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Top Stories (2026) - (1789 items)

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May 26, 2026	Is the Cannabis Industry Breeding Itself Into a Corner? Walk into any licensed dispensary in Canada today, and the shelves have never looked more exciting with dozens of strains, vivid names, and endless variety. But beneath the surface of that apparent abundance, some say the genetic foundation of cannabis is shrinking.
May 26, 2026	Cannabis Provides ‘Significant Improvements’ In Pain For Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis And Osteoarthritis Patients, Study Shows Cannabis products appear to have “beneficial effects” for people struggling with the symptoms of chronic pain, according to a new study— with the results indicating relief from both intoxicating and nonintoxicating cannabinoids. Researchers affiliated with the University at Buffalo, University of Michigan Medical School and MoreBetter recruited 64 people with fibromyalgia, 25 with rheumatoid arthritis and 75 with osteoarthritis of the knee and/or hip to participate in the trial.
May 26, 2026	Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority Educates Police Recruits on Cannabis Law Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority Educates Police Recruits The Antigua and Barbuda Medicinal Cannabis Authority (ABMCA) has initiated an educational program for police recruits, providing foundational knowledge in medicinal cannabis law. This initiative involved nearly 60 officers-in-training at the Police Training School, aiming to foster a more informed and effective national law enforcement body. The ABMCA’s engagement session focused on its mandate, the structure of the medicinal cannabis industry, and the legal distinctions pertinent to law enforcement duties.
May 26, 2026	Cannabis Europa London 2026: The First Major Gathering Since Rescheduling Changed the Game For many, last week’s rescheduling announcement threw a spanner in the works. The US medical cannabis market, for now the only market to be impacted by rescheduling directly, is far smaller and, as such, much less of a priority for many operators. Yet Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s announcement has done something more profound than adjust a tax position or ease a research barrier. By moving Schedule III, cannabis is officially recognised as having medical benefits for the first time. In essence, this brings the US’ federal policy far closer to its European counterparts. The legal mechanism underpinning the rescheduling order, a provision of the Controlled Substances Act designed to bring US drug law into compliance with the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, is the same international framework that governs medical cannabis regulation across Europe. That convergence, and what it means for operators, investors, regulators and patients on both sides of the Atlantic, is the most pressing conversation in the global cannabis industry right now, and one that will take place next month at Cannabis Europa London 2026.
May 26, 2026	Entering its Eighth Year, Rosebud Bowl is Returning to its Cannabis Culture Roots What began as a cannabis gathering within the legacy Kootenay cannabis community, Rosebud Bowl has evolved into Canada’s Premiere Cannabis Comparison event focused on sensory evaluation, education, and community connection. While the event has evolved to be held alongside the Unicorn Music Festival in recent years, organizers say this year marks a deliberate return to the Bowl’s original cannabis-centred focus.
May 25, 2026	Renewabuild Great Plains to Begin Manufacturing Structural Hempcrete Blocks in Iowa Renewabuild Great Plains is preparing to commence manufacturing of structural hempcrete blocks in Rock Valley, Iowa, with production anticipated to begin by the end of 2026. This initiative positions the company as the first in the United States to produce these specific structural hempcrete blocks, according to a report by Agweek. The development builds on earlier reports of industrial hemp infrastructure development in Iowa.
May 25, 2026	Weed, Driving, and DUIs: What Happens If You Get Pulled Over Switch to Light Mode Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Yet, with states having different criteria as to what constitutes driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), marijuana consumers need to be familiar with what “under the influence” really means. Unlike the nationally recognized standard for drunk driving (0.08% blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, in every state except Utah), there is no comparable nationwide standard for drug impairment. Additionally, limitations of drug-detecting technology and the fact that THC levels in the bloodstream vary depending on individual factors (such as metabolism and frequency of use) complicate the enforcement of DUID laws.
May 25, 2026	New Zealand’s Medicinal Cannabis Sector Gains Export Focus with New Grower Body The New Zealand medicinal cannabis sector is undergoing a structural development with the establishment of a new grower body, NZ Grow Co, and an associated extraction facility in north Waikato. This initiative, spearheaded by Ora Pharm, aims to enhance the industry’s position as a high-value export sector by integrating cultivation, processing, and export capabilities for local growers. The move is intended to address the complexities of operating in regulated international markets and to foster a more cohesive industry framework.
