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Marc Rodriguez, Co-Founder and CEO of Green Leaf Business Solutions, has spent over a decade guiding cannabis operators through these critical but often overlooked areas. With a background in corporate sales and workforce solutions, Rodriguez recognized early on that the cannabis industry’s unique payroll and HR challenges required more than a plug-and-play approach. They needed a dedicated partner. Today, Green Leaf stands at the forefront of cannabis workforce infrastructure, offering tech-enabled HR and payroll solutions built to navigate the intricacies of banking limitations, tax . . .

For years, the risks in growing cannabis were tied to what happened inside the grow: genetics, pests, environmental control. But today, the biggest decisions happen before your first plant even goes in the ground-especially if you’re managing a commercial operation or planning to scale. From inefficient facility layouts to misaligned systems and delayed equipment, early-stage decisions can quietly determine whether your operation runs smoothly, or struggles to reach its full potential. GrowGeneration, the nation’s leading specialty distributor for controlled environment agriculture (CEA), . . .

When legal cannabis markets first opened, the industry celebrated availability. Getting product to consumers safely and legally was the mission, and for a long time, that was enough. Hardware was an afterthought. A cart was a cart. A battery was a battery. That era is over. In California, the largest legal market in the world, vapes outsold flower for the first time in July 2025. In 2021, flower outsold vapes in that state by nearly two to one. According to data from the California Department of Cannabis Control, vape sales hit $124.4 million in December 2025 compared to $107.6 million for . . .

Advocacy organizations on both sides of the marijuana legalization debate have filed notices of intent to participate in a hearing on broad federal rescheduling of cannabis that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is set to begin next month. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche last month issued an order that immediately reclassified state-licensed medical cannabis, as well as marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III. Under a separate order the acting attorning general signed, DEA will . . .

NORML argues that the hearing record will be incomplete unless it includes the perspective of adult cannabis consumers – the constituency NORML has represented for more than fifty years. The post NORML Seeks Seat at DEA Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing, Says Consumers Must Be Represented appeared first on NORML.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching a new trial on whether MDMA-assisted therapy can help military veterans who are struggling with severe mental health disorders, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder. The study will involve approximately 80 veterans and will compare outcomes between those who take MDMA and undergo psychotherapy and those in a control group who receive identical psychotherapy without the drug. “We need an all-of-the-above strategy when it comes to improving mental health treatments, and under President Trump, that’s exactly what VA is working to . . .

For many, last week’s rescheduling announcement threw a spanner in the works. The US medical cannabis market, for now the only market to be impacted by rescheduling directly, is far smaller and, as such, much less of a priority for many operators. Yet Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s announcement has done something more profound than adjust a tax position or ease a research barrier. By moving Schedule III, cannabis is officially recognised as having medical benefits for the first time. In essence, this brings the US’ federal policy far closer to its European counterparts. The legal . . .

Cannabis products appear to have “beneficial effects” for people struggling with the symptoms of chronic pain, according to a new study- with the results indicating relief from both intoxicating and nonintoxicating cannabinoids. Researchers affiliated with the University at Buffalo, University of Michigan Medical School and MoreBetter recruited 64 people with fibromyalgia, 25 with rheumatoid arthritis and 75 with osteoarthritis of the knee and/or hip to participate in the trial. The participants, all of whom were California residents, were randomly assigned to take one of three different . . .

After rigorous evaluation, Modern Canna adds EPA-registered sanitation to its growing suite of cannabis quality solutions – which spans laboratory testing, software, consulting, risk mitigation, and auditing services. [Lakeland, FL] – May, 2026 – Modern Canna, a full-spectrum cannabis and hemp quality solutions provider, today announced a strategic investment in CannaGuard PRO, the maker of a patented, EPA-registered disinfectant platform purpose-built for commercial cannabis and hemp operations. The investment adds facility sanitation to the Modern Canna Quality Ecosystem – a comprehensive . . .

“There may be some fiddling around the edges with THC limits and maybe with beverages.” By Phillip Smith, The American Hemp Monitor Congress is unlikely to do anything to undo the hemp ban it passed last year, and that will have devastating consequences for the hemp cannabinoid industry, leaders of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) said in a Wednesday Zoom call. Hemp-defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight-was legalized by Congress in 2018, but under legislation last fall, new, more restrictive definitions effectively criminalizing many hemp-derived cannabinoid . . .

The Trump administration is seeking to accelerate efforts to provide access to psychedelics for military veterans and others who may benefit from their therapeutic impact, but that push may be slowed when it comes to sourcing a particular substance to be used in studies, the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says. VA Secretary Doug Collins spoke about ongoing studies his department is conducting on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics at a hearing before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Thursday, saying that “if it helps a veteran, we’re going to look into it.” He . . .

In a letter to President Donald Trump (R) and his pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson, 28 Democratic lawmakers, along with independent Bernie Sanders (VT), are seeking the administration to pardon everyone in federal prison for non-violent cannabis crimes. The letter notes that the administration’s decision to move cannabis from Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act to Schedule III “does not provide relief for anyone currently in federal prison from a marijuana conviction.” The letter notes that data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission estimates that there are about 3,000 people . . .

