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There’s no meaningful evidence that imposing higher taxes on marijuana would steer people away from using it-contrary to a claim recently made by the The New York Times editorial board-according to a new scientific analysis of cannabis consumption and tax data. In fact, raising the cost of cannabis sold at state-licensed retailers could lead people to return to the illicit market to obtain cheaper (and untested) marijuana that carries its own public health and safety risks. The new report, authored by Ohio State University (OSU) Moritz College of Law researchers Dexter Ridgway and Jana . . .

If you’re wondering where marijuana grows naturally in the United States, the short answer is that cannabis does not generally grow “naturally” in the U.S. in the way a truly native wild plant does. What people usually mean is feral cannabis or ditch weed: cannabis plants that escaped cultivation long ago, adapted to local conditions, and now persist on their own in parts of the country. A government biology document on Cannabis sativa describes Cannabis sativa as an introduced species in North America, with naturalized populations in the United States concentrated mainly in areas where hemp . . .

Many states are sacrificing the long-term health and sustainability of the legal cannabis market for theoretical short-term gains reaped by sky-high taxes. The post NORML Op-Ed: Excessive Taxes on Cannabis Fuels the Unregulated Market appeared first on NORML.

Regular users of cannabis showed no significant impairment in driving performance 12-15 hours after last cannabis use the night before. The post No ‘next day’ impairment caused by cannabis appeared first on The Leaf Online.

“Stigma with a Body Count: Medical Cannabis & Organ Transplant Policy” documents how bias, not evidence, continues to shape transplant access WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans for Safe Access (ASA) will release a new report, Stigma with a Body Count: Medical Cannabis & Organ Transplant Policy, documenting how medical cannabis patients continue to face reduced access to transplant evaluation, waitlisting, and life-saving organ transplantation despite growing clinical evidence that cannabis exposure alone does not predict poor transplant outcomes. Reserve Your Copy Now!

Changes to Ohio’s hemp regulations and the state’s voter-approved adult-use cannabis reforms are set to take effect this week on Thursday, March 19. Under the new rules, intoxicating hemp product sales are banned. The rules also create new THC caps of 70% for cannabis concentrate products and 35% for cannabis flower products, and establish new crimes for the possession of cannabis products from out-of-state sources. The rules will also require cannabis to be stored in its original packaging and stored in the trunk of vehicles during transit. The changes, which Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed into . . .

Massachusetts officials announced Monday that the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is awarding $28.8 million in grants through its Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program, WWLP reports. Funded by the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, the state’s social equity program supports individuals and communities who were disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition enforcement actions. EOED supports these individuals with grants to help launch or expand state-legal cannabis operations. Officials said they received 223 social equity grant applications this year. They ultimately . . .

Table of Contents A different kind of Brazil cannabis compliance model Why Milgrows is central to the strategy Racing an August deadline in a market already in motion From proving compliance to building an intelligence layer When Brazil’s health regulator ANVISA quietly approved a long awaited framework for domestic cannabis cultivation in January, it did something few markets have attempted. It legalized a tightly controlled medical supply chain without prescribing the digital infrastructure that will keep it in check. Instead of mandating a single state run tracking system, Brazil defined . . .

“Catching a market in motion is fundamentally harder than entering one that has not started yet.” By Max Jackson, Cannabis Wise Guys Imagine a race track. Five cars are already on it-tuned, tested, crewed and running laps at two hundred miles an hour. They have been on this track for years. Now imagine telling a new driver to enter that race. Not next season. Today. Except they do not have a car yet. They have not built it. They have not secured financing for the parts. Some of them have not gotten their license. That is Virginia’s cannabis market on January 1, 2027 under a sales legalization . . .

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is acknowledging that, even as more states have legalized marijuana, youth cannabis use has “declined” over the past several decades. As part of an online quiz on DEA’s “Just Think Twice” platform, the agency asked about a variety of drug trends, including questions about substance use disorder, drug overdose deaths, signs of a heroin overdose and cannabis use among youth. Notably, the answer to one question about past-year marijuana use by adolescents and teens directly contradicts a frequently debunked prohibitionist narrative about the risks of . . .

Two bills that would remake product packaging and formats would create new challenges for California’s struggling industry, warns an alert from longtime executive and advocate Caren Woodson. One would expand the definition of what constitutes packaging that’s Attractive to Children (ATC). The second would ban beverages containing more than 10 mg of THC. Here’s what you need to know: AB 2249 . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Calif. industry faces key “branding battles”:” Report appeared first on WeedWeek.

Active Brand THCV today announced a strategic endorsement with MMA legend, entrepreneur, and actor Randy Couture, centered around THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) – a lesser-known cannabinoid gaining increased attention across the cannabis industry. Couture, widely recognized for his achievements in professional MMA and his disciplined approach to training, cited a philosophical alignment with the brand and its focus on emerging cannabinoid formulations. “I don’t put my name behind trends – I put it behind things that make sense,” said Couture. “THCV stood out to me because it aligns with how I . . .

