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Medical cannabis programs are dwindling because current state regulations prioritize the recreational market, treating medical access as an incidental retail commodity rather than a core health-care service, which disincentivizes dispensaries and leaves patients without proper clinical guidance or reliable products. The Association of Cannabinoid Specialists (ACS) calls for key reforms, including distinct medical licenses with lower fees, mandatory prescriptions from qualified clinicians, and medical-specific product standards, to build a system that intentionally privileges patient care over volume sales. < Back Patients Need More Medically Focused Cannabis Dispensaries (Op-Ed) Jan 1, 2026 Marijuana Moment Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“If cannabis is medicine, why is the system built as if it were only a retail commodity?”* *By Jordan Tishler, MD, Association of Cannabinoid Specialists* Currently, medical cannabis programs across the United States are dwindling. This is directly a result of these programs being deprioritized in favor of recreational programs and being regulated in a manner that neither provides support to clinicians to do their jobs, nor value to patients who need safe, effective products and expert medical guidance to achieve benefit. Among the many problems baked into these medical cannabis programs, the financial requirements to become a medical dispensary actually disincentivize dispensaries from participating. States must overhaul cannabis rules to make it feasible—and attractive—for dispensaries to prioritize medical patients instead of treating them as an afterthought in a recreational market. *What Eastham Shows Us* A recent article in the Provincetown Independent discusses the issues confronting the owners of a dispensary in Eastham, Massachusetts who have decided to swim upstream and apply for a medical license—a truly rare occurrence these days. It has to be asked why new medical dispensaries are so rarely opened these days. In fact, Massachusetts has lost a significant number of medical dispensaries in the past year. Emerald Grove’s plan to add medical marijuana services, in a market crowded with recreational options, has been stymied by out-of-date and disincentivizing state regulation. The article notes that critics of state rules argue that a shift toward prioritizing medicinal use is needed, underscoring that current policy treats medical access as incidental to the non-therapeutic (aka recreational) industry rather than as a core public health service. Medical patients on the Outer Cape, like elsewhere in Massachusetts, often travel long distances or navigate complex systems to find knowledgeable clinicians, consistent products and medically oriented counseling—needs that are not reliably met in a purely recreational framework. When a single dispensary’s decision to add medical services becomes newsworthy, that is not a sign of healthy access; it is a red flag that the system is failing patients. *How Current Rules Undermine Medical Care* From the perspective of practicing cannabinoid medicine, several regulatory features consistently undermine the development of robust medical programs. These include: - Licensing structures that treat medical service as an optional add-on to recreational stores, rather than as a distinct health-care function with its own standards and incentives. - Fees and tax policies that make medical operations financially marginal compared with recreational sales, pushing operators to focus on tourists and high-volume nonmedical consumers. - Lack of tax and other incentives to consumers to encourage them to seek medical care for their illnesses. Current incentives only encourage high volume users to seek “certification” in order to obtain excessive amounts of product. - Lack of mandated prescribing by trained cannabinoid clinicians, so “medical” offerings are often little more than branding, with no real clinical guidance or follow-up. Association of Cannabinoid Specialists (ACS) was founded precisely because patients are uniquely vulnerable in this space and have very different needs from recreational users. When regulations blur or ignore that distinction, patients with cancer, chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions are left to self-experiment under the guise of “advice” from untrained retail staff. *What Patients Actually Need* For cannabis to function as medicine, patients need access not just to products, but to a system designed around clinical care. That means: - Dispensaries that commit to medical programs with binding prescriptions, documentation standards and coordination with the patient’s Cannabinoid Specialist clinicians. - Clinicians who understand dosing paradigms, interactions and risk mitigation, and who can tailor regimens to complex comorbidities. - Product lines that are consistent, labeled to medical standards and available reliably over time so that titration and monitoring are meaningful. States that treat cannabis primarily as a tax-revenue generator will not get this kind of system by accident. It must be built intentionally through regulation that privileges patient care over volume sales. *Regulatory Changes States Should Enact* From ACS’s perspective, several concrete reforms are essential if states want medical dispensaries like the one in Eastham to flourish rather than watching these programs dwindle and disappear. Key changes include: - Maintaining distinct medical licenses with fees reduced below those of recreational stores, streamlined applications and regulatory stability in exchange for meeting higher clinical standards. - Requiring formal prescriptions to be written by qualified cannabinoid clinicians, including written care protocols and documented patient education, and requiring that licensed medical dispensaries honor those prescriptions without modification or addition. - Establishing product standards