News

“As a police chief of any community, it’s really important to understand the values of that community . . . This is something that we want to be on the forefront of.” By Jack Gorsline, Psychedelic State(s) of America The momentum for local psychedelics reform has continued to accelerate into the fall. On September 2, the Pierce County Council in Washington State voted unanimously to pass Resolution R2026-177, throwing its support behind continued research into entheogens and alternative treatment modalities. The passed resolution formally designates entheogen-related activities to be among the . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Missouri regulators have finalized rules creating a licensing framework for marijuana research facilities, allowing approved operators to conduct studies involving human and animal subjects, cultivation, genetics and marijuana products. The rules appear in the October 1 edition of the Missouri Register, which was posted online ahead of its formal publication date. The regulations, 19 CSR 100-1.200, were adopted by the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation following a public rulemaking process that generated 35 comments. Under the new . . .

The Jersey City Cannabis Control Board (CCB) withdrew support for Tyson 2.0 Deka Cannabis Decades dispensary while approving their first manufacturer to operate in the city. In addition, they re-approved 6 dispensaries set to open within the next 3 to 6 months, 5-0 with Vice Chair Patrick Patel and Commissioner Micheline Grace- Lewis absent. Tyson [ . . . ] Source: JC CCB Withdraws Support for Tyson 2.0 Dispensary, OK’s Manufacturing Site from Heady NJ

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Nearly 110,000 people are registered as medical marijuana caregivers across the United States, according to a new study providing what researchers describe as the first nationwide estimate of the population. The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine by researchers from the University of Michigan, also found that the number of clinicians authorized to approve medical marijuana use has increased substantially in recent years. Researchers analyzed publicly available information from state medical marijuana programs between 2020 and . . .

There are nearly 4 million patients registered to use medical marijuana under state laws in the U.S., as well as at least 35,000 doctors and clinicians approved to recommend it and nearly 110,000 caregivers authorized to assist patients in growing and obtaining cannabis products, according to a pair of new studies published by the American College of Physicians. The number of Americans who are registered under state medical marijuana programs more than quintupled from about 747,000 in 2016 to approximately 3.9 million in 2024-though patient registration has “flattened since 2022, likely . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Hawaii registered nearly 3,800 out-of-state medical marijuana patients during the first eight months of 2026, an increase of roughly 15% compared with the same period last year. According to the Hawaii Department of Health’s August 2026 Medical Cannabis Registry Program report, 3,792 out-of-state patients were registered between January 1 and August 31. That is 487 more than the 3,305 reported during the same eight-month period in 2025, representing an increase of about 14.7%. As of August 31, Hawaii had 823 currently registered . . .

The NJ Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs announced that certain synthetic types of kratom will be illegal to possess and sell immediately. They did so after a temporary order was issued by the federal government restricting certain types of synthetic kratom in July 2026. “We are issuing this alert to make the public [ . . . ] Source: NJ Attorney General Announces Synthetic Kratom Ban from Heady NJ

Cornbread Hemp, Inc. is adding lime margarita flavor to the brand’s roster of THC-infused seltzer hemp drinks. The drinks are pretty good. They’re even better if you like lime. They’re currently being sold directly to consumers. Cornbread Hemp is selling a light seltzer with 5 mg of hemp-derived THC per can. Each can carries 30 calories [ . . . ] Source: Cornbread Hemp Introduces Lime Margarita THC Seltzer Drink from Heady NJ

A Pennsylvania Senate committee has approved a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The Senate Law & Justice Committee advanced the legislation from Sen. John Kane (D) in a unanimous vote on Tuesday, months after a similar proposal was passed by the full House of Representatives. As approved by the Senate panel, SB 1035 would allow patients who have a prognosis of less than a year left to live to use medical marijuana in hospitals, long-term care nursing homes, hospices and other facilities. Smoking or vaping wouldn’t be . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee voted Tuesday to advance legislation that would require certain health care facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana. Senate Bill 1035, known as Ryan’s Law, now advances to the full Senate for consideration. The measure is sponsored by Senator John Kane (D) and has more than 20 cosponsors from both parties, including Law and Justice Committee Chair Senator Dan Laughlin (R). The legislation would amend Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act to establish protections . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Hawaii will launch a new online medical marijuana patient registry portal Wednesday, September 30, replacing the system used by patients and medical providers to manage registrations and access state-issued medical marijuana cards. The Hawaii Department of Health’s Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation (OMCCR) announced the transition and has posted new guides for patients and medical providers ahead of the launch. Starting September 30, registered patients will need to log into the new portal to download their new 329 medical . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Replenishing cannabinoid signaling prevented depression-like behaviors in chronically stressed mice by restoring the brain’s ability to adapt to repeated stress, according to a new study. The research, published September 28 in BMC Medicine, examined how the endocannabinoid system regulates changes in a brain circuit connecting the lateral hypothalamus and lateral habenula, regions involved in processing stress and emotional responses. Researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Baylor College . . .

