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The Ohio Senate approved a bill banning intoxicating hemp products and criminalizing the possession of adult-use cannabis obtained out of state, though it allows a temporary exemption for hemp beverages and includes a fee-based expungement system for prior low-level possession convictions. The law, which also allows immediate disbursement of cannabis tax monies to local governments hosting dispensaries, is expected to be signed by Gov. Mike DeWine and will take effect 90 days later. < Back Ohio Passes Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products, Bill Moves to Gov. for Final Approval Dec 11, 2025 TG Branfalt Ganjapreneur Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The Ohio Senate on Tuesday voted along party lines 22-7 to approve a ban on intoxicating hemp products and criminalize the possession of all adult-use cannabis products obtained out of state, Dayton Daily News reports. The new law does allow intoxicating hemp-derived beverages to be sold at licensed liquor establishments until the federal ban on the products takes effect next November. Following the vote, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D) told reporters that the criminalization of cannabis products obtained outside of Ohio is “unnecessary.” “This original packaging (provision) … what’s the original packaging for the marijuana you grew at home? Anyone? Do you carry the plant?” — Antonio via the Daily News Senate President Rob McColley (R) countered that the provisions criminalizing out-of-state products are “not something that’s going to be heavily penalized.” “But it’s something that we need to make sure that they have the tools necessary in the event that they need to be able to enforce that,” he told reporters. The bill also creates an expungement system for individuals convicted of low-level possession prior to the state’s adult-use reforms; however, the plan requires those affected to pay a fee to have their records cleared. The law also allows the state to immediately begin disbursing monies collected from cannabis taxes to local governments that host adult-use dispensaries. The law takes effect 90 days after it is signed by Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who has supported the bill and is expected to give it final approval. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

Former NBA star Al Harrington founded Viola Brands, the largest Black-owned cannabis brand, inspired by the medicinal success his grandmother Viola experienced with cannabis. Committed to industry equity, Viola is expanding through major collaborations, including a national rollout of the IVERSON THC beverage line with Allen Iverson and Circle K, with future goals including expansion into major convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Target, despite ongoing challenges in the cannabis industry. < Back Al Harrington: The Heart of a Lion Dec 17, 2025 Richard Pérez-Feria Cannabis Now Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Less than 24 hours after undergoing a heart procedure in an Indiana hospital, former NBA star and owner of the successful cannabis/hemp company Viola Brands, Al Harrington, was all smiles as we sat down to commence a candid conversation. That’s all you need to know about this extraordinary athlete’s toughness, tenacity and determination: When there’s a job to do, Al Harrington shows up and shines. And shine he did. Born and raised in New Jersey, Harrington was the 25th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft after being selected as a McDonald’s High School All-American. Bypassing college hoops altogether, Harrington played six seasons with the Indiana Pacers then spent the following decade with the Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards before retiring in 2015. In all, Harrington played in 16 seasons in the NBA—that’s quite an impressive run to be sure. [image: Al Harrington head shot]*amazing race:* “It’s just amazing where we’ve come, and we’re not gonna stop,” Harrington says of his cannabis and hemp brand, Viola. So it wasn’t a complete surprise when Harrington applied that hard-earned discipline from his playing days to his next venture, Viola Brands, the largest Black-owned cannabis brand producing products since 2011. Currently available in nine states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania—Viola’s mission, according to Harrington, is to “increase equity and ensure Black and brown people are afforded the opportunity to be a part of a fast-growing industry that has historically left them disenfranchised.” Viola Brands’ latest big moves involve his recent collabs with fellow former NBA star, Allen Iverson, by partnering in distributing the popular strains Iverson ’01 and ’96. Most exciting, perhaps, is the latest news out of this team: Viola Brands recently announced they’re once again partnering with Iverson as well as Horticulture Co. and Circle K to launch a line of Allen Iverson-branded, hemp-derived THC beverages called IVERSON. Circle K is the exclusive retailer for this national rollout, which is considered one of the very largest for THC products in American mainstream retail. This is a very big deal. It’s with this knowledge and energy that we entered our conversation with Al Harrington, the tough as nails, eloquent ambassador for all things cannabis. He’s all heart. But you already knew that didn’t you? [image: Al Harrington and Allen Iverson]*full circle:* Harrington has partnered with fellow NBA star Allen Iverson (left), Horticulture Co. and Circle K to launch their beverage line nationally at Circle K *Let’s go back to when you were a McDonald’s High School All Star pick—you must’ve been pursued by every top college team—what went into the decision to go straight into the NBA draft?* Yeah, man. Well, my story goes, when I was young, I was always the clumsiest kid in the room. Never got picked to play sports. At the end of my eighth-grade year, I was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatters, which is basically a huge growth spurt—I grew from 5’10” to 6’4” in one summer. When I got to high school, I wasn’t even gonna try out for basketball, but the JV coach, thank God, put me on the team. I was the worst player on the team. I couldn’t dunk. I couldn’t catch. But the next summer, I met this guy named Sandy Pyonin, who became my AAU coach, and that’s when everything changed, man. He taught me how to play basketball, how to dribble, shoot, run. Everything. I switched high schools and by my junior year, it all started to click. My senior year, I went to the Nike All-American Camp and ended up being MVP there, which put me in the top ten in the country. And I told my coach if I become No.1, I want to go pro. And he was like, “I don’t know about all that.” *It sounds as if you could’ve used a couple of years in college before going pro.* You know what, I probably could have. My AAU coach always says that. But I mean, shit, I played 16 years—so let’s not get it twisted. *[Laughs]* When I got to the league, I never, not once thought I didn’t belong. I never thought that my teammates, or the guys I played against, were that much better than me or that I should’ve gone to college. You know what I’m saying? [image: Al Harrington and Kobe Bryant play basketball at Madison Square Garden]*all kobe, no beef:* “I had success in New York [with the Knicks] because I just never wanted to get booed,” Harrington says, here in 2010 at Madison Square Garden playing against Los Angeles Lakers’ legend, Kobe Bryant. *Let’s talk about New York City—I remember you with the Knicks, and all of a sudden, everything clicked for you. You scored more points than ever. Was something different playing at Madison Square Garden versus other places?* I’ll say why I had success in New York was really because I just never wanted to get booed. [*Laughs*] In New York City, they’ll boo your ass in a minute. So, I always made sure I had my best games in New York because I never wanted to get booed. But I can say I never got booed once in my two years playing there! *How did Viola, your successful cannabis brand since 2011, get its name?* So, my grandmother’s name is Viola. Right around the time I started playing for the Denver Nuggets, cannabis was just making its way onto the medical scene and I was reading about it every day in the newspapers—I’m a big newspaper reader—and at the end of that year, my grandmother came to see me play. When she got there, she was taking all this medication for high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma…I told her I’d just read that cannabis can cure glaucoma. She looked at me and she said, “*Reefer?!* Boy, you trying to get me to smoke reefer?! You outta your mind!” And she laughed and laughed. But the next day I come home and she’s sitting in the kitchen complaining about how bad her eyes hurt, and I told her “Grandma, look, you’re in a legal market here. Doctors recommend cannabis for patients dealing with what you’re dealing with, so why don’t you just give it a try?” I called a dispensary, and they recommended a strain called Vietnam Kush. We bought this Volcano bag system, had her go outside and she tried it. I asked her how she was feeling. She was crying, and she said, “I’m healed! I haven’t been able to read the words in my Bible in more than three-and-a-half years.” I hug her and we call my mother, and she’s telling her, “God gave me my sight back. Everything’s so bright.” That’s what inspired me to just start learning more about cannabis, weed, reefer—whatever you want to call it—because of the medicinal benefit—the *miracle* it was for my grandmother. *Did she live long enough to see the company?