and testing tailored to medical use, such as tighter tolerances on labeled cannabinoid content and clear guidance on excipients. Further, such products must always be available to patients. These are not theoretical tweaks; they are practical tools for building a stable ecosystem in which operators have a reason to invest in medical services instead of quietly abandoning them when margins tighten. *A Call to Lawmakers and Regulators* The Eastham example should prompt state policymakers to ask a simple question: if cannabis is medicine, why is the system built as if it were only a retail commodity? Legislators, regulators and municipal officials must partner with organizations like ACS to redesign rules so that medical care is not a side project of the recreational industry, but its own pillar of the health-care system. Patients deserve access to knowledgeable clinicians, medically focused dispensaries and products that support real treatment, not just trial-and-error self-use. States that are willing to revise their regulations accordingly will see more Emerald Groves choosing to offer true medical cannabis services—and more patients getting the care they were promised when medical legalization first passed. *Jordan Tishler, MD is the president of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists.* The post Patients Need More Medically Focused Cannabis Dispensaries (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

At least 11 states racked up medical and adult-use cannabis sales over $1 billion in 2024. The post These states sold more than $1 billion in weed in 2024 appeared first on Leafly. < Back These states sold more than $1 billion in weed in 2024 Feb 3, 2025 Max Savage Levenson Leafly Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link At least 11 states racked up medical and adult-use cannabis sales over $1 billion in 2024. The post These states sold more than $1 billion in weed in 2024 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

Researchers at Oregon State University developed a standardized language for describing the aromas of cannabis and hemp, aiming to offer consumers, retailers, and growers a shared vocabulary for quality assessment beyond relying solely on THC potency. The study, published on PLOS One, utilized a panel to evaluate aroma profiles, leading to the creation of a 25-term lexicon and the identification of four distinct aroma profiles. Cannabis was more often described as skunky, musty, and animalic, while hemp had higher frequencies of citrus, fruity, and candy-like aromas. The research found that terpenes and volatile sulfur compounds did not strongly predict sensory perception, suggesting that aroma tools are critical as the industry transitions to legal frameworks. < Back Researchers Suggest a Standardized Language for Cannabis Aroma Nov 17, 2025 Staff MG Magazine Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *CORVALLIS, Ore.* – Researchers have taken a significant step toward creating a standardized language for describing the aromas of cannabis and hemp. “Aroma plays a key role in how consumers judge cannabis quality, yet until now there’s been no standardized language to describe it,” said Tom Shellhammer, professor of food science and technology at Oregon State University. “This research lays the groundwork for a shared vocabulary that benefits consumers, retailers and growers.” Why aroma matters in cannabis quality assessment The study, recently published on PLOS One, also has public health implications. Shellhammer noted that aroma-based quality assessment offers an alternative to relying solely on potency of THC, the compound responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects. While high THC levels often are perceived as a marker of quality, research suggests they may contribute to negative health outcomes in some populations. Shellhammer, known for his research on hops and beer flavor, compared the cannabis industry’s focus on THC to judging beer or wine solely by alcohol content. He pointed out that after Prohibition, wines often were fortified with extra alcohol, and early India pale ales featured higher alcohol levels. As those industries matured, aroma and ingredients origin became central to quality assessment. Both cannabis and hemp are classified as Cannabis sativa L., a single species in the Cannabaceae family. In the U.S., the distinction is based on THC concentration: hemp contains 0.3 percent or less THC, while anything above that must be sold in state-regulated cannabis markets. How the study was conducted For the study, a panel of 24 individuals aged 21–70 (median age 32; 14 females, 10 males) evaluated aroma profiles. Most had prior experience with sensory analysis of food and beverages. They were asked about their familiarity with cannabis and hemp, and were fairly equally split between slightly, moderately, and extremely familiar. The panel analyzed the hemp samples at Oregon State and, to ensure legal and state-compliant handling, the cannabis sample evaluation was carried out in a space owned by a local cannabis dispensary. The panelists examined aroma of only the plant material, not aroma from smoked cannabis or hemp. Researchers developed a descriptive aroma lexicon of 25 terms, building on earlier work published in 2023 by a team including Jeremy Plumb and Adie Rae, a neurobiologist who also co-authored the current study with Shellhammer. The terms originated from data collected in Portland’s Cultivation Classic cannabis competitions from 2018 to 2020. In the new study, researchers found hemp and cannabis exhibited overlapping sensory profiles, though cannabis was more frequently described as skunky, musty, and animalic (savory), whereas hemp had higher frequencies of citrus, fruity, and candy-like aromas. What researchers discovered about aroma profiles Additionally, four distinct aroma profiles emerged from the research: - Fruit, berry, candy. - Citrus and chemical. - Cheesy and