News

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: $10 Million in Public Funds Diverted to Anti-Legalization Efforts in Florida An investigation reveals that $10 million intended for Florida taxpayers was redirected into efforts opposing cannabis legalization, raising serious questions about transparency and the use of public funds. The spending reportedly supported messaging campaigns designed to influence voter perception ahead of . . .

Ahead of the upcoming unofficial cannabis holiday on 4/20, a top marijuana reform group is asking consumers to take a poll about the freedoms (or lack thereof) that they experience where they live. The new 2026 Cannabis Freedom Survey from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) includes questions like “Where you live, how free are adults to legally possess and access cannabis?” and “Where you live, how concerned are you about legal consequences for cannabis consumers?” The survey is “designed to capture real-time sentiment from cannabis consumers across the United . . .

Far & Dotter just expanded into New Jersey, opening its new Pemberton location as a franchise deal in Burlington County in South Jersey. The highlight of the event was the ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Far & Dotter franchisee owner Haider Rizi (pictured above, far right), along with Pemberton Mayor Matthew Bianchini (pictured center left) and [ . . . ] Source: Far and Dotter Dispensary Holds Grand Opening in Pemberton from Heady NJ

“The governor, the attorney general, and now, apparently, the Department of Agriculture are going around the law to try to ban this product that is legal in Nebraska.” By Phillip Smith, The American Hemp Monitor Nebraska hemp businesses generate an estimated $10 million in sales tax revenue each year and employ around 2,000 Nebraskans, but the state is adopting a novel approach to cracking down on hemp-derived cannabinoid products, in a move is drawing a backlash from the hemp industry and local politicians. Following up on a January executive order from Gov. Jim Pillen (R), “Protecting . . .

“Something real-something built with care-is being dismantled by people who never had to love it to profit from it.” By John Grady, Slaphappy Hemp Company A recent Marijuana Moment op-ed authored by Max Jackson of Cannabis Wise Guys argues that the hemp industry killed itself and that no one-except the bad actors in the sector itself-is to blame for the result. The bad actors the piece describes are real, and some of the failures it documents are accurate. But the conclusion-that state legislatures are fairly responding to industry abuse-lacks strength. What’s actually moving through those . . .

If you are paying attention to the cannabis industry in the Mid-Atlantic, Philadelphia is the place to be next week. On April 18, the Pennsylvania Convention Center will host the 2026 Pennsylvania Cannabis Convention (PACC). This year’s gathering feels distinctly different, fueled by real, promising progress on the adult-use legalization front that is shifting conversations from speculative to strategic. Pennsylvania already boasts one of the country’s most robust medical programs, generating over $1.7 billion in annual sales and ranking as the sixth-largest cannabis retail market in the . . .

Seven out of ten Pennsylvania likely voters support legalizing marijuana, according to a new poll. That includes majority backing for the reform across party lines. When asked whether they “support or oppose the regulation and taxation of legal cannabis for use by adults 21 and older in Pennsylvania,” 69 percent of respondents said yes. Support was strongest from Democrats, at 72 percent, but also includes 67 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of independents. The survey, which was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition (PCC) and conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research, . . .

A Texas judge last week ordered that smokable hemp products can be sold again in the state, at least until the next hearing in a lawsuit challenging the ban, the Texas Tribune reports. The ruling by Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble grants the temporary restraining order requested by the plaintiffs, the Texas Hemp Business Council, Hemp Industry & Farmers of America, and hemp industry stakeholders, including retailers, manufacturers, and farmers. The judge’s order lifts the ban until at least April 23, meaning that smokable hemp, like pre-rolls and flower products, can be . . .

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) announced the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary, Callie’s Apothecary, anticipates serving its first patient on May 4, according to a WSFA report. Some of the commission members toured the retailer ahead of last week’s announcement. AMCC Director John McMillan highlighted the site’s extensive security and compliance measures. “A patient will not be able to even enter the door unless a picture is taken of their medical cannabis card and relayed through the system. It’s just amazing. Cameras everywhere, lights everywhere, locks everywhere.” . . .

Major retailer Target is expanding its participation in the hemp-derived THC beverage market, even as a federal law is set to ban the products later this year. Last year, the company began a pilot program involving sales of cannabis drinks at 10 select stores in Minnesota. That apparently went well, and now the company has obtained licenses from Minnesota regulators to sell lower-potency hemp edible products-including THC drinks-at all 72 of its stores in the state. According to a review of Office of Cannabis Management data, Target, which is headquartered in Minnesota, now holds more . . .

Vireo Growth Announces California Retail Joint Venture with Glass House Brands MINNEAPOLIS and LONG BEACH, Calif., April 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Vireo Growth Inc. (“Vireo”) (CSE: VREO; OTCQX: VREOF) and Glass House Brands Inc. (“Glass House”) (CBOE CA: GLAS.A.U) (CBOE CA: GLAS.WT.U) (OTCQX: GLASF) (OTCQX: GHBWF) today announced a joint venture to build one [ . . . ]

Federal health officials are asking a court to dismiss marijuana legalization opponents’ lawsuit challenging a new Trump administration initiative to cover up to $500 worth of hemp-derived products each year for eligible Medicare patients. The program being implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) focuses largely on CBD but also allows a certain amount of THC in products. Lawyers for Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Director Mehmet Oz filed a brief on Thursday saying that the anti-cannabis organizations that filed the suit against the . . .

