Graham Abbott

The Wall Street Journal reports that some DEA officials are skeptical about the HHS recommendation to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

MedMen, once a leading name in the U.S. cannabis industry, has significantly downscaled, closing most of its California dispensaries amid financial struggles and a steep decline in its stock value.

A study in Preventive Medicine Reports indicates that cannabis users are just as likely to engage in exercise as non-users, challenging stereotypes about cannabis use and physical inactivity.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is set to open North Carolina’s first adult-use cannabis dispensary, marking a significant development in the state’s cannabis landscape and positioning the tribe as a pioneer in the industry within the region.

Florida legislators have passed a bill to prohibit delta-8 and other THC products, imposing strict regulations on the state’s hemp industry, a move which could significantly impact local businesses.

A new cannabis trade association, the Florida Medical Marijuana Trade Association (FMMTA), has been established by several of Florida’s leading medical cannabis companies to advance medical cannabis research and industry development. The state’s largest operator, Trulieve, is not a member.

Two former Jersey City police officers are suing the city for not reinstating them after being fired for off-duty cannabis use, challenging the city’s policy amid debates over state versus federal regulations on cannabis consumption and firearm possession for law enforcement personnel.

A bill sent to Governor Jay Inslee aims to allow Washington cannabis operators to repurpose green waste into commercial products like compost and hempcrete, shifting away from less eco-friendly landfill disposal methods.

Curio Wellness in Maryland was fined $26,000 after employees were caught on video putting cannabis products in a dumpster, retrieving them, and then selling them.

Since New Mexico legalized adult-use cannabis, retailers have sold over $1 billion in products, with two-thirds from adult-use sales.

Oregon is poised to end its landmark drug decriminalization initiative as lawmakers pass a bill to reintroduce criminal penalties for certain drug possessions, sparking debate over the measure’s impact on treatment access and the justice system.

Ohio is reducing the registration fee for medical cannabis patients to just one cent, with plans to eliminate the fee entirely, aiming to provide immediate financial relief while enhancing program accessibility.

Thailand’s health minister announced plans to make recreational cannabis use illegal again by year-end, while maintaining its legality for medicinal purposes.

Virginia lawmakers have passed bills to establish a regulated adult-use cannabis market by May 2025, aiming to transition from a $3 billion illicit market to a safe, regulated, and taxed environment.

Florida lawmakers’ attempt to impose THC limits on potential future adult-use cannabis sales has failed, leaving potency regulations unchanged as the state approaches a November ballot initiative on legalization.

A recent survey by the California Department of Cannabis Control reveals that 86% of Californians believe it is important to purchase cannabis from legal sources, highlighting a growing preference for the regulated market over unregulated alternatives.

Oregon’s legal cannabis market experienced a downturn for the second consecutive year in 2023, with sales dropping to $955 million from a peak of $1.2 billion in 2021, amid challenges of oversupply and stagnant retail prices.