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The op-ed argues that merely extending the 2018 Farm Bill's hemp restrictions is a temporary "band-aid" that fails to provide the necessary certainty for farmers and patients. The author urges Congress to instead pass thoughtful, evidence-based regulation now by fixing the THC threshold and clarifying the distinction between intoxicating and non-intoxicating therapeutic CBD products. < Back Hemp Farmers And Patients Who Rely On CBD Need More Than Just A Delay In The Looming Federal Ban (Op-Ed) Jan 19, 2026 Marijuana Moment Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“Merely hitting pause does not protect public health; thoughtful regulation does.”* *By Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, Realm of Caring* While some policymakers are proposing to delay impending hemp restrictions by extending the 2018 Farm Bill, this is just a band-aid and might ultimately create a significant missed opportunity. An extension may temporarily allow farmers to plant this season, but it does nothing to solve the underlying problem. Kicking the can down the road only prolongs uncertainty for farmers, patients and families, plus it guarantees we will be having the same crisis conversation again next year. We create an industry that can’t plan for the future. The right solution is not just delay; it is clarity. Congress has a narrow window right now to fix the language, correct the THC threshold and clearly distinguish intoxicating products from non-intoxicating, therapeutic CBD—and it should take that opportunity while there is momentum and support to do so. Farmers do not need temporary relief; they need regulatory certainty that allows them to operate responsibly and sustainably. And most importantly, the patients and families who rely on this medicine need therapeutical tools they can depend on. Claims that we need “more research” to determine intoxicating levels of THC in CBD products ignore the substantial body of evidence that already exists. Scientific literature, clinical experience and real-world data consistently demonstrate that non-intoxicating CBD products can contain trace amounts of THC well below any level that produces intoxication. This is not theoretical, but it is observable, measurable and already understood. No organization has engaged more deeply or consistently with the community using cannabinoids than Realm of Caring. Through tens of thousands of direct, recorded interactions with patients, caregivers, clinicians and families across the country, we can confidently articulate what constitutes a non-intoxicating level of THC in commercially available CBD products that have been used responsibly for more than a decade. From our perspective, if lawmakers have the opportunity to pass a reasonable, evidence-based solution, particularly with encouragement from a supportive administration, they should take that shot. This challenge can be viewed as a gift for the industry to come together, end the hemp ambiguity and protect workers and patients. But merely hitting pause does not protect public health; thoughtful regulation does. *Sasha Kalcheff-Korn is the executive director of Realm of Caring, a Colorado-based nonprofit that advocates for and connects people to cannabinoid therapy.* The post Hemp Farmers And Patients Who Rely On CBD Need More Than Just A Delay In The Looming Federal Ban (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Marijuana rescheduling looms as Senate Republicans move on Trump DEA pick < Back Marijuana rescheduling looms... Jul 18, 2025 Chris Roberts MJbizDaily Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Terrance Cole, Donald Trump's choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, may be confirmed by the Senate as early as next week. Marijuana rescheduling looms as Senate Republicans move on Trump DEA pick is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

The company opened its 22nd retail location to improve patient access to medical products and experiences. < Back iAnthus Continues Florida Expansion With GrowHealthy Dispensary in Palm Harbor Jul 18, 2025 staff Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The grand opening marks the company’s 22nd retail location, enhancing patient access to premium medical products through engaging experiences. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Trump’s DOJ Allows Federal Prosecutors to Enforce Simple Cannabis Possession Crimes < Back Trump’s DOJ Allows Federal Prosecutors to Enforce... Nov 14, 2025 Staff Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming says the Department of Justice “rescinded” previous guidance under Biden. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Massachusetts reached a total of $10 billion in legal cannabis sales since 2018, with 2025 setting a new annual record of $1.65 billion in adult-use sales. Officials expect the industry will see a further boost in 2026 with the introduction of social consumption lounges and new research opportunities tied to the federal rescheduling of cannabis. Meanwhile, the state is addressing a controversial anti-cannabis ballot initiative that aims to roll back legalization. < Back Massachusetts Hits $10 Billion Marijuana Sales Milestone, With Top Official Saying Consumption Lounges Will Bolster Industry In 2026 Jan 9, 2026 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Massachusetts reached a marijuana sales milestone in 2025, with $1.65 billion in adult-use sales for the year—bringing the state’s total legal cannabis purchases to over $10 billion since the recreational market launched, officials announced on Thursday. A top regulator also said that the forthcoming addition of social consumption lounges could give the industry a further boost in 2026, and that President Donald Trump’s directive to federally reschedule cannabis will create more research opportunities in the state. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) released the latest data on Thursday, while indicating that officials anticipate an even higher sales record this year as the state prepares to launch a new license category or social consumption lounges. When combining recreational and medical sales for 2025, the state saw about $1.8 billion in legal marijuana purchases for the year. Overall since 2018, there have been about $10.8 billion in combined medical and recreational cannabis sales. “The cannabis industry in Massachusetts continued to mature in 2025 with the number of cannabis businesses reaching the highest point since adult-use sales began in 2018,” CCC Chair Shannon O’Brien said in a press release. “While gross sales remain high, the Commission will look to remove regulatory hurdles in 2026 through the new Red Tape Removal Committee, which will help licensees stabilize and plan for the future as the industry continues to evolve.” Marijuana Establishments in Massachusetts generated over $1.65 billion in sales in 2025, setting a new annual record for the Commonwealth’s cannabis industry. Learn more: https://t.co/8ZLLrTb6VS pic.twitter.com/1mocjXEq5h — Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (@MA_Cannabis) January 8, 2026 Travis Ahern, executive director of CCC, said that beyond the social consumption lounge expansion, Trump’s order to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) will bring benefits to the state. “Commissioners and staff are hard at work preparing for a potential expansion of the industry related to social consumption and the prospect of new research opportunities should the federal government reschedule cannabis,” he said. “With critical changes on the horizon, the Commission remains focused on adapting its policies, protocols, and oversight in a way that continues building out a safe, equitable, and effective cannabis industry for Massachusetts.” [image: Sales Dashboard] Massachusetts marijuana retailers recorded a new annual record of 46.3 million transactions in 2025, CCC said, which is roughly 3.4 million more than in the prior year. In the background, Massachusetts election officials have scheduled a hearing to investigate a complaint challenging the signature gathering process for a proposed ballot initiative to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law. That came about two weeks after the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division confirmed that the anti-cannabis campaign collected enough valid signatures to send the measure to lawmakers for consideration ahead of potentially being placed on the November ballot. As detailed in the recent complaint, the campaign has been marred with controversy over allegedly misleading signature gathering tactics. There have been claims that paid petitioners used fake cover letters for other ballot measures on issues like affordable housing and same-day voter registration. The state attorney general’s office has confirmed it’s received complaints to that end. And an association of state marijuana businesses urged voters to report to local officials if they observe any instances of “fraudulent message” or other deceitful petitioning tactics. The campaign has denied the allegations. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s (D) office—which cleared the campaign for signature gathering in September—has stressed to voters the importance of reading their summary, which is required to go at the top of the signature form, before signing any petitions. The Massachusetts legislature received the initiative for consideration on Wednesday when the 2026 session kicked off. Unless it’s invalidated, lawmakers have until May 5 to act on the proposal. If they choose not to enact it legislatively, the campaign would need to go through another round of petitioning and get at least 12,429 certified signatures by July 1 to make the November ballot. Meanwhile, the head of Massachusetts’s marijuana regulatory agency recently suggested that the measure to effectively recriminalize recreational cannabis sales could imperil tax revenue that’s being used to support substance misuse treatment efforts and other public programs. Massachusetts lawmakers recently assembled a bicameral conference committee to reach a deal on a bill that would double the legal marijuana possession limit for adults and revise the regulatory framework for the state’s adult-use cannabis market. *— 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. —* CCC has also launched an online platform aimed at helping people find jobs, workplace training and networking opportunities in the state’s legal cannabis industry. State lawmakers have also been considering setting tighter restrictions on intoxicating hemp-derived products and a plan to allow individual entities to control a larger number of cannabis establishments. Also in Massachusetts, legislators who were working on a state budget butted heads with CCC officials, who’ve said they can’t make critical technology improvements without more money from the legislature. Massachusetts lawmakers additionally approved a bill to establish a pilot program for the regulated therapeutic use of psychedelics. And two committees have separately held hearings to discuss additional psilocybin-related measures. *Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.