vomit/fecal. - Funky, earthy, musty, straw, fuel, black tea, woody, and nutty/toasted. The first three predominately were associated with hemp samples and the fourth was mostly related to cannabis. The scientists believe the profiles will evolve with more research. How standardized aroma language could reshape the industry The researchers also studied terpenes and volatile sulfur compounds in hemp and cannabis and found neither strongly predicted sensory perception. This is important, the researchers noted, because in the hemp and cannabis industry specific aromas often are mistakenly associated with specific terpenes. “As the cannabis industry transitions from unregulated to legal frameworks, it’s critical to offer consumers tools for assessing product quality beyond terpenes and THC,” Shellhammer said. “This work begins to lay the foundation for that.” < 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

Colorado marijuana entrepreneur Wanda James is running for Congress on a platform demanding immediate and complete federal cannabis legalization, arguing that incremental reforms are insufficient to end damaging policies like 280E and ensure national market stability. If elected, she plans to champion legislation that uses tax revenue for community reinvestment initiatives and establishes a federal equity framework to prevent corporate consolidation and support small businesses. < Back Marijuana Business Owner Running For Congress Says Federal Legalization Is The ‘Only Path’ For ‘National Market Stability’ Dec 3, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Colorado-based marijuana entrepreneur Wanda James is running for Congress, pledging to push for a complete end to federal cannabis prohibition if she’s elected. Anything short of legalization—whether that’s a bill focused on industry banking access or another incremental reform such as rescheduling—won’t cut it, she says. James, who owns the Denver dispensary Simply Pure, is challenging Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) in next year’s Democratic primary to represent Colorado’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She spoke about her cannabis legalization platform at a MJBizCon event on Wednesday. “No banking bill will save us. No half step will fix this. No incremental tweak will correct decades of damage,” she said in a press release ahead of the conference. “Only legalization gives this industry oxygen.” “Only legalization ends 280E. Only legalization ends the raids. Only legalization ends the fear,” she said, referring to the existing policy preventing cannabis businesses from taking federal tax deductions and broadly putting companies at risk of federal enforcement action. “Only legalization stops the fragmented nonsense that destroys operators while confusing the public.” “And let me be very clear about something else,” she said. “This is not a fight between hemp and cannabis. It is the same plant. The same history. The same communities. The same families. The same disrespect. It’s time to send someone to Congress who will meet the moment our industry demands.” In a statement on her campaign site, James similarly said she will “champion legislation to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) entirely” if elected. Simply rescheduling the plant or kicking the can down the road with “administrative delays” is insufficient, she said. “Full legalization. PERIOD,” she said. “This is the only way to move forward with federal safety standards, interstate commerce, banking access, and national market stability.” “In Congress, I will work with reform-minded officials, veterans in both parties, and economic innovation committees to ensure legalization is implemented quickly, safely, and with strong public-health and consumer protections,” James added. Today, I’m launching #LegalizeNOW — not reschedule, not half-measures.⁰ Full federal legalization is the only path.⁰ It’s time for real leadership that meets the moment. pic.twitter.com/YZa8BabjGA — Wanda4congress (@wanda4congress) December 2, 2025 The campaign statement also said James would push for legislative reform that involves putting marijuana tax revenue toward community reinvestment initiatives supporting “affordable housing, mental-health services, childcare assistance, public-school improvements, and neighborhood economic development.” “This approach ensures that legalization becomes a tool to lift families, support working people, and rebuild ALL communities harmed by decades of discriminatory and wasteful enforcement,” she said. The candidate further said she’d “push for a federal equity framework that ensures communities disproportionately impacted by criminalization receive licensing priority, business development support, and access to federal grants and low-interest capital.” James said the regulatory approach to marijuana she’d support would prevent “corporate consolidation from wiping out small operators and the pioneers who built this industry.” “I will fight for antitrust protections, federal loan access, and fair interstate commerce rules that allow small businesses to compete without being crushed by multinational interests,” she said. “And I will push for clear federal packaging, testing, and transportation standards so entrepreneurs can scale responsibly across state lines.” Also, as a military veteran herself, James said she’d pursue reform that’d allow doctors at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend medical cannabis to the veteran population “without fear of penalty or bureaucratic barriers.” In 2023, James approached then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at an event focused on higher education and pressed him on stalled-out marijuana banking legislation, expressing how Black entrepreneurs in the industry are broadly supportive of the incremental reform to free up banks and credit unions to work with state-licensed cannabis businesses. “I would be thrilled to see more and more movement on