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North Carolina lawmakers will take a more serious look at legalizing medical marijuana in the state following the Trump administration’s move to reschedule cannabis at the federal level, the state’s top senator says. The North Carolina Senate has passed medical cannabis bills in a number of past sessions that have later stalled out in the House of Representatives. But now that federal marijuana rescheduling is moving forward under a process announced by the U.S. Department of Justice last week, North Carolina’s Senate leader says his members will discuss plans to potentially try to advance . . .

The short answer is: medical cannabis patients in states with medical cannabis laws are now on very different federal footing, but cannabis is not fully legal. The new federal scheduling action recognizes qualifying medical cannabis as medicine and creates new opportunities for patient rights, research, and healthcare integration – but many details still depend on agency guidance, state action, Congress, and the courts.

The short answer is: medical cannabis patients in states with medical cannabis laws are now on very different federal footing, but cannabis is not fully legal. The new federal scheduling action recognizes qualifying medical cannabis as medicine and creates new opportunities for patient rights, research, and healthcare integration – but many details still depend on agency guidance, state action, Congress, and the courts.

Nevada’s ailing cannabiz wants a better relationship with the casinos, the Las Vegas Sun reports. Since the state legalized REC in 2016, the casino industry, which answers to federal financial regulators, has distanced itself from the industry. The industry says that’s part of the problem. The mandatory 1,500 feet between cannabis businesses and casinos keeps tourists away and invites the illegal market in. Ten tears ago, Riana Durrett, who’s now director of . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Newsbrief: Nevada biz seeks thaw with gaming:Report appeared . . .

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) last week signed into law the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act. In a statement, the governor said the “legislation ensures that Missourians know the products sold in their communities are safe, regulated, and kept out of the hands of children.” “For too long, bad actors have exploited loopholes to market intoxicating products – including candy-like gummies or look-alike products – without meaningful oversight or accountability.” – Kehoe, in a press release The bill aligns the state’s definition of hemp with the new federal definition, bringing the regulation . . .

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is disputing recent claims made by a Nova Scotia government official that unlicensed cannabis dispensaries are selling firearms and participating in human trafficking, the Toronto Star reports. During a legislative meeting last month, Minister of L’nu Affairs Leah Martin alleged that during crackdowns on illegal dispensaries run by First Nation members, police found “some that sell guns, some that sell mushrooms, some that sell cocaine, women.” Nova Scotia’s Premier has also previously alleged that fentanyl was discovered in unregulated cannabis, . . .

The Supreme Court of West Virginia is considering a case that could determine whether the odor of cannabis alone is enough to justify a search of a person’s home, West Virginia Watch reports. The court is expected to rule on the appeal of Berkeley County Circuit Court’s ruling that threw out evidence police found in the search of a home after determining the “strong odor” of cannabis. Excluding the evidence prohibited the state of prosecuting a man on drug charges. In 2020, Aaron Lewis was arrested by Martinsburg police officers after coming to his home during a search for a suicidal woman. . . .

Indiana state officials are holding a series of meetings with medical marijuana advocates at the direction of the Republican governor. One day after the Trump administration announced that federal cannabis rescheduling is moving forward, officials from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and other state agencies sat down with Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis and Indiana NORML to discuss potential next steps at the state level. The meetings, activists said, came at the request of Gov. Mike Braun (R). “The governor has reached out to us to meet with other . . .

“Often the best remedy is not in this court. It’s to go down the hall and persuade your state legislator to . . . amend the statutes that you have an issue with.” By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Supreme Court heard a technical appeal Monday in a second case in six months asking the high court to void Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws. Both cases have been brought by former State Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell, a longtime opponent to marijuana, who alleges Nebraska can’t move forward with medical cannabis because of federal laws classifying marijuana as a dangerous drug. Kuehn argues . . .

Welcome to the latest edition of “Last Week In Weed,” catching you up on the latest breaking news and industry developments in the world of cannabis. Here’s what you may have missed over the last week: 242 Pounds of Cannabis Seized From Sri Lankan Monks in Major Bust Authorities in Sri Lanka arrested 22 Buddhist monks at Colombo’s main international airport after discovering more than 242 pounds of cannabis hidden in their luggage, marking one of the largest drug seizures in the country’s history. Officials said the monks, many of them students returning from a sponsored trip to Thailand, . . .

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced that it will begin accepting applications this week for medical marijuana businesses to apply for federal protections being granted under the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling process. The agency’s “Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Portal” is set to go live on Wednesday at 9 AM ET. The move follows last week’s announcement by the Department of Justice that marijuana is being moved from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), in phases. Under an order signed by Acting Attorney General Blanche . . .

Check out this Op-ed by ASA’s Founder, Steph Sherer. Read it here!

Tennessee’s governor has signed a bill to block an automatic review that could have potentially legalized medical marijuana under state law following the federal rescheduling of the drug. Under Tennessee law, federal reclassification of a substance generally triggers an automatic review by the state’s commissioner of health and commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services. But under SB1603, which Gov. Bill Lee (R) approved on Thursday, that will not be the case when it comes to cannabis. “If marijuana is rescheduled or deleted as a controlled substance under federal law, then . . .