* The post Massachusetts Hits $10 Billion Marijuana Sales Milestone, With Top Official Saying Consumption Lounges Will Bolster Industry In 2026 appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Cannabis workers at The Apothecarium dispensaries in Cumberland and Salisbury, Maryland, are publicly challenging their parent company, TerrAscend, over alleged union-busting tactics. < Back Cannabis workers in Maryland allege union-busting by TerrAscend Jul 1, 2025 Editorial Staff Outlaw Report Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Cannabis workers at The Apothecarium dispensaries in Cumberland and Salisbury, Maryland, are publicly challenging their parent company, TerrAscend, over alleged union-busting tactics Source < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

LivWell is offering a special discount on their top products and a chance to redeem a doorbuster for customers who visit any Colorado location during the week of 11/23 for Green Wednesday. < Back Enjoy some of Colorado’s best deals this Green Wednesday at LivWell Nov 17, 2025 Leafly Staff Leafly Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link This Green Wednesday, LivWell is celebrating the season by offering a special discount for their customers. They’re marking down some of their top products, and that’s not all. On the week of 11/23, any customer who stops by any Colorado LivWell location can get a chance to redeem a doorbuster with just a single in-store […] The post Enjoy some of Colorado’s best deals this Green Wednesday at LivWell appeared first on Leafly. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Several Republican senators are questioning the federal ban on gun possession for marijuana users, arguing that if alcohol drinkers can own firearms, so should cannabis consumers. This comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering several cases on the issue, which centers on a federal statute known as Section 922(g)(3). Senators like Thom Tillis and Dan Sullivan expressed skepticism about the ban, citing constitutional rights and state-level marijuana legalization. However, Senator Ron Johnson raised concerns about marijuana legalization in general, linking it to traffic safety issues. The cases before the Supreme Court are not about intoxicated individuals handling firearms, but rather the law that bars any cannabis user from owning or purchasing a gun. Courts are increasingly finding constitutional problems with parts of this prohibition, with some rulings requiring proof of future danger from marijuana users to justify the ban. < Back GOP Senators Discuss Federal Ban On Marijuana Users Owning Guns As Supreme Court Considers Taking Up Issue Oct 13, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Several Republican senators are questioning the federal ban on gun possession by people who use marijuana—with one saying that if alcohol drinkers can lawfully buy and use firearms, the same standard should apply to cannabis consumers. In a series of interviews with Marijuana Moment, the GOP lawmakers discussed the intersection of Second Amendment rights and drug policy as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering taking up several pending cases on the issue—which centers around a federal statute known as Section 922(g)(3) that some say is inconsistent with conservative principles. “Why would I have a problem with that any more than somebody who drinks alcohol?” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said of cannabis consumers being able to possess guns. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) said that while he needs to “look into the details” of the specific pending legal cases before the Supreme Court, he’s “highly skeptical” of the ban, “given that marijuana is legal in my state, and my state probably has the most gun owners of any state in the country.” “A Second Amendment right can’t be trumped by a statute,” he said. “That’s why it’s called a constitutional right.” On the flip side, however, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said that he broadly has a “problem with all this legalization of marijuana in general and using cars,” suggesting that he believes cannabis reform is associated with increased risk of traffic safety issues, despite conflicting evidence. “Obviously you shouldn’t be using a firearm if you’re under the influence of anything,” Johnson told Marijuana Moment. To be clear, the several cases the high court justices were scheduled to discuss at a closed-door meeting on Friday don’t concern whether people who are actively intoxicated on marijuana or other substances should handle firearms; they have to do with the law that bars anyone who is a user of cannabis from even owning or purchasing a gun. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) gave a more nuanced response to the question about the various cases pending before the Supreme Court on the issue, stating that if she was in the justices’ position and wanted to “duck the issue,” she’d take up one the Justice Department has prioritized that involves cocaine as well as marijuana. “But I haven’t heard anything about it,” she said. “I think it will be revealing if they grant cert to one and not the other.” Sullivan, for his part, said that for cannabis reformers, the case the Trump administration is asking the justices to take up involving cocaine “might not be the test case you want.” Meanwhile, a man who was prosecuted after admitting to lying about his marijuana use on a federal firearms purchasing form recently asked the Supreme Court to take up the matter as the justices are actively considering several other cases on cannabis consumers’ gun rights. The new petition to the high court comes as the Justice Department is separately asking it to dismiss one of multiple pending cases concerning marijuana and gun rights, in large part because it expects the justices to make a precedent-setting ruling on the issue. In August, the Tenth Circuit ruled that the government must prove that people who use marijuana “pose a risk of future danger” if it wants to justify applying a law banning cannabis consumers from owning firearms. The Justice Department appealed that ruling in 2023, sending it to the Tenth Circuit. That three-judge panel said in a recent filing that they “agree with much of the district court’s analysis” of the legal considerations, including its challenge to the federal government’s claims that there is historically analogous precedent substantiating the firearm ban for cannabis consumers. Part of DOJ’s argument was that the ban is historically consistent with prohibitions on gun ownership by people with mental illness. The appeals court said “the government cannot justify” the current policy based on that standard. The lower court largely based his initial decision on an interpretation of a Supreme Court ruling in which the justices generally created a higher standard for policies that seek to impose restrictions on gun rights. The ruling states that any such restrictions must be consistent with the historical context of the Second Amendment’s original 1791 ratification. The historical analogues that the Justice Department relied on to make the case that the ban is consistent included references to antiquated case law preventing Catholics, loyalists, slaves and Indians from having guns. The circuit court, for its part, said that “the government must show non-intoxicated marijuana users pose a risk of future danger” to support the current policy. “This inquiry, which may involve fact finding, is best suited for the district court.” This opinion comes nearly a year after the Tenth Circuit heard oral arguments in the case, with judges questioning not only the firearms prohibition itself but also whether it was within the scope of the appeals panel’s power to review the underlying lower court’s decision. Ultimately, they determined that they did possess that authority. Meanwhile, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh District, judges recently ruled in favor of medical cannabis patients who want to exercise their Second Amendment rights to possess firearms. As a recent report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) explained the current legal landscape, a growing number of federal courts are now “finding constitutional problems in the application of at least some parts” of the firearms prohibition. In a July ruling, for instance, a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated a defendant’s conviction and remanded the case back to a district court, noting that a retrial before a jury may be necessary to determine whether cannabis in fact caused the defendant to be dangerous or pose a credible threat to others. By contrast, the Third Circuit last month said in a published opinion that district courts must make “individualized judgments” to determine whether 922(g)(3) is constitutional as applied to particular defendants. The appeals panel ruled that while a person “need not have harmed someone, threatened harm, or otherwise acted dangerously to justify his disarmament,” the history of gun laws in the country requires that “district courts must make individualized judgments and conclude that disarming a drug user is needed to address a risk that he would pose a physical danger to others.” Judges in that case noted that historical restrictions on gun ownership under “drunkenness and lunacy laws” in the U.S. “were still always based on an ‘individualized assessment’ rather than a categorical judgment.” Earlier this year, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled that the ban was unconstitutional as applied to two defendants, writing that the government failed to establish that the “sweeping” prohibition against gun ownership by marijuana users was grounded in historical precedent. A federal judge in El Paso separately ruled late last year that the government’s ongoing ban on gun ownership by habitual marijuana users is unconstitutional in the case of a defendant who earlier pleaded guilty to the criminal charge. The court allowed the man to withdraw the plea and ordered that the indictment against him be dismissed. *— 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. —* Meanwhile, at an NRA conference in 2023, Trump suggested there might be a link between the use of “genetically engineered” marijuana and mass shootings. He listed a number of controversial and unproven factors that he said at the time he would direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate as possibly causing the ongoing scourge of mass shooting afflicting the country. “We have to look at whether common psychiatric drugs, as well as genetically engineered cannabis and other narcotics, are