* Yep, she did. She died in 2021, so she lived to 91 years. When I launched the company, she came to the launch party. And after we got done with dinner and everything, we were driving home and she was like, “Al, that was a lot of people, and everybody was saying my name, my name was everywhere.” She’s like, “If anything happens bad, will I go to jail?” *[Laughs]* *Not only do you have the deep medical origin story, but Viola is legitimately committed to entrepreneurs of color.* I mean it’s always been the focus once I got into the industry. This industry isn’t easy and it’s not really set up for us to be successful, especially when people have limited resources. And after COVID, it’s been in this kind of wonky place because so many people lost money betting on these huge players that couldn’t produce. But you know, at the end of the day, it’s like sports—you come into a game with a game plan to stop Steph Curry, and if it don’t work, you got to readjust the plan. So, we’ve pivoted into the adult beverage space; we continue to stay relevant and make sure that we keep a seat at the table as this industry continues to evolve. *A few years ago, you wrote an article stating there was still a war on marijuana. Do you think that’s still in place, particularly given the recent—and shocking— federal ban on hemp Trump signed into law?* Yeah, you see it all the time, man. Obviously, it makes no sense, right? You’d think that train has left the station already when it comes to banning any cannabis at this point. But that’s just the world we live in, especially in the US. Like the fact that there’s still Red Dye 40 in damn near everything we eat—it’s so funny the things they choose to care about when there’s other things that are really, *really* affecting and hurting all of us, even children. It’s just a weird time and the war on cannabis is continuing. [US Senator] Mitch McConnell throwing that in there in a budget bill is just criminal, right? Because who’s gonna stop a budget bill to address a hemp ban? *And Trump’s not gonna read the fine print, as we know.* I mean, even if he did, he’s not going to stop it—people have been out of work for more than 40 days, right? He can’t stop that to say, “I don’t want hemp in there” and go back and forth. But there’s always gonna be hurdles along the way, ’cause we’re going through prohibition, and we’ll find a way to come out good on the other side, it’s just gonna take us more time and money—and energy that a lot of people don’t seem to have anymore, because we kinda tired and beat up from getting to where are today. But at the end of the day, we see how much good is done and it’d be crazy for us to stop now. *You said post-COVID’s been wonky for the cannabis industry and capital’s sort of dried up—what I’ve seen is a lot of consolidations and collaborations. I’ve seen your recent work with Allen Iverson. I see you with Ricky Williams. How have you teamed up, and how are collaborations a part of Viola now?* Being an NBA player for 16 years, I understand that no matter how good Reggie Miller was by himself, if it wasn’t all of us collectively working together, he ain’t gonna win no games. So that’s kind of how I see it. For me, being able to join forces with people that are like-minded and come from sports is important—I know that athletes don’t quit. And what we do is really intentional. [image: Iverson Viola THC drinks] *Is the Iverson collaboration just on the beverage line?* No, so we actually started our collaboration with Allen Iverson in 2021, and it started with just flower. Then it went from flower to vapes to edibles and pre-rolls. Then we started concocting these beverages about two years ago, and we did a collaboration with a company called Tempters, where we provided the terpenes. We’re coming up on our two-year anniversary with them. Last month, we launched the IVERSON beverage and we got a national mandate with Circle K. So we’ll be in 3,000 Circle Ks. *Huge news. What a massive win.* Thank you, bro. I mean that came together so fast, man. God has always been on my side. And the fact that we met Circle K when we did and they allowed us to get in on that fourth quarter set, which was already done six months ago, was a huge play for us. We have all of our beverage line in there, five different brands. Spec’s, which is the biggest grossing THC beverage liquor store chain in the country, based in Texas, we just launched in there last week, and we’re just growing it from there—Goody Goody, Total Wine, Gopuff, we’re working on more. Obviously, with this bill, they just snuck a monkey wrench in there, but we’re still business as usual, we’re just going to have to work and lobby. We got a year to fight it, and I think we’ll make some weight because these products are too good and they’re helping so many people. *We’ve seen a lot of celebrity brands who come into the space, and don’t succeed. Is Viola’s success also partly due because you do enjoy the plant and it’s part of your life? What are some of the strains or forms of consumption that you enjoy?* So for me, I prefer OGs, you know, I just love the way OGs make you feel, it checks all the boxes. It gives you the body high, a little bit of a head high and relaxes me. I’m not a big sativa smoker because it makes my heart race and I get in my head. For OGs, I like the Skittles for flavor and high, so we’ve been doing a lot of variations of cuts with Skittles. Lemon Cherry Gelato had a huge run; we’re doing a lot of crossing with that. We’re crossing a lot of stuff with Blue Nerds right now. I prefer a hybrid, because I don’t like being too high where I can’t do anything. I’m looking more for functional, right? And that’s what we brought to the beverages—I drink beverages every single day and I smoke more socially. All our beverages have clean ingredients—low sugar, low calorie. Always standing true to our roots of health and wellness. I’ve literally lost millions of dollars because I wanted to make sure we stayed with the quality. Bottom line? This brand has my grandmother’s name. If it’s not good enough for Grandma Viola to smoke, then we’re not allowing nobody else to smoke it. And to your point, I honestly believe that’s why we’re still here and well respected after all these years. *Yeah, nobody’s booing you in the cannabis space either, that’s for sure. * No doubt. I still got that fear. *[Laughs]* *Where are you in five years?* In five years, man, I hope that we’re still in this game. I think we’ll have some of the best spirits in the cannabis space, maybe circle back to edibles. I think we’ll be one of the biggest brands in convenience, through Circle K, hopefully 7-Eleven and we’re talking to Target. You know, when I started I never would’ve thought that I’d ever be sitting in a store next to Doritos and Pepsi. *[Laughs]* It’s just amazing where we’ve come, and we’re not gonna stop. We’ll keep trying to break down all those damn barriers. The post Al Harrington: The Heart of a Lion appeared first on Cannabis Now. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

The New York cannabis retailer introduced a new selection that includes four THC-infused beverages. < Back Wicked Reserve Dispensary Expands Range With New Refrigerated THC Beverage Section Dec 8, 2025 Staff Cannabis Business Times Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The New York cannabis retailer’s new selection features four THC-infused drinks. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

A major report titled "From Forest to Dust" finds that drug prohibition, particularly of the coca and cocaine production chain, is a key driver of the climate crisis through deforestation, significant chemical pollution, and financing other illegal extractive industries in the Amazon. The report advocates for drug policy reform and "ecological harm reduction," recommending a system of legal regulation that centers Indigenous communities, avoids corporate capture, and includes safeguards to protect the environment and workers. < Back The War On Drugs Makes The Climate Crisis Worse, New Report Shows Dec 14, 2025 Marijuana Moment Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“So many chemical products are used. Because it’s criminalized, there is no control over the waste process. It contaminates water, soil and animals in the surroundings.”