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Virginia’s governor has signed legislation to provide resentencing relief for people with past marijuana convictions-even after lawmakers declined to adopt her proposed amendments to the legislation that would have significantly scaled back the scope of the reform. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) gave final approval to the bills, HB 26 from Rozia Henson, Jr. (D), and SB 62 from Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas (D), on Thursday. Separately, lawmakers and advocates are awaiting the governor’s action on separate legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales after her proposed amendments . . .

The NJ-Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) announced there are 323 legal cannabis dispensaries open across the state as the NJ cannabis market has grown steadily. NJ Cannabis Market Progress “We have more than 300 dispensaries in all 21 counties currently!” NJ Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs exclaimed. * New Jersey had been around 300 for a [ . . . ] Source: NJ-CRC Announces 323 Legal Cannabis Dispensaries Open from Heady NJ

The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) touted progress on dealing with mold and yeast issues, along with THC inflation. NJ Cannabis Mold and Yeast Issues “Totally mold and yield failure rates are up 307 percent from April 25 to April 26. Which is great,” Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs said. “You’re seeing 3.14 percent fail,” [ . . . ] Source: NJ-CRC Touts Mold, Yeast, THC Issue Enforcement Progress from Heady NJ

The NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) gave the Multi-State Operator (MSO) Curaleaf another temporary approval of its adult-use cannabis licenses as its lawsuit continues. Curaleaf Gets Another Temporary Adult-use License Extension Acting Executive Director Christopher Riggs explained they are in an ongoing lawsuit with Curaleaf, which has 12 licenses in the NJ medical cannabis market. [ . . . ] Source: NJ-CRC Approves MSO Curaleaf Adult-use Sales Continuing During Labor Lawsuit from Heady NJ

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to let military veterans receive recommendations for medical marijuana through their doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-while also approving a separate amendment focused on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. The cannabis proposal from Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Dina Titus (D-NV) passed by a voice vote on Thursday. If enacted into law, the amendment would prevent VA from enforcing a longstanding directive that has blocked its providers from assisting veterans with registering for state medical cannabis . . .

A Louisiana House committee has advanced a Senate-passed bill to let patients with terminal and irreversible conditions use medical marijuana in hospitals. The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the legislation from Sen. Katrina Jackson-Andrews (D) in a unanimous 10-0 vote on Tuesday. Under the proposal, hospitals would have to create written guidelines allowing covered patients to consume medical cannabis on-site in forms other than smoking or vaping. Under an amendment adopted by a Senate committee last month, emergency or outpatient departments would be exempted from the policy. . . .

Accounts receivable debt isn’t just a problem for unpaid vendors, it’s a major constraint on the industry’s growth. In this edition of WeedWeek Wonks we spoke to Adam Stettner, CEO of lender FundCanna and Brett Gelfand, founder of debt collector CannaBIZ Collects and the Cannabiz Credit Association about the scope of the problem and how rescheduling could help. Want to be featured on a future WeedWeek Wonks? We’re looking for experts with actionable insights across the cannabis ecosystem. Apply here. Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post WeedWeek Wonks: The . . .

There’s been a “striking increase” in support for legal and regulated therapeutic access to psychedelics as well as expanded research exploring their medical potential-with a new poll finding that voters have been “warming up” to the alternative treatment option over the last two years. As the state and federal reform movement has intensified, the University of California, Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) on Wednesday released its second national survey on how voters view the substances, as well as their opinions about differing psychedelics policy proposals. Overall, . . .

Valley Wellness dispensary in Raritan Township in Somerset County is releasing Raritan’s most affordable and reliable pre-roll at just $6. “Customers shouldn’t have to choose between quality and affordability,” said Valley Wellness CEO Sarah Trent. “Our newly introduced Raritan’s Choice gives our customers access to a reliable, well-crafted pre-roll at a price that makes sense.” Raritan’s Choice is [ . . . ] Source: Valley Wellness Introduces “Raritan’s Choice” Affordable and Reliable Pre-Roll at Just $6 from Heady NJ

It’s not an understatement to say Bam Margera is a cultural icon. Pro skateboarder. Jackass and Viv La Bam star. Merch magnate. His innate penchant for filming every aspect of his life paid dividends early on. Before MTV, reality television, and Jackass, Bam built his reputation through homemade skate videos, prank footage, and a tight-knit West Chester, Pennsylvania crew that became known as CKY, short for “Camp Kill Yourself.” The videos blended aggressive street skating, absurd stunts, destruction, music, and the kind of chaotic humor that later contributed to the blueprint for Jackass. . . .

Freedom Grow, a grassroots, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting cannabis prisoners and their families, is entering a new phase of impact, bridging advocacy, community, and culture through strategic partnerships, national events, and retail-driven fundraising initiatives. This expansion comes on the heels of new leadership, with Bill and Jeff Levers, founders of Beard Bros Pharms and Beard Bros Media, stepping in as CEO and COO, bringing with them a clear and deliberate vision: to significantly increase awareness, visibility, and industry participation in Freedom Grow’s . . .

A key congressional committee has voted to block the federal rescheduling of marijuana-even after the Trump administration announced last month that it is moving ahead with enacting the reform. The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a funding bill containing a provision that, if enacted, would prevent federal officials from taking further steps to carry out cannabis rescheduling. “SEC. 591. None of the funds appropriated under this Act or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to reschedule marijuana (as such term is defined in section 102 of the Controlled . . .

