[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-4---":3,"news-meta":950},{"data":4,"pagination":945},[5,60,114,167,224,273,309,356,398,449,517,587,644,710,758,805,855,906],{"_id":6,"slug":7,"articleType":8,"body":9,"createdAt":16,"dek":17,"entities":18,"headline":28,"imageAlt":29,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":31,"language":48,"publishedAt":49,"seo":50,"sources":53,"summary":58,"updatedAt":59},"6a96ea425457399f4e5dcecc","rx-green-technologies-expands-u-s-coco-coir-manufacturing-for-cannabis-cultivators-c0c28d91","brand_launch",[10,11,12,13,14,15],"Rx Green Technologies is expanding its domestic manufacturing capacity for loose-fill coco coir, a substrate widely used in commercial cannabis cultivation. The company imports buffered raw coco coir and processes it in the United States under its own quality and manufacturing oversight, rather than relying on fully finished products packaged overseas.","The company's Clean Coco line is made domestically and includes both 100% pure coco and 70\u002F30 coco-perlite loose-fill options. Products are available in large-format and ready-to-use bags to accommodate different facility requirements.","Domestic processing gives Rx Green direct control over shredding, blending, testing, and packaging before the finished product is released for shipment. The company states that every batch of coco coir is tested before shipment and that third-party certificates of analysis are available by product lot.","Rx Green says its U.S.-based operation shortens the feedback loop between cultivators and the manufacturer. Growers can reach production, quality, sales, or customer support teams that are closely connected to the facility producing the finished product, which the company frames as part of operational risk management.","The company is positioning its domestic manufacturing as a long-term option for growers seeking greater continuity and more predictable access to loose-fill coco. Rx Green notes that raw fiber still originates overseas, but controlling processing once material reaches the United States reduces dependence on distant finished-goods supply chains.","Rx Green Technologies is inviting commercial cultivators to contact the company for a transition quote sized around their current facility, planting schedule, and production cycle.","2026-09-01T15:07:46.419Z","The company is investing in domestic processing of loose-fill coco to give commercial growers more control over substrate quality and supply continuity.",{"brands":19,"products":21,"markets":25,"organizations":27},[20],"Rx Green Technologies",[22,23,24],"Clean Coco","100% pure coco","70\u002F30 coco-perlite loose-fill",[26],"United States",[20],"Rx Green Technologies Expands U.S. Coco Coir Manufacturing for Cannabis Cultivators","Rx Green Technologies domestic coco coir processing facility with bags of Clean Coco loose-fill substrate for cannabis cultivation","",[32,36,39,42,45],{"claim":33,"sourceUrl":34,"_id":35},"Rx Green Technologies imports only buffered, raw coco coir and processes it in the United States under its own quality and manufacturing oversight.","https:\u002F\u002Fganjapreneur.com\u002Fwhy-manufacturing-location-matters-when-choosing-a-loose-fill-coco-supplier\u002F","6a96ea42723e26a876d539ce",{"claim":37,"sourceUrl":34,"_id":38},"Rx Green currently offers both 100% pure coco and 70\u002F30 coco-perlite loose-fill options, in both large-format and ready-to-use bags.","6a96ea42723e26a876d539cf",{"claim":40,"sourceUrl":34,"_id":41},"The company states that every batch of coco coir is tested before shipment and that third-party certificates of analysis are available by product lot.","6a96ea42723e26a876d539d0",{"claim":43,"sourceUrl":34,"_id":44},"Rx Green's quality documentation addresses measurements such as pH and EC, while lot coding provides traceability to manufacturing information and internal quality checkpoints.","6a96ea42723e26a876d539d1",{"claim":46,"sourceUrl":34,"_id":47},"Rx Green Technologies is investing in its U.S. manufacturing capacity and intends to continue supporting commercial cultivators that rely on loose-fill coco.","6a96ea42723e26a876d539d2","en","2026-09-01T15:07:49.555Z",{"title":51,"description":52},"Rx Green Expands U.S. Coco Coir Manufacturing","Rx Green Technologies is investing in domestic processing of loose-fill coco coir for cannabis cultivators, aiming to improve quality control and supply continuity.",[54],{"name":55,"url":34,"trustTier":56,"_id":57},"Ganjapreneur","trade","6a96ea42723e26a876d539cd","Rx Green Technologies is doubling down on U.S.-based manufacturing of loose-fill coco coir for commercial cannabis cultivation. The company imports buffered raw coco and processes, tests, and packages Clean Coco domestically, offering 100% pure coco and 70\u002F30 coco-perlite blends. The move aims to address supply chain uncertainty, improve quality control, and shorten lead times for growers.","2026-09-01T15:07:49.558Z",{"_id":61,"slug":62,"articleType":63,"body":64,"createdAt":75,"dek":76,"entities":77,"headline":85,"imageAlt":86,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":87,"language":48,"publishedAt":104,"seo":105,"sources":108,"summary":112,"updatedAt":113},"6a96cd085457399f4e5dceca","ten-states-accounted-for-more-than-half-of-u-s-marijuana-arrests-in-2025-ff17c0c1","enforcement",[65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74],"A recently released FBI report shows that more than 200,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related offenses in the U.S. last year, and more than half of those cannabis busts were made by police in just ten states, according to a new analysis from NORML. Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Indiana, Louisiana, and Alabama police carried out more than 131,000 marijuana arrests in 2025—about 60 percent of the nationwide total.","Texas alone saw more than 29,000 cannabis arrests last year, accounting for about 14 percent of the nation's marijuana busts, with 98 percent of those being for possession alone. Police in North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin each reported more than 12,000 marijuana arrests last year, all with 90 percent or more for possession only.","NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said the threat of arrest for cannabis possession now largely comes down to geography. In nearly half the states, low-level marijuana arrests have fallen nearly to zero, while elsewhere police continue to disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives and waste tax dollars and prosecutorial resources on activities most Americans no longer believe ought to be a crime.","Louisiana had the highest percentage of total drug arrests accounted for by cannabis possession, at 62 percent. That state's governor recently signed legislation that threatens up to one year in jail for smoking marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school property, including a college campus.","NORML's analysis notes that marijuana arrests have generally decreased significantly in states that have legalized cannabis, though some jurisdictions that have enacted reform continue to see significant numbers of marijuana busts. Illinois police, for example, reported 5,731 cannabis possession arrests last year, and Washington, D.C. police carried out 1,336 such busts.","The overall FBI report likely understates the true number of people busted for marijuana, given inconsistencies in the federal data and questions about the agency's changing methodology, as well as the fact that about 13 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies did not contribute information for 2025. The full 2025 data set is based on more than 13 million criminal offenses reported to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, covering 96.2 percent of the U.S. population.","The latest data shows cannabis-related offenses increased year over year, jumping to 200,960 marijuana possession busts in 2025 from 187,792 the prior year, and to 17,192 sales or manufacturing arrests from 16,244 in 2024. All told, marijuana busts accounted for a quarter of all drug arrests in 2025—more than for any other specifically listed substance—with 92 percent of cannabis incidents stemming from possession alone.","Despite the uptick from 2024 to 2025, advocates note that busts have been trending overall downward in recent years, which they attribute largely to the success of the expanding state-level legalization movement. Because not all agencies provide complete data, the FBI calculates estimated crime numbers by extrapolating using a standard estimation procedure.","Frustrations over the FBI's inconsistent data reporting on cannabis and other drug arrest trends have persisted. Various sections of the report provide different numbers for seemingly similar categories of offenses, with one table showing 1,492,005 drug\u002Fnarcotic offenses in 2025, another using 1,656,774 under the same heading, and a third putting the total at 1,958,377.","The FBI data also attempts to show trends over time, indicating 1,157,129 drug offenses charged in 2016 and 645,512 in 2025—a reduction of about 44 percent—though it is not clear how much of the change is due to shifting methodology versus actual changes in enforcement practices and state drug laws. In terms of controlled substances seized in 2024, the agency reported 408,688 marijuana seizures and 5,378 hashish seizures out of 1,122,990 total drug seizures, representing about 37 percent of enforcement actions.","2026-09-01T13:03:04.323Z","A new FBI report shows over 200,000 marijuana-related arrests nationwide last year, with Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Indiana, Louisiana, and Alabama responsible for roughly 60 percent of the total.",{"brands":78,"products":79,"markets":80,"organizations":82},[],[],[81],"US",[83,84],"FBI","NORML","Ten States Accounted for More Than Half of U.S. Marijuana Arrests in 2025","Map of the United States highlighting the ten states responsible for more than half of all marijuana arrests in 2025, based on FBI data analyzed by NORML.",[88,92,95,98,101],{"claim":89,"sourceUrl":90,"_id":91},"More than 200,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related offenses in the U.S. in 2025, and police in ten states—Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Indiana, Louisiana, and Alabama—carried out more than 131,000 of those arrests, about 60 percent of the nationwide total.