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Contributed by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. – Learn all about growing industrial hemp for grain and fiber at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Industrial Hemp Farmer Informational Event. Industry leaders and experts will offer the latest information at the event set for 6 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Gower Translational Research Center, 1785 University Press Drive in Carbondale. There is no cost to attend but participants are asked to pre-register online. Comprehensive program The event begins with networking and then presentations run from 6:15-8 p.m. About an hour afterward is reserved . . .

New York liquor and wine stores would be able to obtain a permit to sell low-dose cannabis-infused drinks at their businesses under a newly introduced pair of bills. Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D) and Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. (D) filed companion versions of the legislation in their respective chambers this past week, with the intent being to build upon the state’s maturing cannabis market. That market “continues to evolve, and consumer demand for low-dose, beverage-based cannabis products has increased significantly,” a justification memo attached to the proposal says. “These products are . . .

Texas voters who go to the polls for the primary election that’s currently underway have the opportunity to weigh in on whether marijuana should be legalized in the state-at least if they select a Democratic ballot. As part of the March 3 election for which early voting has already started, each major party was able to place several non-binding propositions on the ballot that allow voters show how they feel on key issues. The Texas Democratic Party is using one of its propositions to find out where the electorate stands on legalizing cannabis and whether past convictions should be expunged. . . .

Table of Contents Regional Performance Highlights Market Segmentation Top Market Trends Recent Company Developments The Cannabis Extract Market is undergoing a structural transformation as regulatory liberalization, clinical validation, and consumer awareness accelerate global adoption. According to industry analysis, the market is valued at USD 5.99 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 36.17 billion by 2035, expanding at a compelling CAGR of 19.7% between 2026 and 2035. This trajectory reflects not only increased legalization but also expanding therapeutic applications, product . . .

Hawaii senators have approved a bill to legalize low-dose and low-potency marijuana, even as their counterparts in the House of Representatives say cannabis prohibition will not be ended in the state this year. Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced the measure-SB 3275 from Sen. Joy San Buenaventura (D)- on Wednesday after holding a hearing on the proposal a day earlier. The legislation would allow adults 21 and older to legally possess and use certain amounts of low-dose and low-THC cannabis for personal use, with products limited to a maximum of 5 milligrams of . . .

Curaleaf Announces Closing of $500 Million Private Placement of 11.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2029 STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) (“Curaleaf” or the “Company”), a leading international provider of consumer cannabis products, today announced that it has closed the previously announced private placement (the “Offering”) of [ . . . ]

The U.S. Justice Department is again defending the federal law prohibiting people who use marijuana from owning or possessing firearms-in part by drawing a contrast between those affiliated with gangs and a hypothetical “frail and elderly grandmother” who uses medical cannabis. In a brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit last week, attorneys for DOJ said judges should uphold the earlier denial of a motion to dismiss the case, U.S. vs. Baxter, where the defendant was convicted of violating a statute known as Section 922(g)(3). As in multiple related cannabis and gun . . .

A common argument from anti-cannabis advocates is that legalization could lead to more minors using the plant. While news reports about youths becoming sick after consuming THC-infused gummies continue to circulate, cases are still relatively rare. Data shows that teen marijuana use continues to decline, even as more states legalize-and a new study adds to the evidence. RELATED: Cannabis and memory loss? The data may surprise you The findings, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, show cannabis use among adolescents has steadily declined since peaking in 1999. Researchers analyzed . . .

You’re reading this week’s edition of the New Cannabis Ventures weekly newsletter, which we have been publishing since October 2015. The newsletter includes unique insight to help our readers stay ahead of the curve as well as links to the week’s most important news. We no longer send these by email as we did in [ . . . ]

Cannabis sales revenues in Illinois declined 13% last year to $1.5 billion, according to state data outlined by the Chicago Tribune. Despite the revenue slump, the number of cannabis items sold in the state spiked to 58 million in 2024, which reflects lower overall prices. When adult-use cannabis sales launched in the state in 2020, the average price per ounce of flower was more than $400; by the end of last year, the average price was about $167, the report says. In 2025, Michigan’s cannabis market experienced a similar trend with retailers selling 260,000 more pounds of cannabis in . . .

Nebraska is not listed among states protected from federal cannabis law enforcement in the national update published last month, the Nebraska Examiner reports. Since 2014, Congress has passed a provision which prevents the U.S. Department of Justice and other agencies from using federal funds to interfere with state medical cannabis programs but, despite Nebraskans approving the reforms in 2024, the state is not listed among those protected from federal enforcement. Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which led the 2024 ballot measures, told the Examiner . . .

A study published this month in the journal Addictive Behaviors found a decrease in cannabis consumption among adolescents from 1999 to 2023, with 30.1% of teens reporting ever using cannabis during 2023. The researchers from the University of Connecticut used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which analyzed more than 254,000 high schoolers from 1991 to 2023. The researchers found that cannabis consumption among teens peaked in 1999 at 47.3%. In 1999 early-age cannabis use was measured by the CDC at 11.5% but fell to 6.5% in 2023. . . .

In November voters in Massachusetts may have the chance to make it the first state to repeal REC legalization. In the meantime, regulators are contemplating a moratorium on new growing licenses. Axios Boston reports the state Cannabis Control Commission plans to hold a public hearing on the issue, though hasn’t yet set a date. “I think the industry would breathe . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Newsbrief: Mass. considers freezing grow license count appeared first on WeedWeek.