May 25, 2026	Congressional Committee Approves Bill To Develop ‘Impairment Standards’ For Cannabis A congressional committee has approved transportation legislation containing provisions to require federal officials to study the issue of driving of driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs and propose “evidence-based impairment standards.”
May 25, 2026	Thailand’s Medical Cannabis Prescription Rules Show Limited Impact on Street-Level Access Thailand’s recent implementation of stricter regulations for medical cannabis prescription has introduced new requirements aimed at limiting cannabis use to medical purposes. However, observations from Bangkok, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, suggest that these new rules have had a limited effect on the widespread accessibility of cannabis for recreational use, according to a report from the Bangkok Post published on May 25, 2026. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in the enforcement and practical application of the country’s evolving cannabis framework, building on earlier coverage of Thailand’s medical cannabis policy and its enforcement discrepancies.
May 24, 2026	Black Cannabis Shop Owner Explains Struggles Still Impacting Black Owners In a historic shift, the Trump administration has officially reclassified medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Moving the Schedule I drug to the lesser Schedule III category is expected to open more doors as cannabis becomes more popular. But for many Black Americans, the move is just another reminder of the greater disparities that keep thousands in prison over marijuana offenses.
May 24, 2026	TSA Policy Allows Medical Cannabis Through Airport Security Amidst State Law Nuances and Traveler Confusion The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has adjusted its policy regarding medical cannabis travel, now permitting passengers to carry medical marijuana through airport security checkpoints under specific conditions. This shift, reported by ClickOrlando, impacts travelers at facilities such as Orlando International Airport, where many passengers expressed ongoing confusion about the updated guidelines.
May 24, 2026	Survival Crop: When Countries Collapse, Cannabis Becomes a Lifeline State failure triggers a currency collapse, which destroys the economics of legal agriculture and drives farmers toward the one crop that still generates reliable income. Across Lebanon, Myanmar, and Afghanistan — three nations in varying stages of collapse — cannabis cultivation has emerged as the primary economic lifeline for millions of farming families who have no other viable path to survival.
May 23, 2026	After Canada Legalized Cannabis, Police Caught More Drunk Drivers When Canada legalized cannabis in October 2018, there were many concerns about its potential impacts. One of them involved cannabis-impaired driving. Before legalization, police were already catching more drug-impaired drivers each year. So, people naturally worried that more stoned drivers would appear on the road after legalization.
May 23, 2026	Canadian Cannabis Sales Marched Higher in March Statistics Canada released March retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales increasing from the February levels, up 7.4% to C$471.4 million from the prior month. The sequential increase was down 4.0% on a per-day basis more due to the fewer days in the prior month. February, originally reported at C$440.5 million, was revised lower to C$439.1 million. The sales in March were up 6.2% from a year ago, down from the level last month at 7.6% and in May at 8.3% and 7.5% in June but better than the prior lowest annual growth rate since legalization commenced of -0.9% in September 2024 due to the BC strike. In 2024, total sales increased 4.5% to C$5.39 billion, and they were up 4.1% in 2025 to C$5.62 billion. So far in 2026, sales are up 7.7%.
May 22, 2026	After Canada Legalized Cannabis, Police Caught More Drunk Drivers When Canada legalized cannabis in October 2018, there were many concerns about its potential impacts. One of them involved cannabis-impaired driving. Before legalization, police were already catching more drug-impaired drivers each year. So, people naturally worried that more stoned drivers would appear on the road after legalization. To lower that risk, the federal government updated its driving laws. Impairment by alcohol or drugs separately was already illegal. In December 2018, Canada also banned impairment by combinations of alcohol and drugs, or by unspecified substances.
May 22, 2026	Wiz Khalifa’s Air Purifier Is a Game-Changer for Cannabis Smokers There are a lot of air purifiers on the market claiming they can handle smoke, odor, pet dander, dust, and everyday funk. Most of them look like medical equipment, sound like a jet engine, or simply don’t hold up when faced with real-world cannabis smoke. Then there’s the Khalifa Air Purifier Kit.
May 22, 2026	Hemp THC regulation is inevitable, not a ban. Here’s how operators can prepare. Hemp-derived cannabinoids grew into a $28 billion market while operating in a gray area. This created opportunities, but also confusion and inconsistency – and, in some cases, risk for consumers. One thing is certain: That phase is ending.
May 22, 2026	Alaska Bill To Let People Seal Their Marijuana Convictions Heads To Governor Alaska lawmakers this week passed legislation that will shield people’s marijuana conviction records from being publicly released in certain circumstances. The cannabis provisions are included in a large package of criminal justice legislation that cleared the Senate in a 20-0 vote on Tuesday and was approved by the House of Representatives 39-1 on Wednesday. HB 239 now heads to the desk of Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R).
