News

  • Marijuana Kiosks For Seniors Are Coming To Independent Living Communities Across Arizona
    by Kyle Jaeger on February 26, 2026 at 6:06 pm

    Senior residents in Arizona independent living communities could soon see a different kind of care service available in their neighborhoods: Kiosks allowing them to view and buy marijuana products from licensed dispensaries. The retailer Life Is Chill and cannabis technology company LoveBud announced on Thursday that they were partnering for the launch of the novel initiative, which will involve deploying the kiosks in participating senior living communities that residents can use to learn about and order marijuana products for delivery. “We are launching something Arizona has not seen yet, a . . .

  • Missouri Lawmakers Approve Psychedelics Bills To Expand Access To And Research On Psilocybin And Ibogaine
    by Kyle Jaeger on February 26, 2026 at 4:51 pm

    Missouri lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at expanding therapeutic access to and research on psychedelics such as psilocybin and ibogaine for adults and military veterans. On Wednesday, members of the House Emerging Issues Committee passed two psychedelics proposals-combining two psilocybin- and two ibogaine-focused bills from Reps. Matthew Overcast (R) and Rep. Richard West (R)-that would take a series of steps to fund psychedelics studies, prepare for federal approval of novel therapeutics and create regulated psilocybin programs through which the substance could be administered to . . .

  • Amendment To Delay Hemp THC Ban Won’t Get A Vote At Farm Bill Hearing, Key GOP Congressional Committee Chair Signals
    by Kyle Jaeger on February 26, 2026 at 4:16 pm

    The Republican chair of a key House committee says a proposed amendment to a large-scale agriculture bill that would delay a hemp THC ban by a year isn’t relevant to the legislation, casting doubt on the prospects that it will get a vote in the panel next week. Shortly after Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) submitted the amendment-which supporters say is necessary to give farmers more time to prepare and stakeholders more time to negotiate a long-term deal on potential regulations for hemp products-House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) reportedly said he doesn’t think the proposal . . .

  • New York Bill Would Allow Sales of Low-THC Beverages at Liquor Stores
    by TG Branfalt on February 26, 2026 at 3:39 pm

    A bill proposed in New York would allow sales of THC beverages at liquor stores. Under the proposal, liquor stores would have to obtain a permit to sell the products and only be allowed to carry products with 5 milligrams of THC or less. The bill would also impose new taxes on low-THC cannabis beverages, including an additional 13% tax on retail sales. In the justification memo accompanying the bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D), the measure would support “small businesses and social and economic equity applicants by dedicating a portion of revenues to loans, grants, . . .

  • Oklahoma Bill would Allow Counties to Impose up to 15% Tax on Cannabis Retail Sales
    by TG Branfalt on February 26, 2026 at 3:38 pm

    An Oklahoma bill would allow counties to impose an up to 15% “public service impact tax” on cannabis retail sales. Before the tax could be levied, it must first be approved by a majority of county voters in a special election. Under the proposal, the special election could be initiated by either the county commissioners or by a petition signed by at least 5% of registered voters. Were voters to reject the tax, another election to impose the tax would not be able to be held for six months. The bill requires that the revenue must be designated for specific purposes, such as supporting . . .

  • Criminal Trial Underway for Nebraska Notary on Medical Cannabis Petitions
    by TG Branfalt on February 26, 2026 at 3:36 pm

    The criminal trial of a Nebraska notary accused of official misconduct began on Monday. The Nebraska Examiner reports that Jacy C. Todd is facing 24 misdemeanor charges related to his notary duties for the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign that legalized medical cannabis in the state in 2024. Prosecutors allege that Todd, between January 29 and July 2, 2024, notarized petitions on behalf of a Michael K. Egbert, a paid petition circulator, who was not in Todd’s presence. The charges are Class II misdemeanors which carry a maximum of six months’ imprisonment, a $1,000 fine, or both. . . .

  • Oklahoma Lawmakers Vote To Extend Medical Marijuana Business License Moratorium
    by Marijuana Moment on February 26, 2026 at 3:35 pm

    “We don’t want to go back to the Wild, Wild West and have 10,000 licenses out there. We wanna put a number on that so we can keep them in compliance.” By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice Oklahoma House lawmakers on Wednesday sent two bills to the Senate extending a moratorium on medical marijuana licenses and limiting the number of grow licenses. House Bills 3143 and 3144 would extend an existing moratorium on all new marijuana business licenses to August 1, 2028, and limit the number of grow licenses to 2,500, respectively. The current moratorium on new licenses expires August 1. There are . . .

  • Texas Voters Disapprove Of How State Officials Are Handling Marijuana And THC Laws, Poll Shows
    by Kyle Jaeger on February 26, 2026 at 2:42 pm

    Texas voters say they disapprove of how state leaders and lawmakers have handled marijuana and THC policy issues, according to a new poll that comes amid a primary election where people will get the chance to make their voices heard on cannabis legalization at the ballot. The Texas Politics Project survey, released on Monday, asked registered voters about a variety of policy issues-from abortion rights to border security to cannabis laws-and how they feel officials are managing them. Efforts to legalize marijuana in Texas have consistently stalled in the conservative legislature, and state . . .