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fthese-ten-states-were-responsible-for-more-than-half-the-marijuana-arrests-in-the-u-s-last-year\u002F","6a96cd08723e26a876d52b5d",{"claim":93,"sourceUrl":90,"_id":94},"Texas alone saw more than 29,000 cannabis arrests in 2025, accounting for about 14 percent of the nation's marijuana busts, with 98 percent of those being for possession alone.","6a96cd08723e26a876d52b5e",{"claim":96,"sourceUrl":90,"_id":97},"Louisiana had the highest percentage of total drug arrests accounted for by cannabis possession, at 62 percent.","6a96cd08723e26a876d52b5f",{"claim":99,"sourceUrl":90,"_id":100},"Cannabis-related offenses increased year over year, jumping to 200,960 marijuana possession busts in 2025 from 187,792 in 2024, and to 17,192 sales or manufacturing arrests from 16,244 in 2024.","6a96cd08723e26a876d52b60",{"claim":102,"sourceUrl":90,"_id":103},"Marijuana busts accounted for a quarter of all drug arrests in 2025, with 92 percent of cannabis incidents stemming from possession alone.","6a96cd08723e26a876d52b61","2026-09-01T13:03:06.300Z",{"title":106,"description":107},"Ten States Drove Over Half of U.S. Marijuana Arrests in 2025","FBI data shows more than 200,000 marijuana arrests in 2025, with ten states accounting for about 60 percent of the total, according to a NORML analysis.",[109],{"name":110,"url":90,"trustTier":56,"_id":111},"Marijuana Moment","6a96cd08723e26a876d52b5c","More than 200,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related offenses in the U.S. in 2025, and police in just ten states carried out over 131,000 of those busts—about 60 percent of the nationwide total—according to a NORML analysis of newly released FBI data. Texas alone accounted for about 14 percent of all U.S. marijuana arrests, with 98 percent of those being for possession only.","2026-09-01T13:03:06.305Z",{"_id":115,"slug":116,"articleType":117,"body":118,"createdAt":126,"dek":127,"entities":128,"headline":140,"imageAlt":141,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":142,"language":48,"publishedAt":158,"seo":159,"sources":162,"summary":165,"updatedAt":166},"6a96c5cb5457399f4e5dcec8","high-dose-thc-can-produce-psychedelic-like-states-johns-hopkins-study-finds-153b0440","research",[119,120,121,122,123,124,125],"High doses of THC from cannabis may produce psychoactive effects that are difficult to distinguish from those caused by the psychedelic psilocybin, according to a new study from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.","The pilot investigation involved four adults who underwent three or four sessions during which they received either 25 milligrams of psilocybin, 25 milligrams of THC, 50 milligrams of THC, or a placebo. The THC was administered either as synthetic dronabinol or as a whole-plant cannabis distillate extract.","Both participants and session facilitators were blinded to what was actually received at the time and were asked to guess afterwards. Every participant correctly identified when they had received a placebo or the real psychedelic, but the 25 mg dronabinol condition was rated as more similar to a classic psychedelic or dissociative than a cannabinoid.","The whole-plant cannabis distillate extract of THC was rated by participants as having a stronger overall subjective drug effect than equivalent doses of synthetic dronabinol. The paper, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, stated that 25 mg of THC in both forms yielded a subjective experience similar to 25 mg psilocybin.","Researchers said the results could have implications for future clinical trials of psychedelics by helping to address the problem of unblinding, where participants are able to tell whether they have received the drug being tested, a placebo, or a comparator substance. An appropriate dose of THC may provide an adequate active comparator condition for ongoing psychedelic clinical trials, they suggested.","The study was designed to mimic the set and setting in which psychedelic research is typically carried out. Participants laid on a couch, wore eye shades, listened to music, and were told to turn inward and be present for whatever arises within consciousness.","The study was funded by the Wana Brand Foundation, which was launched by the CEO of the cannabis company Wana Brands.","2026-09-01T12:32:11.026Z","A pilot study suggests oral THC may be mistaken for psilocybin under clinical trial conditions, offering a potential active comparator for psychedelic research.",{"brands":129,"products":131,"markets":136,"organizations":137},[130],"Wana Brands",[132,133,134,135],"THC","dronabinol","cannabis distillate extract","psilocybin",[],[138,139],"Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine","Wana Brand Foundation","High-Dose THC Can Produce Psychedelic-Like States, Johns Hopkins Study Finds","Laboratory research setting with cannabis and psychedelic study materials, representing a clinical trial on high-dose THC and psilocybin effects.",[143,147,150,153,156],{"claim":144,"sourceUrl":145,"_id":146},"High doses of THC from marijuana may have psychoactive effects that are hard to distinguish from those caused by the psychedelic psilocybin, according to a new study.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fhigh-doses-of-thc-from-cannabis-can-produce-psychedelic-like-states-study-shows\u002F","6a96c5cb723e26a876d52898",{"claim":148,"sourceUrl":145,"_id":149},"The study was conducted by researchers with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and involved four adults who underwent three or four sessions.","6a96c5cb723e26a876d52899",{"claim":151,"sourceUrl":145,"_id":152},"The 25 mg dronabinol condition was rated as more similar to a classic psychedelic or dissociative than a cannabinoid.","6a96c5cb723e26a876d5289a",{"claim":154,"sourceUrl":145,"_id":155},"25 mg of THC in both forms yielded a subjective experience similar to 25 mg psilocybin.","6a96c5cb723e26a876d5289b",{"claim":125,"sourceUrl":145,"_id":157},"6a96c5cb723e26a876d5289c","2026-09-01T12:32:12.626Z",{"title":160,"description":161},"High-Dose THC Can Produce Psychedelic-Like States, Study Shows","A Johns Hopkins pilot study found oral THC can produce subjective effects similar to psilocybin, potentially serving as an active comparator in psychedelic trials.",[163],{"name":110,"url":145,"trustTier":56,"_id":164},"6a96c5cb723e26a876d52897","Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that high oral doses of THC can produce subjective effects similar to psilocybin, with some participants unable to distinguish between the two substances. The findings could help address unblinding in psychedelic clinical trials by using THC as an active control.","2026-09-01T12:32:12.629Z",{"_id":168,"slug":169,"articleType":170,"body":171,"createdAt":179,"dek":180,"entities":181,"headline":192,"imageAlt":193,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":194,"language":48,"publishedAt":214,"seo":215,"sources":218,"summary":222,"updatedAt":223},"6a969dec5457399f4e5dcec1","dea-makes-final-case-for-cannabis-rescheduling-as-hearing-transcripts-go-public-bf1ba688","regulation",[172,173,174,175,176,177,178],"The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has submitted its closing brief in the administrative hearing on cannabis rescheduling, stating that cannabis 'can no longer remain in Schedule I' of the Controlled Substances Act. The brief, filed on August 17, 2026, cites the ten-month scientific review by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which found cannabis has currently accepted medical use for pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and anorexia related to medical conditions.","The DEA's brief also points to more than 30,000 practitioners authorized to recommend cannabis to over 6 million patients across 43 U.S. jurisdictions as evidence of accepted medical use. While acknowledging abuse and dependence risks, the DEA argues that cannabis's dependence profile aligns more closely with Schedule III than Schedule I or II.","The DEA's final brief attacks the credibility of nearly every witness who opposed rescheduling. Yale psychiatrist Deepak D'Souza's testimony on pain management is dismissed as outside his admitted expertise. Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal is faulted for lacking connection to the states that called him—Nebraska, Idaho, and Indiana. DUID Victim Voices founder Ed Wood is accused of violating witness sequestration rules and offering irrelevant testimony. Workplace-testing witnesses Patrice Kelly and Mary Jo McGuire are said to rest on hypothetical future hurdles.","Notably, the DEA cites Bertha Madras, a Harvard psychiatry professor called by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) to argue against rescheduling, approvingly for testimony that supports accepted use for neuropathic pain and cancer-related appetite loss. Luli Akinfiresoye, a pharmacologist in the DEA's own Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, escaped criticism.","Opposition closing briefs, filed the same week, largely reprise earlier positions. SAM, joined by Nebraska, Idaho, and Indiana, argues the government's two-part medical-use test is a 'newfound standard' with no basis in the Controlled Substances Act. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation disputes the Attorney General's authority to initiate the rule. The National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association warns Schedule III status would strip federal workplace-testing authority for safety-sensitive roles.","Cross-examinations weakened several opposition positions. Pain physician Kenneth Finn, frequently cited by opponents, confirmed he has recommended cannabis to patients and agreed that cannabis users do not stop breathing from the drug alone. Emergency physician Karen Randall's slide deck included a photograph of a child using a bong from Reddit; she admitted she could not confirm the child was real. Ed Wood's claim of 6,000 additional annual traffic deaths cracked under scrutiny, with him acknowledging, 'We can't say that those 6,000 deaths were all due to marijuana.'","The full 2,533-page hearing transcript, published days after the closing arguments, provides a detailed record of the 11-day testimony that concluded on July 14, 2026. Chief Administrative Law Judge Derek Julius will now weigh the evidence and issue a recommendation on whether cannabis should be moved to Schedule III.","2026-09-01T09:42:04.621Z","The DEA's closing brief argues cannabis 'can no longer remain in Schedule I,' while full transcripts reveal key testimony and cross-examinations.",{"brands":182,"products":183,"markets":184,"organizations":185},[],[],[81],[186,187,188,189,190,191],"DEA","FDA","HHS","SAM","TBI","NDASA","DEA Makes Final Case for Cannabis Rescheduling as Hearing Transcripts Go Public","DEA headquarters building with cannabis leaf symbol overlaid, representing the rescheduling hearing.",[195,199,202,205,208,211],{"claim":196,"sourceUrl":197,"_id":198},"The DEA's closing brief states cannabis 'can no longer remain in Schedule I'.","https:\u002F\u002Fbusinessofcannabis.com\u002Fdea-makes-its-final-case-for-cannabis-rescheduling-as-full-hearing-transcripts-published\u002F","6a969dec723e26a876d513de",{"claim":200,"sourceUrl":197,"_id":201},"The HHS and FDA ten-month review found cannabis has currently accepted medical use for pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and anorexia.","6a969dec723e26a876d513df",{"claim":203,"sourceUrl":197,"_id":204},"More than 30,000 practitioners are authorized to recommend cannabis to over 6 million patients across 43 U.S. jurisdictions.","6a969dec723e26a876d513e0",{"claim":206,"sourceUrl":197,"_id":207},"The DEA's brief attacks the credibility of nearly every opposing witness, including Deepak D'Souza, William Honsal, Ed Wood, Patrice Kelly, and Mary Jo McGuire.","6a969dec723e26a876d513e1",{"claim":209,"sourceUrl":197,"_id":210},"Opposition briefs argue the two-part medical-use test is a 'newfound standard' and warn of workplace-testing impacts.","6a969dec723e26a876d513e2",{"claim":212,"sourceUrl":197,"_id":213},"Cross-examination weakened opposition positions, including Kenneth Finn's admission of recommending cannabis and Karen Randall's Reddit-sourced photograph.","6a969dec723e26a876d513e3","2026-09-01T09:42:06.805Z",{"title":216,"description":217},"DEA Final Case for Cannabis Rescheduling","DEA argues cannabis can no longer remain in Schedule I as full hearing transcripts are published, revealing key testimony and cross-examinations.",[219],{"name":220,"url":197,"trustTier":56,"_id":221},"Business of Cannabis","6a969dec723e26a876d513dd","The DEA has filed its final brief in the cannabis rescheduling hearing, arguing that cannabis should move to Schedule III based on HHS and FDA findings of accepted medical use. The full 2,533-page hearing transcript is now public, revealing detailed testimony and cross-examinations that weakened opposition arguments.","2026-09-01T09:42:06.807Z",{"_id":225,"slug":226,"articleType":170,"body":227,"createdAt":235,"dek":236,"entities":237,"headline":245,"imageAlt":246,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":247,"language":48,"publishedAt":264,"seo":265,"sources":268,"summary":271,"updatedAt":272},"6a96235baeddfad21a39fa49","california-governor-signs-bill-restricting-marijuana-packaging-that-is-attractive-to-children-08b81bec",[228,229,230,231,232,233,234],"California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that sets clearer, enforceable standards for cannabis packaging and labeling intended to protect children. The measure, AB 2249 from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, received final approval on Monday after passing the Assembly 69-1 and clearing the Senate 38-0.","The new law defines \"attractive to children\" as packaging designed or likely to appeal