May 22, 2026	Federal Judge Dismisses Anti-Marijuana Groups’ Lawsuit Challenging Medicare Hemp Coverage Program A federal judge has granted the government’s motion to dismiss marijuana legalization opponents’ lawsuit challenging a new Trump administration initiative to cover up to $500 worth of hemp-derived products each year for eligible Medicare patients. The program being implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) focuses largely on CBD but also allows a certain amount of THC in products.
May 22, 2026	Washington Proposes Letting Cannabis Growers Form Agricultural Cooperatives The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has proposed rule changes that would allow cannabis cultivators to team up. The LCB is considering repealing, amending and creating rules to allow license cannabis producers to form agricultural cooperatives or associations made of up to three cannabis producer licenses per association. It will allow cannabis grower associations to process, handle and market their products just as other producers of agricultural products do.
May 22, 2026	It’s OK to pack medical marijuana on a flight ... sometimes. What you need to know - The TSA updated its website to reflect its long-standing policy of allowing medical marijuana in carry-on bags and checked luggage, but experts say there are caveats. It’s OK to pack medical marijuana when heading to the airport in California, but whether those products will still be with you when you land remains somewhat of an open question, experts say.
May 22, 2026	Democratic Lawmakers Push Trump To Release Federal Marijuana Prisoners As A Follow-Up To Rescheduling A coalition of Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are pushing President Donald Trump to commute the sentences of people who are still serving time in federal prison for marijuana. The move, they say, is a logical next step now that his administration is moving to reschedule cannabis. “The inclusion of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act has resulted in tens of millions of people being sent to county, state, and federal prisons over the last several decades,” the letter sent on Friday says, noting that polling shows strong support for cannabis reform among voters.
May 22, 2026	Are Joint Filters Making You Inhale 86% More Tar? Science Says You’re Being Scammed 3 Different Ways By An Old Big Tobacco Trick. Charcoal joint filters filter out terpenes, which are both tasty and beneficial. They barely reduce the tar. Here’s what nobody’s telling you: take the terpenes out, you get less high. So you smoke more to chase what you lost, and you end up with more tar, not less. Big Tobacco got caught running this same scheme. Watch out for “Light Joints.”
May 22, 2026	Can Cannabis Companies File Bankruptcy? The New Chapter 15 Roadmap Have the doors to U.S. Bankruptcy courts finally swung open to cannabis companies? Perhaps, but still in only very limited circumstances involving a foreign debtor. Nonetheless, Judge Brendan Shannon’s recent order granting recognition of a Canadian insolvency proceeding [1] filed by a cannabis company is the first crack in the door that many bankruptcy professionals have been waiting for and may provide a roadmap for future cannabis restructurings in the U.S.
May 22, 2026	No cannabis for cabin crew - on or off duty A Quebec arbitrator has ruled in favour of Air Transat’s zero-tolerance cannabis policy for flight attendants. Nathalie Massicotte ruled that the policy is reasonable, even though it bars employees from consuming a legal product on their own time. The decision, Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique, section locale 4041 c. Air Transat (translated as Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 4041 v. Air Transat), 2026 CanLII 44306 (CA SA), dismisses a grievance filed by CUPE Local 4041, representing the airline's cabin crew (personnel navigant commercial in French).
May 22, 2026	Iowa Farmers Establish Industrial Hemp Processing and Building Block Manufacturing Facilities Farmers in Rock Valley, Iowa, are making significant investments in industrial hemp processing and manufacturing facilities, aiming to create a robust local market for the crop. Steve Vonk, a farmer near Rock Valley, expanded his hemp acreage from 100 acres last year to 1,500 acres this spring, also convincing nine other area farmers to grow hemp to supply the new operations. This initiative addresses a key challenge in the nascent hemp industry: market development. “The biggest challenge is the marketing behind everything,” said Steve Vonk, as reported by GN: industrial hemp. “It’s kind of a chicken and egg thing.”
May 21, 2026	Cannabis vape recalled due to incorrect THC labelling A cannabis vape sold in Ontario has been recalled due to incorrect THC labelling that shows lower THC content than what is in the product. On Wednesday, CannaPiece Corp. issued a recall notice for its Jays Pin Pennifer 0.4 g all-in-one vape after the company received a complaint. Health Canada stated the product’s label underreports total THC, listing 350 mg/g instead of the correct 972 mg/g.