Michigan cannabis sales for March fell from a year ago as they increased sequentially by 8.9%. At $255.5 million, sales were down 7.8% from a year earlier: The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency breaks out sales by medical and adult-use, with medical sales falling 36.8% from a year ago to $0.4 million, down 3.8% sequentially, and adult-use sales [ . . . ]

“We just want a fair shot. We’re not asking for anything special, no special privileges, but what they promised from the very beginning.” By Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois Nearly seven years after Illinois lawmakers approved recreational cannabis legalization, applicants who lost out on coveted business licenses are still battling the state in court, alleging the law’s rollout undermined its purported equity goals. At the time of its passage in 2019, supporters of Illinois’s landmark law touted it as the most equity-centric legalized cannabis program in the nation. But one of the . . .

“Knowing the Act was facing legal challenges . . . CCC continued forward with its plan to implement the Act and its licensing scheme. The resulting fall-out will be, to be blunt, self-inflicted.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant Nearly 100 applicants vying for 20 new cannabis retail licenses that were supposed to be awarded via lottery as soon as May remain in limbo after a federal judge’s order this week put the plan on pause. U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose on Wednesday issued a preliminary injunction against the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission. The commission is the . . .

“Legalization created opportunity. This ordinance ensures that this opportunity is shared, shared fairly, shared transparently and shared with the residents who made it possible.” By Nick Castele, Signal Cleveland This story was originally published by Signal Cleveland. Sign up for their free newsletters at SignalCleveland.org/subscribe. Cleveland City Council members should be able to spend part of the city’s marijuana tax money directly on neighborhood projects, Ward 5’s Richard Starr said on Monday. Starr introduced legislation this week to send half of Cleveland’s marijuana revenue to . . .

A Georgia non-profit is asking Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to veto a bill that would expand the state’s MED program. Among other things, SB 220 would lengthen the list of qualifying conditions, and allow more production facilities and dispensaries. “Georgia built its Low THC Oil program around restraint, structure, and patient guardrails. SB 220 moves in the opposite direction. It opens the door to high-potency products, vaping, broader access, and weaker safeguards, all under the banner of medicine,” the . . . Log in or become a WeedWeek Member to read this article. The post Newsbrief: Georgia group . . .

A Texas judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the enforcement of new state rules restricting access to hemp-derived products such as smokable THCA flower. The ruling on Friday comes in a lawsuit brought by a coalition of hemp industry leaders and advocacy organizations that claim the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) illegally bypassed lawmakers to effectively ban the sale and manufacture of certain consumable hemp products. The order from District Court of Travis County Judge Guerra Gamble pauses the new hemp . . .

Happy 420 is not just a hype. For cannabis lovers, it is a holiday on the 20th of April to celebrate Marijuana. Being every stoner’s favorite holiday of the year, it is also the best time to lift your spirits, soothe stress, and turn chaos into calm. If you are planning to spend the day with friends or chill alone, here are the best D9 gummies that can make the day special. Kind Oasis Kind Oasis Gummies offer a reliable, great-tasting way to enjoy THC. The 100% vegan gummies stand out for their consistency, quality, and flavor. With each gummy, you get a handcrafted small batch, the right . . .

Every year, a certain species of North American cannabis executive migrates east. They arrive in Berlin armed with pitch decks, brand guidelines, and a working belief that scale is a personality trait. They land at Brandenburg Airport and quickly discover that Europe is not impressed. Welcome to the International Cannabis Business Conference, also known as ICBC Berlin. Consider this your field manual. 1. Timing & Transport Berlin doesn’t negotiate with jet lag. Sessions start exactly on time. Doors close at :00, not :05. Pre-book a transfer or use the official shuttle. Taxis are fine but . . .

The Hawaii Senate has passed a pair of resolutions calling on Congress to federally legalize marijuana, support state efforts to clear people’s conviction records and take steps to facilitate access to banking services for companies in the cannabis industry. “Even though states have made significant policy changes with respect to cannabis, the federal Controlled Substances Act still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance,” the measures that were approved in 20-5 votes by the Senate on Thursday say, “which means that medical cannabis dispensaries and other cannabis-related businesses . . .

There will be no protections enshrined in Nebraska state law this year for medical practitioners who recommend patients to the state’s medical cannabis program after cannabis opponents stymied legislation by state Sen. John Cavanaugh (R), NTV reports. Lawmakers voted to approve the proposal during early consideration. However, in subsequent discussions, medical cannabis opponents disrupted the bill with amendments seeking to change the purpose of the proposal. With the added amendments, Cavanaugh ultimately pulled the bill from consideration, noting that “This bill no longer serves the goal . . .

A coalition of hemp industry stakeholders and advocacy groups filed a temporary restraining order against the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on Tuesday, seeking to block the state’s recently implemented ban on smokable hemp products, the Texas Tribune reports. Enacted on March 31, the ban prohibits the sale of hemp flower, pre-rolls, and vaporizers. DSHS officials targeted the products by updating the state regulations to count the cannabinoid THCA – which itself is not intoxicating, but when decarboxylated (heated or . . .

Oregon’s governor has signed a bill to allow patients with debilitating medical conditions to access medical marijuana in certain health facilities such as hospices. Gov. Tina Kotek (D) approved the legislation from Rep. Farrah Chaichi (D) on Tuesday after it cleared the Senate in a 20-8 vote last month and was passed by the House of Representatives in a 39-3 vote in February. Chaichi said in testimony to the Senate Health Care Committee that the bill is “an important tool to facilitate cannabis use as an alternative or addition to opioid use in end of life care.” “While sometimes necessary, . . .

ButACake announced the launch of the first canned cannabis drink THC beverage in New Jersey dispensaries, “the Cherry Hibiscus Elixir.” Each ButACake cannabis drink can has 7.5 fluid ounces with 5mg of THC. Many longtime underground legacy consumers will likely find that weak. However, casual cannabis consumers and newbies with a low tolerance might like [ . . . ] Source: ButACake Launches NJ’s 1st Canned Cannabis Drink in Dispensaries from Heady NJ