this. However—make no mistake—first and foremost, we must get basic banking over the finish line,” she told Marijuana Moment at the time, adding that her own personal bank accounts were closed recently due to her involvement in the marijuana industry. James is also an elected regent at the University of Colorado, and her role in the marijuana industry became a point of contention leading to a formal censure by the Board of Regents after she criticized an advertisement campaign warning of the risks of cannabis use that she called racist because of its portrayal of Black people using marijuana. “This is a victory for me, because we have completely exposed the University of Colorado’s issues with race,” she said of the censure. “We have been able to lay them bare for the world to see, and I could not be more proud of my community and the people who have stood with truth and stood against anti-Blackness.” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) responded to the board’s censure action, writing that the “First Amendment protects the right to free expression,” and neither “a White House executive order nor a public university policy can override this fundamental right.” The First Amendment protects the right to free expression. Neither a White House executive order nor a public university policy can override this fundamental right. I am concerned that the CU Board of Regents action sanctioning Regent Wanda James did just that. Thread 👇 — Phil Weiser (@pweiser) July 14, 2025 “I am concerned that the CU Board of Regents action sanctioning Regent Wanda James did just that,” he said. “To protect the right of free expression and the fair treatment of CU Regent James, the Board of Regents would do well to reconsider its action against her. Leaving this action in place not only raises questions of fairness, it undermines CD1’s representation on the Board.” *— 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. —* Last year, Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) called James a “force of nature,” recognizing her influence in the marijuana policy debate and historic role in Colorado’s cannabis program. DeGette, the incumbent congresswoman whose seat James is running for, is also supportive of marijuana reform. For example, she’s sponsored legislation—as well as an appropriation rider—to prevent federal interference in state cannabis laws. The post Marijuana Business Owner Running For Congress Says Federal Legalization Is The ‘Only Path’ For ‘National Market Stability’ 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

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill to streamline research on marijuana and psychedelics by empowering the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAPC) to expedite reviews of study proposals. The bill aims to facilitate studies on Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances to treat conditions like opioid use disorders, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD, especially among veterans. This new legislation extends RAPC's exemptions from open meeting laws until January 1, 2028, building on a previous bill designed to clear a backlog of psychedelic study applications. < Back California Governor Signs Bill To Expedite Marijuana And Psychedelics Research Oct 13, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link California’s governor has signed a bill aimed at streamlining research on marijuana and psychedelics. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Friday gave final approval to the measure that empowers the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAPC) to expedite reviews of study proposals on Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances, through January 2028. The newly enacted legislation, sponsored by Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D), will also authorize RAPC’s chair to assign two or more members of the body to conduct expedited reviews of research proposals and approve them on behalf of the panel. It will also allow “individual panel members to communicate and consult asynchronously with other individual panel members with complementary core competencies outside of full panel meetings to conduct their individual reviews,” a summary of the legislation states. The overall intent of the bill is to facilitate studies to determine whether marijuana, psychedelics or other Schedule I or Schedule II drugs can be utilized “to treat opioid use disorders, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health conditions fueling the disproportionate incidence of suicide among California veterans,” the summary says. “Eliminating any and all unnecessary delays in commencing such clinical research in California will save lives,” it says. A leading veterans group had called on Newsom to sign the legislation after it was sent to his desk by lawmakers. Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) said in an action alert last month that the bill will “cut through red tape and expedite approval for psychedelic research projects at California’s world-class institutions.” “These studies will not only benefit veterans in California but will ripple across the nation, changing lives, advancing science, and offering hope where it’s desperately needed,” VETS said. Newsom did not comment on the legislation when signing it into law along with other unrelated bills. The measure’s passage comes more than a year after the governor signed a separate bill that’s similarly meant to streamline the processing of applications to study psychedelics and marijuana. That legislation from Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R) was meant to help clear a logjam of psychedelics study applications overseen by RAPC. Members had previously decided to suspend their activities because they were prohibited under existing law from publicly disclosing applicants’ trade secrets and other confidential information. To resolve the issue, the bill reauthorized the