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Companies, particularly small and mid-sized ones, know they need marketing and communications. They just aren’t always aware of what kind and how to do it with the most efficiency and highest impact. After several decades working in and around marketing disciplines at some of the highest levels and across numerous verticals, there are undeniable patterns. First companies start hiring tacticians. A graphic designer to make things look better. A digital marketer to run ads and social media that keeps an algorithm happy. A copywriter to produce content. None of these are bad hires. In fact, they . . .

Despite the high expectations following the recent federal cannabis rescheduling announcement by the U.S. Justice Department on April 23, it’s important to remain mindful of the regulatory and legal complexities that still lie ahead. Industry veterans in the U.S. will no doubt remember the 2016 expectation that rescheduling was imminent, a hope that didn’t materialize. Now that it has become a reality and cannabis is officially a Schedule III drug, the big question everyone is asking is what this all means. While ambiguity and opinions abound, two things are certain. Litigation Lag First, I . . .

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: TSA’s Medical Marijuana Guidance Sparks More Questions Than Answers The TSA says travelers can fly with medical marijuana under certain circumstances, but the reality remains legally murky and wildly inconsistent depending on the airport, airline, and state involved. The updated guidance reignited confusion around federal enforcement, patient protections, and what happens when state cannabis . . .

SANTA ANA, California – Rob Van Dam, WWE Hall of Famer and global sports entertainment icon, recently announced the official launch of his wellness products, a new generation of cannabis and hemp products that align directly with his long-time cannabis advocacy and include a vertically integrated partnership as well as CBD product lines. The soon-to-be-released launch of RVD420 is anchored by a strategic retail and distribution partnership with a leading multi-state cannabis operator, alongside the national DAM GOOD CBD e-commerce platform beginning in Summer 2026. Highlights: Multi-state . . .

“Marijuana use under state marijuana programs or other non-prescription sources does not qualify as a ‘legitimate medical explanation’ under 49 CFR § 40.137(a),” the memo reads. The post Transportation Memo: Marijuana Rescheduling Order Doesn’t Change Federal Drug Testing Rules appeared first on NORML.

“Cannabis reform is the most popular issue in American politics, and . . . it’s on Congress to pass a comprehensive legalization bill that centers the release of cannabis prisoners.” By Jack Gorsline, Filter A national coalition of 41 advocacy groups converged on Capitol Hill for the Cannabis Week of Unity, when a coordinated lobbying blitz pressed a gridlocked Congress to act on federal marijuana descheduling, criminal-legal reform and equitable access. The mobilization, which ran from May 12-14, brought together labor unions, veterans, civil liberties advocates, legal experts, industry executives . . .

Bipartisan leaders of a key House committee have released the text of transportation legislation containing provisions to require federal officials to study the issue of driving of driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs and propose “evidence-based impairment standards.” Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), who are, respectively, the chair and ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced the new bill on Sunday. The 1,005-page “Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development (BUILD) for America’s 250th Act” covers . . .

A new federally funded study is challenging a longstanding stereotype about marijuana munchies leading to obesity in lazy stoners-finding that whole extract cannabis is linked to both weight loss and and reduced risk of diabetes. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine set out to investigate potential reasons behind a scientific paradox. That is, if cannabinoids such as THC stimulate appetite, why have multiple previous studies found that marijuana users have healthier weights on average, as well as a lower risk of developing diabetes? The study, published in . . .

The Minnesota House voted 92-42 on Sunday to pass the Senate-approved HF4203, an omnibus cannabis proposal aimed at relieving some of the industry’s regulatory restraints, according to a House Public Information Services report. State Rep. Jessica Hanson (D), the bill’s sponsor, called the legislation a “collaborative effort” that aims to “right-size” the state’s medical cannabis licensing issues. The proposal eliminates the state’s current combination medical and adult-use cannabis license and sets a new plant canopy cap of 38,000 square feet for indoor cultivation, down from the current . . .

The French General Directorate for Food (DGAL) has banned the sale of CBD-infused edibles starting May 15, AFP reports. Regulators announced the ban last month, posing it as stricter enforcement of a 1997 EU food safety regulation that requires special approval for novel foods. Previously, CBD-infused gummies, tinctures, supplements, and other edibles were available in hemp product retailers throughout France. The consumables accounted for about 40% of total hemp product sales, according to the report. The ban does not affect the sale of other hemp products, including hemp flower and . . .