* *By Alexander Lekhtman, Filter* Drug prohibition is a driver of the climate crisis, outlines a major report by international researchers and policy experts. Both drug policy reform and “ecological harm reduction,” it argues, are essential to climate justice. “From Forest to Dust: Socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the prohibition of the coca and cocaine production chain in the Amazon basin and Brazil” was produced by a coalition called Intersection – Land Use, Drug Policy and Climate Justice, involving numerous NGOs. Its 100-plus pages cover vast historical and geographical expanses, from the Spanish colonial era to today, and from the jungles of Brazil to the ports of West Africa. It calls for a system of legal regulation for coca, but one that doesn’t simply replace the control and violence of trafficking networks with that of multinational corporations. Instead, the authors argue, Indigenous communities and family farms should be centered, to ensure that the coca and cocaine trade won’t harm people and their lands. “In some regions, coca acts as a direct driver of deforestation,” Rebeca Lerer told *Filter*. A Brazilian journalist and human rights activist, Lerer was the editor and coordinator of the report, and founded the Intersection coalition. “When armed conflict or the military arrive, it moves coca to more remote areas,” she explained. “It pushes the frontier of production into forest-covered areas—then authorities [seek to] eradicate coca, then usually mining or cattle ranching projects come.” The cocaine trade is tied to environmentally destructive industries, details the report, as it provides financing and the infrastructure needed to move people, goods and services engaged in the illegal wildlife, fishing and logging trades—to name a few. “The cocaine trade in the Amazon works as an investment bank for other environmental crime,” said Lerer, who also serves as the Latin American secretariat of the International Coalition for Drug Policy Reform and Environmental Justice, one of the groups that collaborated on the report. “When the [authorities] repress one [cocaine trafficking] route, they shift to another forest area,” she continued. Trafficking groups “then involve traditional communities and local Indigenous lands in these routes. Repression moves this around without reducing the trade or consumption, and while increasing violence.” The first section of the report was written by David Restrepo, research lead at the Center for Studies on Drugs and Security at the Universidad de los Andes. He gives a brief history of the coca leaf—from its ancient use as a spiritual, medicinal and communal substance in the Andes highlands; to the chemical extraction of the cocaine alkaloid and its launch as a global commodity; and finally, to the onset of prohibition and the rise of wealthy, militarized “cartels.” It’s a story that’s taken another twist even since the publication of “From Forest to Dust.” On December 2, the World Health Organization opted not to recommend easing the blanket global prohibition of coca—going against the findings of the agency’s own expert report. “Among the millions of people across South America who continue to chew, cultivate, and revere coca today, the leaf is not considered an intoxicant but a vital substance for social cohesion and balance with the natural world,” Restrepo writes. Traditional use spans peoples like the Nasa in Colombia, *mambe *circles in the northwest Amazon, and Quechua-speaking highland Peru and Bolivia. But the plant’s importance to diverse cultures is overshadowed by its potent white derivative—and authorities’ disastrous attempts to suppress it. The report covers harmful domestic and international crackdowns, the export of the United States drug war through initiatives like “Plan Colombia,” and how enforcement moves the trade around, per the “balloon effect.” “Prohibition, even in its infancy, generated adaptive supply,” Restrepo writes. “When one route closed, another emerged.” He criticizes US and Colombia-led anti-trafficking actions, and notes how Colombia’s 2016 peace deal with the leftwing militia group FARC fragmented the cocaine trade in the country, with “dissident factions, paramilitary successors, and criminal entrepreneurs filling the authority gap.” In Peru and Bolivia, meanwhile, Restropo explains how coca cultivation has continued to increase. Prohibition “reshuffles and disperses [the trade], often into ecologically fragile regions where state presence is weak.” He cites UNODC data showing that potential leaf yields more than doubled, from 4.1 tons per hectare in 2013 to 8.5 tons by 2023. That single hectare could produce up to 19 kilograms of cocaine per year. But changing fortunes in the global cocaine trade have made Brazil an emerging player, with groups like the Red Command and the Capital’s First Command taking key roles in manufacturing, the domestic supply and global export. Amid these changes, coca-related forest loss has doubled over the past decade—exceeding 20,000 hectares in some years. The refinement process also produces significant pollutants from gasoline, sulfuric acid, ammonia and acetone. Field studies show elevated heavy metal and acid residues in nearby soils and waterways, and coca processing areas are associated with more fish and amphibians dying. But efforts to eradicate coca are also environmentally destructive. Notoriously, aerial crop fumigation operations have poisoned forests, waterways, farms and human beings with the herbicide glyphosate. The report’s second section, jointly written by University of São Paulo urban geography researcher Thiago Godoi Calil and members of the Mãe Crioula Institute, continues to document the destruction. It describes the rise of “narco-deforestation” and “narco-mining”, where the illicit drug trade is tied to illegal extractive industries like logging, wildlife and plant smuggling, and to land-grabs and sex trafficking. The authors note that from 2017-2021, 16 major seizures in the Brazilian Amazon found cocaine shipments in illicit lumber on its way to Europe. In the following section, members of the Instituto Fogo Cruzado cite UNODC estimates showing that global cocaine production of 3,708 tons in 2023 produced an estimated 2.19 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Every aspect of the production and supply chain—from cutting and burning forests to grow coca, to the refinement process, disposal of waste and transportation—contributes to this. And prohibition means the absence of mitigating regulations. “The production itself generates impacts,” Lerer told* Filter*. “So many chemical products are used. Because it’s criminalized, there is no control over the waste process. It contaminates water, soil and animals in the surroundings. There are health hazards for lab workers, and adulterants used by people with poor expertise.” These environmental harms go far beyond the interior regions of the Brazilian Amazon—including out to the oceans, with chemical traces found in mussels, sharks and other fish. The multi-billion dollar cocaine industry additionally serves as an “investment bank” for extractive underground industries in Brazil, the authors write: “The main ‘indirect’ effects of the prohibition associated with this refining structure are related to the financing of other illegal activities and the use of political influence and the armed branches of the drug trade to corrupt public agents and avoid oversight. For communities and environmental defenders, this translates into an increase in deaths and threats.” To put the scale in perspective, the authors estimate that the cocaine refinement industry alone could generate up to $6 billion a year in Brazil—a sum nearly six times larger than the total target for the Amazon Fund ($1.05 billion), a government-managed philanthropic organization combating deforestation. In another section of the report, Mary Ryder and Steve Rolles of Transform Drug Policy Foundation briefly mention some local efforts—particularly in Europe—to consider legal regulation of cocaine and other stimulants. Hower, they write, “More realistic in the short term, perhaps, is the possibility for coca based products, such as coca tea, coca leaf or *mambe* (that only contain a small amount of the active cocaine alkaloid) to be imported and sold in European markets—particularly if coca’s legal status under the UN conventions is revisited.” Jenna Rose Astwood and Clemmie James, of the International Coalition on Drug Policy Reform and Environmental Justice, conclude the report by describing an approach they call “ecological harm reduction.” “The question is no longer why the drug war has failed—but why it persists,” they write. “The answer: it enables illegal, unregulated extraction in biodiversity-rich forests vital to our climate future.” “Despite these impacts, drug policy reform is almost entirely absent from the climate policy agenda,” they continue. “This omission is dangerous. It is not possible to protect the Amazon, or meet climate goals, while ignoring one of the biggest forces driving its destruction.” Astwood and James call for environmental justice and an end to the drug war, pointing to what they describe as Indigenous peoples’ “approach rooted in ecological interdependence.” But they don’t completely endorse the legal regulation of drugs *unless* it’s combined with efforts to protect the environment, workers and people who depend on vulnerable lands. “A legal market, if poorly implemented, can reproduce the harms of prohibition through unsustainable agricultural practices, corporate capture, land grabbing, and further marginalization of those already embedded in the drug economy,” they write. “A just transition to a regulated drug market must reduce the influence of extractive and criminal economies by establishing safeguards to prevent exploitative actors from entering the legal space.” Their recommended components of this vision include sustainable environmental practices such as permaculture and companion planting; responsible land, water and energy use; ensuring food security for rural communities; and diversifying agricultural systems. Processing and refining of controlled substances, they argue, should be relocated to urban and suburban areas where waste can be better controlled. They also endorse various protections for workers including the rights to organize, collective bargaining, safe working conditions, fair wages, and an end to forced and child labor. And land reforms should protect peoples with traditional ties to ecosystems. Stolen lands should be returned with just compensation, and resources should be provided for restitution and community-led redevelopment. “Prohibition started with the plants, and we think we need to go back to the plants,” Lerer said. “We need to start by freeing the coca leaf—from there we should design what this trade should look like from an ecological harm reduction lens and avoid corporate capture. Illegal cocaine promotes environmental destruction, but ‘Big Pharma’ cocaine is also not going to deliver climate justice.” *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.* The post The War On Drugs Makes The Climate Crisis Worse, New Report Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

