News

A coalition of hemp businesses that asked Virginia’s governor to veto legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales before she did so this week says the move presents an “opportunity” to craft better cannabis policy. The Cannabis Small Business Association said in a press release on Tuesday that while its members support the idea of creating a “well-regulated adult-use cannabis market,” they were concerned that the now-vetoed bills would have “left Virginia’s existing small hemp operators and family-owned cannabis businesses without a viable path forward.” “The veto is not a . . .

Something significant is happening in the wellness space right now. More people are taking their health seriously, asking harder questions about what they put in their bodies, and looking for plant-based alternatives that feel natural rather than clinical. Hemp products have landed right in the middle of this shift, and in 2026, the demand shows no signs of slowing down. The Wellness Movement Is Changing What People Want A Shift Toward Natural Options Across the board, consumers are moving away from synthetic solutions when natural alternatives exist. This is visible in the growth of herbal . . .

Ordering cannabis online has become a normal part of life for many adults in legal states. It is convenient, fast, and gives you access to a wider selection than many physical stores. But not every online order goes smoothly, especially if you are new to it. Knowing what to look for before you click that order button can save you a lot of frustration. Make Sure It Is Legal Where You Are This one comes first for a reason. Cannabis laws in the United States still vary a great deal from state to state, and even between cities and counties. Before you place any order, confirm that cannabis . . .

The cannabis landscape has changed a lot over the past few years. In 2026, more medical patients than ever are looking beyond traditional options and paying close attention to hemp flower. It is natural, familiar in form, and widely available. For patients who want something closer to the whole plant experience, it has become a very interesting area to explore. What Is Hemp Flower and Why Does It Matter Hemp flower is the raw, dried bud of the hemp plant. It looks and smells very similar to traditional cannabis flower, but it contains only trace amounts of the compounds that cause a strong . . .

CBD has gone from a niche wellness topic to something millions of people talk about openly. And among all the ways to take it, vaping has quietly become one of the most popular choices for daily users. If you have been curious about why so many people are making the switch, this article breaks it down simply and honestly. What Makes CBD Vaping Different It Works Quickly When you swallow a CBD capsule or eat an edible, your body has to digest it first. That takes time. Vaping works differently. When you inhale CBD vapor, it enters your bloodstream through your lungs almost immediately. Most . . .

For many medical cannabis patients, finding a comfortable and effective way to consume their medication matters just as much as the medicine itself. Water pipes have become one of the most popular choices, and it is easy to see why. They offer a cooler, smoother experience compared to other methods, making them especially appealing for patients who want to reduce throat and lung irritation. What Is a Water Pipe and How Does It Work? A water pipe, often called a glass water pipe or filtration pipe, uses water to cool and filter the smoke before it reaches your lungs. When you inhale, the smoke . . .

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Tuesday vetoed a bill to create an adult-use cannabis market after lawmakers rejected her substitute proposal last month. Although she said on the campaign trail that she would sign a cannabis sales proposal, Spanberger’s veto continues a three-year precedent established by her predecessor, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who vetoed two cannabis sales measures back-to-back in 2024 and 2025. The move all but guarantees there will be no further progress on the issue until the next legislative session in 2027. The governor’s veto message claims the . . .

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) on Tuesday appointed the three new members of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), the agency tasked with regulating the state’s adult-use and cannabis industries. The appointments come about a month after Healey signed into law sweeping cannabis industry reforms that reduced the number of CCC commissioners from five to three – all appointed by the governor – and enacted other reforms, including doubling the cannabis purchasing limit from one to two ounces. Gov. Healey named Christopher Harding, Xiomara DeLobato, and Anthony Wilson as Commissioners and . . .

It’s been a while since we wrote a “brass tacks” post on Oregon cannabis licensing. This blog post will cover some FAQs, from the perspective of an attorney who has worked on hundreds of these deals, since the very first licenses were transferred. Is OLCC issuing new marijuana licenses? Yes, but on a “one in and one out” protocol. The only way to acquire a cannabis license in Oregon is to find a willing seller, and enter into a coordinated transaction with that seller and OLCC. This protocol has followed Oregon’s robust secondary market for “naked license” transfers since January 1, 2022, . . .

A lesser known cannabis component known as CBG could represent a novel treatment in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a new study. Researchers at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Israel released preclinical findings from a study examining cannabigerol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, and its potential to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis. While most conventional RA therapies target certain proteins called cytokines, the study authors described using CBG to directly regulate white blood cells, or neutrophils, that can release certain cytokines linked to . . .

Marijuana legalization might be a popular policy issue in recent polls, but most Americans don’t think cannabis itself is “cool,” according to a new survey. In fact, marijuana is considered less cool than things like sourdough bread, country music, math, word games and reading books. The YouGov poll looked at public opinion on the subjective concept of coolness-with findings that might challenge conventional thinking. When it comes to a wide range of commodities and activities, marijuana stood out as a comparatively lame, falling near the bottom of the cool list despite being commonly . . .

High-end joints, doinks, and blunts have become one of the fastest growing categories in cannabis, and few products generate more demand than Hash Holes. Known for premium flower, concentrated hash centers, and a connoisseur-level smoking experience, Hash Holes have traditionally been expensive, difficult to make, and nearly impossible to scale. Until now. RollPros is introducing a new Hash Hole capability for the Blackbird XXL, creating a semi-automated path to producing these premium infused pre-rolls with greater speed and consistency. Using a firmware-based process update, the XXL stages . . .