panel to carry out their duties in closed-door meetings, freeing them up to process the backlog. The newly signed bill from this session extends the panel’s exemptions from open meetings laws to January 1, 2028. *— 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. —* Last month the governor signed a bill into law to put a pause on a recently enacted tax hike on marijuana products. California officials are also inviting research proposals for a second round of grants under a program meant to better educate the public on the state’s marijuana law and help policymakers make informed decisions on the issue. In June, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) announced the recipients of over $52 million in community reinvestment grants to nonprofits and local health departments, also funded by marijuana tax revenue. That marked the seventh round of cannabis-funded California Community Reinvestment Grants (CalCRG) under the state program. Legalization in California has created a number of new grant programs aimed at addressing the consequences of marijuana prohibition and attempting to nurture a strong, well-regulated legal industry. California’s Supreme Court separately delivered a victory for the state’s marijuana program in June, rescinding a lower court ruling in a case that suggested federal prohibition could be used locally to undermine the cannabis market. The state Supreme Court ruling also came just weeks after California officials unveiled a report on the current status and future of the state’s marijuana market—with independent analysts hired by regulators concluding that the federal prohibition on cannabis that prevents interstate commerce is meaningfully bolstering the illicit market. The governor did sign a bill in 2022 that would have empowered him to enter into interstate cannabis commerce agreements with other legal states, but that power was incumbent upon federal guidance or an assessment from the state attorney general that sanctioned such activity. Meanwhile, a California Senate committee recently declined to advance a bipartisan bill that would have created a psilocybin pilot program for military veterans and former first responders. *Image element courtesy of Kristie Gianopulos.* The post California Governor Signs Bill To Expedite Marijuana And Psychedelics Research 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

Montana's Governor vetoed a bill that would have allowed tribal nations to negotiate cannabis regulations individually. The bill, HB 952, aimed to remove restrictions on tribal cannabis operations, but the governor cited concerns about tribal sovereignty and the negotiation process. The article also notes the divided cannabis industry in Montana and the governor's other vetoes. < Back Montana Governor Rejects Bill To Let Tribes Negotiate Marijuana Regulations With State Jun 24, 2025 Staff Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“There’s tribes in the state that are wanting to move forward with manufacturing or processing, testing, distribution.”* *By Alexander Lekhtman, Filter* A Montana proposal that would have allowed tribal nations to negotiate cannabis regulation individually will not be enacted this session. Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vetoed the bill on June 19, calling it “unnecessary and duplicative.” House Bill 952 sought to address cannabis industry barriers that tribes in Montana have faced since 2021, when the state enacted HB 701. That bill limits each tribe’s licensed cannabis operations to a single location, no more than 1,000 square feet and at least 150 miles outside reservation boundaries. HB 952 would have removed these restrictions and instead authorized each tribe to work out their own regulatory terms with the state, tailored to their own needs. It was modeled after cannabis compacts used by federally recognized Native American tribes in Washington state, according to the Montana Free Press. “While I appreciate the intentions of the bill sponsor, [regulatory] authority already exists under the State-Tribal Cooperative Agreements Act,” Gianforte stated in a June 20 letter explaining his veto. “I also have serious concerns about the bill’s potential impact on tribal sovereignty and self-determination, as well as the government-to-government relationship between the State of Montana and tribal nations. By channeling negotiations through a new statutory process, House Bill 952 may constrain the scope and flexibility of negotiations, introduce unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and impose State priorities on tribal nations.” The bill was sponsored by Representative Frank Smith (D), a longtime member of the Montana American Indian Caucus. This was the final legislative session before retirement for Smith, who first took office in 1999. Montana began sales of adult-use cannabis in 2022. But the industry is divided into a patchwork of “green” counties, which voted in favor of legalization, and “red” counties, which voted against it. Sales in red counties are automatically banned, unless the county decides to opt in. “There’s tribes in the state that are wanting to move forward with manufacturing or processing, testing, distribution,” Red Medicine LLC Cofounder Patrick Yawakie, who helped draft HB 952, told the Montana Free Press and ICT in a joint interview earlier in 2025. The bill would have ensured “that there’s an opportunity for them or clarity whenever they come to the table with the state to maintain compliance with state regulations.” Yawakie said during that interview that the bill would also help tribes restrict access to cannabis, among those that wish to do so. Gianforte has issued 42 vetoes this session, 10 of which are pending override, according to the Montana Free Press; a two-thirds majority is required to undertake that vote. One of the 10 vetoes that could potentially be overturned is for a bill for allocating cannabis tax revenue. As of June 19 the legislature is in the process of conducting the veto-override vote by mail, as the session has adjourned. Gianforte’s vetoes have been largely budget-related, with steep cuts that he claimed in a June 20 letter are necessary to protect constituents from unnecessary spending. “The budget I received from the legislature wasn’t as fiscally responsible as the one I proposed,” he wrote. “We have an obligation to be good stewards of taxpayer resources, regardless of whether we are in more promising fiscal times or more challenging fiscal times. Protecting taxpayers requires us to make tough decisions, prioritizing what is necessary over what would be nice to have.” *This article was originally published by Filter, an online magazine covering drug use, drug policy and human rights through a harm reduction lens. Follow Filter on Bluesky, X or Facebook, and sign up for its newsletter.