AI is transforming cannabis cultivation by enabling robotics and pattern recognition for optimizing yields and creating cultivar-specific "recipes." Experts stress that successful AI implementation depends on consistent environmental control, arguing that the technology will shift labor toward higher-skill roles rather than replacing growers entirely, advising a slow, incremental adoption process. < Back AI in Cultivation: MJBizCon Panel Stresses Fundamentals First Dec 8, 2025 Shawna Seldon McGregor MG Magazine Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Artificial intelligence (AI) officially has entered the cannabis grow room. At MJBizCon 2025 in Las Vegas, a panel about AI in cultivation drew operators, technologists, and curious skeptics looking for clarity on what is real, what is hype, and what might actually move the needle in an oversupplied, margin-squeezed market. Why environmental control comes before AI On stage, the technology spanned everything from canopy-scanning robots to tissue-culture automation and leaf-level plant monitoring. But throughout the conversation, Cannatrol founder and Chief Executive Officer Jane Sandelman served as a kind of counterweight, repeatedly reminding the room that no amount of AI can compensate for poor environmental control. “Our core competency is environmental control,” she said early in the session. “If your HVAC and room conditions aren’t consistent, AI can’t fix that for you. You’ll just end up in a ‘garbage in, garbage out’ situation.” Her point landed, because the other panelists’ success stories depended on exactly the kind of stability she described. How data-driven cultivation is rewriting SOPs Gary Holland, chief innovation officer at Endless Biotech, described a data-heavy approach that would have been unthinkable in the early medical days. His team invested in scientific instrumentation that clips onto individual leaves, measuring what is happening inside the plant almost down to the cellular level and generating 45 different data points per sample. Those thousands of data points are fed into AI systems that analyze growth across propagation, veg, and flower. Studying how plants respond to different stimuli — light spectra, irrigation patterns, environmental changes — helped the team rewrite the company’s standard operating procedures. The result, he said, was the ability to consistently hit roughly 100 grams of flower per square foot, up from the 25–55 grams per square foot he sees in many of the facilities with which he consults. At the same time, the operation pushed terpene levels from the 2–3-percent range into the 4–6-percent range, with occasional runs approaching 9 percent. Holland explained AI’s biggest impact is coming through robotics. Working with a company called Bud Scout, his team is bringing an automated robot into vertical racking systems to continually scan the canopy. Rather than relying on two or three wall-mounted sensors, the robot reads environmental and plant data at the level of individual square inches, and it does so for the full life cycle of each plant. Over time, that dataset reveals patterns that would be nearly impossible to keep straight in a human-managed logbook. He also described a tissue-culture lab where robots, trained using a combination of virtual-reality sessions and human demonstrations, are learning to recognize explants, understand plant polarity, and perform repetitive lab tasks around the clock. The next phase is even more science fiction–adjacent: semi-mobile robots with two arms, designed to move through flower rooms and eventually handle defoliation and trimming. Why stability matters more than advanced sensors Against that backdrop, Sandelman’s focus sounded almost deceptively simple. In her view, the industry’s rush toward AI can succeed only if facilities solve long-standing environmental issues first. It does not matter whether the AI is optimizing irrigation, suggesting setpoints, or issuing commands to a post-harvest system. If the room cannot hold the set conditions, the algorithm is just shouting into the void. “I think a lot of people think AI is a magic bullet, and it is certainly not,” she said. “If you have an environmental situation — if your HVAC isn’t up to snuff and your rooms are not consistent either in drying or cultivation — you’re going to have problems. The AI can tell your room to be at a certain [vapor-pressure deficit], but if your room cannot achieve that consistently, it’s not going to make things better. It could create more problems.” Sandelman emphasized that post-harvest is where product value can evaporate if rooms drift in and out of target conditions. In a market where oversupply is common and inventory often sits longer than intended, keeping flower in a stable environment is less a luxury and more a survival strategy. Environmental discipline, she argued, is also the bridge between cultivation and branding. As regulations evolve toward eventual federal oversight, she expects consumer expectations to shift from fixation on THC percentage to a demand for consistent performance and experience from SKUs. AI and machine learning can help identify the inputs that drive repeatability, but only if the underlying systems do what they are told. What AI can reveal that growers can’t see Across the panel, there was broad agreement that AI’s real strength is not in replacing growers, but in seeing patterns they cannot. Holland shared how AI-driven analytics helped him uncover the root causes of issues like bud rot and powdery mildew. By analyzing temperature swings, vapor-pressure deficit (VPD), and root-zone moisture, AI models highlighted factors such as sudden drops in temperature that pushed rooms to the dew point, leaving leaves and buds wet long enough to fuel botrytis. The same tools pointed to overly aggressive VPD targets that were stressing plants, closing stomata, and creating conditions where powdery mildew spores could take hold. Building cultivar-specific roadmaps with machine learning Corey Waggoner, CEO of Higher Yields Consulting, stressed how AI changed the way his team approached “genetic roadmapping.” By correlating plant performance with the number of days in veg, defoliation intensity, transplant timing, substrate choice, and lighting technology, his group is building what he described as cultivar-specific “recipes” that can be adapted across facilities. For multistate operators juggling single-tier high-pressure sodium rooms, four-tier LED builds, soil, rockwool, and everything in between, that level of insight has become essential to any serious attempt at standardization. Sandelman listened to these examples and consistently brought the crowd back to the precondition for all of them: good data. Without well-maintained rooms, calibrated sensors, and clear targets, she said, AI cannot sort signal from noise. “Go slow,” she cautioned. “The computer is not going to fix your world. You need to teach the computer — you need to teach the robot — to fix your world. You need to lead the machine, not let the machine lead your business.” Why AI won’t replace growers anytime soon The panel did not sidestep the question most employees worry about when they hear the letters “AI”: Will this take my job? Sandelman’s answer was quick and unequivocal. She does not believe AI will trigger mass layoffs in cultivation facilities. Instead, she sees the technology shifting people away from repetitive tasks and into more valuable, and more interesting, work. She pointed to the dry room as an example. In traditional workflows, a staff member might spend an entire shift manually burping jars. Automation and better environmental control can take over that job, freeing the employee to work in quality control, data collection, or higher-skill plant work. Holland offered a longer historical view, comparing today’s anxiety circulating around AI to the fear that greeted early tractors. Blacksmiths and field hands worried mechanization would erase their livelihoods. Instead, agricultural output soared and new categories of work emerged around machinery, logistics, and agronomy. In cannabis, he suggested, AI likely will reduce the need for brute-force labor while creating demand for data-literate head growers, systems integrators, and specialized technicians. That does not mean adoption will be painless. Capital expenditure remains a hurdle in a tight funding environment, and