A bill introduced in Rhode Island seeks to remove the state’s residency requirements for cannabis businesses, which led to a judge halting the state’s industry licensing process last month. The legislation would remove language from the state’s legalization law that requires cannabis business owners to be Rhode Island residents and that a state resident own at least 51% of the business. The proposal also removes some social equity language, including designating “disproportionately impacted” areas for social equity licenses; however, the proposal does broaden the definition of a social . . .

Workers at Sun Extractions in Hamilton, New Jersey, have voted to join United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 and are currently negotiating a union contract. In a statement, Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360 Director of Organizing, said the 12 workers’ vote to join the union makes the state’s cannabis industry “stronger.” “Sustainable success for businesses, employees, and communities starts with fair treatment, strong standards, and shared commitments. That’s how jobs in the cannabis industry become long-term careers, and it’s the future these employees are working toward.” . . .

Table of Contents Terpenes as a Strain’s Genetic Signature Matching Extraction Parameters to Strain Chemistry Solvent vs. Solventless: How Method Shapes Terpene Retention. Why Live Resin and Live Rosin Capture the Full Profile? Terpenes, the Entourage Effect, and Therapeutic Potential Strain Genetics, Trichome Density, and Extraction Yield How Post-Extraction Processing Reshapes Terpene Profiles In the world of cannabis extraction, understanding how strain genetics affect terpene profiles and extraction yields is crucial. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinctive . . .

A single dose of psilocybin, coupled with therapy sessions, significantly improved symptoms of depression within days and lasting for a period of months, according to a first-of-its-kind study out of Sweden that was published by the American Medical Association. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Brain Stimulation Clinic in Stockholm conducted the phase 2 randomized clinical trial, which involved 35 participants with moderate-t0-severe depression who received either a 25 milligram dose of psilocybin or a placebo of niacin. For the study, published in JAMA Psychiatry last week, . . .

A congressional committee has approved 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.” The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted 61-2 on Thursday to advance the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development (BUILD) for America’s 250th Act, sponsored by Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), who are, respectively, the chair and ranking member of the panel. The more than 1,000-page . . .

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) announced last week that the agency will begin auditing the THC potency levels of retail cannabis products, WWLP reports. The audits will test products from the regulated market for THC potency, and if the test results report something outside of 75 to 125% what is listed on the label, the product will be removed from store shelves. The agency said the process will help consumers and public safety. “Verifying that marijuana and marijuana products are accurately labeled is critical to the Commission’s mission of safely, equitably, and . . .

“Thanks to the recent NLRB ruling we have the opportunity to sit at the table and make it better for us and the others to come.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent Katie Hazelwonder was ready for a change after 12 years working as a welder. The opportunity came unexpectedly, when one day she walked into a Proper Cannabis dispensary in St. Louis. “The people were great,” Hazelwonder said. “They were just so nice and welcoming, and no judgment. I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna look into this.'” Eighteen months later, she’s a trainer in Proper’s post-harvest department, where the . . .

Delaware’s governor has signed a bill to let terminally ill patients use medical cannabis in hospitals. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had unanimously passed the marijuana legislation from Sen. Marie Pinkney (D) this session, and Gov. Matt Meyer (D) signed it into law on Thursday. Under the reform, which is set to take effect one year after its enactment, patients and their caregivers will be responsible for acquiring and administering medical marijuana, and it will need to be stored securely at all times in a locked container. Smoking or vaping of medical cannabis will be . . .

Rescheduling “might affect a VA provider’s ability to refer VA patients to State medical cannabis treatment programs,” one document obtained through FOIA says. By Doc Laing, Veterans Action Council The Trump administration’s move to federally reschedule medical cannabis could meaningfully increase military veterans’ ability to legally access it with the aid of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors, newly obtained documents via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) show-even if reclassification won’t change everything about how veterans who use cannabis receive care through VA . . .

Supporting NORML matters more now than ever before. This isn’t about protecting Wall Street weed profits. It’s about finishing the fight for justice, equity, and freedom. The post Why Your Support for NORML Matters More Than Ever appeared first on NORML.

“Every month that passes without certified oral fluid testing is another month when federal workers with paruresis face anxiety, discrimination, and career barriers.” By Kastalia Medrano, Filter The Department of Transportation will require “directly observed” urine drug testing in federal workplace situations where saliva testing has been called for, but is not possible. The clarification to DOT drug and alcohol testing procedures is the latest development in the trucking industry’s years-long push for oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine testing. The new rule was published in the . . .

“I know these products are safe. I know they are tested, because if they weren’t, I wouldn’t carry them in my stores.” By Brianna Hill, Spotlight Delaware With just over a month left in Delaware’s legislative session, lawmakers are pushing competing legislation to regulate the hemp-derived THC products that have become widely available outside of the state’s licensed marijuana market. The intoxicating products, including gummies, vapes and infused beverages, are part of a fast-growing industry that smoke shop owners and licensed marijuana retailers want to be able to sell. Now, four bills . . .

While a new court filing suggests the IRS isn’t willing to give up on taxes from industry-hated tax rule 280E, and the cannabis world awaits federal guidance, a New Mexico’s largest operator is attacking the rule from a new angle. President Trump rescheduled MED, but not REC, to schedule III. Now Ultra Health has filed a brief in an ongoing federal tax case arguing that REC, even though it is still listed . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Newsbrief: A novel ‘lawyerly’ challenge to 280E appeared first on WeedWeek.