to people under age 21. Prohibited elements include cartoons, depictions of individuals who appear to be under 21, mythological creatures such as unicorns or dragons, and references to celebrities or characters primarily associated with children's entertainment.","The legislation also bars images of consumable goods primarily marketed to children, including candies, cereals, sweets, and desserts, as well as lettering styles resembling overinflated bubbles or balloons. Cannabis packaging and labeling must not imitate, mimic, or closely resemble the trade dress or overall appearance of a non-cannabis product primarily marketed to children.","While edible cannabis product or vape cartridge labeling cannot include cartoon or overly stylized depictions of fruit, the law clarifies that realistic depictions of fruit used to identify or accurately depict product ingredients or production region are not prohibited. The packaging and labeling restrictions take effect on January 1, 2028.","The Department of Cannabis Control is directed to adopt regulations addressing additional packaging and labeling design elements that pose heightened risk to children. The department will also develop compliance assessment resources to help cannabis businesses self-evaluate whether their packaging and labeling are attractive to children.","Assemblymember Irwin said a state audit confirmed that California's cannabis industry continues to package and market products in ways that are overtly attractive to children. She noted that child cannabis poisonings have increased dramatically since the passage of Proposition 64, with exposures often driven by packaging features that lead children to consume products unintentionally.","The California Cannabis Industry Association opposed the bill, saying it would impose significant costs on licensed businesses that already keep cannabis away from children, undermine efforts to bring consumers into the regulated market, and fail to address safe at-home storage practices.","2026-09-01T00:59:07.786Z","AB 2249 defines youth-appealing cannabis packaging and directs state regulators to develop compliance tools for licensed businesses.",{"brands":238,"products":239,"markets":240,"organizations":242},[],[],[241],"California",[243,244],"California Cannabis Industry Association","Department of Cannabis Control","California Governor Signs Bill Restricting Marijuana Packaging That Is Attractive to Children","California Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB 2249 restricting marijuana packaging attractive to children.",[248,252,255,258,261],{"claim":249,"sourceUrl":250,"_id":251},"California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2249, which defines marijuana packaging and labeling that is prohibited due to appealing to children.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fcalifornia-governor-signs-bill-restricting-marijuana-packaging-thats-attractive-to-children\u002F","6a96235b0385656fb2e4bd1c",{"claim":253,"sourceUrl":250,"_id":254},"The law defines 'attractive to children' as designed or likely to appeal to people under age 21, including use of cartoons, mythological creatures, and child-associated celebrities.","6a96235b0385656fb2e4bd1d",{"claim":256,"sourceUrl":250,"_id":257},"The packaging and labeling restrictions take effect on January 1, 2028.","6a96235b0385656fb2e4bd1e",{"claim":259,"sourceUrl":250,"_id":260},"The Department of Cannabis Control is directed to adopt regulations and develop compliance assessment resources for cannabis businesses.","6a96235b0385656fb2e4bd1f",{"claim":262,"sourceUrl":250,"_id":263},"The California Cannabis Industry Association opposed AB 2249, citing significant costs to licensed businesses and failure to address safe at-home storage practices.","6a96235b0385656fb2e4bd20","2026-09-01T00:59:09.574Z",{"title":266,"description":267},"California Governor Signs Child-Safe Marijuana Packaging Bill","California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2249 to restrict marijuana packaging attractive to children, with rules taking effect January 1, 2028.",[269],{"name":110,"url":250,"trustTier":56,"_id":270},"6a96235b0385656fb2e4bd1b","California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2249, a bill that more clearly defines marijuana packaging and labeling prohibited for appealing to people under 21. The law targets cartoons, mythological creatures, child-associated celebrities, and imitation of children's food products, with restrictions taking effect January 1, 2028.","2026-09-01T00:59:09.576Z",{"_id":274,"slug":275,"articleType":276,"body":277,"createdAt":281,"dek":282,"entities":283,"headline":289,"imageAlt":290,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":291,"language":48,"publishedAt":299,"seo":300,"sources":303,"summary":307,"updatedAt":308},"6a95d3a7aeddfad21a39fa45","rhode-island-s-24-planned-adult-use-cannabis-stores-remain-stuck-in-limbo-15a754e4","licensing",[278,279,280],"Four years after Rhode Island legalized recreational marijuana, the state's 24 planned adult-use cannabis stores remain closed, according to MJBizDaily. Licensing delays and regulatory bottlenecks have kept the new retail locations from opening.","The stalled rollout means consumers in Rhode Island continue to face limited access to legal adult-use cannabis retail, even as the state's legal market was expected to expand. The planned stores have not been able to move forward through the licensing process.","The situation highlights ongoing challenges in Rhode Island's cannabis regulatory framework, where administrative hurdles have outpaced the timeline set by legalization. No new retail openings have been reported for the planned locations.","2026-08-31T19:19:03.776Z","Four years after legalization, licensing delays and regulatory bottlenecks keep new retail stores from opening.",{"brands":284,"products":285,"markets":286,"organizations":288},[],[],[287],"Rhode Island",[],"Rhode Island's 24 Planned Adult-Use Cannabis Stores Remain Stuck in Limbo","A closed storefront with a cannabis leaf sign, representing Rhode Island's stalled adult-use cannabis retail openings.",[292,296],{"claim":293,"sourceUrl":294,"_id":295},"Four years after Rhode Island legalized recreational marijuana, licensing delays and regulatory bottlenecks have kept new retail stores closed.","https:\u002F\u002Fmjbizdaily.com\u002Fnews\u002Frhode-islands-24-planned-adult-use-cannabis-stores-stuck-in-limbo\u002F617830\u002F","6a95d3a70385656fb2e49660",{"claim":297,"sourceUrl":294,"_id":298},"Rhode Island has 24 planned adult-use cannabis stores that remain stuck in limbo.","6a95d3a70385656fb2e49661","2026-08-31T19:19:05.534Z",{"title":301,"description":302},"Rhode Island's 24 Cannabis Stores Stuck in Limbo","Four years after legalization, Rhode Island's 24 planned adult-use cannabis stores remain closed due to licensing delays and regulatory bottlenecks.",[304],{"name":305,"url":294,"trustTier":56,"_id":306},"MJBizDaily","6a95d3a70385656fb2e4965f","Rhode Island's 24 planned adult-use cannabis stores are still not open four years after the state legalized recreational marijuana, with licensing delays and regulatory bottlenecks preventing new retail locations from launching.","2026-08-31T19:19:05.536Z",{"_id":310,"slug":311,"articleType":117,"body":312,"createdAt":318,"dek":319,"entities":320,"headline":331,"imageAlt":332,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":333,"language":48,"publishedAt":347,"seo":348,"sources":351,"summary":354,"updatedAt":355},"6a95b673aeddfad21a39fa41","federally-funded-study-finds-cancer-patients-need-insurance-coverage-for-medical-marijuana-f0a69398",[313,314,315,316,317],"A new federally funded study of cancer patients who use medical marijuana found that cannabis provided therapeutic benefits for pain, sleep, emotional regulation, and medication reduction, leading researchers to call for insurance coverage of medicinal cannabis.","The paper, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, surveyed 65 cancer patients and compared those who used CBD-dominant products only with those who used products containing both THC and CBD. Pain relief was the most frequently discussed benefit among all patients, but it was most prominent among those who used THC and CBD products, while emotional regulation was more prominent among CBD-only users.","Researchers from the University of Wisconsin, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and Realm of Caring Foundation also examined how perceived benefits were interconnected. In the CBD-only group, pain relief was most strongly connected to emotional regulation, medication reduction, sleep or physical relaxation, and appetite stimulation. In the THC and CBD group, pain relief was most often connected to sleep or physical relaxation, emotional regulation, medication reduction, and appetite stimulation.","The study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Realm of Caring Foundation, also asked patients about barriers to access. The most frequently reported barriers were stigma associated with THC use and the high cost of CBD-dominant and THC-dominant products.","The authors wrote that the findings highlight \"the need for insurance coverage of medicinal cannabis to reduce the financial burden for this patient population.\" They noted limitations including self-selection and self-report bias, and called for future research with larger, more diverse samples and objective measures of cannabinoid efficacy.","2026-08-31T17:14:27.537Z","Researchers report that cannabis relieves pain, improves sleep, and reduces medication use, but stigma and high costs block access.",{"brands":321,"products":322,"markets":323,"organizations":324},[],[],[81],[325,326,327,328,329,330],"University of Wisconsin","University of Pennsylvania","Johns Hopkins University","Realm of Caring Foundation","National Cancer Institute","National Institute on Drug Abuse","Federally Funded Study Finds Cancer Patients Need Insurance Coverage for Medical Marijuana","Cancer patient holding a bottle of medical cannabis oil, with a researcher reviewing study data in the background.",[334,338,341,344],{"claim":335,"sourceUrl":336,"_id":337},"A federally funded study found that cannabis use conferred therapeutic benefits for cancer patients, including pain relief, improved sleep, physical relaxation, emotional regulation, and reduction of concomitant medication.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Ffederally-funded-cancer-study-highlights-need-to-cover-medical-marijuana-under-insurance-researchers-say\u002F","6a95b6730385656fb2e48a0c",{"claim":339,"sourceUrl":336,"_id":340},"Researchers said the results underscore the need for insurance coverage of medicinal cannabis to reduce the financial burden for cancer patients.","6a95b6730385656fb2e48a0d",{"claim":342,"sourceUrl":336,"_id":343},"The most frequently reported barriers to cannabis use were stigma associated with THC use and the high cost of CBD-dominant and THC-dominant products.","6a95b6730385656fb2e48a0e",{"claim":345,"sourceUrl":336,"_id":346},"The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Realm of Caring Foundation.","6a95b6730385656fb2e48a0f","2026-08-31T17:14:28.958Z",{"title":349,"description":350},"Cancer Study Urges Insurance Coverage for Medical Marijuana","Federally funded research finds cannabis relieves cancer symptoms but stigma and high costs block access, prompting calls for insurance coverage.",[352],{"name":110,"url":336,"trustTier":56,"_id":353},"6a95b6730385656fb2e48a0b","A federally funded study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that cancer patients using medical marijuana experienced pain relief, better sleep, emotional regulation, and reduced use of other medications. Researchers said the results highlight the need for insurance coverage of medicinal cannabis to reduce financial burdens and stigma.","2026-08-31T17:14:28.960Z",{"_id":357,"slug":358,"articleType":63,"body":359,"createdAt":364,"dek":365,"entities":366,"headline":376,"imageAlt":377,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":378,"language":48,"publishedAt":389,"seo":390,"sources":393,"summary":396,"updatedAt":397},"6a959029aeddfad21a39fa3d","humboldt-county-settles-federal-lawsuit-over-cannabis-cultivation-fines-6aab89a5",[360,361,362,363],"Humboldt County, California has settled a federal lawsuit over penalties issued for illegal cannabis cultivation, according to Jefferson Public Radio. The settlement resolves claims from a group of homeowners who said the county fined them without proper inspections and relied on old satellite images showing previous owners' activities.","Some plaintiffs faced fines as high as $10,000 per day, which prompted the lawsuit four years ago. Under the settlement reached in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the county will waive all challenged fees, issue a public retraction of its allegations, and pay $350,000 to cover the plaintiffs' legal costs.","Jared McClain, an attorney for the Institute for Justice, which represented the plaintiffs, said the ordeal \"took much longer than they wanted,\" but that \"it will never have to take so long for anyone else going forward.