several panelists acknowledged that operators are understandably skeptical after years of vendors overpromising and underdelivering. There is also cultural resistance: One technologist described winning grants that would have placed dozens of robots in facilities at no cost, only to have operators ask not how much data they would receive, but how much money they would be paid to participate. A practical roadmap for adopting AI in cultivation By the end of the session, a loose roadmap for AI in cultivation had emerged. Panelists urged operators not to “go all in” overnight. Instead, they suggested piloting a single solution in a specific niche, watching how it performs, and then iterating. That might mean trying a canopy-scanning system in one flower room, using AI-driven analytics to refine standard operating procedures in a single facility, or adding smarter controls to a post-harvest space where environmental drift has been a recurring headache. Moderator David Johnson, chief commercial officer at Chorus, closed by noting one practical entry point is to bring in an expert — whether a consultant focused on AI in cultivation or a vendor solving a well-defined problem — and test one system at a time. That incremental approach echoed Sandelman’s philosophy: Fix the fundamentals, define what success looks like, then layer in automation and intelligence where they actually can deliver. For now, AI in cannabis cultivation is in its early days. The technology on display at MJBizCon suggested a future of highly instrumented rooms, robotic tissue-culture labs, and genetic roadmaps tailored to each facility. But if the panel made anything clear, it was that the operations most likely to benefit are not the ones that chase every shiny new tool. Successful operations will do what Sandelman kept emphasizing: Get the house in order first. Then let machines help keep it that way. ------------------------------ The Truth About AI in the Grow Room 1. Can AI improve cannabis cultivation if a grow room isn’t stable? No. Panelists at MJBizCon emphasized that AI depends on consistent environmental control. If HVAC, humidity, or setpoints drift, the data becomes unreliable and automation can’t correct underlying issues. AI only works when the room can hold the conditions it’s being asked to maintain. 2. What cultivation challenges is AI actually good at addressing? AI excels at pattern recognition. It can analyze thousands of data points to identify the causes of issues like bud rot, powdery mildew, and inconsistent yields. It also improves SOPs by revealing how plants respond to lighting, irrigation, and environmental adjustments across their full life cycle. 3. Do AI and robotics replace growers in cannabis facilities? Not according to the MJBizCon panelists. They agreed AI won’t eliminate jobs; instead, it shifts labor away from repetitive tasks and into higher-skill roles such as data analysis, environmental oversight, and quality control. Automation handles burping, monitoring, or scanning, while people manage strategy and decision-making. 4. How should cultivators start using AI in their grow rooms? Experts recommend starting small: pilot a single tool in one room, test its impact, refine SOPs, and expand only after environmental fundamentals are stable. A crawl-walk-run approach avoids costly mistakes and ensures AI delivers measurable improvements. 5. Why is environmental control so important before adding AI? Because inconsistent rooms produce “garbage in, garbage out” data. If temperature, VPD, and airflow fluctuate, AI can’t accurately interpret plant responses or optimize conditions. Stable environments are the foundation for reliable analytics and meaningful automation. 6. What types of AI tools are cultivators adopting today? Examples discussed at MJBizCon included canopy-scanning robots, leaf-level sensors that collect dozens of physiological parameters, AI-guided tissue-culture robotics, and systems that analyze environmental and genetic performance to build cultivar-specific “recipes.” 7. How is AI helping with genetic selection in cannabis? Consultants described using machine-learning models to correlate plant performance with variables like veg time, defoliation, light spectrum, substrate, and room design. The output is a data-driven roadmap that helps operators standardize recipes across different facilities. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

Cannabis Rescheduling FAQ: Your Questions Answered < Back Cannabis Rescheduling FAQ Dec 19, 2025 Sue Dehnam MG Magazine Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *Latest update:* President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Attorney General to expedite cannabis rescheduling. [Read the full report.] 1. Is marijuana moving to Schedule III now? Not yet. Federal agencies must complete a formal rulemaking process before any rescheduling takes effect. 2. Can the Drug Enforcement Administration ignore an executive order? No, but President Trump’s executive order does not require the agency to reach a specific outcome. The DEA must follow administrative procedures and justify its final decision under the law. 3. Can cannabis companies stop paying 280E taxes immediately? No. Internal Revenue Code Section 280E relief would begin only *after* a final rule is published and takes effect. 4. Does Schedule III allow interstate cannabis commerce? No. Interstate commerce remains prohibited unless Congress passes additional legislation. 5. Will cannabis products be FDA-approved under Schedule III? Not automatically. FDA approval still requires clinical trials and regulatory review. 6. Will rescheduling help medical marijuana patients? Indirectly. It could expand research, normalize prescribing frameworks, and encourage insurer participation—but it does not mandate coverage. 7. How will rescheduling affect hemp and CBD? Trump’s executive order urges Congress to preserve access to full-spectrum CBD, but FDA rules and recent federal hemp legislation may limit what products qualify. 8. Can Congress block rescheduling? Yes. Lawmakers could attempt to overturn the process under the Congressional Review Act or pass legislation restricting agency authority. 9. What happens if courts get involved? Legal challenges could delay or overturn rescheduling if procedural flaws or bias are demonstrated during the rulemaking process. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case *Canna Provisions v. Bondi*, which challenged the constitutionality of federal marijuana prohibition based on the Commerce Clause, despite one conservative justice, Clarence Thomas, having previously argued the issue needed resolution due to the federal government's inconsistent approach. This decision upholds prior rulings against state-legal cannabis companies who were seeking relief from federal oversight. < Back U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Marijuana Companies’ Case Challenging Federal Prohibition Dec 15, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The U.S. Supreme Court is declining to take up a case challenging the constitutionality of federal marijuana prohibition—an issue that even one of the bench’s more conservative members, Justice Clarance Thomas, had previously argued must be resolved amid the state legalization movement. The case, *Canna Provisions v. Bondi*, was on the agenda for a closed-door meeting of the justices on Friday. On Monday, the court posted an order list showing that the matter failed to receive the needed votes from four justices to grant certiorari. Massachusetts-based marijuana businesses had asked the court to take their case because they argued that federal law unconstitutionally prohibits intrastate cannabis activity, contravening the Commerce Clause. That issue was raised in amicus briefs filed by supporters of the suit over recent weeks. That includes a public interest law firm representing a man who says federal law infringed on his property rights, libertarian think tank the Cato Institute and the Koch-founded Americans for Prosperity Foundation. The powerhouse law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP submitted their petition for writ of certiorari from the court on behalf of their cannabis industry clients in October, and the Justice Department subsequently declined the opportunity to file a brief for or against the case’s consideration by the justices. A lead attorney representing the petitioners previously told Marijuana Moment that he was “hopeful”—albeit somewhat “nervous”—about the prospect of justices ultimately taking up the matter and deciding to address the key legal question about the constitutionality of federal cannabis prohibition. “Time is of the essence,” Josh Schiller said, noting the dramatic shift in public opinion and state laws governing cannabis. “We think that this is the right time for this case because of the need—the industry needs to get relief from federal oversight at the moment.” Schiller did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Marijuana Moment about the court’s action on Monday. A U.S. appeals court rejected the arguments of the state-legal cannabis companies the firm is representing in May. It was one the latest blows to the high-profile lawsuit following a lower court’s dismissal of the claims. But it’s widely understood that the plaintiffs’ legal team has long intended the matter to end up before the nine high court justices. One of