Idaho medical cannabis measure nears ballot qualification (Newsletter: March 23, 2026)

*IN gov on marijuana; MA psychedelics votes; NY medical cannabis bill; WNBA
offers to end marijuana testing; OH hemp restrictions*

Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every
weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis
stories are shaping the day.
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

*Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…*

*Free to read (but not free to produce)!* We’re proud of our newsletter and
the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it
for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.

If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can
expand our coverage and more readers can benefit:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) said the state is “probably going to have to
address” marijuana legalization to “make sure that we’re not the state
that’s lagging most” as its neighbors enact cannabis reform.

Idaho activists have collected enough signatures for a medical cannabis
legalization initiative to exceed the statewide threshold for ballot
qualification—though it’s unclear how many are valid and if they’re met a
separate requirement for regional distribution of petitions.

The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance
Use and Recovery approved legislation to create pilot programs allowing
eligible patients to access psilocybin and other psychedelics.

The New York Senate Health Committee approved a bill on reciprocity for
out-of-state medical cannabis patients and pre-rolled joints in the medical
marijuana program—even though both are already allowed under state law.

The Women’s National Basketball Association reportedly offered to end
marijuana testing as part of a collective bargaining agreement with the
WNBA Players Association that has now been agreed to by league and union
representatives, though the full text of the deal has not yet been released
or ratified.

An Ohio law adding restrictions on hemp THC products and rolling back
consumers’ rights under the voter-approved marijuana legalization law took
effect after a referendum effort to block the changes failed.

The South Carolina Senate voted to approve a bill to keep hemp THC
beverages and gummies legal, with some restrictions on where they can be
sold in certain forms.

The Nebraska legislature approved a bill to protect doctors who recommend
medical cannabis from civil, criminal or disciplinary action—though another
vote is still required for final passage.

The Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District ordered regulators to award
marijuana business license applications to a company—finding that scoring
on its applications was inconsistent and, in one case, performed by a
grader whose qualifications were never established.

*/ FEDERAL*

The Department of Defense is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit
from a former contractor who claims he improperly lost his job after
refusing to answer questions about past marijuana use.

The Drug Enforcement Administration published a list of exempt chemical
preparations under the Controlled Substances Act.

Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and former Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA) are
facing complaints alleging improper lobbying and information dissemination,
respectively, related to psychedelics reform advocacy.

*/ STATES*

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed a bill allowing police to administer
roadside saliva drug tests during impaired driving traffic stops.

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to the
distillate being from an unknown and unidentifiable source. Separately,
regulators will host a cannabis listening session on Monday.

Minnesota regulators announced a recall of marijuana products that do not
meet THC content or labeling requirements.

Colorado regulators issued a health and safety advisory about marijuana
products that exceed regulatory limits for the pesticide chlorfenapyr.

Montana regulators adopted rules on marijuana testing quality assurance
protocols and synthetic cannabinoids.

An audit by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts found
five instances in which medical cannabis regulators did not follow state
laws or regulations, including an overpayment of $200,000 for a legal
contract.

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

Virginia regulators published an overview of cannabis-related legislation
approved by lawmakers this session.


*— 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 Clark County, Nevada Commission approved a hemp product regulation
measure.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is reportedly under investigation by U.S.
authorities over potential ties to drug traffickers.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “medical cannabis can enhance pain management, sleep
quality, and physical function while dramatically lowering the use of
opioids.”

A study’s results “support a mechanistic rationale for the enhanced
efficacy of whole mushroom extracts over isolated psilocybin and underscore
the therapeutic potential of other constituent compounds.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

Amnesty International Canada is criticizing the Ontario, Canada
government’s plan to defund safe consumption sites for illegal drugs.

*/ BUSINESS*

Colorado retailers sold $108.8 million worth of legal marijuana products in
December.

*/ CULTURE*

Jimmy Kimmel joked that Transportation Security Administration agents are
going to have to start selling the marijuana they confiscate due to lapsed
funding for their agency.

*Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your
inbox.*
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

The post Idaho medical cannabis measure nears ballot qualification
(Newsletter: March 23, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.