Cannabis businesses’ lawsuit against feds is dismissed (Newsletter: February 12, 2026)

*VA legal marijuana sales & resentencing; VA & WA cannabis in hospitals; SD
anti-marijuana bills defeated; HI legalization stalls; WI decrim*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

A federal judge dismissed marijuana businesses’ lawsuit challenging Customs
and Border Protection’s seizures of state-legal cannabis products in New
Mexico.

The Virginia House Appropriations Committee approved bills to legalize
recreational marijuana sales and provide resentencing relief for people
with prior cannabis convictions—while the Senate Finance & Appropriations
Committee also advanced resentencing legislation.

The Virginia Senate passed a bill to allow patients to use medical cannabis
in hospitals, and the House Health and Human Services Health Subcommittee
advanced similar legislation on medical marijuana access in healthcare
facilities.

The Washington State House of Representatives passed a bill to allow
terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities
such as hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.

The South Dakota Senate Health and Human Services Committee rejected bills
that would have repealed the state’s medical cannabis program following
federal rescheduling and instituted THC potency limits on medical marijuana
products.

Hawaii’s House speaker and the chair of the House Judiciary and Hawaiian
Affairs Committee say marijuana legalization bills are effectively dead for
the 2026 session, upending advocates’ hopes that lawmakers would at least
refer the issue to the ballot for voters to decide.

Bipartisan Wisconsin lawmakers are circulating a bill to decriminalize
marijuana by replacing the threat of jail time for first-time possession of
up to 28 grams of cannabis with a $100 fine.

Ohioans for Cannabis Choice launched a signature drive to collect more than
248,000 signatures ahead of a March 19 deadline for a referendum to block
new marijuana and hemp restrictions from taking effect.

The Oregon Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee is
expected to vote on a bill to ban marijuana edibles containing more than 10
milligrams of THC on Thursday.

*/ FEDERAL*

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow coauthored a blog
post on how scientists are using a large health dataset to support
research, including a study that found that “people who used multiple
substances or stimulants tended to report poorer overall health, had more
disrupted sleep, and were less physically active, while people who only
used cannabis looked similar to non-users on many of these measures.”

Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) tweeted, “The growing use of bioengineered marijuana
products is harming millions of Americans. Some scoffed at the idea that
marijuana use was linked to deteriorating mental health. But new data is
confirming the link between psychotic disorders and marijuana use.”

The Senate bill to continue applying the 280E tax penalty on marijuana
businesses after rescheduling got one new cosponsor for a total of two.

*/ STATES*

Missouri’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against a business for
allegedly selling unregulated THC products without a license.

Nebraska Democratic attorney general candidate Jocelyn Brasher discussed
her support for medical cannabis.

Florida elections officials posted lower signature counts for a proposed
marijuana legalization ballot initiative than were reported by county
officials.

Arizona regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to possible
contamination with aspergillus.

Oklahoma regulators suspended the operations of several medical cannabis
businesses over alleged violations.

Michigan regulators filed a complaint against a marijuana business over
alleged violations.

Alabama officials have so far approved five physicians to recommend medical
cannabis.

California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.


*— Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug
policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon
supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps,
charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.*


*Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on
Patreon to get access. —*

*/ LOCAL*

The Los Angeles, California City Council voted to place a measure on the
ballot to enact a tax on unlicensed cannabis businesses.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

The European Food Safety Authority set a provisional safe intake level for
CBD.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “THC inhibits S mutans growth and biofilm formation
while also reducing bacterial viability, [extracellular polysaccharides]
production, and acid production,” suggesting that “THC may reduce the
cariogenic capacity of S mutans.”

A study found that “licensed mental health clinicians feel comfortable and
knowledgeable in working with a client disclosing cannabis use and were
neutral when asked about clinical judgments” and that there were “neutral
to positive attitudes towards recreational and medical cannabis use in
general.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The County Road Association of Michigan filed an amicus brief opposing a
lawsuit challenging a new marijuana tax.

*/ BUSINESS*

UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals reached a settlement with a former employee who
sued over allegedly being unlawfully fired after he tested positive for
cannabis while using CBD gummies to manage chronic spinal pain.

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The post Cannabis businesses’ lawsuit against feds is dismissed
(Newsletter: February 12, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.