A lawmaker who helps to lead the Congressional Cannabis Caucus says there are “a lot” of fellow legislators on Capitol Hill who secretly smoke marijuana. “I think there are a lot of people who smoke cannabis in Congress,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said on Wednesday. She added, however, that legalization is an important policy issue that should appeal broadly beyond just those who consume marijuana. “Advocacy for legalizing doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a user,” the congresswoman told TMZ. “So everybody can be an advocate for legalizing it, because we understand that it is not okay for us . . .

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 [ . . . ]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has released a new draft Firearms Transaction Record form that includes an updated question related to illicit drug use. The new form comes weeks after the federal government moved medical cannabis from Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III. The section related to illegal reads, “I am not (eic) an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug or any other controlled substance. (Warning: You can be an unlawful user under federal law, even if your possession . . .

More California adolescents view alcohol, nicotine vapes, and cigarettes as more dangerous than cannabis, according to a study published last week in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal. The data comes from 160,222 adolescents who took the 2019–2020 California Student Tobacco Survey and 14,922 adolescents who took the 2024 California Youth Tobacco Survey. The survey found 92.6% of respondents believed daily cigarette smoking is harmful; 85.3% believed everyday nicotine vape use is harmful; and 77.7% believed everyday alcohol use is harmful. Comparatively, 66.8% of respondents said daily . . .

Adult-use cannabis sales in Michigan totaled $258.17 million in April, according to state Cannabis Regulatory Agency data outlined by WZZM13. The figures were buoyed by 4/20 sales which reached $20.4 million, according to Michigan Cannabis Industry Association data. The strong April totals represent a rebound for the state’s market, which in January saw $224.4 million in adult-use cannabis sales – the lowest amount since February 2023, the report says. Last year, 4/20 sales in Michigan reached about $16 million; however, April 20 fell on Easter Sunday, which likely had a negative impact on . . .

For years, the cannabis industry has treated federal rescheduling like a finish line. It isn’t. If cannabis moves to Schedule III, it’ll provide some tax benefits and open a new market pathway, but the result won’t be a unified, legitimate industry-it’ll be a split one: two systems, two rulebooks and no clear bridge between them. Once cannabis leaves Schedule I, many believe the regulatory fog will lift and the industry will operate like any other legitimate sector. But if marijuana’s moved to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, the outcome will be less dramatic-and more . . .

Cannabis advocates from across the political spectrum went down to Washington, DC to lobby Congress for federal cannabis reform by decriminalizing and descheduling marijuana. The Cannabis Unity Coalition led a mobilization to demand immediate federal action in support of cannabis decriminalization, prisoner release, record clearing, and the restoration of rights for those negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition. [ . . . ] Source: Cannabis Unity Coalition Lobbies in DC to End Marijuana Prohibition from Heady NJ

The MJ Unpacked showcased a mature New Jersey cannabis market at their annual cannabis industry convention in Atlantic City, along with their 2nd annual NJ Cup. It included the MJU Cannabis Cup that Heady NJ previously covered. Bustling Cannabis Convention The MJ Unpacked convention floor at the Hard Rock hotel and casino was bustling with [ . . . ] Source: MJ Unpacked 2026 Cannabis Convention in Atlantic City Showcases Mature Market from Heady NJ

As opioids continue to drive overdose deaths, a new study suggests that making medical cannabis available and affordable can help patients reduce their use of the prescription painkillers. “Although cannabis has historically been characterized as a potential ‘gateway drug,’ it may also serve as a harm-reduction tool for some patients seeking to reduce reliance on higher-risk opioid medications,” the researchers from University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine found. The study, a prospective observational trial conducted at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, followed . . .

A Louisiana lawmaker has filed legislation that would create a new state task force to “study and develop findings and recommendations regarding the potential legalization of recreational marijuana.” Under HCR111 from Rep. C. Denise Marcelle (D), the Louisiana Recreational Cannabis Policy Task Force would examine marijuana policy issues and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by February 1, 2027. The resolution notes that Louisiana currently allows medical cannabis while other states have gone further to legalize adult-use marijuana. “Multiple states have . . .

A bipartisan pair of members of Congress are continuing their push to expedite the availability of psychedelic therapies that they believe can aid military veterans and other people who are struggling with mental health conditions. Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Lou Correa (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus, appeared together on CNN last week. Correa said therapy with substances like psilocybin, ibogaine and MDMA “works,” citing high suicide rates among veterans and arguing that psychedelics can be part of the solution. “You have people in my . . .

Irvin Dana Beal has been sentenced to four months in an Idaho jail stemming from his felony marijuana trafficking arrest on January 12. 2024.

Disclosure: This article is a paid partnership with Newport Bitch. Cannabis Tech received compensation for this placement. Views expressed are those of the sponsor. California’s cannabis market has always moved faster than the rest of the industry. Long before legalization spread across the country, California operators were already experimenting with cultivation systems, extraction methods, delivery logistics, strain genetics, and consumer branding that would eventually influence the broader market. That early innovation has made the cannabis industry in California what it is today. . . .