News

  • Strain Review: Blueberry Tahoe AKA Blueberry Tahoe OG
    by Cannabis Now on May 15, 2026 at 6:47 pm

    This particular hybrid crossbreed of Blueberry and an OG clone from Lake Tahoe became highly desired quickly after hitting the shelf. The pungent Diesel-like fragrance from the enormous dense clusters of resin glands resembles that of the pure OG Kush but with a distinctive sweet overtone. Whoever cloned this plant and preserved these unique wonderful genetics had true cannabis wisdom. Sometimes certain strains are elite in nature due to their high THC content, ability to yield an abundant quality product, or because of their exotic and unique aromas and terpenes. Blueberry genetics have been . . .

  • Emerald, Owner of MJBizCon, Goes Private Equity
    by Paul McKay on May 15, 2026 at 4:42 pm

    The cannabis industry has always depended on proximity. Long before legal operators mastered SEO or built sleek Shopify storefronts, the business of cannabis moved through handshakes and whispered introductions. Suffice to say, cannabis became a part of the cultural zeitgeist well before it became an asset. Now, Wall Street wants in on the infrastructure of that culture. This week, Apollo Global Management announced plans to acquire Emerald Holding and Questex, combining the two event and media companies into what it described as a “leading North American B2B experiential events and media . . .

  • Phillipsburg’s Newest Cannabis Destination, Broad Street Buds, Celebrates Grand Opening May 16
    by Heady NJ Staff on May 15, 2026 at 3:10 pm

    New Jersey cannabis consumers have a new reason to celebrate as Broad Street Buds officially opens its doors in Phillipsburg with a Grand Opening celebration on May 16th from 12 PM to 6 PM. It’s designed to be more than just a dispensary. So Broad Street Buds is bringing together premium cannabis products, modern convenience, [ . . . ] Source: Phillipsburg’s Newest Cannabis Destination, Broad Street Buds, Celebrates Grand Opening May 16 from Heady NJ

  • GOP Congressman Says His Hemp Regulation Bill Faces Opposition From Alcohol, Marijuana And Prohibitionist Groups
    by Tom Angell on May 15, 2026 at 2:51 pm

    A Republican congressman who plans to imminently file legislation to federally regulate hemp-derived products in place of a ban that’s currently scheduled to go into effect later this year says the plan faces opposition from a coalition of strange bedfellows that includes sectors of the alcohol industry, marijuana businesses and cannabis legalization opponents. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) said during a Zoom meeting with members of the group Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA) on Thursday that his bill will create “a regulatory and tax framework” that “would provide a lifeline and a . . . durable . . .

  • Bill OKing Big Hemp Bottles, Rec Sales in Medical Dispensary Only Towns Passes Committees
    by Dan Ulloa on May 15, 2026 at 2:50 pm

    A new bill that allows large intoxicating/infused hemp drink bottles and stops pro-medical cannabis towns from preventing adult-use sales passed the NJ Assembly Appropriations and Oversight Committees the same day. Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-18) and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-20-Union) are sponsoring A 5051. NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union) is sponsoring it in the Senate [ . . . ] Source: Bill OKing Big Hemp Bottles, Rec Sales in Medical Dispensary Only Towns Passes Committees from Heady NJ

  • Virginia: Governor Signs Bills Into Law Providing for Marijuana Resentencing Relief
    by NORML on May 15, 2026 at 2:39 pm

    “After years of similar efforts being blocked under the previous administration, Virginia now has a process to revisit cannabis sentences that no longer reflect current law; families who have been waiting will finally have a path home.” The post Virginia: Governor Signs Bills Into Law Providing for Marijuana Resentencing Relief appeared first on NORML.

  • New Study Suggests Cannabis May Help Treat Obesity
    by Graham Abbott on May 15, 2026 at 2:25 pm

    A study published this week by researchers from the University of California, Riverside, determined that cannabis can help treat obesity and diabetes, SFGATE reports. The researchers found that when given a concentrated cannabis oil, obese mice lost weight and saw benefits to their metabolic functions. UC Riverside professor Nicholas DiPatrizio, the study’s lead author, told SFGATE that the research could lead to new diet therapies. “We can develop molecules that can be cannabis based, isolate them and maybe even do better than nature. We are just at the beginning,” DiPatrizio told SFGATE. . . .

  • Georgia Gov. Signs Medical Cannabis Program Updates Into Law
    by Graham Abbott on May 15, 2026 at 2:24 pm

    Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on Tuesday signed into law the bipartisan medical cannabis expansion bill passed by state lawmakers in March, FOX5 Atlanta reports. The new law eliminates the state’s 5% THC cap on cannabis products and adds new qualifying conditions, including lupus and autism. The law also adds THC-infused gummies and cannabis flower – for vaping purposes only – to the program, changing the term to describe the products that are available to patients from “low THC oil” to “medical cannabis.” Instead of a THC percentage cap, products will now be allowed to contain up to 12,000 . . .