* DEA Judge Sides With Agency On Proposal To Ban Two Psychedelics Despite Challenge From Scientific Researchers *Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.* The post Montana Governor Rejects Bill To Let Tribes Negotiate Marijuana Regulations With State 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

The Massachusetts cannabis czar has pledged to restore trust and ease regulatory burdens for marijuana businesses, promising to "repair trust" and streamline processes. This news was posted by MJBizDaily. < Back Massachusetts cannabis czar promises to ‘repair trust’ and streamline process Oct 2, 2025 Chris Roberts MJbizDaily Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Recently returned Massachusetts cannabis czar pledged to restore trust and ease regulatory burdens for marijuana businesses. Massachusetts cannabis czar promises to ‘repair trust’ and streamline process 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 Texas hemp industry, estimated at $8 billion, successfully fought off legislative attempts to ban or severely restrict THC products in 2025. Despite a last-minute push for stricter regulations, the Senate closed its special session without new THC restrictions. While the industry avoided a total ban, the removal of THC vapes from the market is expected to negatively impact businesses. The debate over hemp products, including age restrictions, is likely to continue. The medical marijuana industry in Texas has also been affected by the uncertainty, though recent expansions to the medical marijuana program are expected to be beneficial. Advocates believe Texas is moving closer to legalizing recreational marijuana. < Back Texas Hemp Businesses Celebrate Lawmakers’ Failure To Pass THC Product Ban Sep 6, 2025 Marijuana Moment Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“I’m glad I stayed vigilant. There’s no rest for the weary.”* *By Paul Cobler and Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune* When news broke Wednesday afternoon of a last-minute push to pass new, stricter regulations for consumable hemp products, the employees at Austin Vape & Smoke sprung into action. Zaquiri Hensen, a manager at the South Austin store, said he alerted his staff and other stores around the city before beginning to contact his legislators, urging them to reject any strict regulation or ban. Every customer that came into the store for the rest of the day was told to do the same, Hensen said. “I still watched the House stream just in case because you never know what’s going to happen on the House floor,” Hensen said. Hensen was finally able to relax around 9 p.m. when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) announced in a post on X that the Senate would wrap up the second special session hours later, effectively closing out the Legislature without any new THC restrictions or a ban. The smoke shop’s ability to quickly mobilize played no small part in the incredible opposition from the estimated $8 billion Texas hemp industry and its customer base against legislative threats this year. For the better part of 2025, that industry has grappled with the uncertainty of state legislators seeking to ban or sharply curtail its sales, but on Wednesday, the industry collectively breathed a sigh of relief. After eight months of committee hearings, debates, a surprise decision by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to veto a total ban of hemp in June and last-minute negotiations on Wednesday, the status quo will largely remain in place for the industry, for now. Hemp-derived THC products—the gummies, flower buds and drinks that are sold at convenience stores, liquor stores, smoke shops and even some grocers across the state—will remain legal. Cynthia Cabrera, president of the industry trade association Texas Hemp Business Council, said she never relaxed throughout the two special sessions this summer, despite the lack of public effort from the House to again pass a total ban of hemp. She barely slept as the Senate remained in session until early Thursday morning. “I’m glad I stayed vigilant,” said Cabrera, who is also the chief strategy officer of Hometown Hero, Austin-based manufacturer of hemp-derived THC products. “There’s no rest for the weary.” The Legislature’s impasse means the debate over what to do about hemp products could rage on. Patrick, who has cited protecting children from using the products as key motivator, reiterated in his post on X that he remains committed to a total ban, despite Abbott’s opposition for such a measure. A likely next step: Age restrictions Earlier this year, the Legislature did successfully pass some efforts addressing the sale and marketing of THC products geared toward youth. For instance, the ban on the sale of vape pens, even those that just contain nicotine—which passed during the regular session and took effect Monday—explicitly applies to any made to look like pens, highlighters, smartphones or other items often seen in schools. But lawmakers failed to pass an age limit for who can purchase THC products, despite the proposal garnering wide support. Major