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Georgia’s governor has signed a bill to expand medical marijuana access in the state. SB 220, which Gov. Brian Kemp (R) approved on Tuesday, will add new qualifying conditions for the program, allow patients to vaporize medical cannabis and change THC potency limits, among other reforms. Under the legislation, patients with lupus will be allowed to legally access medical marijuana, building on the state’s current law that allows certain people with cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, autism spectrum disorder, intractable pain and other conditions to . . .

A powerful congressional committee is allowing an amendment that would let military veterans receive recommendations for medical marijuana through their doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance to a vote on the House floor. The proposal from Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Dina Titus (D-NV), if enacted, would prevent VA from enforcing a longstanding directive that has blocked its providers from assisting veterans with registering for state medical cannabis programs. Under current policy, VA doctors can discuss marijuana use with their patients, but they . . .

Michigan cannabis sales for April fell from a year ago as they increased sequentially by 1.2%. At $258.6 million, sales were down 4.3% from a year earlier: The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency breaks out sales by medical and adult-use, with medical sales falling 24.1% from a year ago to $0.4 million, down 5.6% sequentially, and adult-use sales [ . . . ]

“This bill is more than a policy change-it offers real hope to so many people who desperately need it.” By Jack Gorsline, Filter The Oklahoma State Senate voted on April 29 to pass the Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act. Formally known as House Bill 3834, the measure authorizes the use of state funds to support trials focused on ibogaine-the powerful, naturally occurring psychedelic compound. The bill passed the House in March. If signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt (R), it will mark a significant shift in Oklahoma’s approach to the ongoing crises around mental health and substance use . . .

The California Assembly has passed a bill that would allow marijuana retailers to offer drive-thru windows to serve customers. The measure, which was approved in a floor vote of 55-9 on Monday, says that licensed cannabis retailers and microbusinesses with storefronts could sell marijuana products “to a customer in a motor vehicle in a drive-through located on the premises.” It previously cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee and Business and Professions Committee, and next heads to the Senate for consideration. Under AB 2697 from Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D), cannabis businesses . . .

While the administration’s medical cannabis rescheduling order is a welcome step forward, it falls well short of the comprehensive changes necessary to provide nationwide relief to patients – and it fails to harmonize state and federal marijuana policy. The post NORML Op-Ed: Reclassifying Medical Marijuana was Long Overdue, But It’s Still Not Enough appeared first on NORML.

If board members object to a federal change, they must publicly issue their reasons and allow for a hearing process before any state action moves forward. By Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle Indiana lawmakers could soon revisit debates over medical marijuana legalization, but state officials say it remains unclear when-or if-federal marijuana reclassification will formally trigger action in Indiana. At a Monday meeting, the Indiana Board of Pharmacy reviewed a federal notice related to marijuana rescheduling but took no formal action. Board members said any future state response depends . . .

A powerful congressional committee is expected to approve a report this week that directs federal officials to take enforcement action against unregulated cannabinoid products that “threaten consumer safety.” The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday is set to take up a Fiscal Year 2027 spending bill covering Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, as well as an attached report that includes the directive. It calls on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the “proliferation of Federally unregulated ingestible, inhalable, . . .

“Acceptance of the newly proposed rule would mean that no state-legal medical cannabis patient will any longer have to choose between either their medicine or their constitutional right to bear arms.” The post ATF Posts Draft Document Acknowledging Medical Cannabis Scheduling Change appeared first on NORML.

Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport nominated NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) Compliance Director Paul Urbish to lead the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). “With his background in licensing, investigations, and regulating the products of New Jersey’s burgeoning legal cannabis industry, and his experience with alcoholic beverage permitting and appeals. [ . . . ] Source: Sherrill Nominates NJ-CRC Compliance Director Paul Urbish to Lead Alcoholic Beverage Control from Heady NJ

Ohio officials are launching a public education campaign about the risks of marijuana use-an effort that involves partnering with an organization behind a new poll that shows widespread support for legalization and broad acceptance of cannabis use among the state’s residents. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) touted the campaign, which will be overseen by the Department of Commerce (DOC) and supported by $20 million appropriated by lawmakers under the state’s marijuana law, on Monday. DOC will collaborate with the OneOhio Recovery Foundation on the awareness initiative. “Since my first day in office, . . .

Iowa lawmakers have sent the governor legislation that would double the number of medical cannabis dispensaries that are allowed to operate in the state. Under current law, Iowa’s limited medical marijuana program allows only five dispensaries. That would double to 10 under HF 990, which was approved by the House of Representatives in an 88-5 vote last month and previously cleared the Senate in a tally of 42-5. The bill is now before Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who can sign or veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature. Bridget Spiddle, public policy and communications coordinator . . .

In the wake of federal reclassification of medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDD) is requiring medical cannabis manufacturer and distributor licensees to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In the May 8 letter to medical cannabis licensees, the OBNDD said that “failure to obtain a DEA registration could result in OBNDD administrative sanctions up to and including the potential revocation of a registrant’s OBNDD registration(s)” which the agency says . . .