the court’s justices, Thomas, said in 2021 that the federal government’s inconsistent approach to marijuana policy ought to be resolved, suggesting that outright national prohibition may be unconstitutional. “Once comprehensive, the Federal Government’s current approach is a half-in, half-out regime that simultaneously tolerates and forbids local use of marijuana,” Thomas said at the time. “This contradictory and unstable state of affairs strains basic principles of federalism and conceals traps for the unwary,” he said, adding that “though federal law still flatly forbids the intrastate possession, cultivation, or distribution of marijuana…the Government, post-Raich, has sent mixed signals on its views.” Thomas’s comments seemed to suggest it’d be appropriate revisit the precedent-setting case, *Gonzales v. Raich*, where the Supreme Court narrowly determined that the federal government could enforce prohibition against cannabis cultivation that took place wholly within California based on Congress’s authority to regulate interstate commerce. The initial complaint in the current case, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argued that government’s ongoing prohibition on marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was unconstitutional because Congress in recent decades had “dropped any assumption that federal control of state-regulated marijuana is necessary.” *— 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. —* At oral arguments on appeal late last year, attorney David Boies told judges that under the Constitution, Congress can only regulate commercial activity within a state—in this case, around marijuana—if the failure to regulate that in-state activity “would substantially interfere [with] or undermine legitimate congressional regulation of *inter*state commerce.” Boies, chairman of the firm handling the case, has a long list of prior clients that includes the Justice Department, former Vice President Al Gore and the plaintiffs in a case that led to the invalidation of California’s ban on same-sex marriage, among others. Judges, however, said they were “unpersuaded,” ruling in an opinion that “the CSA remains fully intact as to the regulation of the commercial activity involving marijuana for non-medical purposes, which is the activity in which the appellants, by their own account, are engaged.” The district court, meanwhile, said in the case that while there are “persuasive reasons for a reexamination” of the current scheduling of cannabis, its hands were effectively tied by past U.S. Supreme Court precedent in *Raich*. This comes in the background of a pending marijuana rescheduling decision from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump said in late August that he’d make a determination about moving cannabis to Schedule III of the CSA within weeks, but he’s yet to act. Meanwhile, in October the Supreme Court agreed to hear a separate case on the constitutionality of a federal law prohibiting people who use marijuana or other drugs from buying or possessing firearms. The Trump administration has argued that the policy “targets a category of persons who pose a clear danger of misusing firearm” and should be upheld. *Photo elements courtesy of rawpixel and Philip Steffan.* The post U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Marijuana Companies’ Case Challenging Federal Prohibition appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

Massachusetts marijuana regulators unanimously approved rules for licensing and regulating cannabis social consumption lounges, creating three new license types for dispensaries, hospitality services, and event organizers. This move establishes Massachusetts as the first state in New England to allow on-site cannabis consumption and is viewed as a way to promote economic opportunities, but it occurs amidst an effort by anti-legalization activists to put an initiative on the ballot that would roll back the state's adult-use law. < Back Massachusetts Officials Approve Rules Allowing Marijuana Social Consumption Lounges To Open Dec 11, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Massachusetts marijuana regulators have unanimously approved rules to license and regulate cannabis social consumption lounges in the state. Members of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) on Thursday voted 4-0 to approve the rule, which was unveiled over the summer. The rules create three new license types related to social consumption: One would let existing dispensaries build upon their business by allowing marijuana use at their facilities, another would permit “hospitality” services by non-cannabis businesses such as cafes and theaters and another would create an “event organizer” category for entities wishing to allow marijuana consumption at events such as music festivals. “The Commonwealth has been eagerly waiting social consumption, so we’re proud to move this effort across the finish line,” Shannon O’Brien, chair of the commission, said in a press release. “We look forward to the economic opportunities these new license types will offer to small businesses and entrepreneurs who have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.” Bruce Stebbins, co-chair of the CCC social consumption working group, said the finalized regulatory package “reflects years of stakeholder engagement, research, and policy discussion and deliberation.” “Next steps will include ongoing engagement with municipalities that must opt-in to hosting social consumption and educating residents to ensure the Commonwealth is prepared for this expansion of our $8 billion regulated cannabis industry,” he said. The enactment of the policy makes Massachusetts the first state in New England to allow cannabis social consumption facilities to open. Today Commissioners voted unanimously to approve three new license types that will allow the on-site consumption of cannabis in Massachusetts for the first time. Learn about the final policies and next steps here: https://t.co/tsE2Wlggtb — Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (@MA_Cannabis) December 11, 2025 Kimberly Roy, another member of the commission, said the vote to advance the package “marks a long-awaited and carefully considered milestone for Massachusetts’ regulated cannabis industry.” “By finalizing the Social Consumption license-type, the Commission is honoring the will of the voters who envisioned safe, legal spaces for adult-use cannabis, while maintaining strong safeguards to protect public health and public safety,” she said. “This achievement represents years of collaboration among stakeholders, policymakers, and communities across the Commonwealth.” However, she added, the vote on Thursday “does not conclude the Commission’s work; it begins a new chapter of consumer and public education to ensure this emerging sector operates safely and responsibly.” Commissioner Carrie Benedon said the “finalization of these social consumption reforms represents a significant milestone for legal cannabis in the Commonwealth.” “Commissioners and staff have put significant thought and care into crafting a program that will provide economic opportunities for equity participants and small businesses while emphasizing public health and safety,” she said. Travis Ahern, executive director of CCC, said the social consumption license option “offers the Commonwealth significant regional tourism opportunities, safe spaces for those who cannot consume cannabis at home, the ongoing transition of legacy operators to the legal market,” he said. “Commission staff have worked hard to support the creation of each license type, and we’re excited to get to work setting up the internal infrastructure that will enable these new businesses to serve Massachusetts residents.” The policy change around social consumption lounges comes amid a push by anti-legalization activists to put an initiative on the ballot next year that would roll back the state’s adult-use legalization law. An association of Massachusetts marijuana businesses recently urged voters to tell local officials about any cases of misleading signature gathering tactics and “fraudulent messaging” by the campaign behind that effort. There have been allegations piling up that petitioners working on behalf of Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts have shared false information about what the measure would accomplish—with claims that paid petitioners have 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, but the campaign has denied sanctioning such activities. Under proposed initiative, adults 21 and older could still possess up to an ounce of cannabis, only five grams of which could be a marijuana concentrate product. Possession of more than one ounce but less than two ounces would be effectively decriminalized, with violators subject to a $100 fine. Adults could also continue to gift cannabis between each other without remuneration. But provisions in the state’s voter-approved marijuana law that allow for commercial cannabis retailers and access to regulated products by adults would be repealed under the proposal. Adults’ right to cultivate cannabis at home would also be repealed. The medical cannabis program would remain intact, however. 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. 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. Whether the cannabis measures make the cut is yet to be seen. Voters approved legalization at the ballot in 2016, with sales launching two years later. And the past decade has seen the market evolve and expand. As of August, Massachusetts officials reported more than $8 billion in adult-use marijuana sales. Last month, the Massachusetts Senate approved 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. Similar legislation also advanced through the House earlier this year. *— 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. —* Separately, CCC recently 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 Martin Alonso.* The post Massachusetts Officials Approve Rules Allowing Marijuana Social Consumption Lounges To Open appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