\" He added that the settlement requires the county to change all parts of its code that the plaintiffs alleged were unconstitutional.","Moving forward, the county must warn property owners before issuing any violations and give them 30 days to respond. The settlement also mandates the public retraction and the $350,000 payment for legal costs.","2026-08-31T14:31:05.814Z","County agrees to waive challenged penalties, retract allegations, and revise citation procedures after homeowners sued over fines based on outdated satellite images.",{"brands":367,"products":368,"markets":369,"organizations":371},[],[],[370],"Humboldt County, California",[372,373,374,375],"Humboldt County","Institute for Justice","Jefferson Public Radio","9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals","Humboldt County Settles Federal Lawsuit Over Cannabis Cultivation Fines","Humboldt County government building with cannabis cultivation fines settlement documents",[379,383,386],{"claim":380,"sourceUrl":381,"_id":382},"Humboldt County settled a federal lawsuit over penalties issued for illegal cannabis cultivation.","https:\u002F\u002Fganjapreneur.com\u002Fhumboldt-county-settles-lawsuit-challenging-cannabis-cultivation-fees\u002F","6a9590290385656fb2e47838",{"claim":384,"sourceUrl":381,"_id":385},"The county will waive all challenged fees, issue a public retraction, and pay $350,000 for plaintiffs' legal costs.","6a9590290385656fb2e47839",{"claim":387,"sourceUrl":381,"_id":388},"The county must warn property owners before issuing violations and give them 30 days to respond.","6a9590290385656fb2e4783a","2026-08-31T14:31:07.936Z",{"title":391,"description":392},"Humboldt County Settles Cannabis Cultivation Fee Lawsuit","Humboldt County settles federal lawsuit over cannabis cultivation fines, agreeing to waive penalties, retract allegations, and revise citation rules.",[394],{"name":55,"url":381,"trustTier":56,"_id":395},"6a9590290385656fb2e47837","Humboldt County, California has settled a federal lawsuit challenging penalties for unpermitted cannabis cultivation. The county will waive all contested fines, issue a public retraction, pay $350,000 in legal costs, and change how it issues citations, including a 30-day warning period for property owners.","2026-08-31T14:31:07.938Z",{"_id":399,"slug":400,"articleType":170,"body":401,"createdAt":410,"dek":411,"entities":412,"headline":425,"imageAlt":426,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":427,"language":48,"publishedAt":441,"seo":442,"sources":444,"summary":447,"updatedAt":448},"6a958acdaeddfad21a39fa3a","kentucky-governor-urges-congress-not-to-ban-hemp-citing-harm-to-farmers-642d1325",[402,403,404,405,406,407,408,409],"Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said at a Thursday press conference that hemp is 'really important' to the state and that voters should not reelect members of Congress who seek to ban it. He argued that hemp supports many Kentucky farmers and has positive uses, while acknowledging the need to protect children from delta-8 and other hemp-derived products through state regulation.","The governor's comments come as federal legislation signed late last year redefines hemp so that only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12. The Senate recently approved a funding bill provision to delay most parts of the hemp product ban until December 11, a move supported by the White House, though the House has not yet approved it.","Beshear said the currently planned ban on hemp THC products would 'decimate the hemp industry' and that he does not support it. He called on Congress to give states the ability to fully and fairly regulate hemp, saying, 'We'll protect kids or put a reasonable structure in place, but don't hurt Kentucky farmers who are already struggling.'","The governor also pointed to economic pressures on farmers, including tariffs and the Trump administration's war with Iran affecting diesel fuel and fertilizer prices. He said eliminating another crop option would be 'devastating' for Kentucky farmers and suggested voters should seek alternatives to lawmakers who would vote for such a ban.","At the same press conference, Beshear said Kentucky's medical cannabis program is past the 'halfway mark' to becoming fully operational. He reported that more than 25,209 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards, over 490 practitioners are registered to issue certifications, and 41 businesses are up and running, including 11 cultivators, two safety compliance facilities, five processors, and 23 dispensaries.","The governor said increasing access to medical marijuana means more Kentuckians won't have to turn to addictive opioids and will be able to address chronic conditions and PTSD. He noted that with the Blue Sage Dispensary opening in Lebanon on Friday, the state will be over the halfway mark for dispensary operations.","Beshear also addressed criticism from House Majority Whip Jason Nemes (R), who asked Attorney General Russell Coleman to ensure state agencies do not cooperate with the governor's executive order expanding qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. The governor called Nemes's call to prosecute licensees participating in the expansion a 'complete lack of humanity,' particularly regarding patients with terminal illnesses such as ALS.","After the legislature declined to expand the qualifying condition list, Beshear used his authority to add 15 health disorders, including Parkinson's disease, HIV\u002FAIDS, sickle cell anemia, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and glaucoma. He also rescinded an earlier 2022 executive order offering pardons for patients who purchased medical cannabis in neighboring states.","2026-08-31T14:08:13.569Z","Gov. Andy Beshear says a federal hemp THC product ban would 'decimate' the industry and calls for state-level regulation instead.",{"brands":413,"products":414,"markets":419,"organizations":421},[],[415,416,417,418],"hemp","delta-8","medical cannabis","cannabis gummies",[420],"Kentucky",[110,422,423,424],"Congress","White House","Kentucky General Assembly","Kentucky Governor Urges Congress Not to Ban Hemp, Citing Harm to Farmers","Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear speaking at a press conference about hemp regulation and medical cannabis.",[428,432,435,438],{"claim":429,"sourceUrl":430,"_id":431},"Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said hemp is important to the state and that voters should not reelect members of Congress who seek to ban it.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fthere-are-positive-uses-of-hemp-and-congress-shouldnt-ban-it-kentucky-governor-says\u002F","6a958acd0385656fb2e476f2",{"claim":433,"sourceUrl":430,"_id":434},"Beshear said the planned federal ban on hemp THC products would 'decimate the hemp industry' and that he does not support it.","6a958acd0385656fb2e476f3",{"claim":436,"sourceUrl":430,"_id":437},"More than 25,209 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards, and 41 businesses are up and running, including 23 dispensaries.","6a958acd0385656fb2e476f4",{"claim":439,"sourceUrl":430,"_id":440},"Beshear called House Majority Whip Jason Nemes's request to prosecute licensees participating in the governor's medical cannabis expansion a 'complete lack of humanity.'","6a958acd0385656fb2e476f5","2026-08-31T14:08:15.904Z",{"title":443,"description":411},"Kentucky Governor Urges Congress Not to Ban Hemp",[445],{"name":110,"url":430,"trustTier":56,"_id":446},"6a958acd0385656fb2e476f1","Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) warned that a planned federal ban on hemp-derived THC products would devastate the state's hemp industry and urged voters to reject members of Congress who support it. He called for states to regulate hemp products while protecting children, and separately touted progress on Kentucky's medical cannabis program.","2026-08-31T14:08:15.906Z",{"_id":450,"slug":451,"articleType":170,"body":452,"createdAt":460,"dek":461,"entities":462,"headline":486,"imageAlt":487,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":488,"language":48,"publishedAt":508,"seo":509,"sources":512,"summary":515,"updatedAt":516},"6a956dbcaeddfad21a39fa38","dea-sends-26-question-form-to-medical-marijuana-businesses-seeking-federal-rescheduling-protections-2ca3bc38",[453,454,455,456,457,458,459],"The Drug Enforcement Administration is asking medical marijuana businesses seeking federal protections under cannabis rescheduling to answer a detailed 26-question form, according to a document obtained by Marijuana Moment. The questionnaire is being sent to Colorado operators that have filled out the DEA registration form for medical marijuana dispensaries.","The form is used by DEA's Rocky Mountain Division, which covers Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, though Wyoming does not have legal medical cannabis. Questions include whether the business will order marijuana or marijuana products from other states, whether it will order synthetic cannabinoids, and whether it will order seeds or plants to grow at the dispensary location.","Businesses are also asked to identify specific product types such as gummies, extracts, concentrates, tinctures, topical products, oils, flower buds, oil cartridge vapes, dry herb vapes, and pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes. The form requests supplier names, addresses, and DEA registration numbers, and asks for copies of labeling, packaging, and sealing policies referencing Title 21 CFR § 1301.13(k)(8).","Another question asks how defective, expired, or discontinued marijuana products are disposed of, including mold, rot, and bug infestation. In June, Mississippi medical cannabis businesses told Marijuana Moment they were visited by DEA officials and asked similar questions, though the New Orleans division's list was not identical, covering license transfers, state disciplinary history, and security plans.","The DEA press office did not respond to a request for comment about why the agency has not standardized the registration process across regions. The agency launched its initial dispensary registration form in April, days after Attorney General Blanche issued an order moving state-licensed medical marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.","The currently available registration form asks about storage, ordering, dispensing, inventory, record maintenance, security measures, and whether the firm handles recreational marijuana. It also asks whether anyone involved in ownership or operation previously manufactured, distributed, or dispensed a controlled substance without DEA registration, a question that likely applies to all currently operational state-legal cannabis businesses.","The Treasury Department and IRS plan to issue new tax guidance following rescheduling, which will allow state-licensed marijuana businesses to take federal deductions previously barred under IRS code 280E. The ATF posted a draft update to gun purchase forms acknowledging the federally legal status of medical marijuana, and the Congressional Research Service published a report on the rescheduling move's scope and limitations.","2026-08-31T12:04:12.639Z","A questionnaire obtained by Marijuana Moment shows the DEA's Rocky Mountain Division asking Colorado dispensaries about interstate ordering, product types, suppliers, labeling, and disposal.",{"brands":463,"products":464,"markets":475,"organizations":481},[],[465,466,467,468,469,470,471,472,473,474],"gummies","extracts","concentrates","tinctures","topical products","oils","flower buds","oil cartridge vapes","dry herb vapes","pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes",[476,477,478,479,480],"Colorado","Montana","Utah","Wyoming","Mississippi",[186,110,187,482,483,484,485],"IRS","ATF","Congressional Research Service","Treasury Department","DEA Sends 26-Question Form to Medical Marijuana Businesses Seeking Federal Rescheduling Protections","DEA questionnaire for medical marijuana businesses seeking federal rescheduling protections",[489,493,496,499,502,505],{"claim":490,"sourceUrl":491,"_id":492},"The DEA is sending a 26-question form to medical marijuana businesses in Colorado that register for federal rescheduling protections.