hemp industry representatives have said they welcome more regulation over an outright ban and Abbott in his veto of the THC hemp ban called for restrictions including age limits. “If there was a legitimate concern with public safety and access by minors, then that would be resolved by an age gate bill,” Cabrera said. “This piecemeal approach just means [state Sen.] Charles Perry and Dan Patrick lacked the thoughtfulness required to ensure Texans have access to the products they use on a daily basis.” From the recent special session, House Bill 36 focused specifically on banning THC products for people under 21. There was even chatter among some lawmakers during last-minute negotiations on Wednesday to advance the proposal, though it eventually died in a House committee without receiving a hearing. This leaves age restrictions in the hands of retailers. Hensen said his smoke shop, along with other stores he communicates with regularly, have already restricted access to their stores to people 21 or older since the state increased the age to purchase tobacco to 21 in 2019. Supporters of a ban also cited concerns over quality control of hemp products, something Hensen said his store already prioritizes. “If you have a bad product on your shelves, customers aren’t going to come back and buy it again,” Hensen said. “There’s no reason to have something that would send someone to the hospital.” Damage already done While the hemp industry avoided a catastrophic total ban, the decision by lawmakers to remove THC vapes from the market is expected to negatively affect businesses. Hensen, along with several other smoke shop managers in Austin, estimated the vapes made up about 20 percent of their sales every month. “I had a couple people yesterday who came in asking for [THC] vapes,” said Eduard Streltsov, a manager at Dream Planet Smoke Shop in East Austin. “When I told them we didn’t have them anymore, they left without buying anything.” At the same time, the medical marijuana expansion made it so dispensaries are now allowed to sell THC vapes, potentially tightening the existing competition between the two cannabis industries. Along with consumable hemp, the shops sell nicotine products, glass pipes and bongs. Most shops said a total ban would not force them to completely shut down, but it would likely lead to cutting hours for some employees and layoffs for others. The uncertainty in the hemp industry has also prevented growth. Austin Smoke & Vape at the start of the year was planning to open a new location and hire more employees, but those plans were paused in the spring as the ban measure made its way through the Legislature. Regardless of action by the Legislature, advocates said the Texas Department of State Health Services already has laws in place to be able to provide oversight for the hemp industry, but lawmakers noted they are rarely enforced. Law enforcement officials contend they lack the funding to be able to regularly inspect and test hemp products because more deadly drugs like fentanyl take priority at crime labs. Medical marijuana’s impact The country’s conflicting cannabis laws have pitted two sides of the industry against each other in Texas. Although hemp-derived THC is legal, marijuana remains federally illegal except with a prescription. Companies in the heavily regulated Texas medical industry, which has pushed for regulation and never heavily opposed a ban on its sister industry, have reported losing customers to the hemp industry. Texas has had a medical marijuana program since 2015, and it has been expanded three times since in 2019, 2021 and this year. The program is restrictive, only allowing patients with a narrow set of conditions to get a prescription to purchase marijuana from a small number of distributors permitted to operate in the state. Jervonne Singletary, a spokesperson for the Austin medical marijuana company goodblend, said that while her company believes both the hemp industry and medical marijuana industry can coexist in Texas, the company was disappointed to not see restrictions passed that put the industries on a more level playing field. “We want to ensure that what people are taking is safe and effective for the reasons that they’re taking it,” Singletary said. “At the end of the day, these are both intoxicating products with very, very few genetic differences, and so they should be treated in some form or fashion in a like manner.” The Legislature’s uncertainty over hemp-derived THC also impacted the medical marijuana industry. Singletary’s company fielded calls throughout the spring and summer from patients concerned that the legislative debate would also harm access to medical marijuana. The passage of expansion for the medical marijuana program will still be a boon for the industry, Singletary said, pointing to the law’s removal of restrictions like an arduous requirement that dispensaries not hold their product in stores overnight. But the rollout could take several months, delaying an increase in access for ailing users. “The uncertainty has been a bit hard to plan in, but I think now we are past that uncertainty that hinders business development, and we can move forward as a company, and the industry can move forward with the legislature that actually supports the program.” Heather Fazio, director of advocacy for Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in spite of the intense debates surrounding medical marijuana and hemp in 2025, Texas is closer than ever to legalizing recreational marijuana. Fazio’s advocacy group has worked in Texas for a decade to push the creation of the medical marijuana program, decriminalize marijuana possession, protect the hemp industry and fully legalize the drug. “We’re headed in the right direction, and we’re having meaningful conversations about these policies,” Fazio said. “When we are able to have a seat at the table and have lawmakers at the table, we start to really break down the issue and help to find shared values.” *This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-thc-shops-retailers-ban-relief-age-limit/.