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Top Stories (2026) - (1789 items)

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Apr 17, 2026	Berlin 2026: European Cannabis M&A Finds its Footing As the European cannabis conference season gets started, industry experts, lawmakers, regulators and business owners are facing greater mainstream scrutiny than ever before. From police raids in Portugal and North Macedonia, to a media backlash in the UK, operators are facing increasing questions about the industry’s resilience in the face of coordinated pushback. Europe’s largest medical cannabis market, once again, finds itself at the very centre of this debate. Delegates at this year’s ICBC Berlin were offered insights from Germany’s most informed voices to get the latest picture on where the thriving market currently stands, and whether regulatory headwinds will push capital toward neighbouring markets.
Apr 17, 2026	Smuggling Busts Further Taint North Macedonia’s Legal Cannabis Industry Dragan Krstev used to work for a company called Green Life, growing medicinal cannabis in a village called Josifovo near North Macedonia’s southern border with Greece. Cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes was legalised in 2016 and promoted heavily by the former Social Democrat-led government of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. By 2021, the country boasted more than 60 licenced cannabis producers.
Apr 17, 2026	Examining Canada’s cannabis business since legalization It's coming up on eight years since recreational cannabis use in Canada was legalized in 2018. Before that, virtually all cannabis transactions were conducted illegally, in the shadows, where everything, including accurate data, were sketchy at best. Today, we know how and where legal cannabis is grown, where it is warehoused and sold, and how much it is taxed.
Apr 17, 2026	Why the future of marijuana legalization remains hazy despite high public support Thousands of Americans will soon gather to celebrate April 20 – or “4/20” – the most important day of the year for cannabis enthusiasts. But this year, a cloud of uncertainty will hang over these celebrations. After years of success, the movement to legalize recreational and medical cannabis has stalled.
Apr 17, 2026	Singaporean man executed for importing over 1kg of cannabis Convicted drug importer Omar Yacob Bamadhaj was hanged on April 16 for bringing 1,009.1g of cannabis into Singapore in July 2018. The 46-year-old Singaporean was convicted of the capital offence on Feb, 24, 2021. His conviction and sentence were upheld by the Court of Appeal on Oct 12, 2021.
Apr 16, 2026	Canada’s cannabis business since legalization It’s coming up on eight years since recreational cannabis use in Canada was legalized in 2018. Before that, virtually all cannabis transactions were conducted illegally, in the shadows, where everything, including accurate data, were sketchy at best. Today, we know how and where legal cannabis is grown, where it is warehoused and sold, and how much it is taxed. Half of Canada’s cannabis retailers are small businesses, employing four people or less You will find legal cannabis dispensaries across Canada, precisely 3,295 retail businesses with employees at the end of 2025, on main streets in big cities, in suburban strip malls and in small towns, too. In 2025, just over half (51.4%) of Canada’s cannabis retailers were small shops with one to four employees. Meanwhile, we counted two mega retailers with 200 to 499 employees.
Apr 16, 2026	5 Ways Cannabis Can Save the Planet This Earth Day A look at the long-term environmental impact of cannabis cultivation demonstrates how vital it is that everyone — especially those in the industry — does their part to prioritize Earth’s health. There are a lot of different ways to for big companies to practice sustainability — and as a consumer, you can get in on the action by ditching disposable vape cartridges or buying your bud from a local source. Some critics think family farming could herald in a greener future for cannabis, while others have hopes for responsibly grown cannabis on a larger scale. But no matter the outcome, cannabis (and the cannabis industry) can still be a part of the plan to keep Earth happy and healthy.
Apr 16, 2026	Small businesses form the foundation of Canada’s cannabis industry New figures from Statistics Canada show that more than seven years into legal cannabis, 51.4% of Canada’s cannabis retailers were small shops with one to four employees. All but two cannabis retailers are considered small businesses, which the agency defines as an enterprise with 1 to 99 paid employees. This is based on a count of 3,295 retail cannabis businesses with employees at the end of 2025. In addition to the 1,694 stores with 1-4 employees, there were another 1,066 with 5-9 employees. The federal agency also notes there are two large chain ”mega retailers” with 200 to 499 employees.
Apr 16, 2026	Council vote moves Iqaluit cannabis store closer to relocation Iqaluit city council has voted to take a step closer to allowing an Iqaluit cannabis store to move to a new location in the heart of downtown. At Tuesday’s council meeting, members voted in favour of a rezoning amendment on first reading that would enable the Higher Experience cannabis store to move to a new location 30 metres away from its current site
Apr 16, 2026	District Cannabis Launches a Ridiculously Serious Campaign to Make 4/20 a National Holiday District Cannabis, an irreverently innovative cannabis company operating in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, is launching a bold, tongue-in-cheek campaign complete with a petition on Change.org calling on the White House to finally recognize what millions of Americans already know: 4/20 deserves federal holiday status. While the campaign begins in the nation’s capital, founder Andras Kirschner sees the mission as much bigger than the DMV. “Weeding the people goes beyond our zip code. We want to make cannabis more accessible, more accepted, and more celebrated nationwide,” said Andras.