Cannabis entrepreneurs used to be judged by how quickly they could grow their footprint. They tried to “open more stores, win more shelf space, and scale before the market tightened,” John Yang CEO of retail tech platform Treez said. But things have changed as markets have compressed and capital became harder to find. Cannabis industry benchmarks from Northstar show gross margins for dispensaries in open-license markets have compressed to roughly 38% to 42%, compared to 58 . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Retailers prioritizing profits over footprints . . .

Wanda James, who represents Colorado’s 1st Congressional District on the University of Colorado Board of Regents, is challenging a longtime incumbent in June’s Democratic primary election to represent the district in Congress. “The old politics of caution and careerism does not serve the people,” James’ campaign website declares. And the 61-year-old Navy veteran has a history of shaking things up. Just last July, the Board of Regents voted to censure James over her vocal objections to a Colorado School of Public Health “educational” campaign on supposed risks of “high concentration” cannabis . . .

“Governor Spanberger’s veto is a profound disappointment to the many Virginia voters who believed her when she said on the campaign trail that she supported establishing a regulated adult-use cannabis market. Now, instead of finally taking marijuana out of smoke shops and placing it behind an age-verified counter, Virginia is once again being forced to tolerate another yet year of dangerous illicit market activity in every corner of the Commonwealth.” The post Virginia: Governor Vetoes Legislation Regulating Adult-Use Marijuana Sales appeared first on NORML.

Virginia’s governor has vetoed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales after lawmakers rejected her proposed amendments to the proposal. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) killed the reform bills on Tuesday, days after signing separate legislation to provide resentencing relief for people with past cannabis convictions. “I share the General Assembly’s goal of establishing a safe, legal, and well-regulated cannabis retail marketplace in the Commonwealth,” the governor said. “Virginians deserve a system that replaces the illicit cannabis market with one that prioritizes our children’s . . .

States that legalize medical or recreational marijuana see “significant reductions” in opioid overdoses among adults with employer-sponsored health insurance-indicating that a “substitution” effect may be at play-according to a new federally funded study. While numerous studies have linked state-level legalization to reduced opioid deaths, researchers at the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health said their data is the first of its kind to identify an association between cannabis access and non-fatal opioid poisonings. The study, published in the journal Preventive Medicine . . .

How to travel with weed: practical tips for flying, driving, camping, and hotels, plus what to know about state laws and TSA. The post How to travel with weed: Our essential tips appeared first on Leafly.

The Dispensary, Cultivation, and Manufacturing Edition Hello fellow cannabis business operators and professionals, We know this is a confusing time for cannabis businesses following the Department of Justice’s announcement of a major change in federal cannabis law and the publication of AG Order No. 6754-2026 on April 28, 2026.

The Transatlantic Evolution of Modern Botanical Culture The global conversation surrounding botanical resources has experienced a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Regions that previously maintained strict prohibitionist stances are now witnessing a gradual shift toward open dialogue and progressive research. This evolution is driven by emerging clinical studies and a more informed public demographic. [ . . . ] Source: The Transatlantic Evolution of Modern Botanical Culture from Heady NJ

When people talk about cannabis regulation, the focus usually lands on state laws or big headline court battles. But the real action often happens in quiet municipal hearings, where a handful of local officials decide who gets a permit or faces penalties. These sessions might not grab much attention, yet they’re where rules actually get [ . . . ] Source: The Power of Municipal Hearings Over Cannabis Decisions from Heady NJ

Louisiana lawmakers have voted to send the governor a bill that threatens to send people to jail for up to one year if they smoke marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school property-including a college campus. The legislation from Rep. Gabe Firment (R) was passed by the Senate in a 23-10 vote on Monday after having cleared the Senate last month. It next heads to the desk of Gov. Jeff Landry (R), whose staff previously testified in favor of the measure at a committee hearing. HB 568 applies to people who violate drug laws “while smoking, vaping, or otherwise abusing such controlled dangerous . . .

The NJ Assembly passed a bill that limits towns from stopping medical dispensaries from converting to recreational adult-use dispensary sales and allowing strong intoxicating/infused hemp drinks. The bill A 5051 would curb the great power and autonomy that New Jersey towns have. This is known as Home Rule. This is why many New Jersey dispensaries [ . . . ] Source: NJ Assembly Passes Bill Curbing Town Power v. Rec Dispensaries, OKs Strong Hemp Drinks from Heady NJ

“One of the problems in being first, like Colorado was, into the legalizing of cannabis, is that you have to learn all the unintended consequences and unforeseen outcomes the hard way.” By Christopher Osher, Denver Gazette via ProPublica This story was originally published by ProPublica. A top regulator for Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division acknowledged in a private meeting with industry representatives that the amount of chemically converted hemp being illegally sold as marijuana is far greater than the agency has publicly disclosed. The remarks confirmed testing by The Denver . . .

California officials are making additional reforms to help the state’s marijuana businesses take advantage of federal tax and other benefits under Trump administration’s rescheduling move. Specifically, the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) on Monday proposed emergency regulations to let businesses with current licenses covering both medical and recreational marijuana secure a secondary license through a streamlined process to separate out the segments of their operations in light of the fact that the federal scheduling change currently only covers medical cannabis. Under DCC’s proposal, . . .