Legal & Policy

Legal & Policy

Federal Marijuana Prosecutions Just Hit a Record Low

Federal marijuana trafficking prosecutions hit a record low in FY2025: 383 people sentenced, down 62 percent since 2021 and just 2 percent of federal drug cases, per U.S. Sentencing Commission data. 21+. Jul 03, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

The DEA Hearing Breaks for July 4 as Cannabis Companies Move to Defend Rescheduling in Court

The DEA cannabis rescheduling hearing recesses for July 4 and resumes July 6 ahead of a July 15 deadline. Two cannabis companies moved to intervene to defend Schedule III in court. 21+. Jul 03, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Six States Are Rewriting Their Hemp Laws Before the Federal Ban Hits

At least six states have passed new hemp laws in 2026 ahead of the federal intoxicating-hemp ban taking effect November 12, including Illinois, which signed its Hemp Act June 12. What's changing. 21+. Jul 02, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

A New York Appeals Court Just Let the State Resume Warrantless Inspections of Hemp Shops

New York's Third Appellate Department lifted an injunction, letting OCM and the NYC Sheriff resume warrantless inspections of licensed hemp retailers in Super Smoke N Save v. NY Cannabis Control Board. 21+. Jul 02, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Texas Hemp Shops Can Keep Selling THC Until a July 27 Showdown

A Texas judge granted a temporary injunction blocking new state hemp rules, letting shops keep selling smokeable hemp THC until a July 27, 2026 trial. What the ruling blocked and why. 21+. Jul 01, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

The DOJ Says 'Pocketbook Interests' Are Behind the Fight to Keep Marijuana in Schedule I

A DOJ filing argues the drug-testing industry and a cannabinoid pharma company opposing marijuana rescheduling have financial motives, not public-health ones. Who's fighting Schedule III and why. 21+. Jul 01, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Day One: The DEA's Rescheduling Hearing Opens With the Government Backing Schedule III

The DEA's cannabis rescheduling hearing opened June 29, 2026 in Arlington, with the Justice Department backing Schedule III and calling an FDA scientist as its first witness. What happened on day one and what comes next. 21+. Jun 30, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

The White House Asks Congress to Save Hemp CBD, or Delay November's Sweeping Ban

The Trump White House asked Congress to regulate full-spectrum hemp CBD or delay the November 12 ban on consumable hemp THC products. What it means for the market and New York. 21+. Jun 26, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

The DEA Names Its Seven June 29 Rescheduling Participants, and All of Them Oppose Cannabis

The DEA named seven participants for its June 29 cannabis rescheduling hearing, all opponents of reform, alongside judge Derek Julius and a July 15 deadline. What it means. 21+. Jun 25, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

The DEA Stacked Its June 29 Rescheduling Hearing With Only Cannabis Opponents

The DEA's June 29 marijuana rescheduling hearing will hear only from anti-cannabis groups — SAM, a drug-testing association, four prohibitionist states, and others — while reform advocates and the industry were excluded. What it means. Jun 22, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Feds Seize 1,600 Pounds of Cannabis Disguised as Chocolate at Buffalo's Peace Bridge

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 1,600 pounds of cannabis — manifested as chocolate — from a commercial truck at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, NY. The roughly $4 million seizure and what it says about the illicit market. Jun 21, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

A New Federal Bill Would Keep Hemp THC Drinks Legal — Just as a Ban Looms

Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) is circulating a draft bill to keep hemp-derived THC drinks federally legal with new regulations — a carve-out from the broad hemp recriminalization set to take effect in November. What it means. Jun 16, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Cannabis Rescheduling Hits the Courts Days Before the June 29 DEA Hearing

Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a drug-testing trade group, and a pharma developer petitioned the D.C. Circuit to stay the federal Schedule III order ahead of the DEA's June 29 cannabis rescheduling hearing. What the challenge means. Jun 15, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Virginia Strikes a Deal to Finally Launch Recreational Cannabis Sales in 2027

Virginia's governor and legislature reached a deal to launch recreational cannabis retail on July 1, 2027, with two-ounce purchase limits and an 8% excise tax after two years. What it means for the East Coast market. Jun 14, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Federal 'Operation Weed Out' Shuts Three Illegal North Country Dispensaries