  • CBD Holds Potential As An ‘Anticancer Agent’ For Dogs, New Scientific Review Concludes
    by Tom Angell on May 15, 2026 at 1:05 pm

    Studies “consistently show” that the non-intoxicating marijuana component CBD is a potential “anticancer agent across different cancer types”-and that effect applies to dogs as well as humans, according to a new systemic review of the scientific literature. Numerous studies have investigated how cannabis and its constituents may impact the symptoms and progression of cancer. The new paper published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science examined that preclinical research, which generally indicates that CBD may “inhibit cell proliferation and migration, while inducing apoptosis in . . .

  • Fetterman Praises Trump’s Marijuana And Psychedelics Reform Moves
    by Tom Angell on May 15, 2026 at 11:48 am

    Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is giving some across-the-aisle credit to President Donald Trump for his administration’s moves to federally reschedule marijuana and accelerate therapeutic access to psychedelics. “I think we could all agree [on] everything that President Trump has done about liberalizing marijuana and psychedelics and now too,” Fetterman said in an interview published by Reason on Wednesday. “I really am very, very libertarian in a lot of ways and for those circumstances,” the senator said. “If you check my record, I’ve been for legal weed for forever in that. Politically, that . . .

  • Instagram “extorted” weed CEO to restore account – Newsletter 5/15/26
    by Week_admin on May 15, 2026 at 6:06 am

    THE BIG IDEA Hi all, So much news in today’s newsletter! And don’t miss the latest WeedWeek Wonks with CEOs Brett Gelfand of Cannabiz Collects and Adam Stettner of FundCanna on the ongoing, multi-billion dollar accounts receivable crisis. Alex Send tips, press releases, concerns, feedback and criticism to hello@weedweek.com. Sensitive material to share? Contact Alex on Signal. FROM WEEDWEEK SCOOP: Instagram “extorted” weed CEO to restore account, lawsuit claims A prominent California CEO alleges he has had his Instagram accounts suspended multiple times since 2023, and was forced to pay more . . .

  • Virginia Governor Signs Marijuana Resentencing Bill After Lawmakers Rejected Her Amendments
    by Tom Angell on May 15, 2026 at 12:08 am

    Virginia’s governor has signed legislation to provide resentencing relief for people with past marijuana convictions-even after lawmakers declined to adopt her proposed amendments to the legislation that would have significantly scaled back the scope of the reform. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) gave final approval to the bills, HB 26 from Rozia Henson, Jr. (D), and SB 62 from Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas (D), on Thursday. Separately, lawmakers and advocates are awaiting the governor’s action on separate legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales after her proposed amendments . . .

  • NJ-CRC Announces 323 Legal Cannabis Dispensaries Open
    by Dan Ulloa on May 14, 2026 at 10:29 pm

    The NJ-Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) announced there are 323 legal cannabis dispensaries open across the state as the NJ cannabis market has grown steadily. NJ Cannabis Market Progress “We have more than 300 dispensaries in all 21 counties currently!” NJ Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs exclaimed. * New Jersey had been around 300 for a [ . . . ] Source: NJ-CRC Announces 323 Legal Cannabis Dispensaries Open from Heady NJ

  • NJ-CRC Touts Mold, Yeast, THC Issue Enforcement Progress
    by Dan Ulloa on May 14, 2026 at 9:39 pm

    The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) touted progress on dealing with mold and yeast issues, along with THC inflation. NJ Cannabis Mold and Yeast Issues “Totally mold and yield failure rates are up 307 percent from April 25 to April 26. Which is great,” Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs said. “You’re seeing 3.14 percent fail,” [ . . . ] Source: NJ-CRC Touts Mold, Yeast, THC Issue Enforcement Progress from Heady NJ

  • NJ-CRC Approves MSO Curaleaf Adult-use Sales Continuing During Labor Lawsuit
    by Dan Ulloa on May 14, 2026 at 8:37 pm

    The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) gave the Multi-State Operator (MSO) Curaleaf another temporary approval of its adult-use cannabis licenses as its lawsuit continues. Curaleaf Gets Another Temporary Adult-use License Extension Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs explained they are in an ongoing lawsuit with Curaleaf, which has 12 licenses in the NJ medical cannabis market. [ . . . ] Source: NJ-CRC Approves MSO Curaleaf Adult-use Sales Continuing During Labor Lawsuit from Heady NJ

  • House Votes To Let Military Veterans Get Medical Marijuana Recommendations From VA Doctors
    by Tom Angell on May 14, 2026 at 8:02 pm

    The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to let military veterans receive recommendations for medical marijuana through their doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-while also approving a separate amendment focused on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. The cannabis proposal from Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Dina Titus (D-NV) passed by a voice vote on Thursday. If enacted into law, the amendment would prevent VA from enforcing a longstanding directive that has blocked its providers from assisting veterans with registering for state medical cannabis . . .