Virginia's Department of Labor and Industry released guidance protecting employees from adverse action solely based on off-duty cannabis use (unless impaired or exceptions apply), while newly empowered Democrats and Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger plan to advance legislation to finally establish a regulated adult-use marijuana retail market after previous efforts were vetoed. < Back Virginia Officials Publish Guidance On Marijuana Consumers’ Workplace Rights Dec 9, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link As Virginia lawmakers prepare to resume efforts to legalize adult-use marijuana sales in next year’s legislative session, state officials have released guidance on a recently enacted law that provides employment protections for workers who use cannabis while off duty. Virginia has a medical cannabis program—and recreational use and personal cultivation were legalized in 2021, but there’s not currently a system of regulated sales for recreational use. While legislators have already taken steps to enact further reforms to allow marijuana sales from licensed retailers, with a legislative commission putting forward a framework last week in hopes of advancing the issue in 2026, the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) published a new document outlining workplace protections for cannabis consumers. The guidance states that employers “should not take employment actions, including discipline or termination of employment, against an employee based upon the presence of cannabinoid metabolites in the individual’s bodily fluids in an employer-required or requested drug test without additional factors indicating impairment…unless the employer has established a drug free workplace based on its reasonable workplace drug policy.” For medical cannabis patients specifically, the guidance from DOLI’s Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program stipulates that no employers may “discharge, discipline, or discriminate against an employee for such employee’s lawful use of cannabis oil under the laws of the Commonwealth pursuant to a valid written certification issued by a practitioner for the treatment or to eliminate the symptoms of the employee’s diagnosed condition or disease.” There are exceptions built into the rule, which is being implemented in response to the enactment of bills signed into law in recent sessions. Impairment during work hours would not be protected, and employers could not be required to do anything that would cause them to be “in violation of federal law or that would result in the loss of a federal contract or federal funding.” Additionally, defense industrial base sector employers could still take adverse action against workers who test positive for THC “in excess of 50 ng/ml for a urine test or 10 pg/mg for a hair test.” The guidance document also says that nothing in the rule “shall prohibit an employer from adopting reasonable zero tolerance or drug free workplace policies, or employment policies concerning drug testing, smoking, consumption, storage, or use of cannabis in the workplace or while on call provided that the policy is applied in a nondiscriminatory manner.” The DOLI guidance notably included a definition of “cannabinoids” that says the compounds in marijuana “may help treat the symptoms of cancer or the side effects of cancer treatment.” The most recent bill that Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed on cannabis and employment policy, enacted last year, was meant to codify that public sector workers were also protected from adverse actions by employers, along with private business employees, unless they fall into a category where there’s an explicit exception. Several years before lawmakers passed, and the governor signed, cannabis consumer workplace protection legislation that inadvertently left out a section of state code covering firefighters, maintenance workers, teachers and other public employees. Meanwhile, after months of hearings and debate, the legislature’s Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market released a framework for an adult-use marijuana program at its final meeting on Tuesday. Since legalizing cannabis possession and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia lawmakers have worked to establish a commercial marijuana market—only to have those efforts consistently stalled under Youngkin, who twice vetoed measures to enact it that were sent to his desk by the legislature. Once the next legislative session begins in January, the new proposal is expected to be sponsored by Del. Paul Krizek (D), who has served as chair of the commission, as well as Sens. Louise Lucas (D) and Aaron Rouse (D). Rouse said last month that he’s “very optimistic” about the prospect of advancing legislation to create an adult-use marijuana market in the coming session. That optimism is heightened by the fact that state Democrats widened their House majority, and voters elected a pro-legalization governor, in November. “Any measure that we can take to find revenue, I’m very optimistic about that approach,” the senator, who has been the lead sponsor of legislation to legalize and regulate adult-use sales that was vetoed by the outgoing GOP governor, said. “We, in Virginia, have to take every step we can to make sure we can find revenues that strengthen our communities, that strengthens the education process, that puts food on the table, that gets people back to work,” Rouse said. *— 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. —* This next session is shaping up to deliver different results. In addition to growing their majority in the Assembly, Democrats now have Abigail Spanberger as the state’s next governor, and the party also secured wins in the Commonwealth’s lieutenant governor and attorney general races. Spanberger, a former congresswoman, told Marijuana Moment ahead of the election that “as Virginia takes steps toward creating a legalized retail market for cannabis,” the commonwealth “needs a clear strategy to set up a market that is safe for consumers, transparent for businesses, and fair to entrepreneurs.” She added that “revenue from commercial cannabis products must return to Virginia communities and be reinvested for purposes like strengthening our public schools.” The governor-elect said she will “work with leaders in the General Assembly to find a path forward that both prioritizes public safety and grows Virginia’s economy”—and that part of that is establishing “a formalized, legal, emerging cannabis market.” During her time in Congress, Spanberger voted twice on the House floor in support of bills to federally legalize marijuana. She also consistently backed legislation to free up banking services for the industry, protect all state cannabis program from federal interference and expand marijuana research. The former congresswoman additionally opposed a proposal to remove protections for universities that study cannabis. She voted against certain reform proposals, however, including on measures to lift certain research barriers for Schedule I drugs and to revise federal policy to prevent past marijuana use from being used as a factor to determine eligibility for a security clearance. Spanberger cosponsored bills to provide medical cannabis access for military veterans on two occasions, and she cosponsored the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act during the 116th Congress. At the legislative commission’s first meeting in July, members discussing broad regulatory considerations and other issues related to THC potency, the hemp market and more. In August, the panel focused on cannabis taxes and revenue. Meanwhile, a top Democratic Virginia senator recently said the state should move forward with legalizing recreational marijuana sales—in part to offset the Trump administration’s cuts to federal spending in support of states. *Photo courtesy of Martin Alonso.