A DEA-led operation shut three unlicensed Massena dispensaries and a Hogansburg warehouse, seizing 1,000+ lbs of cannabis, suspected meth, and guns. What happened, the tribal response, and where to buy legally in the North Country. 21+. Jun 10, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

New York's Cannabis Pop-Ups Are Here: Showcase Event Applications Open

New York opened applications for Cannabis Showcase Events, letting licensed dispensaries sell at pop-ups and farmers' markets. The rules, limits, and what it means for shoppers. 21+. Jun 07, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

The June 29 DEA Hearing Will Decide Cannabis's Federal Future

The DEA's marijuana rescheduling hearing begins June 29, 2026. Supporters like NORML and opponents like SAM have filed to participate. Here's what's at stake. Jun 05, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Hochul Signs a Major Expansion of New York's Medical Cannabis Program

New York Governor Hochul signed a bill expanding the state's medical cannabis program. What the expansion changes for patients, caregivers, and the market. Jun 04, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

DEA Opens Federal Registration to Cannabis Growers and Labs

The DEA is rolling out federal registration forms for state-licensed cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, and testing labs, with an expedited dispensary window closing June 26, 2026. Jun 04, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

New York Signs the Nation's First Cannabis Anti-Inversion Law

New York Governor Hochul signed the Anti-Inversion Act, the nation's first law targeting illicit cannabis entering the legal supply chain, with fines up to $10,000 per day. What it means. Jun 03, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Inside the 2026 Farm Bill Hemp Fight: The Lawful Hemp Protection Act

The Lawful Hemp Protection Act, an amendment to the 2026 Farm Bill, would redefine hemp and regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products. What it means for cannabis. Jun 03, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

NORML Demands Cannabis Consumers Get a Seat at the DEA Hearing

NORML filed to participate in the DEA's June 29 rescheduling hearing, arguing cannabis consumers — not just industry and government — must be represented in federal policy decisions. Jun 02, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Minnesota Merges Its Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Markets

Minnesota is merging its medical and adult-use cannabis supply chains and letting hemp operators hold marijuana licenses without abandoning hemp. Why the model matters. For adults 21+. May 28, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Hawaii's Adult-Use Legalization Could Be a $1 Billion Opportunity

Analysts say adult-use cannabis legalization in Hawaii would be roughly a $1 billion opportunity, building on its long-running medical program and tourism. What's at stake. For adults 21+. May 28, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Oklahoma's Governor Wants to Recriminalize Its $600 Million Medical Market

Oklahoma's governor wants to recriminalize the state's roughly $600 million medical cannabis industry, a rare reversal as most states expand access. What's behind the push. 21+. May 27, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

The Federal Hemp THC Ban Is Coming — Here's What It Means

A federal ban on intoxicating hemp-derived THC — delta-8, THCA flower, THC-P and more — takes full effect November 12, 2026. What's banned and who it hits. May 22, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

A NY Court Just Saved 150+ Dispensaries From Forced Closure

A New York court granted an injunction blocking OCM directives that threatened 150+ licensed dispensaries over a reinterpreted school-proximity rule. What it means. May 10, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

With Rescheduling Underway, Is Cannabis Banking Reform Next?

With cannabis rescheduling underway, attention turns to banking reform. Why access to banks remains a barrier and how the federal shift could finally move it. May 08, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

New York Opens the Door to Cannabis Pop-Ups and Farmers' Markets

New York's OCM opened applications for Cannabis Showcase Events, letting licensed dispensaries sell at pop-ups and farmers' markets. Here's how the rules work and why it matters. Apr 26, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Rescheduling's Blind Spot: Why Recreational Cannabis Is Still Schedule I

Federal rescheduling placed medical marijuana in Schedule III — but recreational cannabis remains Schedule I. The crucial distinction reshaping the 2026 cannabis debate. Apr 22, 2026Read article → Legal & Policy

Medical Cannabis Moves to Schedule III as DEA Sets June Hearing

The DOJ moved state-licensed medical cannabis to Schedule III and the DEA set a June 29 rescheduling hearing. Here's what it means for taxes, operators, and the market. Apr 15, 2026Read article →