  • Louisiana Bill To Let Terminally Ill Patients Use Medical Marijuana In Hospitals Advances Toward Final Passage
    by Tom Angell on May 14, 2026 at 6:07 pm

    A Louisiana House committee has advanced a Senate-passed bill to let patients with terminal and irreversible conditions use medical marijuana in hospitals. The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the legislation from Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews (D) in a unanimous 10-0 vote on Tuesday. Under the proposal, hospitals would have to create written guidelines allowing covered patients to consume medical cannabis on-site in forms other than smoking or vaping. Under an amendment adopted by a Senate committee last month, emergency or outpatient departments would be exempted from the policy. . . .

  • WeedWeek Wonks: The cannabiz accounts receivable crisis
    by Week_admin on May 14, 2026 at 6:05 pm

    Accounts receivable debt isn’t just a problem for unpaid vendors, it’s a major constraint on the industry’s growth. In this edition of WeedWeek Wonks we spoke to Adam Stettner, CEO of lender FundCanna and Brett Gelfand, founder of debt collector CannaBIZ Collects and the Cannabiz Credit Association about the scope of the problem and how rescheduling could help. Want to be featured on a future WeedWeek Wonks? We’re looking for experts with actionable insights across the cannabis ecosystem. Apply here. Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post WeedWeek Wonks: The . . .

  • There’s Been A ‘Striking Increase’ In Support For Psychedelic Therapy And Research In The Last Two Years, Poll Shows
    by Tom Angell on May 14, 2026 at 4:49 pm

    There’s been a “striking increase” in support for legal and regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics as well as expanded research exploring their medical potential-with a new poll finding that voters have been “warming up” to the alternative treatment option over the last two years. As the state and federal reform movement has intensified, the University of California, Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) on Wednesday released its second national survey on how voters view the substances, as well as their opinions about differing psychedelics policy proposals. Overall, . . .

  • Valley Wellness Introduces “Raritan’s Choice” Affordable and Reliable Pre-Roll at Just $6
    by Heady NJ Staff on May 14, 2026 at 3:15 pm

    Valley Wellness dispensary in Raritan Township in Somerset County is releasing Raritan’s most affordable and reliable pre-roll at just $6. “Customers shouldn’t have to choose between quality and affordability,” said Valley Wellness CEO Sarah Trent. “Our newly introduced Raritan’s Choice gives our customers access to a reliable, well-crafted pre-roll at a price that makes sense.” Raritan’s Choice is [ . . . ] Source: Valley Wellness Introduces “Raritan’s Choice” Affordable and Reliable Pre-Roll at Just $6 from Heady NJ

  • Bam Margera and Dannii Margera on Sobriety, Skateboarding, and Building BAM THC
    by Aron Vaughan on May 14, 2026 at 2:02 pm

    It’s not an understatement to say Bam Margera is a cultural icon. Pro skateboarder. Jackass and Viv La Bam star. Merch magnate. His innate penchant for filming every aspect of his life paid dividends early on. Before MTV, reality television, and Jackass, Bam built his reputation through homemade skate videos, prank footage, and a tight-knit West Chester, Pennsylvania crew that became known as CKY, short for “Camp Kill Yourself.” The videos blended aggressive street skating, absurd stunts, destruction, music, and the kind of chaotic humor that later contributed to the blueprint for Jackass. . . .

  • Freedom Grow Expands Its Mission from Prisoner Support to Nationwide Community Activation
    by Green Press Collective on May 14, 2026 at 2:00 pm

    Freedom Grow, a grassroots, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting cannabis prisoners and their families, is entering a new phase of impact, bridging advocacy, community, and culture through strategic partnerships, national events, and retail-driven fundraising initiatives. This expansion comes on the heels of new leadership, with Bill and Jeff Levers, founders of Beard Bros Pharms and Beard Bros Media, stepping in as CEO and COO, bringing with them a clear and deliberate vision: to significantly increase awareness, visibility, and industry participation in Freedom Grow’s . . .

  • Congressional Committee Votes To Block Marijuana Rescheduling, Even As Trump Administration Moves Forward With The Reform
    by Tom Angell on May 14, 2026 at 12:54 pm

    A key congressional committee has voted to block the federal rescheduling of marijuana-even after the Trump administration announced last month that it is moving ahead with enacting the reform. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a funding bill containing a provision that, if enacted, would prevent federal officials from taking further steps to carry out cannabis rescheduling. “SEC. 591. None of the funds appropriated under this Act or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to reschedule marijuana (as such term is defined in section 102 of the Controlled . . .

  • ‘There Are A Lot Of People Who Smoke Cannabis In Congress,’ Lawmaker Says
    by Tom Angell on May 14, 2026 at 11:37 am

    A lawmaker who helps to lead the Congressional Cannabis Caucus says there are “a lot” of fellow legislators on Capitol Hill who secretly smoke marijuana. “I think there are a lot of people who smoke cannabis in Congress,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said on Wednesday. She added, however, that legalization is an important policy issue that should appeal broadly beyond just those who consume marijuana. “Advocacy for legalizing doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a user,” the congresswoman told TMZ. “So everybody can be an advocate for legalizing it, because we understand that it is not okay for us . . .

  • Cannabis Stock Q1 Financial Reports Were Not the Story
    by Alan Brochstein, CFA on May 14, 2026 at 11:04 am

    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 [ . . . ]