May 21, 2026	Cannabis Extracts Reduce Obesity, Improves Glucose Levels in Preclinical Model Riverside, CA: The administration of plant-derived cannabis extracts reduces weight and improves blood sugar levels in obese mice, according to preclinical data published in the Journal of Physiology. Scientists affiliated with the University of California at Riverside assessed the metabolic impacts of both THC and cannabis extracts in obese mice for 30 days.
May 21, 2026	Thailand’s Weed Boom Is Breaking—Here’s Who Survives In 2025 alone, around 7,000 dispensaries shut down. The shakeout is already underway. A saturated market, constant regulatory shifts—Thailand’s cannabis retail scene is operating in turbulent waters. Simply selling weed is no longer enough. In a Saturated Market, Standing Out Is Everything In the early days, opening a dispensary was easy. Countless undifferentiated shops flooded the market. Today, oversupply has intensified competition, costs have risen, and weaker players are being pushed out. Shops with strong capital backing—or recognizable brands from places like the U.S. or Amsterdam—are the ones that remain.
May 21, 2026	International Code Council Approves Hemp-Lime Construction for US Residential Building Codes The International Code Council has formally approved hemp-lime construction for integration into the 2024 International Residential Code. This regulatory update allows builders in many US states to utilize industrial hemp-based materials in residential structures without requiring custom engineering variances. The decision marks a significant development for the industrial hemp sector, which has seen its products restricted for nearly a century due to federal laws that did not differentiate industrial hemp from other cannabis varieties.
May 21, 2026	Cannabis Dispensary Visibility Declines on AI Platforms Despite Google Search Gains, SOCi Report Finds The landscape of local search for businesses, including cannabis dispensaries, is undergoing a significant shift with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) recommendation systems. A recent analysis, the 2026 Local Visibility Index by SOCi, indicates a substantial gap in according to Cannabis Industry Journal, between traditional Google search performance and AI-driven visibility. This presents a particular challenge for cannabis operators, who often face restrictions on paid advertising.
May 20, 2026	US House Passes Amendment Allowing VA Doctors to Recommend Medical Marijuana The U.S. House has approved a measure that could expand healthcare options for military veterans by allowing physicians within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to recommend medical cannabis in states where it is permitted. The amendment, introduced by Representatives Brian Mast, Dina Titus, and Dave Joyce, cleared the House through a voice vote on Thursday. If it becomes law, the proposal would stop the VA from applying an existing policy that prevents agency doctors from helping veterans enroll in state-approved medical marijuana programs.
May 20, 2026	Cannabis markets worldwide are feeling price compression, oversupply pressures Many new markets are stuck in a familiar cycle: ramping up supply faster than they’re adding customers and watching prices fall as a result.
May 20, 2026	Canada’s Cannabis Advantage: Infrastructure, Innovation, and the Road to Global Dominance At the recent International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) Berlin in April, a panel of industry veterans gathered to discuss the evolution and future trajectory of the Canadian cannabis market. Moderated by Alex Revich, the discussion provided a comprehensive look at how Canada has been actively leveraging its first-mover advantage while navigating the complexities of a maturing and constantly evolving industry. The Canadian cannabis market, born from a historic federal legalization, continues to evolve from its early “green rush” days into a mature industry seeking sustainable global influence.
May 20, 2026	Cannabis edibles and alcohol may impair drivers in ways roadside tests miss There’s a number most American drivers know: 0.08. That’s the breath alcohol level that makes you legally drunk in 49 states. Fall below it, and you’re legal to drive. This number is built for a world without the edible brownie. A new study put the combination to a controlled test. The results don’t fit the assumptions enforcement is built on – and they expose a problem that a breathalyzer cannot solve.
May 20, 2026	Cannabis-friendly cafe owner hopes Edmonton law catches up with vision of selling on site A new cafe coming to Edmonton is hoping to become the city’s premier joint for all things cannabis. Whyte Avenue’s incoming New Amsterdam Cafe wants to both sell and allow its customers to consume cannabis products - edibles and infused drinks, namely - on its premises.
May 20, 2026	Americans Say Marijuana Is Less Cool Than Math And Country Music—But Is Cooler Than Guns Or Cryptocurrency, Survey Shows Marijuana legalization might be a popular policy issue in recent polls, but most Americans don’t think cannabis itself is “cool,” according to a new survey. In fact, marijuana is considered less cool than things like sourdough bread, country music, math, word games and reading books.
