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Marijuana sales are increasing as purchases of alcohol are declining, according to a new federal report from the Canadian government. Retailers in the country sold C$5.5 billion worth of legal recreational cannabis products in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, Statistics Canada reported, representing a 6.1 percent increase from the previous annual period. Meanwhile, alcohol purchases were down 1.6 percent year over year, a dip that occurred despite a 1.6 increase in retail alcohol prices. The resulting decline in government revenue “was the largest annual decrease since Statistics Canada . . .

4/20 has always been a celebration of the plant. In 2026, it is just as much a showcase for the technology, design, and infrastructure shaping how people experience it. From AI-powered retail tools to precision-engineered hardware and elevated everyday accessories, this year’s picks reflect an industry moving past novelty and toward refinement. These are the products worth paying attention to right now. MycroDose by Nature’s Heritage Full-Spectrum Cannabis, Meet Functional Mushrooms. Say hello to MycroDose, a fresh take on wellness that blends thoughtfully selected cannabinoids, functional . . .

A coalition of Texas hemp industry leaders and advocacy organizations are suing state officials over recently enacted rules restricting access to hemp-derived products such as smokable THCA flower. The lawsuit, brought by the Texas Hemp Business Council (THBC), Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA) and several businesses, alleges that the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) illegally bypassed lawmakers to restrict the sale and manufacture of consumable hemp products. The dispute centers on how hemp is defined. Under state law as . . .

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Advisory Council on Cannabis called for legalizing adult-use cannabis in an interim report issued last week, and Gov. Josh Stein (D) has endorsed the advisory group’s proposal. North Carolina is one of the last remaining states in the U.S. without any form of cannabis legalization. Notably, while most states have followed a trend of legalizing medical cannabis before adopting adult-use reforms, the advisory group has suggested jumping straight to full legalization, as standing up and regulating a single industry is much easier than . . .

Massachusetts is set to pass a proposal this week containing significant reforms to the state’s adult-use and medical cannabis industries, WGBH reports. The changes described in the House-Senate compromise proposal include doubling the purchase limit on cannabis flower from one to two ounces, lifting restrictions on the sale of cannabis seeds, and allowing licensed retailers to advertise discounts and customer loyalty programs. The proposal also reduces the Cannabis Control Commission from five commissioners to three, all appointed by the governor, and raises the number of licenses a cannabis . . .

There’s been a new breakthrough in the development of a marijuana breathalyzer, with a study partly funded by the Justice Department showing a potential pathway for a “portable, low cost” device that looks like an inhaler for asthma, built with 3-D printed material that can detect delta-9 THC without secondary lab analysis. The study, led by Emanuele Alves at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), detailed the results of experiments meant to address the current lack of a roadside impairment test for THC similar to those utilized by law enforcement for people suspected of driving under the . . .

Maryland lawmakers have sent the governor a bill to extend a psychedelics task force through the end of 2027, charging it with developing updated recommendations on expanding therapeutic access to the novel substances and potentially creating a regulatory framework for broader legalization. The House of Delegates on Thursday voted 109-24 to approve a Senate-passed version of the legislation from Sen. Brian Feldman (D). The bill next heads to the desk of Gov. Wes Moore (D) as companion House psychedelics legislation from Del. Pam Guzzone (D) awaits final action in the Senate. Both chambers’ . . .

Japanese police investigated a record 6,832 people for cannabis-related offences in 2025. This figure marks the highest number ever recorded with a jump of 754 cases compared to the previous year. The National Police Agency released the figures on Apr. 3. Officials point to increasingly sophisticated supply networks as a major driver. Gangs, online dealers and foreign organizations operate these networks with advanced methods. They smuggle cannabis and distribute it through hidden channels. More than 40 per cent of those under 30 who faced questioning bought cannabis via apps like X and . . .

Some of California’s biggest operators have joined forces to oppose a bill (AB 2532) that would limit cannabis beverages to 10 mg THC. Signers include Catalyst Cannabis, Stiiizy, distributor Nabis and several major trade associations. If enacted, the bill “would effectively eliminate the legal cannabis beverage market” in California since more than 93% of beverage sales in California dispensaries are for beverages . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Calif. industry pushes back on drinks bill appeared first on WeedWeek.

“The status quo is not an option. The Council agrees that a well-regulated market . . . is a safer market.” The post North Carolina: State-Appointed Advisory Council Calls on Lawmakers to Legalize and Regulate the Adult-Use Cannabis Market appeared first on NORML.

Pennsylvania’s governor is increasing pressure on lawmakers to send him a bill to legalize marijuana in the state, saying that doing so would generate new revenue that could be invested in key programs. “While some in Harrisburg claim we can’t afford to make bigger investments in our kids, public safety, and our economy, know this: If we legalized and regulated adult-use cannabis, we’d bring in $1.3 BILLION in revenue for our Commonwealth over the first five years,” Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said in a social media post on Tuesday. “Those are dollars that can be invested back into our people and . . .