* The post Virginia Officials Publish Guidance On Marijuana Consumers’ Workplace Rights appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to discuss *Canna Provisions v. Bondi*, a case challenging the constitutionality of federal marijuana prohibition by arguing it unconstitutionally prohibits intrastate cannabis activity under the Commerce Clause. Justice Clarance Thomas has previously suggested the federal government's contradictory approach to marijuana policy ought to be resolved. While lower courts have rejected the claims, the petitioners require four justices to vote to accept the petition for certiorari for the court to take up the matter. < Back U.S. Supreme Court To Discuss Case Challenging Federal Marijuana Prohibition This Week Dec 11, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link U.S. Supreme Court justices are scheduled to meet this week to discuss a much-anticipated case challenging the constitutionality of federal marijuana prohibition—an issue that even one of the bench’s more conservative members, Justice Clarance Thomas, has previously argued must be resolved amid the state legalization movement. While it remains unclear whether the court will ultimately take up the issue, a number of interested parties have urged action. And justices put the case, *Canna Provisions v. Bondi, *on the agenda for a closed-door conference meeting on Friday to consider their options. Massachusetts-based marijuana businesses are asking the court to take their case because they argue federal law unconstitutionally prohibits intrastate cannabis activity, contravening the Commerce Clause. That issue was raised in amicus briefs filed by supporters of the suit over recent weeks. That includes a public interest law firm representing a man who says federal law infringed on his property rights, libertarian think tank the Cato Institute and the Koch-founded Americans for Prosperity Foundation. The powerhouse law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP submitted their petition for writ of certiorari from the court on behalf of their cannabis industry clients in October, and the Justice Department subsequently declined the opportunity to file a brief for or against the case’s consideration by the justices. A lead attorney representing the petitioners recently told Marijuana Moment that he’s “hopeful”—albeit somewhat “nervous”—about the prospect of justices ultimately taking up the matter and deciding to address the key legal question about the constitutionality of federal cannabis prohibition. “Time is of the essence,” Josh Schiller said, noting the dramatic shift in public opinion and state laws governing cannabis. “We think that this is the right time for this case because of the need—the industry needs to get relief from federal oversight at the moment.” A U.S. appeals court rejected the arguments of the state-legal cannabis companies the firm is representing in May. It was one the latest blows to the high-profile lawsuit following a lower court’s dismissal of the claims. But it’s widely understood that the plaintiffs’ legal team has long intended the matter to end up before the nine high court justices. Four justices must vote to accept the petition for cert in order for the court to take up the case. It is not clear how soon the decision on granting review will be announced, and it is possible the case could be scheduled for further discussion at another private conference following Friday’s meeting. One of the court’s justices, Thomas, said in 2021 that the federal government’s inconsistent approach to marijuana policy ought to be resolved, suggesting that outright national prohibition may be unconstitutional. “Once comprehensive, the Federal Government’s current approach is a half-in, half-out regime that simultaneously tolerates and forbids local use of marijuana,” Thomas said at the time. “This contradictory and unstable state of affairs strains basic principles of federalism and conceals traps for the unwary,” he said, adding that “though federal law still flatly forbids the intrastate possession, cultivation, or distribution of marijuana…the Government, post-Raich, has sent mixed signals on its views.” Thomas’s comments seemed to suggest it’d be appropriate revisit the precedent-setting case, *Gonzales v. Raich*, where the Supreme Court narrowly determined that the federal government could enforce prohibition against cannabis cultivation that took place wholly within California based on Congress’s authority to regulate interstate commerce. The initial complaint in the current case, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argued that government’s ongoing prohibition on marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) was unconstitutional because Congress in recent decades had “dropped any assumption that federal control of state-regulated marijuana is necessary.” *— 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. —* At oral arguments on appeal late last year, attorney David Boies told judges that under the Constitution, Congress can only regulate commercial activity within a state—in this case, around marijuana—if the failure to regulate that in-state activity “would substantially interfere [with] or undermine legitimate congressional regulation of *inter*state commerce.” Boies, chairman of the firm handling the case, has a long list of prior clients that includes the Justice Department, former Vice President Al Gore and the plaintiffs in a case that led to the invalidation of California’s ban on same-sex marriage, among others. Judges, however, said they were “unpersuaded,” ruling in an opinion that “the CSA remains fully intact as to the regulation of the commercial activity involving marijuana for non-medical purposes, which is the activity in which the appellants, by their own account, are engaged.” The district court, meanwhile, said in the case that while there are “persuasive reasons for a reexamination” of the current scheduling of cannabis, its hands were effectively tied by past U.S. Supreme Court precedent in *Raich*. This comes in the background of a pending marijuana rescheduling decision from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump said in late August that he’d make a determination about moving cannabis to Schedule III of the CSA within weeks, but he’s yet to act. Meanwhile, in October the Supreme Court agreed to hear a separate case on the constitutionality of a federal law prohibiting people who use marijuana or other drugs from buying or possessing firearms. The Trump administration has argued that the policy “targets a category of persons who pose a clear danger of misusing firearm” and should be upheld. *Photo elements courtesy of rawpixel and Philip Steffan.* The post U.S. Supreme Court To Discuss Case Challenging Federal Marijuana Prohibition This Week appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) Acting Executive Director Felicia A.B. Reid resigned and Deputy Counsel James Rogers was fired at the request of Gov. Kathy Hochul, following the OCM's withdrawal of a compliance investigation and Hochul's ongoing criticism that the agency is standing in the way of the market's potential. OCM Chief Administrative Officer Susan Filburn has been named the new Acting Executive Director. < Back Top New York Cannabis Regulator Resigns Dec 10, 2025 Graham Abbott Ganjapreneur Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) Acting Executive Director Felicia A.B. Reid resigned on Monday at the request of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), the Capitol Press Room reports. Reid’s resignation, effective immediately, follows the eve-of-trial withdrawal of an OCM investigation into Long Island-based cannabis licensee Omnium Health. Officials had claimed the company was illegally renting its license and licensed space to unaffiliated entities and was effectively distributing unlicensed cannabis products. OCM Deputy Counsel James Rogers, who had led the investigation into Omnium, was also fired, the New York Times reports. “Too often, the Office of Cannabis Management has stood in the way of the market realizing its potential, including most recently in the case of a pending compliance action that it has had to withdraw.” — Gov. Hochul, in a statement Meanwhile, OCM Chief Administrative Officer Susan Filburn will move into the role of OCM Acting Executive Director. “New York’s cannabis market holds enormous potential,” Gov. Hochul said in the report. “It creates jobs, generates revenue and builds prosperity in communities that were left out of the economic mainstream for decades. Realizing that potential requires strong leadership, a deep understanding of the regulatory framework, and a steadfast commitment to the people of this state.” Hochul last year publicly criticized the industry’s launch as a “disaster,” pointing to slow licensing and the proliferation of unregulated sales, and ordered a comprenehsive audit of the OCM. Reid has led the agency since its inaugural Executive Director Chris Alexander resigned last May following the governor’s criticisms. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5

A Michigan judge denied a request to halt the state’s massive new 24% wholesale excise tax on cannabis, which is intended to take effect January 1 and finance road improvements. < Back Massive new Michigan cannabis tax to take effect Jan. 1 after court hearing Dec 9, 2025 Margaret Jackson MJbizDaily Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A Michigan judge denied a request to halt the state’s 24% wholesale excise tax on cannabis that would at finance road improvements. Massive new Michigan cannabis tax to take effect Jan. 1 after court hearing is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs < Previous Next > Recent Reviews 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... Tahiti Twist by Alt Sol - New Leaf Dispensary DC Tahiti Twist, cultivated by Alt Sol and available at Wash Hydro in Washington DC, is a balanced hybrid strain that brings tropical flair... Gary Payton | Cookies x Alt Sol | Embers Dispensary DC Gary Payton, the cannabis strain, much like the legendary NBA player it's named after, is all about precision and impact. Just as the Hal... 1 2 3 4 5