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fdea-has-a-list-of-questions-for-marijuana-businesses-that-register-for-federal-rescheduling-protections\u002F","6a956dbc0385656fb2e46b12",{"claim":494,"sourceUrl":491,"_id":495},"The questionnaire asks whether businesses will order marijuana from other states, order synthetic cannabinoids, or order seeds or plants to grow at the dispensary location.","6a956dbc0385656fb2e46b13",{"claim":497,"sourceUrl":491,"_id":498},"The form requests supplier names, addresses, and DEA registration numbers, and asks for labeling, packaging, and sealing policies under Title 21 CFR § 1301.13(k)(8).","6a956dbc0385656fb2e46b14",{"claim":500,"sourceUrl":491,"_id":501},"The DEA's Rocky Mountain Division covers Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, though Wyoming does not have legal medical cannabis.","6a956dbc0385656fb2e46b15",{"claim":503,"sourceUrl":491,"_id":504},"Mississippi medical cannabis businesses reported different questions from DEA's New Orleans division, including license transfers, state disciplinary history, and security plans.","6a956dbc0385656fb2e46b16",{"claim":506,"sourceUrl":491,"_id":507},"The DEA launched its initial dispensary registration form in April after Attorney General Blanche moved state-licensed medical marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III.","6a956dbc0385656fb2e46b17","2026-08-31T12:04:14.175Z",{"title":510,"description":511},"DEA 26-Question Form for Medical Marijuana Businesses","DEA sends a 26-question form to Colorado medical marijuana businesses registering for federal rescheduling protections, asking about interstate orders, suppliers, and disposal.",[513],{"name":110,"url":491,"trustTier":56,"_id":514},"6a956dbc0385656fb2e46b11","The DEA is sending a 26-question follow-up form to medical marijuana businesses in Colorado that register for federal protections under the Trump administration's cannabis rescheduling process. The questionnaire asks about interstate cannabis orders, synthetic cannabinoids, product categories, supplier details, packaging compliance, and disposal of defective products. Industry sources say inspection practices vary by DEA regional office, with Mississippi businesses reporting different questions from the New Orleans division.","2026-08-31T12:04:14.177Z",{"_id":518,"slug":519,"articleType":170,"body":520,"createdAt":534,"dek":535,"entities":536,"headline":559,"imageAlt":560,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":561,"language":48,"publishedAt":578,"seo":579,"sources":582,"summary":585,"updatedAt":586},"6a92fcd9aeddfad21a39fa0e","missouri-officials-ask-federal-judge-to-dismiss-hemp-industry-challenge-to-intoxicating-product-ban-bcaf4d88",[521,522,523,524,525,526,527,528,529,530,531,532,533],"A federal judge in Missouri is weighing whether a new state law banning intoxicating hemp products is clear enough to take effect in November or so contradictory that a constitutional challenge should proceed. The dispute centers on whether Missouri law labels the same product legal “hemp” in one section and illegal “marijuana” in another.","The plaintiffs, led by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association, said in a filing this week that the state has created overlapping definitions, leaving businesses unsure what they can legally sell when the law goes into effect on November 12. They argue the case over House Bill 2641 deserves to be heard in court.","“Most judges would read [House Bill 2641] and go, ‘What is going on here?’” said Chuck Hatfield, attorney for the plaintiffs. “‘This seems like something we need to at least dig into and figure out.’ And that’s what our clients want is a day in court.”","The state says there is no contradiction because the law specifically outlines which category controls: if a product meets the definition of a hemp-derived cannabinoid product, it is treated as marijuana. The state asked Judge M. Douglas Harpool of the U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri to dismiss the lawsuit earlier this month.","The state argues the case is part of a growing nationwide effort by the hemp industry to overturn similar state laws. “The industry’s playbook is well established,” the motion to dismiss states, citing other federal cases where challenges against state legislation regulating intoxicating hemp have failed.","Plaintiffs responded this week that Missouri’s law is different from the other states cited. These products will be considered marijuana in Missouri under the new law, they argue, and that is where the legislation gets “unconstitutionally vague.”","The federal law distinguishing marijuana and hemp has brought intense debate in legislatures and courts nationwide since Congress legalized hemp in 2018. For Missouri, the lawsuit is the latest episode in a long saga to regulate intoxicating hemp products that in previous years ended with lawmakers throwing their hands up in frustration.","When Congress legalized hemp in 2018, it opened a door for intoxicating products like hemp-derived THC beverages now found in grocery stores and bars throughout the state. Congress closed that loophole in November by passing a federal ban set to go into effect November 12. Missouri lawmakers said they intended to mirror that language with a law passed this spring.","However, plaintiffs argue the result is “a single product is simultaneously legal ‘hemp’ and illegal ‘marijuana.’” The state argues in its motion to dismiss that it prevented this scenario because it “enacted provisions to guard against confusion.”","The bill, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of O’Fallon, will prohibit hemp products from containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, among the limits included in a provision in the federal spending bill Congress approved last year. Even if Congress reverses course and allows the sale of these products, Hinman’s bill would only permit them to be sold in Missouri’s licensed marijuana dispensaries.","If Congress chooses to delay the federal ban, Missouri would still ban all products except for intoxicating beverages. However, plaintiffs argue beverages are not specifically stated as being exempt. The law lists types of products that would go into effect if there was a delay, including “any solid candy, gummy, chewable product, tablet, capsule, oil, baked good, or other solid edible,” as well as products “that can be smokable or vapeable in the form of raw plant material, flower, or bud material and that contain any amount of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.”","Beverages are thought to be allowed because they are not on the list of things that would go into effect. However, critics have said other products might be unintentionally exempt because they are not listed, creating another loophole. Plaintiffs point to the carve-out clause as further reason the law is “difficult to parse.”","This list has become a bigger focus because Congress is currently considering delaying the federal ban. Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate approved a measure to fund federal agencies until December 11, and it includes delaying the federal ban on intoxicating hemp THC products until that date. It now goes back to the U.S. House for final approval before heading to the president’s desk.","2026-08-29T15:38:01.578Z","State attorneys argue the new law is clear, while plaintiffs say it makes the same product both legal hemp and illegal marijuana.",{"brands":537,"products":538,"markets":551,"organizations":553},[],[539,540,541,542,543,544,545,546,547,548,549,550],"hemp-derived THC beverages","solid candy","gummy","chewable product","tablet","capsule","oil","baked good","other solid edible","smokable or vapeable raw plant material","flower","bud material",[552],"Missouri",[554,555,556,557,558,110],"Missouri Hemp Trade Association","U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri","U.S. Senate","U.S. House","Missouri Independent","Missouri Officials Ask Federal Judge to Dismiss Hemp Industry Challenge to Intoxicating Product Ban","A gavel and scales of justice in front of a Missouri state flag, representing a federal court hearing on the state's hemp product ban.",[562,566,569,572,575],{"claim":563,"sourceUrl":564,"_id":565},"Missouri officials asked Judge M. Douglas Harpool of the U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state's new law banning intoxicating hemp products.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fmissouri-officials-defend-hemp-product-ban-from-industry-lawsuit-in-federal-court\u002F","6a92fcd90385656fb2e33aff",{"claim":567,"sourceUrl":564,"_id":568},"The Missouri Hemp Trade Association argues the law creates overlapping definitions, leaving businesses unsure what they can legally sell when the law goes into effect on November 12.","6a92fcd90385656fb2e33b00",{"claim":570,"sourceUrl":564,"_id":571},"The state argues there is no contradiction because the law specifies that if a product meets the definition of a hemp-derived cannabinoid product, it is treated as marijuana.","6a92fcd90385656fb2e33b01",{"claim":573,"sourceUrl":564,"_id":574},"House Bill 2641, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman, will prohibit hemp products from containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container.","6a92fcd90385656fb2e33b02",{"claim":576,"sourceUrl":564,"_id":577},"The U.S. Senate approved a measure to fund federal agencies until December 11 that includes delaying the federal ban on intoxicating hemp THC products until that date.","6a92fcd90385656fb2e33b03","2026-08-29T15:38:02.942Z",{"title":580,"description":581},"Missouri Defends Hemp Ban in Federal Court","Missouri officials ask a federal judge to dismiss a hemp industry lawsuit challenging a new law banning intoxicating hemp products as unconstitutionally vague.",[583],{"name":110,"url":564,"trustTier":56,"_id":584},"6a92fcd90385656fb2e33afe","Missouri officials are urging a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from the Missouri Hemp Trade Association challenging a new state law banning intoxicating hemp products. The industry argues the law is unconstitutionally vague because it creates overlapping definitions of hemp and marijuana, while the state says the statute clearly resolves any conflict.","2026-08-29T15:38:02.945Z",{"_id":588,"slug":589,"articleType":276,"body":590,"createdAt":598,"dek":599,"entities":600,"headline":613,"imageAlt":614,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":615,"language":48,"publishedAt":635,"seo":636,"sources":639,"summary":642,"updatedAt":643},"6a92d890aeddfad21a39fa0b","alabama-s-second-medical-marijuana-dispensary-opens-in-talladega-7ad99427",[591,592,593,594,595,596,597],"Alabama's second medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday in Talladega, roughly three months after the first storefront began serving patients in Montgomery. The new location is the second for Callie's Apothecary, which was the first medical cannabis dispensary to open in the state.","Once the first round of