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“I can tell you, it absolutely does help children with seizures. It does help cancer patients, because we all know them in our lives.” By Skylar Laird, South Carolina Daily Gazette Accusations of lying and not being enough of a Republican flew during an often-contentious debate among GOP candidates for attorney general Wednesday night. Sen. Stephen Goldfinch and 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe frequently exchanged barbs during the hourlong debate, while 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo stayed out of the fray. The candidates often agreed at least broadly on issues, though they sometimes . . .

“None of us really can effectively advise our licensees, which is just incredibly frustrating, especially with a ticking clock.” By Amanda Watford, Stateline The U.S. Department of Justice’s recent decision to downgrade the drug classification for medical cannabis will help medical marijuana businesses. Companies will be able to claim some federal tax benefits. New research can start up at state universities. But the broader divide between federal and state marijuana policy remains largely intact, leaving states to navigate a fragmented and still-evolving cannabis landscape with few clear . . .

More than a quarter of the gun permit applications that Hawaii officials denied last year were due to the applicants’ status as medical marijuana patients, the state attorney general’s office says. The annual “Firearms Registration in Hawai’i” report, published last month, shows that of the 163 firearms permit applications that were rejected in 2025, 47 (28.8 percent) were denied due to medical cannabis. Medical marijuana was the leading cause of denials, ahead of mental health issues, domestic violence or other criminal offenses. Another 13 gun permit applications, or 8 percent of all . . .

“These findings add to the already robust evidence documenting the opioid-sparing effects of cannabis and highlight the role legal cannabis access can play in mitigating the public health burden associated with the use of prescription and non-prescription opiates.” The post Analysis: Opioid Overdoses Decrease Following Enactment of Marijuana Legalization Laws appeared first on NORML.

The large Multi-State Operator (MSO) TerrAscend is being sued by the federal government over an $8.3 million tax refund in the US District Court of New Jersey. The federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says they owe $8.3 million in taxes. So, they are taking them to court to collect. They are suing them in the [ . . . ] Source: Feds Suing MSO TerrAscend Over $8.3 Million in Taxes in NJ District Court from Heady NJ

The WeedHead & Company founder brings conversations, workshops, storytelling, and community activations to cannabis markets across the Northeast and beyond NEW YORK, NY – Dasheeda Dawson, nationally recognized cannabis strategist, former government regulator, molecular biologist, bestselling author, and founder of The WeedHead & Company, recently announced the launch of The State [of] Flower Tour, a first-of-its-kind multi-state cannabis experience traveling through major legal cannabis markets during Summer 2026. Launching alongside the highly anticipated fourth edition of Dawson’s . . .

The state attorneys general from Nebraska, Indiana, and Louisiana last week filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of Justice’s recent order to reschedule medical cannabis, the Nebraska Examiner reports. Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers, Louisiana AG Liz Murrill, and Indiana AG Todd Rokita, all Republicans, argue in the suit that the rescheduling move will make it easier to push adult-use legalization policies. The suit also objects to expanded medical cannabis production and tax changes under the new federal regime. AG Hilgers opposed the Nebraska medical cannabis legalization campaign in 2024, . . .

The California cannabis industry generated nearly $248 million in tax revenue during Q1 2026, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. The total includes $143.6 million in cannabis excise taxes and $104.3 million in cannabis sales taxes. The figures do not account for outstanding returns or those that are still being processed, officials said in a press release. The quarterly tax revenue represents a dip from the previous quarter, which officials amended to $257.6 million (up from $255.1 million) due to amended and late returns. Additionally, based on the latest . . .

Components of marijuana show “consistent and statistically significant anti-tumor effects” in certain types of cancer, including glioblastoma and breast cancer, according to a new scientific review that also found cannabinoids seem to “enhance chemotherapy efficacy.” The research, published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, involved a systematic meta-analysis of preclinical trial data investigating the relationship between cannabinoid therapies and multiple cancer types. Researchers at Semmelweis University and the University of Pécs said their work “provides the most comprehensive systematic . . .

Mental wellness isn’t just one thing, it has numerous small, simple, practical steps you can take right now, including mindful cannabis use. The post Surprising, practical tips for everyday mental wellness appeared first on The Leaf Online.

For the first time ever, flower is no longer king of the cannabis industry, with a new report revealing that in 2025 pre-rolls became the first product to surpass flower in terms of unit sales, taking the top spot. According to the State of the Pre-Roll Market Report 2026 from the Pre-Roll Experts at Custom Cones USA, more than 383 million pre-rolls were sold last year, up 18.6% from 2024. Pre-roll revenues topped more than $3.6 billion in 2025, a 9.8% growth over the previous year, the largest growth rate of any major category. In fact, 2025 marked the fifth consecutive year that the . . .

When Katie Pringle first entered the Canadian cannabis industry, she expected friction. New markets tend to come with rough edges. What caught her off guard was how familiar the imbalance felt. At early networking events, she often found herself as one of only two women in rooms filled with dozens of men, an incongruity for a sector that liked to position itself as progressive. “When we started in cannabis, we were the only women in the room a lot of the time,” Pringle recalled. “I would go to a networking event and there’d be me and my former business partner in a space with 80 men.” Rather . . .

Harris Sliwoski attorney Jason Adelstone will speak at Grow Up’s CannaVision Global Cannabis Executive Summit in Toronto, an exclusive invitation-only event for CEOs, presidents, and top-level executives leading the future of the global cannabis industry. Jason’s panel is at 12:00pm EST on Monday, June 1. The title is “Moving Cannabis Across Borders: What It Takes.” Jason’s work focuses heavily on international cannabis law, regulatory compliance, and cross-border business strategy. As global cannabis markets continue to evolve, operators increasingly face complex legal and commercial . . .