May 20, 2026	How to Hide Your High, According to People Who Have It Down to a Science Let’s be honest: nothing ruins a good high faster than the sudden panic of having to interact with the world and pretend you’re sober. Your head floats in slow motion and your movements become a little off-key. After a few puffs, you walk through the door and the lights of the office or the family dinner party feel like the lights of a CIA interrogation room. Suddenly, due to some mental vortex, you’re convinced there’s a huge neon sign flashing across your forehead that reads, “I’m transcendentally stoned.”
May 20, 2026	South African grower pairs Health Canada-registered genetics with indoor environmental control to target premium export markets BioCann operates what it says is the largest commercial indoor cannabis facility in South Africa, shipping flower to Germany, the UK, and Australia from seven licensed hectares on a 100-hectare farm in Limpopo province, with EU-GMP equipment already imported and an inspection pending.
May 20, 2026	Italy’s Industrial Hemp Sector Shifts Focus to Food and Fiber Markets Italy’s industrial hemp sector is experiencing a strategic shift, with renewed focus on food seed and green-building materials. This movement suggests a return to more traditional industrial markets centered on grain and stalk, following a period influenced by the country’s “cannabis light” and CBD trade. According to an analysis published by Hemp Today, this reorientation presents Italy with an opportunity to establish robust hemp value chains.
May 20, 2026	The Cannabis Component CBG Shows Promise In Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis With Its ‘Anti-Inflammatory Capacity,’ Study Finds A lesser known cannabis component known as CBG could represent a novel treatment in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a new study. Researchers at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Israel released preclinical findings from a study examining cannabigerol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, and its potential to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis.
May 20, 2026	Greek government clamps down on cannabis vending The government of Greece is moving to tighten regulation of cannabis-related products by banning their sale at kiosks, mini markets and vending machines amid growing concerns about youth access and weak oversight of the market, according to a Tovima.com report.
May 20, 2026	B.C. government applies to seize ‘compassion club’ building from landlords The B.C. Director of Civil Forfeiture applied this month to seize 1625 Quadra St. from its landlords, who currently rent the space to the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club.
May 19, 2026	The Realities of Rescheduling Medical Cannabis Cannabis has been classified as a Schedule I drug since the creation of the modern scheduling system with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA). Scheduling categorizes controlled substances into classifications depending on their medical use and likelihood for abuse. Schedule I is the most restrictive, reserved for those substances determined to have a high potential for abuse and that possess no currently accepted medical use. Cannabis has been federally illegal since then.
May 19, 2026	‘Profound Disappointment’: Democratic Virginia Gov. Spanberger Vetoes Legal Cannabis Sales Criminal justice reform and cannabis legalization advocates led condemnation of Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s Tuesday veto of legislation that would have established a retail market for the sale of recreational-use marijuana, which has been legal in the state for five years. In 2021, Virginia became the then-16th state to pass an adult-use marijuana legalization law, with sales set to begin in 2024. However, former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin repeatedly vetoed the legislation, which would establish the framework for regulating and taxing the plant’s recreational use.
May 19, 2026	Can regenerative farming save outdoor cannabis cultivation? Key points: Regenerative cannabis farmers focus on cultivating in native soil with natural inputs. Higher product quality allows for premium pricing. Cooperative models help small producers increase visibility and access. But success depends on connecting with retailers who value sun-grown practices.
May 19, 2026	Louisiana Bill To Jail People For Smoking Marijuana Near College Campuses Passes, Heading To Governor’s Desk Louisiana lawmakers have voted to send the governor a bill that threatens to send people to jail for up to one year if they smoke marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school property—including a college campus.
May 19, 2026	Marijuana Legalization Is Linked To ‘Significant Reductions’ In Opioid Overdoses, Federally Funded Study Finds States that legalize medical or recreational marijuana see “significant reductions” in opioid overdoses among adults with employer-sponsored health insurance—indicating that a “substitution” effect may be at play—according to a new federally funded study.
May 19, 2026	He Used to Bust Drug Boats. Now the Feds Are Coming for His Hemp Company. Lukas Gilkey spent his early twenties intercepting drug shipments for the U.S. Coast Guard. He watched the war on drugs fail in real time. So he came home to Texas and built HomeTown Hero, a hemp company employing 150 people in a state where marijuana is still largely illegal. Now Washington is moving to ban what he built.

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