The DOJ Final Order on marijuana rescheduling dropped last week. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ordered that “FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana, as well [as] marijuana in any form covered by a state medical marijuana licensing, be placed in Schedule III of the CSA.” The Order went further than many of us anticipated. It also includes a short section on “Tax Implications.” Here is that section, in whole: “The Acting Attorney General further notes that, as a consequence of this rule, state licensees will no longer be subject to the deduction disallowance imposed by Section . . .

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Friday that it awarded priority review vouchers to three psychedelic drugs being developed to treat certain mental health conditions, the Associated Press reports. The drugs include two psilocybin-based drugs manufactured to treat depression, and one psychedelic made using methylone, a similar substance to MDMA, which is designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are not guaranteed to receive approval with the vouchers, but the review period for the drugs should be shortened. “We owe it to our nation’s veterans and . . .

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) has signed a proposal requiring the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to investigate the operational readiness of state and local government agencies to support a medical cannabis program. Tennessee is one of just 10 U.S. states without a comprehensive medical cannabis program. The bill, which lawmakers approved last week and which was signed into law on Friday, gives TACIR until November 1, 2026, to submit its report. “The federal government has realized they’ve been in the way for a long time. I would say within the next two or . . .

“These products are now federally recognized as legitimate medicine . . . Patients and their caregivers are no longer considered criminals under federal law. They have federal rights.” By Steph Sherer, Americans for Safe Access The Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration’s rescheduling of cannabis is more than just validation for the millions of Americans who rely on cannabis medicines. It is a legal platform for the restoration of their federal rights and privileges. In light of the changes announced last week, federal policies limiting access to medical cannabis and federal . . .

The path to cannabis rescheduling hit a new milestone this week when the acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche, signed an order immediately moving FDA-approved cannabis products and state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Later this summer, the Trump administration is expected to convene hearings to determine whether to complete the broader rescheduling of cannabis. So what does this all mean? RELATED: THCA, CBD, and hemp laws: Why the confusion isn’t going away GreenState asked cannabis consumers and industry members what questions they have about the latest . . .

The U.S. Department of Justice took bold action last week by reclassifying FDA-approved marijuana products and state-licensed medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. Officials made the change on Apr. 23 to recognize medical value, ease research barriers and expand patient access while keeping tight controls on illicit trafficking. The Trump administration drove the move, framing it as a step to deliver better treatment options. Cannabis stocks reacted with sharp swings. Akanda Corp (NASDAQ: AKAN) (FRA: Y232) shares exploded more than 200 per cent in one trading session as investors . . .

The Trump administration is moving to federally reschedule marijuana because cannabis reform is “overwhelmingly popular” with voters and because doing so will help people who need access to the drug for medical purposes, the White House press secretary says. “The president hears from a number of people, both inside and outside the administration, and frankly, the American people,” Karoline Leavitt, President Donald Trump’s press secretary said on Friday. “If you do look at the public polling on this issue, it is overwhelmingly popular with the vast majority of Americans.” She added in . . .

In Maryland, firefighters and rescue workers who use medical marijuana could soon be protected from penalization. Senate Bill 439 has passed both chambers and is awaiting Gov. Wes Moore’s signature, veto, or inaction. RELATED: The Army is getting more flexible on weed-here’s what changed SB 439 would amend Maryland’s medical marijuana law by including a provision that firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders employed by the state or local governments could not face employment discrimination or penalization based on lawful medical cannabis use. The passage of . . .

“These drugs honestly have been always illegal, but we brought clarity to the law and we brought reinforcement to the law.” By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (R) on Wednesday formally cleared the way for the state to enforce a law regulating hemp-derived products following the conclusion of litigation challenging an earlier state measure banning the sale of these products. Act 934 of 2025 updated a 2023 law that prohibited the sale and distribution of certain hemp-derived products, such as Delta-8 and THC-O, according to a press release from . . .

“Wisconsin is falling behind. Legalizing marijuana is about fairness, growth, and common sense.” By Benjamin Yount, The Center Square There was lots of pot talk on social media in Wisconsin on Monday. A number of Democrats, including two of the leading candidates for governor, took to X to push for legal marijuana on 4/20. “It’s about time Wisconsin legalizes marijuana. Illinois got $36 million dollars in tax revenue from Wisconsinites in one year – we are giving our neighbors millions every year by not legalizing,” former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said in a post. “Happy 4/20, please enjoy . . .

Webinar: The Future of Medical Cannabis Advocacy April 29, 2026, at 8:00 pm – 9 pm The federal government has recognized cannabis as medicine! The next phase of advocacy starts NOW. Join Americans for Safe Access for a timely webinar breaking down the new federal cannabis laws, expected challenges, what they mean for medical cannabis patients, and what is next for patient advocates! LEARN MORE…

Table of Contents Why 280E raised the bar on every campaign Where policy becomes operating leverage What this does not fix By Jon Lowen, co‑CEO of Surfside This month’s Schedule III action is a margin story before it is a marketing story. The Department of Justice is moving FDA-approved marijuana products and medical cannabis products regulated under qualifying state licenses into Schedule III, and it has opened a hearing process on June 29, 2026 to consider broader rescheduling. That should not be mistaken for full federal legalization. It also does not remove the structural regulatory . . .