  • Share Repurchases Are Not Always a Good Idea for Cannabis Companies
    by Alan Brochstein, CFA on February 26, 2026 at 1:46 pm

    You’re reading this week’s edition of the New Cannabis Ventures weekly newsletter, which we have been publishing since October 2015. The newsletter includes unique insight to help our readers stay ahead of the curve as well as links to the week’s most important news. We no longer send these by email as we did in [ . . . ]

  • Legalizing Marijuana In Pennsylvania Would Generate Almost Half A Billion Dollars In Revenue By 2028 Under Governor’s Plan, State Analysis Finds
    by Kyle Jaeger on February 26, 2026 at 12:44 pm

    Legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania under the governor’s latest budget plan could bring in nearly half a billion dollars in annual revenue by 2028, according to a new analysis from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) that estimates a significantly larger cash windfall compared to projections from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) own office. With a proposed 20 percent wholesale cannabis excise tax, 6 percent state sales tax for retail and licensing fees, IFO said Shapiro’s legalization plan that he unveiled earlier this month would generate $140 million in tax revenue in the first year of . . .

  • Trulieve Q4 Revenue Falls 3%
    by NCV Newswire on February 26, 2026 at 11:29 am

    Trulieve Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results with 60% Gross Margin and Record Cash Flow Generation Full year revenue of $1.2 billion, with 60% gross margin Record 2025 cash flow from operations of $273 million and free cash flow of $229 million* Record 50.1 million branded product units sold in 2025, up 5% [ . . . ]

  • Downtown Flwr Dispensary Co-Owner Benny Shabtai Found in Epstein Files
    by Dan Ulloa on February 26, 2026 at 3:17 am

    Jersey City’s Downtown Flwr dispensary co-owner, business tycoon Benny Shabtai, has been found in the Epstein Files. Benny Shabtai, like the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, is a very wealthy businessman who owns many different companies. He has previously denied knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking of underage girls for pedophilia, according to the Daily Mail. Heady [ . . . ] Source: Downtown Flwr Dispensary Co-Owner Benny Shabtai Found in Epstein Files from Heady NJ

  • Newsbrief: Michigan sales plunge following tax hike
    by Week_admin on February 26, 2026 at 2:43 am

    Michigan data shows sales plunged in January, the first month when a new 24% tax was in place. Total REC sales were just below $226.4M in January, down 8.2% year over year and the lowest monthly total since February 2023. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had advocated for the 24% wholesale tax as a way to raise up to $420M for road repairs. Some of the January decline may have reflected consumers stocking up before the tax . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Newsbrief: Michigan sales plunge following tax hike appeared first on WeedWeek.

  • Green Thumb Industries Revenue Rips as Profitability Improves
    by NCV Newswire on February 25, 2026 at 9:16 pm

    Green Thumb Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Green Thumb Industries Inc. (“Green Thumb” or the “Company”) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, today reported its financial results for the [ . . . ]

  • Indiana Bill To Ben Hemp THC Products Dies As Key Deadline Passes
    by Marijuana Moment on February 25, 2026 at 7:48 pm

    “Another example of why we should be a unicameral Legislature.” By Leslie Bonilla Muniz and Tom Davies, Indiana Capital Chronicle A ban on intoxicating and synthetic hemp-derived products died Monday after Indiana House lawmakers failed to call it down ahead of a second reading deadline. Senate Bill 250 would have mirrored a recent federal law that was designed to close a so-called loophole allowing potent delta-8, THCA and other cannabinoid products to proliferate. Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, was openly critical of his colleagues across the hall for killing his bill. All he would . . .

  • Trump’s Surgeon General Pick Says She Doesn’t Recommend People Use Psychedelics Like She Has-But Will Follow ‘Exciting’ Research
    by Kyle Jaeger on February 25, 2026 at 6:57 pm

    President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as U.S. surgeon general says that, while she wouldn’t recommend that Americans experiment with psychedelics like she has, there’s “exciting” research indicating that substances such as psilocybin can effectively treat serious mental health conditions that she would continue to follow if confirmed for the job. During a confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee on Wednesday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) pressed the nominee for surgeon general, Casey Means, on a section of a book she wrote that described an . . .

  • Virginia House Passes Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana Use In Hospitals
    by Tom Angell on February 25, 2026 at 5:36 pm

    The Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill to allow patients to use medical marijuana in hospitals. While both the House and Senate earlier this month approved differing versions of the cannabis legislation, the sponsors of those bills have agreed on a compromise approach which cleared the House in a 97-1 vote on Tuesday. As amended, SB 332 from Sen. Barbara Favola (D) would build upon existing state law protecting health professionals at hospices, nursing homes and assisted living facilities that aid terminally ill patients in utilizing medical cannabis treatment from punishment by . . .

