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“Now we are stopped from continuing that process. But that does not mean we are stopped from figuring out the best path forward.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Currant Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission on Friday held its first public meeting since a recent court ruling that temporarily paused the process of reviewing and awarding retail cannabis licenses. Commissioners and staff acknowledged applicants’ and cultivators’ frustration over the abrupt halt to the process that would award 20 new retail licenses as early as May. Commissioner Robert Jacquard said regulators had already . . .

The Vape Market Is Reshaping Itself. Here’s The 2026 U.S. Vape Report. Over the past year, the U.S. cannabis vape category hasn’t just grown, it has fundamentally reorganized. What used to be a relatively straightforward market defined by cartridges and distillate is now evolving into something far more segmented, more strategic, and more competitive. If you’re a brand, buyer, or operator, the takeaway is clear: the old playbook is no longer enough. Download the full 2026 US Vape Report here. A Category Splitting Into Two Speeds One of the most important shifts happening right now is . . .

A pair of Republican senators have filed a bill that would require the federal government to track the cost of hospitalization due to marijuana use. The new Marijuana Impact on Medicaid Act of 2026 from Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) would require the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to compile data on “Federal and State expenditures under the Medicaid program . . . that are attributable to costs incurred for providing medical assistance for inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, and for services received at a hospital emergency . . .

“These findings ought to reassure lawmakers that cannabis access can be legally regulated in a manner that is safe, effective, and that does not inadvertently impact young people’s habits.” The post Minnesota: Far Fewer Young People Consuming Cannabis, Survey Finds appeared first on NORML.

Over the last several years, I have built a cannabis-focused media network with an audience of over 20 million followers across platforms, while also growing an e-commerce business that has processed over 125,000 orders and has become one of the most-reviewed shops in its category. Highlife Media was founded in Switzerland in 2016. After years of promoting clients in the cannabis industry, building audiences, testing content, and learning how restricted platforms behave in practice, my team and I entered e-commerce ourselves. In 2021 we launched our own online headshop called World of Bongs. . . .

Despite concerns from marijuana legalization opponents who claimed the policy would lead to skyrocketing use by teens, cannabis consumption by middle and high school students in Minnesota is lower now than it has ever been over the past decade, according to newly published state data. “There continues to be a steady decline in youth cannabis use since 2013, with 96% of students reporting not having used cannabis in the last month,” the state Department of Health said in a press release on Monday about the latest results of the Minnesota Student Survey, which is conducted every three years . . .

Due to violent crime and kidnappings, the U.S. State Department warns Americans from going to six Mexican states and suggests to reconsider visiting seven others. The good news is the country’s homicide rate has declined 33% since 2019.

The top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representative says there is enough support within the body to pass comprehensive federal marijuana reform-if only Republican leaders would allow a vote. “I’ve consistently supported the rescheduling of marijuana,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said on Monday, which was also the unofficial cannabis holiday 4/20. “It should not be classified as a Schedule I drug.” The congressman was responding to a question at a press briefing from a reporter who asked whether there is any realistic chances of passing marijuana reform legislation amid the . . .

Farmers in the U.S. grew three-quarters of a billion dollars worth of hemp crops in 2025-a 64 percent increase from the prior year-according to a new federal report. The new annual National Hemp Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) delineates data on how much of the $739 million worth of crops were grown out in the open in fields or cultivated under protection in greenhouses, high tunnels and hoop houses. The 49,267 acres of hemp grown outdoors in the U.S. last year represents a 9 percent increase from 2024, and its value of $646 million is 53 percent higher than the prior . . .

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) on Sunday signed a bill containing significant reforms to the state’s cannabis laws, including increasing purchase amounts, MassLive reports. The law increases possession limits to two ounces and doubles the number of retail business licenses that can be held by an entity from three to six. The law also reduces the number of members on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) from five to three and creates three new license types: on-site consumption, event-based consumption, and research. “The cannabis industry is an important part of Massachusetts economy . . .

President Donald Trump (R) last week signed an executive order to support psychedelics as a potential treatment for some mental health conditions. The order directs $50 million in federal funds to make the drugs more accessible via state-run programs, and requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite a review of some psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin and ibogaine. The order includes a provision that would require “timely rescheduling” of any current Schedule 1 substance that successfully completes Phase 3 clinical trials for a serious mental health disorder. . . .

A former employee is suing a now-closed Boston retail dispensary, claiming wage theft, NBC Boston reports. In the lawsuit, the former employee for Pure Oasis, Boston’s first adult-use dispensary, alleges that she was not paid her last paycheck or compensated for accrued vacation time. In an email to the employee included in court filings outlined by NBC Boston, Pure Oasis said they “understand that under Massachusetts law, all final wages including accrued vacation are due at separation” but that the company’s accounts are frozen and they “do not have immediate access to funds to process . . .

The medical cannabis advocacy group Sativa Cross held their traditional 4/20 protest at the NJ State House for home cannabis gardening legalization while many consumers and dispensaries are celebrating across the Garden State. Edward “Lefty” Grimes hosted the show held outside with longtime advocate Jim Miller. Coalition of Medical Marijuana of NJ (CMMNJ) Executive Director [ . . . ] Source: Sativa Cross Holds 4/20 Protest at NJ State House for Home Cannabis Gardening Legalization from Heady NJ

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: Organigram Expands into Europe with Major German Acquisition Organigram Global has closed its acquisition of Sanity Group, a Germany-based cannabis company with a growing footprint across Europe’s medical and wellness markets. The deal, which includes upfront capital and performance-based earnouts, gives Organigram immediate access to Germany’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, widely seen . . .