Louisiana’s governor has signed a bill that threatens to send people to jail for up to one year if they smoke marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school property-including a college campus. The legislation from Rep. Gabe Firment (R) was passed by the Senate in a 23-10 vote earlier this month after having cleared the House of Representatives in a 59-34 vote last month. Gov. Jeff Landry (R), whose staff previously testified in favor of the measure at a committee hearing, quietly signed it into law last week. The new policy applies to people who violate drug laws “while smoking, vaping, or . . .

A Louisiana bill that would allow some terminally ill patients in Louisiana to use medical cannabis in hospitals is now on Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk to approve or veto. Senate Bill 270, which was filed by State Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews (D), passed in the House of Representatives in a 53-45 vote, after it had previously passed the Senate by a 33-2 margin. Because the House did not make changes to the Senate-approved version, SB 270 will go directly to Landry. RELATED: Maryland moves to protect first responders who use medical cannabis SB 270 would apply to qualified patients who have . . .

Three Republican members of Congress have filed separate amendments to large-scale agriculture legislation that would prevent a scheduled federal ban on hemp THC products from taking effect in November. One proposal, from Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), would keep many hemp products legal that are currently set to be recriminalized this year, add labeling requirements and institute new taxes on sales, among other regulatory reforms. Another amendment, from Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC), would simply delay the planned recriminalization of hemp THC products for an additional two years. A third measure, from . . .

SNDL Inc (NASDAQ: SNDL) (CNSX: SNDL) (FRA: VY4) has pulled the plug on its plans to scoop up the last batch of 1CM Inc’s (CNSX: EPIC) (OTCMKTS: MILFF) (FRA: 1Q70) Ontario cannabis stores. The move came after regulatory approvals dragged on far longer than either company wanted. On May 27, SNDL announced that the second and final closing under their amended arrangement agreement simply won’t happen before the May 31 outside date. These proceedings started back in April 2025 when SNDL struck an original deal to buy 32 stores across Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan from 1CM for about C$32.2 . . .

Hi all, It was another head-spinning week in the weed patch. Let’s dive in. Alex Send tips, press releases, concerns, feedback and criticism to hello@weedweek.com. Sensitive material to share? Contact Alex on Signal. FROM WEEDWEEK SCOOP: Catalyst sues Calif. tax agency again Litigious retailer Catalyst has filed another lawsuit against the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) on top of the one it is already waging against the agency. Read the story Also in WeedWeek: Newsbrief: A new ‘lawyerly’ challenge to 280E Newsbrief: Calif. regulator seeks dismissal of non-profits’ . . .

It’s encouraging to see social equity applicants in New Jersey and the country winning more cannabis business licenses. But great challenges remain. Many new license holders face a mountain of obstacles after the paperwork is signed. That’s especially true when it comes to raising the money needed to open their doors. Access to capital is [ . . . ] Source: Cannabis Licenses Went to Social Equity Applicants, But Financing Challenges Remain from Heady NJ

A group of congressional lawmakers are pressing federal officials to issue “prompt guidance” on tax issues for marijuana businesses in light of the Trump administration’s move to federally reschedule cannabis. A new letter, led by Reps. Steven Horsford (D-NV and Steve Cohen (D-TN), notes that “state-legal cannabis businesses have been denied ordinary business tax deductions and credits due to Section 280E, which prohibits any such deductions for expenditures related to controlled substances listed in Schedules I and II.” However, now that cannabis has been partially moved to Schedule III, . . .

The proposed revisions represent “a formal, federal acknowledgment that medical marijuana is no longer in the same legal category it once occupied.” By Dan Russell and Will Hall, Jones Walker LLP In recent years approximately 4 million Americans lost their right to buy, possess or use a firearm. An overwhelming percentage of those people have no idea that the same federal law that led to Hunter Biden’s conviction also applied to them. In the Venn diagram of life in the United States, the overlap of firearm ownership and medical marijuana patients is simply not allowed. The future, however, is . . .

People who use marijuana aren’t more or less likely to be physically active compared to non-users-but they do tend to favor light or moderate exercise, suggesting that “cannabis may influence the subjective experience” such as “enjoyment,” according to a new study that undermines the stereotype about lazy stoners. Students with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine conducted the study, which involved a cross-sectional analysis of survey data. One of the key takeaways departs from the myth about couch-locked cannabis consumers, finding that marijuana use “was . . .

President Donald Trump has seen a massive swing in support for his administration’s marijuana policy actions from consumers since moving to federally reschedule medical cannabis-with nearly three out of four now having a favorable view-according to a new survey. The latest quarterly presidential approval tracking poll from NuggMD and Marijuana Moment found that 73 percent of marijuana consumers now either “approve” or “strongly approve” of the Trump administration’s cannabis actions. Just 7 percent say they’re opposed, while 20 percent have no opinion. Do you approve or disapprove of the . . .

For hemp farmers, few guests are less welcome than the corn earworm. Named after its main source of food, the corn earworm is also a big fan of the hemp plant – particularly when their favorite meal is out of season – feasting on the flowers and destroying up to 60% of the plant’s yield. “They are known to eat the flower portion, which is the marketable part of the plant most of the time,” says Freweyni Abrha, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shores. Abrha has a Bachelor of Science in plant science, a master’s degree in plant pathology and this past year was one of the . . .

Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation on May 19 that would have created a regulated retail cannabis market in Virginia, saying the bill lacked the structure, timeline, and enforcement resources needed to safely stand up legal sales. Because of the veto, Virginians can legally possess and grow cannabis, but they still cannot buy it from state-licensed recreational dispensaries. RELATED: Texas hemp crackdown stalls as judge hits pause The decision was disappointing for many supporters, especially after lawmakers had approved a framework that would have allowed retail sales to begin in 2027 . . .