Hawaii lawmakers have approved a bill to allow patients to immediately access medical cannabis once their registrations are submitted, instead of having to wait until their cards are delivered as is the case under current law. At a joint hearing of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee on Wednesday, members approved the legislation from Sen. Angus McKelvey (D), with an amendment lowering the one-time purchase limit to one ounce of cannabis instead of the two ounces that would have been covered by the measure as introduced. Sen. Joy San . . .

“It’s clear there were some significant issues with how license applications were evaluated and scored that cast a shadow over the program.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released a scathing report Wednesday on the state’s marijuana program, concluding that missteps in the 2019 licensing process triggered costly litigation and raised persistent questions about whether licenses were awarded fairly. The nearly three-year audit of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation alleges “perceived and actual deficiencies” in the application scoring . . .

In the center of New Brunswick is Jester’s Joint, a dispensary that blends right into the Rutgers University community and offers students 21 and older legitimate options for legal adult-use cannabis. When you walk in, you immediately notice the calm, clean atmosphere. Colorful displays are around. Plus, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The [ . . . ] Source: Jester’s Joint Dispensary by Rutgers University in New Brunswick Offers Students Legit Options from Heady NJ

“It’s a small step. At least it’s not a step backwards.” By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner A legislative committee unanimously advanced small tweaks Tuesday to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, presenting a unified front that was a first for legislation on the topic. The eight-member General Affairs Committee voted to advance an amended version of its Legislative Bill 1235. The amended bill would be three pages, down from 28, and would give the group’s five commissioners a salary of $12,500, create a state cash account to help fund commission work, allow the commission to charge . . .

Arizona lawmakers are considering at a pair of measures that would make the act of creating “excessive” amounts of marijuana smoke a nuisance crime punishable by jail time, even if the person is using cannabis in compliance with state law in their own homes. Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R) is sponsoring the two proposals-one that would amend state statute legislatively that would put the issue before voters at the ballot. Members of the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee are set to consider the proposals this week. The lawmaker said he decided to push the issue due to the smell of marijuana in . . .

Molly Ann Farms dispensary in Haledon in Passaic County highlighted the need for cannabis homegrow legalization at their 3rd* CannUnity Culture Collective Stash Drop. At their Stash Drops, the first 100 local residents purchased curated cannabis bags for $1 with proceeds supporting The Last Prisoner Project nonprofit. So, a long line formed outside the dispensary [ . . . ] Source: Molly Ann Farms Dispensary Highlights Home Grow Need During CannaUnity Stash Drop from Heady NJ

The shift to digital medical cannabis cards will “enhance convenience for patients and caregivers,” the state health secretary said. By John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota medical marijuana cards will soon be primarily digital. The cannabis card news came Tuesday at the Capitol during a meeting of the House of Representatives’s Health and Human Services Committee. Rep. Josephine Garcia, R-Watertown, had planned to testify on her bill to create digital cards, but instead sat down before the committee and asked its members to table it. Garcia is the chairwoman of the state’s . . .

The Virginia House and Senate have each passed competing versions of a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis sales in the commonwealth, Foaley Hoag reports. House lawmakers passed HB 642 by a 65-32 vote on Tuesday morning, and the Senate narrowly passed SB 542 by a 21-19 vote several hours later. The largely similar proposals would establish licenses for cannabis cultivators, retailers, manufacturers, microbusinesses, testing facilities, and transportation services. The licenses would be awarded by lottery and the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority would be designated the industry’s prime . . .

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission voted on Thursday to schedule a public hearing to hear feedback regarding a potential freeze on new cannabis cultivation licenses and a temporary moratorium on adding canopy space for existing growers, the State House News Service reports. At the hearing, testifiers could discuss the potential changes and licensing freeze, as well as the potential freezing of other cannabis industry licenses, as commissioners seek a plan to bolster current cannabis operations in the state. There are 686 licensed cannabis cultivators in Massachusetts, more than . . .

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has missed a congressionally mandated deadline to publish a list of known cannabinoids as federal hemp laws are set to change later this year in a way that stakeholders argue will upend the existing market. As part of appropriations legislation that President Donald Trump signed last year, many hemp products that were legalized during his first term in office under the 2018 Farm Bill will be prohibited once again starting in November. The spending measure included separate provisions, however, to have FDA and other relevant agencies study the cannabinoid . . .

Local officials in Pennsylvania’s second most populous city are calling on state lawmakers and the governor to urgently agree on a plan to legalize marijuana this year. The Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution noting that despite legalization being enacted in surrounding states and the Trump administration’s “historic” move to federally reschedule marijuana, “Pennsylvania continues to treat cannabis possession as a criminal offense in many circumstances, resulting in ongoing arrests, prosecutions, and incarceration that disproportionately impact communities of color and . . .

Organigram Announces Proposed Acquisition of Sanity Group, a Leading German Cannabis Company Accretive Acquisition of Sanity Group Establishes Organigram as a Global Pure Play Cannabis Company with Leadership Positions in the World’s Two Largest Federally Legal Cannabis Markets Organigram to acquire Sanity Group for up-front consideration of €113.4 million plus a maximum earnout of up [ . . . ]