Bam Margera? Really? What’s going on with him now? When I first got the call that we had the opportunity to exclusively interview one of the iconic OGs from MTV’s Jackass, the legendary professional skateboard stud and star of Viva La Bam and other memorable roles, it took me a second to realize he was still alive. I mean, how could he have survived the drug addictions, the multiple lawsuits, the exhaustion of what it meant to be famous for him and his fellow jackasses in the aughts. Yet, here he was, after surviving that treacherous trek filled with landmines, willing to talk about it all. . . .

The governor of Pennsylvania is using the unofficial cannabis holiday 4/20 to press lawmakers once again to send him a bill to legalize marijuana. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers held a hearing focused on the impact of cannabis convictions and the need for legalization. “Pennsylvanians who want to buy recreational marijuana are already driving across the border to one of our neighboring states who’ve legalized it,” Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said in a social media post on Monday. “That’s hundreds of millions in revenue going out of state instead of being spent here in Pennsylvania.” “It’s time for . . .

British Columbia continues to report the highest number of cannabis poisonings among pets in Canada, according to new data from Trupanion (NASDAQ: TRUP). Veterinarians and insurers are urging pet owners to use cannabis cautiously at home. Additionally, seasonal spikes in incidents have drawn renewed attention to the issue. Over the past six years, Trupanion has recorded more than 1,800 cannabis-related toxicity claims nationwide. In 2025, British Columbia led with 103 reported cases. Meanwhile, Alberta followed with 52, and Nova Scotia reported 35 incidents. Nick VinZant, director of public . . .

If you are thinking about growing Hash Burger, look no further; this guide has all you need to know. The post How to grow Hash Burger seeds, Leafly Strain of the Year 2025 appeared first on Leafly.

“We’re all very interested in any research on cannabis and safety or its impact on the human body . . . We’re interested in health research, but it’s not limited to that.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent Missouri is preparing to open up an unlimited number of licenses to allow for marijuana research in the state. The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation has filed proposed rules with the secretary of state that describe what a research licensee would be authorized to do and outlines the application requirements and process for a marijuana research license. “Ultimately, it’s just exciting . . .

The origin story of Cannatela begins in high end designer women’s apparel and supermarket aisles where Mark Weinberg, co-founder of the cannabis-infused cocoa hazelnut spread company, built a career selling premium goods with a simple philosophy. The product had to justify the pitch. “I’m a great salesman but only if my product backs me up,” he said. Weinberg’s path cut an unusual line through high end designer women’s apparel and into the clean, label-conscious world of gluten-free Italian foods sitting on major retail shelves, before a sideways drift of chance and instinct pulled him into . . .

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Operators should consult qualified counsel for guidance on specific products and jurisdictions. While we strive for accuracy, the dynamic nature of the cannabis industry means information may change, and we cannot guarantee its timeliness or completeness. Users are responsible for their decisions based on our content, and we disclaim liability for actions taken as a result. Table of Contents Why this report matters now What Congress changed: Closing the “hemp loophole” What’s in the . . .

April 20, or 4/20, is the unofficial cannabis holiday. And as legalization gains support and marijuana becomes more mainstream, a growing number of elected officials and companies are embracing cannabis culture. Here’s a look at the politicians and brands that are marking 4/20 this year: Politicians And Political Parties No one should go to jail for smoking weed. – Democrats (@TheDemocrats) April 20, 2026 Minnesota and countless other states have proven how we can safely decriminalize and regulate the cannabis industry. Long overdue for the federal government to take a page out of that . . .

A key congressional committee is expected to issue a directive this week for federal agencies to study the “adequacy” of state marijuana laws and to assess methods for “preventing diversion of state legal cannabis product into jurisdictions that do not permit the use of cannabis.” The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday is scheduled to take up spending legislation and related reports, one of which contains the marijuana provisions. The draft report set to be attached to the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) bill says the panel “recognizes that over 20 . . .

California should ease up on taxes for marijuana businesses like the one they own together, Woody Harrelson and Bill Maher say. The actor and comedian jointly complained about the state’s harsh cannabis taxes in a podcast interview released on Monday, known as the unofficial marijuana holiday 4/20. “California sucks as far as-look, all businesses, but certainly this one,” Maher said on the episode of his Club Random podcast. “They still treat it like it’s poison.” Harrelson agreed, saying, “They treat it like you’re lucky that we allow you to do this, and so we’re going to tax you 35 percent, . . .

Virginia Democrats are weighing their options after Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) chose not to sign the Legislature’s proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis sales, VPM News reports. Gov. Spanberger instead proposed changes to lawmakers’ retail cannabis framework, including delaying the industry’s launch by six months, from January 1 to July 1, 2026, and limiting the number of retailers permitted to open from 350 to 200, until January 1, 2029. Because the governor sent back a substitute bill rather than line-by-line amendments, lawmakers likely need to consider the legislation as a whole, the . . .