Michigan cannabis sales for February fell from a year ago as they increased sequentially by 3.4%. At $234.6 million, sales were down 3.0% from a year earlier: The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency breaks out sales by medical and adult-use, with medical sales falling 38.6% from a year ago to $0.4 million, down 3.8% sequentially, and adult-use sales [ . . . ]

NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union) introduced a bill tweaking the upcoming phased-in ban of intoxicating hemp while advocates seek to fight back against it. Budget Committee Chair Paul Sarlo (D-36-Bergen) is also sponsoring S 3945. It does not yet have the necessary companion bill to become law. Notably, it would not allow liquor stores [ . . . ] Source: Scutari Introduces Tweak of Upcoming Phased-in Intoxicating Hemp Ban as Advocates Fight Back from Heady NJ

High Tide Inc. reported record revenue of $178.3 million for the three months ended January 31, 2026 (Q1 FY2026), record gross profits of $44.4 million,… The post German medical cannabis boosts High Tide’s record Q1 FY2026 results appeared first on StratCann.

“All retailers selling intoxicating hemp products should be held to similar high safety standards as cannabis retailers.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant For a year, Rhode Island bars and restaurants had the opportunity to secure a license from the state’s former Office of Cannabis Regulation to sell intoxicating THC-infused beverages despite state regulations that prohibit them from being combined with alcohol, tobacco or nicotine. Over 100 licensed retailers obtained a license between August 2024 and July 2025 when the Cannabis Control Commission put the brakes on issuing any new . . .

Supporters say the psychedelic can help veterans with PTSD and those with treatment-resistant depression. By John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight A synthetic version of psychedelic mushrooms will be legal for use in mental health therapy in South Dakota if it’s approved by the federal government. Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden signed a bill into law last week that sets the state up to instantly legalize crystalline polymorph psilocybin if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves its use and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reschedules it from a drug of abuse to a drug with medical . . .

Under the authority of the provincial Cannabis Control Act, RCMP officers conducted inspections at illegal cannabis storefronts in Whycocomagh and Eskasoni. The post NS RCMP continues inspections at unlicensed cannabis storefronts appeared first on StratCann.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) didn’t waste much time seizing on President Donald Trump’s latest slip-up, when he mistakenly called the Californian “president of the United States” during Oval Office remarks in which the incumbent otherwise disparaged the Democrat. Playing into the gaffe, Newsom said legalizing marijuana was among the “many big announcements” his White House was making. Trump drew criticism on Monday when he said “a president should not have learning disabilities,” referring to Newsom’s much-anticipated run for the Democratic ticket in 2028 and the fact that the governor . . .

Belleville, NJ – Nevaeh Verde Dispensary, Belleville’s premier cannabis destination, is celebrating its first anniversary with a community Cannaversary event on March 21, marking a major milestone for the locally owned business that has quickly become known for its elevated retail experience and commitment to cannabis education. Located in the heart of Belleville, Nevaeh Verde was founded with the goal of creating a cannabis retail environment that feels welcoming, sophisticated, and informative. Since opening its doors, the dispensary has focused on helping customers make intentional and . . .

A Colorado legislative committee is urging fellow lawmakers to reject a bill that would put a measure on the state’s November ballot asking voters to increase marijuana and alcohol taxes to support mental health treatment. At a meeting on Thursday, the bicameral Capital Development Committee (CDC) took up the proposal from Rep. Bob Marshall (D) and Sen. Judy Amabile (D) that aims to hike taxes on the substances and put the additional revenue toward the creation of a mental health fund overseen by the state Department of Human Services (DHS). Members of the panel voted unanimously (5-0) to . . .

In their lawsuit, the brewers said they face “potential criminal enforcement actions against them for possessing millions of dollars’ worth of inventory that they bought in good faith before the governor’s veto.” By David Beasley, The Center Square Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) had the legal authority to veto parts of an appropriations bill that would have allowed beer companies to continue selling hemp beverages until the end of the year, the state argued in a filing with the state Supreme Court. “The governor may veto any item in any bill making an appropriation of money,” the state said in its . . .

Canadian cannabis exports are growing in Europe, but rising regulations and local production are reshaping demand, competition, and Canada’s long-term role. The post Canadian cannabis exports: Balancing global demand and domestic branding appeared first on StratCann.

“Regulation works. Illicit marijuana providers don’t ask for or check for ID, but licensed businesses most certainly do.” The post Compliance Check Data From Legal States Confirms That Licensed Retailers Don’t Sell Cannabis to Minors appeared first on NORML.

Congressional researchers are giving an update on the status of the federal-state marijuana law conflict, detailing the limitations of a pending rescheduling action, laying out options for lawmakers to address the issue and noting changes to hemp policy that are set to take effect later this year. Notably, the new report removes language from an earlier version that had said it is “likely” federal officials “will move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.” In an “In Focus” report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS), analysts explained how it’s “increasingly common for states to . . .