From Our Writers

In a review of the hallucinogen MDMA posted last week, the FDA highlighted concerns about the initial investigations into the drug as a potential new therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Louisiana state representatives last week rejected an outright ban on the state’s burgeoning hemp products industry. Instead, state senators passed a House-approved proposal to increase restrictions on products containing hemp-derived THC.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is reportedly considering vetoing the legislature’s ban on products containing hemp-derived delta-8 THC and other intoxicating cannabinoids in hopes that the hemp industry will help defeat Florida’s upcoming cannabis legalization ballot initiative.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed into law a bill to award some cannabis cultivation licenses earlier than expected so operators can be better prepared for next year’s industry launch.

A recent study found that terpenes could be an effective and side-effect-free treatment for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.

Missouri cannabis taxes have generated over $19 million to support veterans, expand the state’s substance use treatment programs, and fund the Public Defenders System.

Between 30-40% of Minnesota adults could qualify as applicants to the state’s cannabis social equity program under rules approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.

While federal lawmakers consider banning most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, the hemp industry is facing another potential threat after a DEA official said the federal 0.3% delta-9 THC cap also applies to delta-9 THCA, which is a similar compound.

Chris Alexander, the inaugural executive director of New York’s Office of Cannabis Management, resigned last week following criticisms by Gov. Kathy Hochul against the agency and its roll-out of the adult-use cannabis industry.

Following the recent failure of a state bid to legalize psychedelic treatment centers in California, advocates now say they are considering a 2026 state ballot measure to address psychedelics reform.

An amendment to the House version of the Farm Bill would effectively ban the sale of hemp-derived delta-8 THC products and other hemp-derived intoxicating products. The amendment, however, is far from guaranteed to pass the divided House and Senate to become law.

A key Delaware House committee has advanced a proposal to allow early adult-use cannabis sales by letting medical dispensaries service adult-use customers; some industry advocates say the move would be giving certain businesses an unfair advantage.

Daily cannabis consumers outnumbered daily alcohol consumers in the U.S. in 2022 for the first time on record, according to an analysis of the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The owner of seven unlicensed New York cannabis shops has been fined $15.2 million, including $7 million in disgorgement fines and $8.2 million in penalties for operating without a license, ignoring multiple notices by officials, and selling cannabis to underage customers.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Justice on Tuesday published the rule proposal for moving cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The publication kicks off a 61-day public comment period, a CSA requirement.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has signed a bill imposing THC caps on cannabinoid-infused hemp products, limiting THC content to 4 milligrams per serving and 10 milligrams per container.

A dispensary in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts has filed a lawsuit against the state Cannabis Control Commission over rules that prohibit the transport of cannabis products by boat across the Vineyard Sound to the island.

The California State Assembly has approved legislation to let cannabis cafes serve food and non-alcoholic beverages and host live events including music and other performances. The bill moves next to the Senate.

Nearly half of U.S. cannabis operators believe that the cannabis industry is going to perform better in the coming year while just 19% say they expect things to get worse, per survey data from the 2024 MJBiz Factbook.

Glass House Brands Inc. has withdrawn its defamation lawsuit against Catalyst Cannabis Co., citing concerns over Catalyst’s financial viability and the potential harassment of its customers, while Catalyst’s CEO claims the withdrawal coincides with Glass House’s reluctance to produce documents for the discovery phase of the lawsuit.

The New Hampshire Senate has passed an adult-use cannabis legalization proposal containing a state-run dispensary system favored by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.

A provision in the draft text of the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would block the military from requiring potential recruits to pass a drug test for cannabis.

A New Jersey appeals court ruling found that the state’s cannabis legalization law is not preempted by federal law but warned that “residents and marijuana businesses … act at the risk that their activities might be prosecuted by federal authorities.”