FDA misses cannabis deadline mandated by Congress (Newsletter: February 19, 2026)

*AZ bill to criminalize “excessive” marijuana odor; PA legalization push;
HI medical cannabis access vote; MO licensing audit*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The Food and Drug Administration has missed a deadline in hemp
recriminalization legislation signed by President Donald Trump to publish
lists of cannabinoids in the plant and issue guidance on the term
‘container’” with respect to hemp product THC serving sizes.

An Arizona senator filed legislation to criminalize the “creation of
excessive marijuana smoke and odor” after complaining about the smell of
cannabis in his own neighborhood—but admitting that he “hadn’t thought
about” applying it to cigarettes as well.

The Hawaii Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and
Consumer Protections Committee approved a bill to allow patients to
immediately purchase medical cannabis after their registration is submitted
instead of having to wait until their card is delivered.

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council adopted a resolution calling on
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and state lawmakers to “act with urgency and pass
comprehensive adult-use cannabis legalization during the 2026 legislative
session.”

Missouri’s state auditor issued a report highlighting “deficiencies” in the
Division of Cannabis Regulation’s marijuana business licensing process,
drawing pushback from the agency.

The Nebraska legislature’s General Affairs Committee approved a bill to
give Medical Cannabis Commission members a salary, create a cash account to
help fund the body’s work and allow it to charge fees of and require
fingerprinting from business license applicants.

The South Dakota Department of Health announced that it will soon begin
issuing digital medical cannabis patient cards as an alternative to
physical ones.

*/ FEDERAL*

The Drug Enforcement Administration posted another profile of one of its
special agents.

*/ STATES*

Texas’s agriculture commissioner and a primary challenger discussed
marijuana and hemp policy during a debate.

Massachusetts’s top marijuana regulator acknowledged that the state has
“not met the mission of promoting social equity” in the industry.”

California’s top marijuana regulator discussed taxes and efforts to oversee
the legal industry.

New York regulators published guidance on hemp issues.

Oklahoma regulators touted their recent administrative actions over alleged
violations by medical cannabis businesses.

Oregon regulators will consider lifting a marijuana business license
moratorium on Thursday.


*— 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. —*

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Finnish lawmakers rejected a marijuana legalization proposal.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study of medical cannabis use found “improvements in pain, anxiety,
depression, and [quality of life] were observed from Baseline to Week 24.”

A review concluded that “psilocybin-assisted therapy is associated with
rapid antidepressant effects and durability signals in selected samples,
while convergent animal and human mechanistic findings support
neuroplasticity as a biologically plausible contributor to sustained
clinical improvement.”

*/ BUSINESS*

MTL Cannabis Corp. shareholders approved the company’s acquisition by
Canopy Growth Corporation.

Organigram Global Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire Sanity Group
GmbH shares it does not already own.

Stiiizy Inc. is being sued for allegedly breaching contracts.

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. extended a forbearance agreement with
noteholders.

*/ CULTURE*

Basketball player Deandre Ayton was detained on suspicion of marijuana
possession at an airport in the Bahamas.

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The post FDA misses cannabis deadline mandated by Congress (Newsletter:
February 19, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.