  • Newsbrief: Hemp drink fight continues in D.C.
    by Week_admin on February 25, 2026 at 5:27 pm

    While the game of what’s next in the rescheduling process continues, the Wall Street Journal takes a look at the other big cannabis fight, whether the federal hemp-derived THC ban will take effect in November. There’s speculation that low-dose beverages, now available in liquor stores in some states may be better positioned for a reprieve than some of the stronger products available online. Veteran . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Newsbrief: Hemp drink fight continues in D.C. appeared first on WeedWeek.

  • This Black History Month, Simply Rescheduling Marijuana Isn’t Enough While Cannabis Prisoners Remain Behind Bars
    by Marijuana Moment on February 25, 2026 at 4:53 pm

    “Rescheduling . . . does not free a single person from prison, clear a single criminal record or repair the racial harm created by decades of cannabis prohibition.” By Stephanie Shepard, Last Prisoner Project Every Black History Month, we are asked to reflect on how far our country has come, and to honor progress, resilience and the long fight for racial justice. That history includes not only landmark civil rights victories, but also the policies that followed them, including the war on drugs, which for decades has been used to police, punish and destabilize Black communities under the guise of . . .

  • Trump ‘Missed An Opportunity’ To Promote Marijuana Rescheduling During State Of The Union, Industry Leader Says
    by Kyle Jaeger on February 25, 2026 at 3:59 pm

    President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy State of the Union address on Tuesday, touching on a wide range of policy issues he’s championed in the first year of his second term. But to the disappointment of advocates and stakeholders, the president did not take the primetime opportunity to promote his work around marijuana rescheduling. Trump did bring up drugs in the context of militarized enforcement actions targeting alleged traffickers, preventing fentanyl smuggling across the border and the addressing pharmaceutical costs. Yet despite the bipartisan popularity of cannabis reform, he . . .

  • Study Shows Single Dose of DMT Can Reduce Depression Symptoms
    by Graham Abbott on February 25, 2026 at 3:22 pm

    Researchers behind a recent clinical trial at Imperial College London said that participants with depression who took a dose of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) experienced reduced symptoms compared to those who took a placebo, Medical News Today reports. DMT is a naturally occurring substance that is fact-acting and has intense, but somewhat short, psychedelic side effects. The study, published in the February edition of Nature Medicine, found that a single treatment with DMT could relieve symptoms of depression for up to 6 months. The researchers also noted that DMT’s short half-life of about 5 . . .

  • Nebraska Bill Would Protect Doctors Who Recommend Medical Cannabis
    by Graham Abbott on February 25, 2026 at 3:22 pm

    The Nebraska Legislature is set to consider a proposal to protect physicians who recommend patients to the state’s medical cannabis program from civil, criminal, or disciplinary actions related to that conduct, the Nebraska Examiner reports. Proposed by State Sen. John Cavanaugh (D), the bill was introduced last week to the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee. There was no opposing testimony at the hearing, and of the seven lawmakers on the committee, at least four said they supported the proposal, according to the report. The bill, which outlines explicit protections for . . .

  • What the 2026 Federal Hemp Ban Means for Unsold Hemp Inventory
    by Jason Adelstone on February 25, 2026 at 3:00 pm

    Most commentary on the “hemp ban” included in the November funding bill has focused on two related questions: (1) which products and activities may become unlawful on November 12, 2026; and (2) whether Congress will materially amend or delay the ban before then. I recently discussed another consequence operators should be considering as the deadline approaches: bankruptcy eligibility. But focusing only on insolvency planning misses a much more immediate operational problem: inventory. Many hemp operators are currently holding large volumes of unsold material. At the same time, portions of the . . .

  • Nebraska Lawmakers Vote To Protect Doctors Who Recommend Medical Marijuana
    by Marijuana Moment on February 25, 2026 at 2:08 pm

    “It moves us closer to the day patients can speak openly with their doctors and families like mine can finally see the relief our loved ones have waited so long for.” By Juan Salinas II, Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee advanced a bill onto the floor that explicitly protects physicians who recommend medical cannabis to patients. The committee on Tuesday voted 5-2 to advance Legislative Bill 933 from State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha. The measure would grant medical practitioners immunity from civil, criminal or disciplinary action for stating . . .

  • KANHA Pushes Into Global Medical Markets With New EU‑GMP Partnership
    by Industry Articles on February 25, 2026 at 2:01 pm

    Sunderstorm, the California-based house of brands behind KANHA and Lime, has signed a strategic agreement with New Garden Pharma to produce EU‑GMP cannabis edibles and flower for Europe and Australia, while expanding distribution with California’s Medical GmbH in Germany, FuGu Holdings in Australia, and Grow Group UK. As medical cannabis markets in Europe and Asia-Pacific grow into multi‑billion‑dollar opportunities, KANHA is leveraging its established operations in Thailand and Japan to build a fully integrated international supply chain and deliver fast‑acting, precisely dosed products to . . .