and success of Rhode Island and its cannabis industry.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant Gov. Dan McKee (D) has nominated the state’s top cannabis administrator to chair the panel that oversees Rhode Island’s cannabis industry, which has now been without a leader for over seven months. McKee on Tuesday nominated Michelle Reddish to the Cannabis Control Commission seat left vacant last October after then-Chairperson Kim Ahern resigned to pursue a run for state attorney general. Reddish has served as administrator of the Rhode Island . . .

Hemp farmers and industry advocates will have a challenging time stopping the planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products that’s scheduled to take effect later this year, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) says. But, he added, it will be easier to pass legislation on the issue next year when Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who led the push for the new ban, will likely be replaced by another Republican senator who supports keeping the crop’s derivates legal. “I think the way Congress handled it and treated the hemp industry was really unfair,” Cruz said during a Zoom meeting with members of the . . .

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced Tuesday that the agency still has approximately $5 million in funding available for licensed cannabis businesses via the Cannabis Business Development (CBD) Grant Program. The funding is available in the form of $75,000 reimbursements to help eligible cannabis manufacturers, cultivators, retailers, and testing laboratories. The one-time refund on business expenses is meant to help “alleviate” the costs of maintaining compliance with state and local laws for early-stage cannabis companies. NJEDA said it has already disbursed $5 . . .

Illinois state lawmakers could pass major cannabis and hemp policy changes during the last few days of this year’s legislative session, WAND reports. The proposals, HB 5784 and SB 20, seek to regulate hemp-derived CBD products and establish the Illinois medical and adult-use cannabis industries. Co-sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D), the legislation would create a regulatory framework for non-intoxicating, hemp-derived CBD products ahead of the federal pivot coming this November on hemp-derived THC. The legislation also seeks to enact multiple cannabis . . .

A recent poll showed that most Virginia voters disagree with Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) veto of legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales-but the disappointment in the move extends to members of her own family, the governor says. “I know a lot of people are not pleased with that veto,” she said in an interview with actor and content creator Tevin Davis that was posted on Monday. “Friends and family are displeased as well.” “I do think it’s an obligation to get it right, and I can’t overstate the fact that I was really dug in on the details on this bill-and it’s all about making . . .

A newly released poll from the Pew Research Center found that “the vast majority of Americans” support legalizing marijuana in some form-with an accompanying analysis finding that backing for the reform “has increased dramatically in recent decades.” The survey results, published on Tuesday, show that 55 percent of U.S. adults support legalizing cannabis for both recreational and medical use, and that another 33 percent say it should be legal for medical use only. A small minority of only 11 percent of Americans say marijuana should remain illegal across the board. There is majority support . . .

The California Department of Cannabis Control and co-defendants have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by several non-profits. The suit alleges that legalization has failed to deliver promised tax dollars to non-profits and that the regulator has failed to protect young people from cannabis products. The complaint, filed in SF Court in April is not available online. But an April article in Capitol Weekly by plaintiff Youth Forward executive director Jim Keddy says . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Newsbrief: Calif. regulator seeks dismissal of . . .

Listen, you need to relax. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are, or what you’re doing; you are guaranteed to be carrying around a little bit of extra stress that’s only weighing you down, and our selections for the most relaxing weed strains are one of the best ways to lighten your load. [ . . . ] The post The most relaxing weed strains appeared first on Leafly.

Marc Rodriguez, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Leaf Business Solutions, has spent over a decade guiding cannabis operators through these critical but often overlooked areas. With a background in corporate sales and workforce solutions, Rodriguez recognized early on that the cannabis industry’s unique payroll and HR challenges required more than a plug-and-play approach. They needed a dedicated partner. Today, Green Leaf stands at the forefront of cannabis workforce infrastructure, offering tech-enabled HR and payroll solutions built to navigate the intricacies of banking limitations, tax . . .

For years, the risks in growing cannabis were tied to what happened inside the grow: genetics, pests, environmental control. But today, the biggest decisions happen before your first plant even goes in the ground-especially if you’re managing a commercial operation or planning to scale. From inefficient facility layouts to misaligned systems and delayed equipment, early-stage decisions can quietly determine whether your operation runs smoothly, or struggles to reach its full potential. GrowGeneration, the nation’s leading specialty distributor for controlled environment agriculture (CEA), . . .

When legal cannabis markets first opened, the industry celebrated availability. Getting product to consumers safely and legally was the mission, and for a long time, that was enough. Hardware was an afterthought. A cart was a cart. A battery was a battery. That era is over. In California, the largest legal market in the world, vapes outsold flower for the first time in July 2025. In 2021, flower outsold vapes in that state by nearly two to one. According to data from the California Department of Cannabis Control, vape sales hit $124.4 million in December 2025 compared to $107.6 million for . . .

Advocacy organizations on both sides of the marijuana legalization debate have filed notices of intent to participate in a hearing on broad federal rescheduling of cannabis that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is set to begin next month. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche last month issued an order that immediately reclassified state-licensed medical cannabis, as well as marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III. Under a separate order the acting attorning general signed, DEA will . . .

NORML argues that the hearing record will be incomplete unless it includes the perspective of adult cannabis consumers – the constituency NORML has represented for more than fifty years. The post NORML Seeks Seat at DEA Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing, Says Consumers Must Be Represented appeared first on NORML.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching a new trial on whether MDMA-assisted therapy can help military veterans who are struggling with severe mental health disorders, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The study will involve approximately 80 veterans and will compare outcomes between those who take MDMA and undergo psychotherapy and those in a control group who receive identical psychotherapy without the drug. “We need an all-of-the-above strategy when it comes to improving mental health treatments, and under President Trump, that’s exactly what VA is working to . . .