licensees is fully operational, there will be 12 dispensaries across Alabama operated by four companies. Sam Blakemore, chair of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, said the expansion is a milestone for the state's program, adding that more locations are vital for patient access and affordability.","Vince Schilleci, owner of Callie's Apothecary, said the Talladega location will ease travel burdens for patients in the northern half of the state until more dispensaries open. He noted that patients who were hesitant to drive to Montgomery may now find the trip more manageable.","The Montgomery location opened in June, five years after the Legislature approved a medical cannabis program and following several rounds of litigation over license awards. The store reported about $15,000 in sales in its first week, and more than 800 patients have completed over 1,300 transactions there.","Three companies—CCS of Alabama, LLC, GP6 Wellness, LLC, and RJK Holdings, LLC—hold dispensary licenses. A fourth license is pending litigation but is likely to go to Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries, LLC. GP6 Wellness expects to open BamaBloom dispensaries in Athens and Birmingham in September, with a third location planned for Etowah County. CCS of Alabama expects to open a third Callie's Apothecary location in Bessemer in September, while RJK Holdings has locations planned in Oxford, Mobile, and Daphne.","Alabama's medical cannabis law, enacted in 2021, allows registered physicians to recommend cannabis for about 15 qualifying conditions, including cancer, depression, Parkinson's disease, PTSD, sickle-cell anemia, chronic pain, and terminal diseases. Patients must receive physician approval and enter the state registry before purchasing products at a dispensary.","Approved product forms are limited to tablets, tinctures, patches, oils, and peach-flavored gel cubes. Raw plant material and smokable forms remain prohibited. AMCC Director John McMillan said the state tightly regulates the industry and that opening a dispensary is not an overnight process, but he praised licensees for moving forward with plans to open first-class dispensaries across the state. At full capacity, the program will include at least 37 dispensaries.","2026-08-29T13:03:12.351Z","Callie's Apothecary expands beyond Montgomery, bringing regulated cannabis access to patients in the northern half of the state.",{"brands":601,"products":604,"markets":605,"organizations":607},[602,603],"Callie's Apothecary","BamaBloom",[],[606],"Alabama",[608,609,610,611,612],"Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission","CCS of Alabama, LLC","GP6 Wellness, LLC","RJK Holdings, LLC","Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries, LLC","Alabama's Second Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens in Talladega","Exterior of Callie's Apothecary medical cannabis dispensary in Talladega, Alabama, with signage visible.",[616,620,623,626,629,632],{"claim":617,"sourceUrl":618,"_id":619},"Alabama's second medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday in Talladega, about three months after the first storefront opened in Montgomery.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Falabamas-second-medical-marijuana-dispensary-opens\u002F","6a92d8900385656fb2e32df2",{"claim":621,"sourceUrl":618,"_id":622},"The Talladega location is the second for Callie's Apothecary, the first medical cannabis dispensary to open in Alabama.","6a92d8900385656fb2e32df3",{"claim":624,"sourceUrl":618,"_id":625},"Once the first round of licensees is operational, there will be 12 dispensaries across Alabama operated by four companies.","6a92d8900385656fb2e32df4",{"claim":627,"sourceUrl":618,"_id":628},"The Montgomery location reported about $15,000 in sales in its first week, with over 800 patients completing more than 1,300 transactions.","6a92d8900385656fb2e32df5",{"claim":630,"sourceUrl":618,"_id":631},"Alabama's medical cannabis law allows registered physicians to recommend cannabis for about 15 conditions, including cancer, depression, Parkinson's disease, PTSD, sickle-cell anemia, chronic pain, and terminal diseases.","6a92d8900385656fb2e32df6",{"claim":633,"sourceUrl":618,"_id":634},"Approved product forms are restricted to tablets, tinctures, patches, oils, and peach-flavored gel cubes, with raw plant material and smokable forms prohibited.","6a92d8900385656fb2e32df7","2026-08-29T13:03:14.233Z",{"title":637,"description":638},"Alabama's Second Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens","Callie's Apothecary opened its second Alabama location in Talladega, expanding medical cannabis access beyond Montgomery with more dispensaries expected soon.",[640],{"name":110,"url":618,"trustTier":56,"_id":641},"6a92d8900385656fb2e32df1","Alabama's second medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday in Talladega, about three months after the first storefront launched in Montgomery. The new location is the second for Callie's Apothecary, with more dispensaries expected from multiple licensees in the coming weeks.","2026-08-29T13:03:14.237Z",{"_id":645,"slug":646,"articleType":647,"body":648,"createdAt":657,"dek":658,"entities":659,"headline":676,"imageAlt":677,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":678,"language":48,"publishedAt":701,"seo":702,"sources":705,"summary":708,"updatedAt":709},"6a91c47aaeddfad21a39fa01","federal-rescheduling-sets-the-stage-for-marijuana-business-acquisitions-as-pharma-and-ag-firms-eye-industry-59c8b27d","m_and_a",[649,650,651,652,653,654,655,656],"The April 23 federal rescheduling order is not a story of overnight legalization but of careful planning and targeted consolidation, according to an op-ed by Christopher B. Lynch, a member at Dickinson Wright PLLC. Since Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche moved FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, the best-positioned businesses are not celebrating but preparing to seize new first-mover opportunities.","The order reclassified medical marijuana that is FDA-approved or state-licensed, moving it out of Schedule I—reserved for drugs deemed to have no accepted medical use—and into Schedule III, the category for substances with accepted medical use and lower abuse potential. Blanche limited the order to medical products, citing U.S. international drug treaty obligations as the reason adult-use marijuana remained on Schedule I.","Licensed operators received a 60-day window to opt into a priority DEA registration pathway. In June, Trulieve restructured to separate its 206 DEA-registered medical dispensaries from its adult-use business and became the first U.S. cannabis company to list on the New York Stock Exchange, demonstrating that registration can open access to markets and resources previously unavailable to the industry.","Tax relief under Section 280E—which prevents deductions for operations that sell Schedule I and II drugs—is the clearest near-term benefit of registration, but there are also arguments for federal trademark protection and other prospective benefits. Meanwhile, the broader question of full rescheduling was the subject of a separate DOJ administrative hearing that ran from June 29 through July 15, with final briefs filed August 19 and a recommendation pending from Chief Administrative Law Judge Derek C. Julius.","Legal challenges add uncertainty. What began as a single petition by Smart Approaches to Marijuana has become three consolidated lawsuits in the D.C. Circuit, plus a coalition of doctors, activists, and the attorneys general of Indiana and Nebraska. Plaintiffs have asked the court to stay the order while the case proceeds, and a ruling granting a stay could freeze DEA registrations and potentially suspend benefits that operators are banking on.","State law compounds the complexity, since no two states built their systems alike. Oklahoma has already tied state licensure to DEA registration, telling license holders to get DEA registration or risk losing their state permits next year. New DEA regulation of license holders could mean on-demand facility access and inspection authority, DEA security requirements, mandatory disclosure of employees' Social Security numbers, and potential exposure for co-located medical and adult-use businesses.","Rescheduling alone is not expected to turn cannabis equities into gold overnight, and institutional capital is unlikely to dive in immediately without congressional legislation such as the SAFER Banking Act. But in the meantime, rescheduling is drawing interest from pharmaceutical, agricultural, and consumer products companies that stayed on the sidelines while marijuana sat on Schedule I, and well-positioned operators are already using this window to plan restructurings, seek new partners, acquire distressed assets, and target new markets.","The practical question, Lynch writes, is whether a business is positioned to be a consolidator, an attractive acquisition target, or something different, and the race for pole position is already underway.","2026-08-28T17:25:14.986Z","An op-ed argues that the April federal rescheduling order is accelerating a quiet wave of cannabis consolidation, with pharma and agricultural companies positioning for first-mover advantages.",{"brands":660,"products":662,"markets":663,"organizations":668},[661],"Trulieve",[],[81,664,665,666,667],"Oklahoma","Maryland","Michigan","Washington",[669,670,187,186,671,672,673,674,675],"NewLake Capital Partners","Dickinson Wright PLLC","DOJ","MMJ International Holdings","MedPharm Iowa","Tri-Mountain Pure","Smart Approaches to Marijuana","Federal Rescheduling Sets the Stage for Marijuana Business Acquisitions as Pharma and Ag Firms Eye Industry","Cannabis business consolidation concept with pharmaceutical and agricultural company logos approaching a marijuana leaf on a chessboard.",[679,683,686,689,692,695,698],{"claim":680,"sourceUrl":681,"_id":682},"The April 23 federal order moved FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Ffederal-rescheduling-sets-the-stage-for-marijuana-business-acquisitions-as-pharma-and-ag-firms-eye-industry-op-ed\u002F","6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c313",{"claim":684,"sourceUrl":681,"_id":685},"Licensed operators received a 60-day window to opt into a priority DEA registration pathway.","6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c314",{"claim":687,"sourceUrl":681,"_id":688},"Trulieve restructured to separate its 206 DEA-registered medical dispensaries from its adult-use business and became the first U.S. cannabis company to list on the New York Stock Exchange.","6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c315",{"claim":690,"sourceUrl":681,"_id":691},"Tax relief under Section 280E is the clearest near-term benefit of registration.","6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c316",{"claim":693,"sourceUrl":681,"_id":694},"Three consolidated lawsuits in the D.C. Circuit challenge the rescheduling move, with plaintiffs asking the court to stay the order while the case proceeds.","6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c317",{"claim":696,"sourceUrl":681,"_id":697},"Oklahoma has tied state licensure to DEA registration, telling license holders to get DEA registration or risk losing their state permits next year.","6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c318",{"claim":699,"sourceUrl":681,"_id":700},"Rescheduling is drawing interest from pharmaceutical, agricultural, and consumer products companies that stayed on the sidelines while marijuana sat on Schedule I.","6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c319","2026-08-28T17:25:16.521Z",{"title":703,"description":704},"Federal Rescheduling Sets Stage for Cannabis M&A","The April federal rescheduling order is accelerating cannabis consolidation as pharma and ag firms eye the industry, according to an op-ed.",[706],{"name":110,"url":681,"trustTier":56,"_id":707},"6a91c47a0385656fb2e2c312","The April 23 federal order moving FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III is driving targeted consolidation in the cannabis industry, according to an op-ed by Christopher