* The post Texas Hemp Businesses Celebrate Lawmakers’ Failure To Pass THC Product Ban 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... 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The California Assembly voted unanimously to advance a bill blocking a nearly 25% tax hike on the state’s legal cannabis industry. The bill, AB564, moves next to the Senate for consideration. Assemblymember Matt Haney noted that increased taxes could threaten the industry. The legal cannabis market struggles against regulations, competition, and high taxes. Caren Woodson stated that any tax increase would be devastating to operators. < Back California Assembly Votes Unanimously to Block Cannabis Tax Hike Jun 4, 2025 Graham Abbott Ganjapreneur Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The California Assembly voted unanimously (74-0) on Monday to advance a bill blocking a nearly 25% tax hike on the state’s legal cannabis industry that is set to take effect July 1, CBS News reports. The bill, AB564, moves next to the Senate for consideration. The proposal was introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D), who noted that “If we continue to pile on more taxes and fees onto our struggling small cannabis businesses, California’s cannabis culture is under serious threat of extinction.” “If we want to support our cannabis industry that drives millions of visitors to California every year, adding more costs makes absolutely no sense.” — Haney, in a statement, via CBS News The anticipated tax hike — announced earlier this year by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration — is attached to a 2022 law that removed a blanket cultivation tax but included rules to raise the tax rate if the state’s cannabis revenues start to fall, which they have. Meanwhile, the legal cannabis market continues to struggle against strict regulations, competition from unlicensed retailers, and already high taxes. “Nearly a decade after Californians overwhelmingly approved cannabis legalization, the industry is struggling under the crushing weight of a 15% excise tax,” Caren Woodson, president of the California Cannabis Industry Association, said in the report. “Any increase, particularly a 25% increase, would not only be bad public policy, but devastating to operators already on the brink.” < 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

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to issue an executive order to regulate the state's hemp industry, setting an age limit of 21, mandating ID checks, requiring retailers to be a certain distance from schools, and potentially including product labeling and testing requirements. This comes after lawmakers failed to pass regulatory bills, and Abbott vetoed a ban on hemp THC products. Additionally, a new law banning the sale of cannabinoid vaporizers and vape products took effect, and Texas expanded its medical cannabis program. < Back Texas Gov. Expected to Adopt Hemp THC Regulations Via Executive Order Sep 10, 2025 Graham Abbott Ganjapreneur Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is expected to issue an executive order to create rules and regulations for the state’s hemp industry, the Texas Tribune reports. According to a preliminary framework described in the report, the order would set an age limit of 21 for buying hemp THC products, would mandate ID checks at the time of purchase, and would require retailers to be located a certain distance from schools. The expected executive order could also contain product labeling and testing requirements. Lawmakers originally passed legislation this year banning the sale of hemp THC products outright — a plan that would have effectively dismantled the state’s $8.5+ billion hemp industry — but Abbott vetoed the proposal and initiated a special legislative session, asking lawmakers instead to pursue regulations for hemp THC products similar to alcohol. Ultimately, the Legislature failed during two special sessions to pass a bill regulating the industry. The Senate, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), approved legislation again seeking to ban hemp products during both sessions, but the bills never progressed in the House. Last week, when asked by reporters whether he was considering bringing lawmakers back to the Capitol to address hemp regulations in a third special session, the governor responded, “I will say, stay tuned on that. Something may be happening soon.” Meanwhile, another proposal to regulate hemp products that passed this year, which the governor did not veto, took effect last week. The new law bans the sale of vaporizers and vape products that contain any amount of cannabinoids. Texas also passed a new law this year to expand the state’s medical cannabis program with additional business licenses, new cannabis delivery methods, and new qualifying conditions, including chronic pain. < 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

Capitol Hemp filed two lawsuits challenging hemp regulations and the Harris Amendment. < Back Capitol Hemp sues D.C. over hemp laws and challenges congressional ban Jun 10, 2025 LJ Dawson Outlaw Report Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Capitol Hemp, D.C.'s oldest hemp retailer, has filed two lawsuits challenging the District's ambiguous hemp regulations and the federal Harris Amendment, which restricts D.C.'s legislative authority over Schedule I substances. 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

The medical cannabis retail facility in Beaver Falls is the company’s 16th location in the state. < Back Cresco Labs Opens New Sunnyside Dispensary in Pennsylvania May 28, 2025 Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The medical cannabis retail facility in Beaver Falls is the company’s 16th location in the state. < 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