Target is adding THC-infused hemp beverages to its Florida, Texas, and Illinois locations, BevNet reports. The products will be available at more than 300 locations across the three states – including all locations in Florida and Texas. In Illinois, the products will be available in municipalities that allow the sale of intoxicating hemp products. A spokesperson for the retail giant told BevNet that the company is “always exploring new ways to meet . . . guests’ evolving preferences, grounded in . . . merchandising authority and focus on thoughtfully curating a relevant assortment.” Last . . .

First-time cannabis buyers aged 60-and-older in Colorado purchased combination CBD and THC, or CBD-only, products more often than THC-only products, according to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open. The researchers from the University of Utah Intermountain Health Department of Population Health Sciences and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, found 57.5% of the 169 participants selected combination THC and CBD products, with 28.7% choosing CBD-only products, while 13.8% chose THC-only products. “Primary motivations were avoiding . . .

After issuing MED permits to Chicago-based MSOs Green Thumb Industries and Cresco Labs, Texas has revoked Cresco’s permit on account of a score “tabulation error,” the state Department of Public Safety said in a statement. Instead, a regional permit has been issued to Bayou City Medical Dispensary and two other businesses qualify for permits.

In states like Virginia, Florida, and Oklahoma, patients are increasingly turning to telemedicine instead of traditional clinic visits to access Medical Marijuana programs. What once involved scheduling appointments weeks in advance, sitting in waiting rooms, and handling paperwork in person can now often be completed online within the same day. As more states modernize their medical cannabis systems, virtual evaluations are helping patients connect with licensed providers faster and more conveniently than ever before. For individuals dealing with chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety disorders, . . .

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: Target Expands THC Beverage Sales Into Major U.S. Markets Retail giant Target is preparing to launch hemp-derived THC beverage sales in Illinois, Florida, and Texas, signaling how rapidly intoxicating hemp products are entering mainstream retail environments. The move could dramatically expand consumer access to THC drinks while intensifying scrutiny around regulation, age verification, and the . . .

Farechild Events produced the 2nd annual MJU Cup as a part of the MJ Unpacked cannabis industry convention held in Atlantic City. According to a release, 151 products were entered into 12 categories by a total of 26 New Jersey cannabis cultivators and manufacturers. Three Level 2 Certified Ganjiers independently tested all products. Green Flower [ . . . ] Source: MJ Unpacked Cannabis Cup Held in AC from Heady NJ

“The rush to provide senior citizens with medical marijuana will require considerable legal, scientific and commercial infrastructures, which, in an ideal world, would avoid repeating historical mistakes by forming with clarity and coordination.” By Emily Dufton Everyone knows that last month was historic for cannabis. Big changes are afoot with medical marijuana’s rescheduling and federal Medicare coverage for hemp. But what many have misunderstood is why. For the first time in 56 years, a form of marijuana has finally escaped Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Cannabis was . . .

Hudson, New York is about to get loud – in the best possible way. Having attended Revelry’s New York Buyers Club, I can sum up the experience in one word: energy. The room crackled with it. Revelry is the rare gathering where you feel like you’re at a party and a board meeting at the same time, in the best sense of both. Deals are being sketched out over handshakes, introductions are snowballing into real opportunities, and you can practically see the New York market knitting itself together in real time. One moment from the New York event has really stuck with me. I spoke with a California . . .

An Indiana Republican state senator has announced plans to file legislation to legalize medical marijuana in the 2027 session in light of recent comments from the governor about the issue and as reform advances at the federal level under the Trump administration. “In light of the governor’s openness to consider legislation regarding the legalization of marijuana, we need to consider a feasible marijuana policy that would be the most helpful to Hoosiers and the economy,” Sen. Mike Bohacek (R) said in a press release on Monday. “The use of medical marijuana has been proven to be beneficial for . . .

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced it will soon be rolling out new forms for additional types of state-licensed medical marijuana businesses beyond dispensaries that want to take advantage of federal protections in line with the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling process. Last month, DEA launched a registration form for medical marijuana dispensaries only, raising questions about how operators elsewhere along the cannabis supply chain could become federally compliant during a 60-day registration window for expedited processing that is scheduled to close . . .

Connecticut lawmakers have sent the governor a bill to expand a pilot program that’s meant to explore the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA. The legislation sponsored by the Joint Committee on Public Health cleared the House of Representatives in 122-27 vote on Wednesday after being approved unanimously by the Senate last month. It now heads to the desk of Gov. Ned Lamont (D). If enacted into law, the proposal would build upon an existing psychedelic-assisted therapy program involving military veterans and first responders who elect to participate in clinical . . .

\Florida voters may not be considering a cannabis legalization question this November, but they will be electing a new governor, and all but one major candidate opposes adult-use cannabis reforms, the Florida Phoenix reports. Former Republican Florida Rep. David Jolly – who is now running for governor as a Democrat after distancing himself from the Republican party as a prominent critic of President Trump – said that he supports legalizing adult-use marijuana because a majority of Floridians supported the legalization question in 2024. The Republican candidates all oppose adult-use reforms: . . .