B. Lynch of Dickinson Wright PLLC. Rather than immediate legalization, the change is prompting operators to restructure, seek partners, and acquire distressed assets while pharmaceutical and agricultural firms evaluate entry.","2026-08-28T17:25:16.525Z",{"_id":711,"slug":712,"articleType":276,"body":713,"createdAt":719,"dek":720,"entities":721,"headline":730,"imageAlt":731,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":732,"language":48,"publishedAt":749,"seo":750,"sources":753,"summary":756,"updatedAt":757},"6a91b063aeddfad21a39f9ff","half-of-kentucky-s-licensed-medical-cannabis-dispensaries-have-opened-900a88f4",[714,715,716,717,718],"Kentucky’s medical cannabis program has passed a significant milestone, with half of the state’s licensed dispensaries now open for business, according to Governor Andy Beshear’s office. The announcement marks a key step in the rollout of the commonwealth’s regulated medical cannabis market.","The governor’s office also reported that more than 25,000 medical cannabis cardholders are now registered in Kentucky, more than double the number from a year ago. The state generated $1.87 million in medical cannabis sales in July and is on track to reach $2 million in August.","Rachel Roberts, Executive Director of the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance, described the moment as a watershed for the program. She noted that with Blue Sage opening in Lebanon and Sunnyside Prestonsburg opening in October, patients across all 11 Office Medical Cannabis regions will have access to licensed dispensaries.","Kentucky currently has 11 medical cannabis cultivators, five processors, 24 dispensaries, and two testing facilities open for business. An additional five cultivators, five processors, and 24 dispensaries are licensed but have not yet opened.","In June, Governor Beshear rescinded a 2022 order that had permitted registered patients to possess out-of-state cannabis products. The governor said the protection is no longer necessary as the state’s own retail network continues to expand.","2026-08-28T15:59:31.887Z","Governor Andy Beshear says the state’s medical cannabis program has reached a major milestone, with 24 dispensaries now open and more than 25,000 registered cardholders.",{"brands":722,"products":725,"markets":726,"organizations":727},[723,724],"Blue Sage","Sunnyside",[],[420],[728,729],"Kentucky Cannabis Industry Alliance","Office Medical Cannabis","Half of Kentucky’s Licensed Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Have Opened","A medical cannabis dispensary storefront in Kentucky, representing the state’s expanding licensed retail network.",[733,737,740,743,746],{"claim":734,"sourceUrl":735,"_id":736},"Half of Kentucky’s licensed medical cannabis dispensaries are now open for business, according to Governor Andy Beshear’s office.","https:\u002F\u002Fganjapreneur.com\u002Fhalf-of-kentuckys-licensed-medical-cannabis-dispensaries-have-opened\u002F","6a91b0630385656fb2e2ba65",{"claim":738,"sourceUrl":735,"_id":739},"Kentucky has more than 25,000 registered medical cannabis cardholders, more than double the number from a year ago.","6a91b0630385656fb2e2ba66",{"claim":741,"sourceUrl":735,"_id":742},"Kentucky generated $1.87 million in medical cannabis sales in July and is on track to reach $2 million in August.","6a91b0630385656fb2e2ba67",{"claim":744,"sourceUrl":735,"_id":745},"Kentucky currently has 11 medical cannabis cultivators, five processors, 24 dispensaries, and two testing facilities open for business.","6a91b0630385656fb2e2ba68",{"claim":747,"sourceUrl":735,"_id":748},"Governor Beshear rescinded a 2022 order that permitted registered patients to possess out-of-state cannabis products.","6a91b0630385656fb2e2ba69","2026-08-28T15:59:33.759Z",{"title":751,"description":752},"Half of Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Open","Kentucky’s medical cannabis program reaches a milestone with 24 dispensaries open and over 25,000 registered cardholders, according to Governor Beshear.",[754],{"name":55,"url":735,"trustTier":56,"_id":755},"6a91b0630385656fb2e2ba64","Kentucky’s medical cannabis program has reached a significant milestone, with half of its licensed dispensaries now open for business. Governor Andy Beshear’s office reported more than 25,000 registered medical cannabis cardholders statewide, more than double the number from a year ago. The state generated $1.87 million in medical cannabis sales in July and is on track to reach $2 million in August.","2026-08-28T15:59:33.760Z",{"_id":759,"slug":760,"articleType":761,"body":762,"createdAt":768,"dek":769,"entities":770,"headline":777,"imageAlt":778,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":779,"language":48,"publishedAt":796,"seo":797,"sources":800,"summary":803,"updatedAt":804},"6a91b057aeddfad21a39f9fe","canada-sets-monthly-cannabis-sales-record-surpasses-california-as-world-s-largest-legal-market-da43f5a7","market",[763,764,765,766,767],"Licensed cannabis retailers in Canada set a new monthly sales record in June of CA$517.8 million, or about $374.5 million USD, according to SF Gate. That figure exceeds the $372.4 million USD generated by California during the same month, making Canada the world’s largest legal cannabis market for June.","The two markets have similarly sized populations, but their regulatory paths have diverged. California’s cannabis industry has struggled with high taxes, strict regulations, local bans, and competition from a rampant illicit market, while the Canadian market has continued growing with new businesses and overseas export opportunities.","Retail access also differs sharply. California currently has 3.7 cannabis dispensaries or delivery services per 100,000 people, while Canada has 7.9 cannabis stores per 100,000 people, according to the report.","Los Angeles-based cannabis consultant Hirsh Jain told SF Gate that California had all of the advantages it needed to become a global leader in cannabis reforms, “Yet poor policymaking has turned what should have been the world’s premier legal cannabis market into a cautionary tale.”","The June result follows an earlier milestone in 2024, when Michigan outpaced California in total legal cannabis sales, although California still generated more revenue that year.","2026-08-28T15:59:19.056Z","Licensed Canadian retailers sold CA$517.8 million in June, edging out California’s $372.4 million USD and highlighting diverging regulatory outcomes.",{"brands":771,"products":772,"markets":773,"organizations":775},[],[],[774,241,666],"Canada",[776],"SF Gate","Canada Sets Monthly Cannabis Sales Record, Surpasses California as World’s Largest Legal Market","Canadian and California flags side by side with cannabis sales charts showing Canada surpassing California in June.",[780,784,787,790,793],{"claim":781,"sourceUrl":782,"_id":783},"Licensed cannabis retailers in Canada set a new monthly sales record in June of CA$517.8 million, or about $374.5 million USD.","https:\u002F\u002Fganjapreneur.com\u002Fcanada-sets-monthly-cannabis-sales-record-surpasses-california-as-worlds-largest-legal-market\u002F","6a91b0570385656fb2e2ba48",{"claim":785,"sourceUrl":782,"_id":786},"Canada’s June sales exceeded the $372.4 million USD generated by California during the same month, making Canada the world’s largest legal cannabis market for June.","6a91b0570385656fb2e2ba49",{"claim":788,"sourceUrl":782,"_id":789},"California currently has 3.7 cannabis dispensaries or delivery services per 100,000 people, while Canada has 7.9 cannabis stores per 100,000 people.","6a91b0570385656fb2e2ba4a",{"claim":791,"sourceUrl":782,"_id":792},"Los Angeles-based cannabis consultant Hirsh Jain told SF Gate that poor policymaking has turned California’s market into a cautionary tale.","6a91b0570385656fb2e2ba4b",{"claim":794,"sourceUrl":782,"_id":795},"Michigan outpaced California in total legal cannabis sales in 2024, although California still generated more revenue that year.","6a91b0570385656fb2e2ba4c","2026-08-28T15:59:20.823Z",{"title":798,"description":799},"Canada Tops California in June Cannabis Sales","Canada set a monthly cannabis sales record in June, surpassing California to become the world’s largest legal market for the month.",[801],{"name":55,"url":782,"trustTier":56,"_id":802},"6a91b0570385656fb2e2ba47","Canada’s licensed cannabis retailers set a new monthly sales record in June, reaching CA$517.8 million (about $374.5 million USD) and surpassing California’s $372.4 million USD for the same month, according to SF Gate. The shift makes Canada the world’s largest legal cannabis market for June, as California continues to face high taxes, strict regulations, local bans, and illicit competition.","2026-08-28T15:59:20.825Z",{"_id":806,"slug":807,"articleType":117,"body":808,"createdAt":816,"dek":817,"entities":818,"headline":828,"imageAlt":829,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":830,"language":48,"publishedAt":846,"seo":847,"sources":850,"summary":853,"updatedAt":854},"6a91a75eaeddfad21a39f9fb","medical-cannabis-reduces-pain-insomnia-or-mood-issues-in-91-of-older-adults-study-finds-ce8b74cd",[809,810,811,812,813,814,815],"Medical cannabis was associated with symptom improvement in 91 percent of older adults, according to a preprint study involving 124 people over age 65 who received treatment from a specialized practice in Colombia. Most participants had not previously used marijuana, and the most frequent diagnoses were pain-related and musculoskeletal disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative or non-degenerative neurological disorders.","Treating physicians recorded symptoms on a four-point scale, and researchers defined improvement as a reduction of at least one point in severity relative to baseline. The paper reported that symptom severity decreased significantly across the three main symptom domains, with improvement in approximately 90 percent of patients.","The first documented improvement occurred at the second visit in 67.7 percent of patients with pain, 65.4 percent of those with insomnia, and 73.9 percent of those with mood or behavioral symptoms. Median times to first improvement were three months for pain, two months for insomnia, and one month for mood or behavioral symptoms.","Median severity scores for pain, insomnia, and mood or behavioral symptoms decreased significantly from baseline to the last available assessment, and no patient showed worsening of symptom severity. The researchers also noted strong effect sizes for descriptive improvements in digestive and motor symptoms, appetite, well-being, and physical strength, though those were not statistically significant.","The study found that clinically effective doses were low, typically using just a few milligrams per day of THC, CBD, or CBG, most commonly administered in oral oil-based formulations. While the overall medication burden remained stable, dose reductions or discontinuations of concomitant medications occurred in a quarter of patients.","The researchers concluded that older adults receiving supervised medical cannabis experienced favorable symptom evolution during follow-up, with a clinically acceptable safety profile and consistently low documented clinically effective doses. They cautioned that the observational nature of the study means causality cannot be inferred, and they plan to follow up with larger cohorts in Colombia, Argentina, and Chile.","The study received funding from the European Union and has been made available as a preprint but has not yet been published in a journal.","2026-08-28T15:21:02.128Z","A preprint study of 124 patients over 65 in Colombia found that supervised medical cannabis was linked to significant symptom improvement, with low clinically effective doses.",{"brands":819,"products":820,"markets":821,"organizations":825},[],[417],[822,823,824],"Colombia","Argentina","Chile",[826,827],"European Union","American Medical Association","Medical Cannabis Reduces Pain, Insomnia Or Mood Issues In 91% Of Older Adults, Study Finds","Older adult receiving supervised medical cannabis treatment in a clinical setting",[831,835,838,841,844],{"claim":832,"sourceUrl":833,"_id":834},"Medical cannabis was associated with symptom improvement in 91 percent of older adults in a preprint study of 124 people over age 65 in Colombia.