Make a donation to Last Prisoner Project this 420 to help support cannabis criminal justice reform. The post Support the Last Prisoner Project this 420 and beyond appeared first on Leafly.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora made the first cannabis purchase at Toke Lane Dispensary after presiding over their grand opening ribbon cutting recently at 226 S. Broad Street. Councilwoman Jennifer Williams, members of the Trenton Fire Department, and other city officials were also in attendance. They shared remarks recognizing the project’s five-year path to opening and [ . . . ] Source: Toke Lane Dispensary Celebrates Grand Opening in Trenton from Heady NJ

The Idaho House of Representatives has joined the Senate in approving a resolution urging voters to “reject” an effort to place an initiative to legalize medical marijuana on the state’s November ballot. The measure, sponsored by the Senate State Affairs Committee, claims that cannabis legalization in other states has led to a host of harms, including “increased cartel activity, development of black market marijuana production, human trafficking, and increased crime rates” as well as “increased rates of serious health issues,” environmental harms and “safety concerns on job sites.” After . . .

“The practical effect is to immunize Ohio’s in-state marijuana industry, which Ohio law requires to have an in-state physical presence, from out-of-state competition with respect to federally legal hemp products otherwise sold in interstate commerce.” By Phillip Smith, The American Hemp Monitor A Sandusky County court of common pleas judge has ruled that Ohio’s new law banning the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids except at licensed marijuana retailers is likely unconstitutional and has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Fremont Police Department from enforcing it. . . .

Missouri’s governor says the state needs to take steps to restrict the availability of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products in line with legislation that lawmakers recently sent to his desk. “At a high level, I’m very much in favor of taking these illegal drugs in the form of the candies and stuff off of the shelves for kids to be able to buy,” Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) said in an episode of This Week in Missouri Politics that aired on Sunday. While the governor said his office will “do bill review” on the specific provisions of the legislation that lawmakers passed last week, he generally . . .

Next week, Harris Sliwoski LLP attorney Jason Adelstone will be attending the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, where he is looking forward to connecting with international cannabis businesses, investors, and regulatory experts from around the world. As global cannabis markets continue to expand, events like ICBC provide an important opportunity to discuss emerging trends, cross-border investment, supply chain development, and the future of cannabis regulation. ICBC Berlin has become one of the leading forums for discussing where the global cannabis market is headed, . . .

New Jersey’s cannabis market is growing quickly. But trust depends on what happens behind the scenes in testing labs before products reach dispensary shelves. The three key signs of safer cannabis are accurate potency verification, rigorous contaminant screening, and consistent analytical testing methods. As the local cannabis testing landscape matures, understanding these laboratory quality control [ . . . ] Source: 3 Simple Signs for Safer Cannabis from Heady NJ

The four quiet secrets to staying discreet effortlessly with nicotine involve prioritizing physical comfort, ensuring release consistency, verifying flavor duration, and optimizing storage convenience. As modern adults navigate shared workspaces and packed transit systems, traditional consumption often creates unwanted social friction. By evaluating these specific factors in modern smoke-free nicotine options, professionals and shift workers [ . . . ] Source: 4 Quiet Secrets To Stay Discreet Effortlessly from Heady NJ

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says the marijuana rescheduling appeal process “remains pending” despite President Donald Trump issuing an executive order more than three months ago directing the attorney general to enact the reform “in the most expeditious manner.” DEA and reform proponents on Monday submitted a joint status report on an interlocutory appeal that concerns allegations of agency bias and improper communications with anti-rescheduling parties during the rescheduling review process. “To date, Movants’ interlocutory appeal to the Administrator regarding their Motion to . . .

A Republican congressman who President Donald Trump is campaigning to defeat in a primary election next month says states should be able to decide whether they want to legalize marijuana without federal interference. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) said in a new interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer that while he doesn’t “do recreational marijuana” and personally prefers “medicinal margaritas,” he does support scaling back the war on cannabis. “I support anybody making their own decision,” the congressman said. “And the state of Kentucky should be deciding the marijuana laws for the state of . . .

Current federal laws that determine how marijuana and other drugs are classified have “fundamental flaws” that have done “immense damage,” according to a new analysis coauthored by a former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) senior advisor. While the Department of Justice and its component agency DEA are currently working to finalize a rule to move cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III in accordance with an executive order from President Donald Trump, the agency’s “choices about how to regulate marijuana are sharply-and irrationally-constrained” by . . .

Green Thumb Industries Inc (CNSX: GTII) (OTCMKTS: GTBIF) (FRA: R9U2) and Cresco Labs Inc (CNSX: CL) (OTCMKTS: CRLBF) (FRA: 6CQ) will soon enter the Texas medical cannabis market, bringing new know-how to the state’s growing Compassionate Use Program. The Texas Department of Public Safety awarded conditional vertically integrated licenses to the two multi-state operators in early April. Green Thumb, operating through its RISE Dispensaries brand, and Cresco Labs now hold permits that will eventually allow them to cultivate, process, and dispense medical cannabis products. They join Texas Medica . . .

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) last week introduced a bill that would allow local breweries to partner with licensed medical cannabis manufacturers to produce cannabis-infused beverages. “This is an opportunity to support two local industries and to keep business in DC. We have fantastic local brewers and distillers in our city, we have a robust medical cannabis market, and this is a new opportunity for those two markets to collaborate and create a safe and smoke-free alternative for patients in DC.” – Bowser in a press release The proposal would also allow a license endorsement . . .

Nebraska lawmakers last week approved a bill to allow the state Medical Cannabis Commission to set fees and raise revenue, the Nebraska Examiner reports. The legislation is the first-ever bill related to the voter-approved medical cannabis to be approved by state lawmakers. Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, told the Examiner that the bill’s passage is “one very small step” but “something to celebrate.” “Still so much that has to be done to turn this into a program patients can actually access. And until we see that day, we cannot call it success.” – . . .