I mentioned eight weeks ago an investment management company using AI technology in what seemed like a good way, and today I am taking a closer look at Range, which is based in McLean, Virginia and has a website matching its name. I pointed out that the company focuses on lowering fees investors who are [ . . . ]

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Jamaica is expanding efforts to bring longtime marijuana growers into the legal industry through new cultivation pathways that eliminate government fees and allow qualifying community groups to collectively grow up to 10 acres. The country’s Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) is promoting two recently implemented programs – the Cultivator’s Transitional Special Permit and Special Community Permit – designed to reduce the financial and regulatory barriers facing traditional marijuana farmers. According to a September 27 announcement from . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information A study involving more than 3,000 recent cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients found widespread support for state-issued QR codes providing access to testing results, compliance information, recalls and other product data. The report, conducted by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting (CPPC), surveyed 3,061 past-month cannabis consumers across 33 U.S. jurisdictions with legal medical or recreational marijuana markets. The research was commissioned by cannabis tracking company Metrc, although CPPC says it retained sole control over . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Ohio can again enforce key portions of its new restrictions on intoxicating hemp products against a group of companies challenging the law, following a new order from a federal appeals court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit partially granted Ohio’s request to suspend a lower court injunction while the state appeals the case. The decision means Ohio may generally apply its marijuana licensing requirements to the 10 hemp companies involved in the lawsuit, while restrictions that effectively exclude out-of-state businesses . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Cannabigerol (CBG) enhanced adenosine signaling at a human receptor involved in inflammation and immune regulation, with laboratory tests showing an approximately 138-fold increase in adenosine’s apparent potency. The finding comes from a study published in Pharmacological Research that explored how CBG and cannabidiol (CBD) interact with the adenosine A3 receptor. Adenosine helps regulate neurotransmission, immunity, inflammation and tissue protection. “These results identify CBG as an effective enhancer of adenosine potency at human . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information An extract combining marijuana leaves and turmeric reduced inflammatory activity and affected psoriasis-related biological processes in laboratory experiments, according to a new study. The research, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, examined a standardized formulation inspired by traditional Thai topical remedies that combine the plants with cottonseed oil. Researchers from Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University and Khon Kaen University investigated its chemical composition, biological effects and delivery into skin. The . . .

Israel’s medical cannabis operations remained with their listed parent after the Sept. 29 sale of all shares in a European-focused holding company. IM Cannabis Corp. (NASDAQ: IMCC) said in its Sept. 29 release it had received a C$3 million advance before closing. It gave an unaudited estimate that the sale will lift shareholders’ equity by about C$3 million, subject to final accounting. IM Cannabis shares (NASDAQ: IMCC) closed at US$2.48 at 4 p.m. EDT on Sept. 28, before the sale announcement. Slil.com Holding Ltd. acquired all issued and outstanding shares of I.M.C. Holdings Ltd. under an . . .

The latest in a series of polls ahead of the November elections continues to show that a sizable majority Massachusetts voters oppose a measure on the ballot that would roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law. The new survey, published on Tuesday by CommonWealth Beacon and conducted by MassINC Polling Group (MPG), shows that 61 percent of likely voters oppose the initiative-which would repeal laws allowing the regulated commercial sales of recreational cannabis and home cultivation while maintaining legal possession and continuing the medical marijuana system. Just 27 percent of . . .

A new Maryland law that provides legal protections for veterinarians who recommend medical marijuana for animals will take effect on Thursday. The legislation, which was passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Wes Moore (D) will make it so the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners cannot “suspend or revoke a license, reprimand or censure a licensee, or place a licensee on probation solely on the basis of the licensee discussing or recommending the use of cannabis . . . or a product that contains cannabidiol on an animal for potential therapeutic effect or health supplementation purposes.” SB . . .

Ohio hemp businesses say that the enforcement of the state’s adult-use cannabis rules unfairly targets their industry and favors “Big Marijuana” companies, which are allowed to operate under different rules despite dealing with the same plant, Statehouse News Bureau reports. Wesley Bryant, owner of a craft beverages distribution and hemp manufacturing company, told Statehouse News that an investigation by Ohio hemp businesses found the state is using rules created in legalization law to target their businesses, but that cannabis dispensaries are allowed to sell products with higher THC . . .

Researchers in South Korea say they developed a method to strengthen biodegradable plastic using hemp hurd, an agricultural byproduct, by extracting cellulose from discarded stalks of industrial hemp used in the production of traditional hemp textiles. The study from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) applied a drying process that preserves the microfibrillar structure of the cellulose, which enabled it to serve as a reinforcing biofiller for biodegradable plastics. In South Korea, industrial hemp is cultivated in designated Regulation-Free Special Zones, including . . .

The Missouri Supreme Court last week heard arguments challenging a March appeals court decision that directed the state to award a cannabis company 13 facility licenses after determining the state’s 2019 application process was inconsistent, the Missouri Independent reports. Five years ago, the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission denied the appeal over the licenses by Hippos LLC after the company argued identical applications had received different scores from the same grader. Hippos is challenging whether the commission acted properly when it rescored the company’s application or . . .

The Marijuana Herald – Marijuana news and information Missouri marijuana regulators issued new guidance Monday detailing upcoming requirements for dispensaries, including a $500 fine for each instance in which a business creates or keeps a consumer’s identifying information without written consent. The guidance, issued September 28 by the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), addresses changes enacted under House Bill 2641, a wide-ranging marijuana and hemp law approved earlier this year. Beginning November 12, marijuana dispensaries will be prohibited from creating or retaining . . .