Indiana’s Republican governor says he hopes that opposition to legalizing medical marijuana from GOP leaders in the state legislature “softens”-pointing to the benefits cannabis has for military veterans and other people dealing with trauma and issues “where there’s nothing else that seems to work.” Gov. Mike Braun (R) told WPTA-TV in an interview posted on Friday that Indiana is now “surrounded by four states that now have medical marijuana available,” and Hoosiers are “crossing the border” to purchase it. “I think there’s going to be a serious consideration of it,” he said of legalization . . .

Last month, the Trump administration moved to federally reclassify medical marijuana that is dispensed to patients in accordance with state programs. But that doesn’t mean truck drivers, airline pilots and other federally regulated workers can now use it without being punished, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is clarifying in a new notice. “Marijuana use is not compatible with safety-sensitive functions,” the agency said on Friday. Medical review officers (MROs) who receive drug test results indicating cannabis consumption cannot deem them to be negative for illegal substance use, even . . .

“The pharmaceutical pathway and the natural medicine pathway are not competing rivers. They are tributaries of the same watershed.” By Shannon Hughes, Elemental Psychedelics via Colorado Newsline Two signatures, 48 hours apart, just changed how psychedelic medicine arrives in America. On April 18, President Donald Trump signed an executive order accelerating federal review of psychedelic drugs for serious mental illness. Within days, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarded three commissioner’s national priority vouchers-to Compass Pathways for psilocybin-assisted therapy in . . .

“Where’s our money? I worked really hard, and I want to be paid in full.” By Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal Petitioners who tried to get a hemp and marijuana referendum on Ohio’s November ballot are saying they either never got paid or only got partially paid for the signatures they collected. Lisa Flagella and Amanda Ward say they-along with several other petitioners-did not get paid for the signatures they collected for the Ohio Senate Bill 56 referendum effort. The referendum would have overturned the lawmaker-passed overhaul of the adult-use marijuana law passed by voters in 2023. . . .

At 18, Cole Hauser played Benny in Richard Linklater’s 1993 stoner comedy, “Dazed and Confused.” Twenty-five years later, he was one of the stars of Paramount+’s hit Western series, “Yellowstone.”

“We thought they were going to come in and do the right thing, and they’re not. They’re doubling down, and they’re lying about it, which is even worse.” By Sophie Nieto-Muñoz, New Jersey Monitor A state appellate court earlier this month sided with two Jersey City cops who say they shouldn’t have been fired for their off-duty cannabis use, but it’s unknown what the next steps are in this yearslong fight over New Jersey’s marijuana legalization law. A spokesman for James Solomon, a Democrat who became the city’s new mayor in January, said the city is reviewing the policies of Solomon’s . . .

“This is what we call the ‘Texas whiplash.’ These poor guys don’t know what is going to happen one day to the next. All they want is certainty and to sell their products.” By Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune Hemp flower buds and rolled joints were piled into boxes and tucked out of public view by the staff of Dream Planet Smoke and Vape last Thursday after the state filed an appeal that triggered an hourslong ban. By Friday, the items were back on the store shelves, and are flying off them once again as customers rush to stock up while they still can, said Leroy Sims, a cashier at the East . . .

Table of Contents What DEA Registration Actually Requires From Cultivators Why Biosecurity Is the Foundation, Not Just an Agronomic Program GACP: The Next Layer What to Do Before the End of June Whether you sail through DEA Schedule III registration or spend the coming weeks scrambling depends on how well your existing program is documented and whether you have already addressed the five requirements that your state license does not cover. Schedule III rescheduling for state-licensed medical marijuana went into effect April 28, 2026 (DOJ). As of that date, state-licensed medical cannabis . . .

“This is a healthcare program. This is for the health of our patients in Alabama, and it says we are not a recreational program.” By Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector Patients in Alabama with qualifying medical conditions are “days away” from being able to purchase medical cannabis with a physician’s recommendation, according to Vince Schilleci, owner of a dispensary. Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery will be the first medical cannabis dispensary to open in Alabama. When the program is fully up and running, there will be 12 dispensaries across the state between four companies. “Our goal is to . . .

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 . . .

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 . . .

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

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 . . .

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

“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.