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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, . . .

Even as the Trump administration recently finalized a medical marijuana rescheduling rule-and the president has pushed to maintain the legal status for full-spectrum CBD-the U.S. Army is making clear that it views all forms of cannabis and its derivatives as dangerous drugs that soldiers are banned from using. In a blog post on Thursday, officials with Army’s Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness reiterated the military branch’s position that even CBD products such as infused creams and gummies “can pose serious risks to Soldiers and mission readiness.” While CBD is “often . . .

Sixty-seven percent of Gen Zers consume cannabis, with 28% reporting daily use, according to an EduBirdie survey published last month. Eighteen percent of respondents said they consume cannabis a few times a week, with 8% saying they used it a few times a month, 13% saying they only consumed cannabis on special occasions, and 6% saying they only tried cannabis once. Twenty-seven percent of those polled said they have never tried cannabis. Over a quarter (27%) said they spend between $50 and $100 monthly on cannabis, while 21% spend between $100 and $200; 16% spend between $20 and $50; 12% . . .

Researchers at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and Purdue University have developed a non-toxic hemp plastic derived from CBD. The study, published last month in the journal Chem Circularity, demonstrated a stretchy, hemp-derived thermoplastic that can extend up to 1,600% of its size with a high “glass transition temperature,” which allows the alternative plastic to stay dry and durable when coming into contact with boiling water. It is the first time a hemp-based polycarbonate material has shown high-temperature stability and melt processability at this scale. In a statement, . . .

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) last week signed legislation that creates a resentencing process for individuals with certain felony cannabis convictions. The bill creates a process by which a person adjudicated delinquent or convicted of certain offenses involving, or violations of probation or community supervision related to, the possession, manufacture, sale, giving, distribution, transportation, or delivery of cannabis committed prior to July 1, 2021, who remains incarcerated or on probation or community supervision on July 1, 2026, may receive an automatic hearing to consider . . .

Stiiizy sold customer data in violation of of its privacy policies and California law, a proposed class action lawsuit alleges. Stiiizy is the state’s best-selling vape brand and has about sixty stores statewide. Stiiizy representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Law360 was first to report the federal lawsuit which was filed in California. The company also operates in New York, Michigan and several other states, and has annual revenue of more than $800M . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post BREAKING: Stiiizy sold customer data without . . .

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 . . .