causing psychotic breaks” that lead to gun violence, he said. Last year, then-President Joe Biden’s son Hunter was convicted by a federal jury of violating statute by buying and possessing a gun while an active user of crack cocaine. Two Republican congressmen challenged the basis of that conviction, with one pointing out that there are “millions of marijuana users” who own guns but should not be prosecuted. The situation has caused confusion among medical marijuana patients, state lawmakers and advocacy groups, among others. The NRA’s lobbying arm said recently that the court rulings on the cannabis and guns issue have “led to a confusing regulatory landscape” that have impacted Americans’ 2nd Amendment rights. Meanwhile, some states have passed their own laws either further restricting or attempting to preserve gun rights as they relate to marijuana. Recently a Pennsylvania lawmaker introduced a bill meant to remove state barriers to medical marijuana patients carrying firearms. Colorado activists also attempted to qualify an initiative for November’s ballot that would have protected the Second Amendment rights of marijuana consumers in that state, but the campaign’s signature-gathering drive ultimately fell short. As 2024 drew to a close, the ATF issued a warning to Kentucky residents that, if they choose to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program that’s set to launch imminently, they will be prohibited from buying or possessing firearms under federal law. Since then, bipartisan state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would urge Kentucky’s representatives in Congress to amend federal law to clarify that users of medical marijuana may legally possess firearms, though no action has since been taken on that bill. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said in January that he supported the legislature’s effort to urge the state’s congressional delegation to call for federal reforms to protect the 2nd Amendment rights of medical marijuana patients, but the governor added that he’d like to see even more sweeping change on the federal level. *The LCB contributed reporting from Washington, D.C. * The post GOP Senators Discuss Federal Ban On Marijuana Users Owning Guns As Supreme Court Considers Taking Up Issue appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

None < Back Equity vs. Access: Inside the Fight Over Virginia’s New Cannabis Framework Nov 25, 2025 RVA Staff RVA Mag Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The push for a legal cannabis market in Virginia has been a long, winding road, marked by legislative gridlock, vetoes, and competing visions for what a regulated industry should look like. Since legalizing possession and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia has been stuck in a peculiar limbo: adults can possess and grow marijuana, but there’s no legal way to buy it. After years of stalled efforts, the Joint Commission on the Future of Cannabis Sales is now finalizing a blueprint to change that, with a proposal set to be unveiled soon. But as the framework takes shape, a fierce debate has emerged over two key principles: equity and access. On one side, advocates for equity—backed by groups like the Virginia Cannabis Equity Taskforce and UFCW 400—argue that the new market must prioritize small, independent businesses, particularly those owned by Black and Brown entrepreneurs who were disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs. They point to the state’s history of discriminatory enforcement: between 2010 and 2019, Black Virginians were 3.2 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white counterparts, despite similar usage rates. The equity camp wants a licensing system that favors these communities, with low barriers to entry and support for local startups over corporate giants. They also support scrapping the local-opt-out clause, which could allow conservative localities to block cannabis businesses, limiting opportunities for equitable growth. On the other side, access advocates—often aligned with existing medical cannabis operators like gLeaf Medical—emphasize the need for a robust, efficient market that can meet consumer demand quickly. They argue that prioritizing equity at the expense of scale could lead to supply shortages, high prices, and a market that fails to compete with illicit dealers. gLeaf’s Richmond dispensary, one of the state’s largest, already serves thousands of medical patients, and operators like them want a framework that leverages their infrastructure to ensure a smooth rollout. They warn that overly restrictive equity measures could stifle investment and delay the market’s launch, leaving consumers with no legal options. The Joint Commission’s latest draft tries to bridge this divide. It scraps the opt-out clause, raises local tax caps from 2.5% to 3.5%, and sets an 8% state tax, with provisions to make business costs deductible despite federal prohibition. The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s seed-to-sale tracking system is now live, and the medical market’s $30 million in sales from July to August signals strong demand. But tensions remain. Equity advocates criticize the draft for not doing enough to prevent large operators from dominating, while access proponents say the emphasis on small businesses could fragment the market. Both sides agree on one thing: the status quo isn’t working. With Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger pledging to