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fmedical-cannabis-reduces-pain-insomnia-or-mood-issues-in-91-of-older-adults-study-finds\u002F","6a91a75e0385656fb2e2b523",{"claim":836,"sourceUrl":833,"_id":837},"Symptom severity decreased significantly across pain, insomnia, and mood or behavioral symptom domains, with improvement in approximately 90 percent of patients.","6a91a75e0385656fb2e2b524",{"claim":839,"sourceUrl":833,"_id":840},"Clinically effective doses were low, typically using just a few milligrams per day of THC, CBD, or CBG, most commonly in oral oil-based formulations.","6a91a75e0385656fb2e2b525",{"claim":842,"sourceUrl":833,"_id":843},"Dose reductions or discontinuations of concomitant medications occurred in a quarter of patients after starting cannabis.","6a91a75e0385656fb2e2b526",{"claim":815,"sourceUrl":833,"_id":845},"6a91a75e0385656fb2e2b527","2026-08-28T15:21:04.301Z",{"title":848,"description":849},"Medical Cannabis Helps 91% of Older Adults, Study Finds","A preprint study of 124 patients over 65 in Colombia found supervised medical cannabis was linked to significant improvement in pain, insomnia, and mood symptoms.",[851],{"name":110,"url":833,"trustTier":56,"_id":852},"6a91a75e0385656fb2e2b522","A new preprint study reports that 91 percent of older adults receiving supervised medical cannabis experienced at least a one-point reduction in pain, insomnia, or mood and behavioral symptoms. The research followed 124 people over age 65 in Colombia, most of whom had not previously used marijuana, and found progressive symptom improvement across follow-up visits.","2026-08-28T15:21:04.305Z",{"_id":856,"slug":857,"articleType":858,"body":859,"createdAt":868,"dek":869,"entities":870,"headline":881,"imageAlt":882,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":883,"language":48,"publishedAt":897,"seo":898,"sources":901,"summary":904,"updatedAt":905},"6a9191a4aeddfad21a39f9f9","florida-democrats-seize-on-grand-jury-report-alleging-medicaid-funds-misused-to-fight-marijuana-legalization-9f076b7b","other",[860,861,862,863,864,865,866,867],"Florida Democrats went on the offensive Thursday against Republican leaders after the release of a statewide grand jury report that found $10 million in Medicaid funds were “misappropriated” and wound up being used for “political activities,” including a campaign against recreational marijuana legalization.","The 19-page report, obtained by CBS Miami, did not result in charges but criticized several top state officials, including Attorney General James Uthmeier and Jason Weida, now chief of staff to Gov. Ron DeSantis. It also said U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, the former state attorney general, knew about the transfer of Medicaid funds from a $67 million drug overpricing settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation.","The foundation “quickly funneled” the money to two non-profit groups that directed some of it to a campaign against the marijuana legalization effort. The probe originated after the Republican-controlled House held hearings in spring 2025 amid speculation that First Lady Casey DeSantis, who started the Hope Florida initiative, might run for governor.","Democrats say the report shows top Republicans knowingly flouted Florida law by diverting money paid by Centene Corp., a managed care company, from state coffers to political action committees Uthmeier controlled. “This is blatant corruption,” Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried told reporters. “And for 30 years, Republicans have controlled this state, and somewhere along the way, they started acting like taxpayer money was theirs to spend, state government was theirs to exploit, and nobody had the right to question them.”","Uthmeier and DeSantis played down the findings. The governor said the only apparent crime was committed by “whoever leaked the grand jury report,” and insisted the transfer was “legally sound.” Uthmeier called the investigation a “politically motivated witch hunt driven by Democrats and a far-left Democrat state attorney in Tallahassee.”","Democrats, noting the Republican-controlled House launched the original investigation, insist the issue is not partisan. Jose Javier Rodriguez, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, said, “My opponent is a criminal. He’s a criminal who should resign.” Rodriguez blamed Uthmeier directly, saying he “was the person with authority here. It was his [political] committee. He directed the money.”","The grand jury report stated, “Nobody will take responsibility for deciding the $10 million of taxpayer money would go to Hope Florida. This decision was the original misappropriation, and no witness would take responsibility for making the decision or had any memory of who made it.” Because “virtually everyone involved is a lawyer and acted on the advice of other lawyers,” the grand jury concluded that fact would pose an “impediment to criminal prosecution.”","Democratic U.S. senatorial candidate Angie Nixon called the diversion the “ultimate betrayal of working families” and said she would file complaints against Uthmeier, Moody, and Weida with the Florida Bar. Democratic gubernatorial hopeful David Jolly released a statement saying the investigation must be reopened: “The scheme defunded healthcare services for poor children to instead advance the political agenda of Gov. Ron DeSantis.”","2026-08-28T13:48:20.239Z","A statewide grand jury found $10 million in Medicaid funds were misappropriated and funneled to political activities opposing recreational marijuana, prompting calls for resignations.",{"brands":871,"products":872,"markets":873,"organizations":875},[],[],[874],"Florida",[876,877,878,879,880],"Florida Democratic Party","Hope Florida Foundation","Centene Corp.","Florida Phoenix","CBS Miami","Florida Democrats Seize on Grand Jury Report Alleging Medicaid Funds Misused to Fight Marijuana Legalization","Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried speaks at a press conference about the grand jury report on Medicaid funds.",[884,888,891,894],{"claim":885,"sourceUrl":886,"_id":887},"A statewide grand jury found $10 million in Medicaid funds were misappropriated and used for political activities, including opposing recreational marijuana legalization.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fflorida-dems-pounce-on-grand-jury-finding-that-desantis-admin-misappropriated-medicaid-funds-to-fight-marijuana-legalization\u002F","6a9191a40385656fb2e29d05",{"claim":889,"sourceUrl":886,"_id":890},"The grand jury report criticized Attorney General James Uthmeier, Jason Weida, and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody for their roles in the transfer.","6a9191a40385656fb2e29d06",{"claim":892,"sourceUrl":886,"_id":893},"The funds came from a $67 million drug overpricing settlement with Centene Corp. and were funneled through the Hope Florida Foundation to political action committees.","6a9191a40385656fb2e29d07",{"claim":895,"sourceUrl":886,"_id":896},"No criminal charges were filed because the grand jury found that the involvement of lawyers acting on legal advice posed an impediment to prosecution.","6a9191a40385656fb2e29d08","2026-08-28T13:48:22.427Z",{"title":899,"description":900},"Florida Dems Slam Grand Jury Report on Medicaid Funds","Florida Democrats attack GOP leaders after grand jury finds $10M in Medicaid funds misused to fight marijuana legalization.",[902],{"name":110,"url":886,"trustTier":56,"_id":903},"6a9191a40385656fb2e29d04","Florida Democrats are attacking Republican leaders after a grand jury report found $10 million in Medicaid funds were misappropriated and used for political activities, including opposition to a recreational marijuana legalization amendment. The report names top officials but resulted in no charges.","2026-08-28T13:48:22.430Z",{"_id":907,"slug":908,"articleType":170,"body":909,"createdAt":916,"dek":917,"entities":918,"headline":923,"imageAlt":924,"imageUrl":30,"keyFacts":925,"language":48,"publishedAt":936,"seo":937,"sources":940,"summary":943,"updatedAt":944},"6a918319aeddfad21a39f9f7","colorado-governor-pardons-29-more-people-for-marijuana-convictions-dd4ef6d1",[910,911,912,913,914,915],"Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) issued pardons to 29 individuals on Wednesday, adding to the thousands of cannabis clemency acts he has granted during his tenure. Several of those pardoned had been convicted of marijuana-related crimes, including possession of more than 8 ounces.","Among the recipients is Jonathan Carey, who was convicted in 2005 of possessing more than 8 ounces of marijuana. In a letter to Carey, Polis wrote, \"Many people with criminal histories desire a second chance, and you have earned one.\" The governor noted Carey's post-conviction achievements, including graduating cum laude from law school and founding a legal clinic to provide low-cost services.","Scott Dillon, who pleaded guilty in 1999 to attempted possession of 8 ounces or more of cannabis, also received a pardon. Polis highlighted Dillon's educational accomplishments, including a doctoral degree in chiropractic medicine, and his work serving professional athletes and patients with special needs.","Sabrina Flanagan, convicted in 2006 for possession of between 1 and 8 ounces of marijuana and a small amount of a controlled substance, was pardoned as well. Polis praised her work as a peer support specialist and her founding of The Mersaides Project, which helps individuals seal their criminal records.","Other pardon recipients include Ernest Flowers Jr., who pleaded guilty in 1997 to possession of more than 8 ounces of marijuana or concentrate, and Derek Bilbrey, who pleaded guilty to possession of 1-8 ounces of marijuana in 2000. Polis cited their rehabilitation, military service, and community contributions.","Polis's office stated that he \"continues to review all applications received before the April 3, 2026 deadline for clemency applications during his term.\" Previously, in 2020 and 2021, Polis issued mass pardons for thousands of people with prior marijuana convictions. Last year, he announced mass pardons for psilocybin-related convictions after signing legislation empowering him to grant clemency for psychedelics offenses.","2026-08-28T12:46:17.581Z","Gov. Jared Polis grants clemency to individuals with past cannabis offenses, continuing his efforts to provide second chances.",{"brands":919,"products":920,"markets":921,"organizations":922},[],[],[476],[],"Colorado Governor Pardons 29 More People for Marijuana Convictions","Colorado Governor Jared Polis signs pardon documents for individuals with past marijuana convictions.",[926,930,933],{"claim":927,"sourceUrl":928,"_id":929},"Colorado Gov. Jared Polis pardoned 29 people on Wednesday, several of whom had marijuana-related convictions.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.marijuanamoment.net\u002Fcolorado-governor-pardons-more-people-for-marijuana-convictions\u002F","6a9183190385656fb2e27d1b",{"claim":931,"sourceUrl":928,"_id":932},"Jonathan Carey was convicted in 2005 of possessing more than 8 ounces of marijuana and later graduated cum laude from law school.","6a9183190385656fb2e27d1c",{"claim":934,"sourceUrl":928,"_id":935},"Polis previously issued mass pardons for thousands of people with prior marijuana convictions in 2020 and 2021.","6a9183190385656fb2e27d1d","2026-08-28T12:46:20.664Z",{"title":938,"description":939},"Colorado Governor Pardons 29 for Marijuana Convictions","Gov. Jared Polis grants clemency to 29 individuals with past cannabis offenses, continuing his efforts to provide second chances.",[941],{"name":110,"url":928,"trustTier":56,"_id":942},"6a9183190385656fb2e27d1a","Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) pardoned 29 people on Wednesday, several of whom had prior marijuana convictions. The pardons are part of his ongoing clemency efforts for cannabis-related offenses, following mass pardons in 2020 and 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