sign a retail bill, the pressure is on to get it right. As Richmond resident and cannabis advocate Jamal Carter put it, “We need a market that’s fair, but it also has to function. Otherwise, we’re just legalizing frustration.” < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Congress passed spending legislation that includes a provision banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who previously sought to limit the sale of these products to licensed cannabis dispensaries, views the federal action as an indirect win and stated that Illinois will now look at how to regulate hemp to protect children from mislabeled or appealing products. < Back Illinois Will Revisit Hemp Regulation Debate Amid New Federal Ban On THC Products, Governor Says Nov 14, 2025 Marijuana Moment Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“We’re going to have to look at how we might regulate” hemp “now that we see that the federal government is limiting it.”* *By Brenden Moore, Capital News Illinois* Tucked into the spending legislation approved by Congress this week was a provision banning the sale of intoxicating hemp products—a move that could upend an industry with annual sales now into the billions. Hemp was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, which defined it as a plant with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. But the law didn’t account for total THC or other cannabinoids, creating a loophole that allowed companies to use compounds like delta-8 to make products with marijuana-like intoxicating effects. As a result, hemp-derived intoxicants have proliferated in gas stations, corner stores and other places with little to no regulation. An amendment seeking to remove the language from the larger bill, proposed by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, was rejected in a 76-24 vote. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) voted with the majority. Durbin said the hemp language was proposed by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. “Throughout my career, I’ve tried my best to protect children,” Durbin said. “He asked for further regulation of the industry to make sure their products being sold at service stations and such weren’t dangerous to kids. That’s not too much to ask. I supported his position.” Though he opposed the bill on the whole, the hemp provision hands Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) an indirect political win. The governor earlier this year pushed in vain for legislation that would have limited the sale of delta-8 and other hemp-derived intoxicants to state-licensed cannabis dispensaries. But House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, did not call it for a vote, claiming it did not have the support of 60 House Democrats. “In the absence of action in Springfield, Governor Pritzker supports policies to protect people, including children, from being misinformed or harmed by these products,” a Pritzker spokesperson said. Pritzker further told reporters after an unrelated event in Chicago on Thursday that “we’re going to have to look at how we might regulate” hemp “now that we see that the federal government is limiting it.” “The goal here is to keep our children safe,” Pritzker said. “That really is my number one goal about regulating intoxicating hemp—and when it’s available everywhere, and it’s got names like Skittlez with a ‘Z’ on the end, and it looks the same as Skittles the candy, it’s just not right.” *This article first appeared on Capitol News Illinois and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.* *Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.* *Unrelated content excised by Marijuana Moment.* *Photo courtesy of Max Jackson.* The post Illinois Will Revisit Hemp Regulation Debate Amid New Federal Ban On THC Products, Governor Says appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

Gov. Andy Beshear anticipates a significant increase in medical dispensaries now that the supply chain is fully licensed. < Back Kentucky Dispensary Openings on Fast-Track With 1st Processor Approved Jan 9, 2026 Staff Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Gov. Andy Beshear said the state can expect to see a ‘significant increase’ in the number of medical dispensaries with the supply chain now fully licensed. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5

The House Appropriations Committee advanced a funding bill that prevents the Department of Justice from using funds to reclassify the plant. < Back House GOP Moves Forward on Blocking Trump Administration’s Power to Reschedule Cannabis Sep 11, 2025 Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The House Appropriations Committee advanced a funding bill that prevents the Department of Justice from using funds to reclassify the plant. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Cake Boss - Fluent, Clearwater (Florida Medical) Cake Boss, available at Fluent dispensary in Clearwater, Florida, is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain (60% indica, 40% sativa) th... Cherry AK-47 by Grow West - RISE Dispensary (Silver Spring, Maryland) When a strain name includes both "Cherry" and "AK-47," you can expect two things: a blast of fruity goodness and the kind of impact that... Cookies & Alt Sol "Madrina" Strain Review - Takoma Wellness Center Madrina, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Takoma Wellness Center in Washington, DC, comes with a reputation as bold as its name. In... 1 2 3 4 5