Apr 16, 2026	Is Cannabis Effective for ADHD? Few conditions in the field of medical cannabis are backed by such adamant patient conviction, but as little clinical data as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is one of the most commonly reported reasons people seek medical cannabis prescriptions in legalised markets, yet the controlled evidence base for this indication is severely lacking, to the point of being almost non-existent.
Apr 15, 2026	Canadian cannabis producer targets international markets in $26.5M deal Aurora Cannabis Inc. has bought Safari Flower Co. in a stock-and-cash deal valued at $26.5 million. The acquisition includes a $2-million cash payment that is contingent on satisfaction of certain conditions. Aurora says Safari Flower has an EU GMP certified indoor cultivation and manufacturing facility in Ontario. It says the deal that will increase its capacity to supply key international markets, including Germany, Australia, Poland, and the United Kingdom, and support further market expansion.
Apr 15, 2026	Cannabis consolidation and global demand fuel sector outlook Cannabis markets in Canada and the U.S. are showing uneven growth as the industry matures, with consolidation and international demand emerging as key themes shaping the sector.
Apr 15, 2026	Pre-rolls overtake flower as top-selling cannabis product in the US American cannabis consumers prefer pre-rolls over any other product. Continuing a years-long trend, pre-roll unit sales grew nearly 20% last year to become the most-sold cannabis product category in the United States, according to a new report from Renton, Washington-based packaging and manufacturing company Custom Cones USA. Pre-rolls generated $3.6 billion in sales, a nearly 10% increase from 2024, according to the report, based on numbers from cannabis analytics firm Headset.
Apr 15, 2026	Singapore: Halt Imminent Execution for Cannabis Trafficking The Singaporean government should immediately halt the execution of Omar bin Yacob Bamadhaj, scheduled for April 16, 2026, for trafficking cannabis, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Capital Punishment Justice Project (CPJP), and Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) said today.
Apr 15, 2026	Study finds that Morocco’s cannabis cooperatives outperform in seed oil production Researchers in Morocco recently found that local farmer-run cooperatives deliver stronger environmental and social performance in cannabis seed oil production than other methods, including artisanal or industrial, according to research published in an MDPI journal.
Apr 15, 2026	Cannabis use rises in Quebec but falls among teenagers, report finds A growing number of Quebecers are using cannabis since legalization, according to a new report, though use among teenagers is declining. The Institut de la statistique du Québec announced Tuesday that one in six Quebecers reported using cannabis in 2025. That’s up from about one in seven in 2018, the year before legalization. But that increase was not evenly distributed across age groups.
Apr 15, 2026	New report hopes to stir chats among parents and youth on cannabis poisoning Just days out from the annual unofficial 4/20 Day, a new report on youth-related cannabis poisonings aims to get parents and caregivers talking to teens about the risks of cannabis use. A new study from the BC Children’s Hospital’s BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) says youth between 14 and 16 years make up most cannabis-related poisonings at BC Children’s Hospital.
Apr 15, 2026	Canadian cannabis producer targets international markets in $26.5M deal Aurora Cannabis Inc. has bought Safari Flower Co. in a stock-and-cash deal valued at $26.5 million. The acquisition includes a $2-million cash payment that is contingent on satisfaction of certain conditions. Aurora says Safari Flower has an EU GMP certified indoor cultivation and manufacturing facility in Ontario.
Apr 14, 2026	4/20 Vancouver is Back: Pot Block Party on April 20 4/20 Vancouver is back for 2026 – on the world-famous Pot Block! Join us all day on APRIL 20 for 4 floors of live music, contests, dab bars, tattoos, tarot readings, live painting, give-aways and tons more fun for stoners (19 years+) – all on The Pot Block in Vancouver.
Apr 14, 2026	Nebraska Officials Approve Medical Marijuana Rules, Sending Them To Attorney General And Governor The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission unanimously signed off on formal regulations over the budding supply chain Monday, nearly a year after issuing the first regulations.
Apr 14, 2026	Federally Funded Research Reports Breakthrough in Marijuana Breathalyzer Development A newly published study points to a possible step forward in efforts to create a cannabis breathalyzer, offering early evidence that a compact and affordable device could detect recent cannabis use without requiring laboratory testing.
Apr 14, 2026	Virginia Governor Proposes Delaying Launch of Recreational Cannabis Sales Virginia's recreational cannabis market has been slow to get off the ground, and now it looks like consumers in the state will have to wait a little longer. It's been five years since Virginia legalized possession of small amounts of cannabis and earlier this year, state lawmakers approved a retail framework that would have kicked off sales as early at Jan. 1, 2027.
Apr 14, 2026	How Smokers Use Certain Strains to Boost Their Focus does smoking improve focusPHOTO Gracie Malley for Cannabis NowMedicalHow Smokers Use Certain Strains to Boost Their Focus Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence suggests there’s a more complicated truth beneath the ‘lazy stoner’ stereotype. ByEmily EarlenbaughPublished on April 14, 2026 ShareTweet Cannabis has a bad reputation when it comes to mental focus. There’s a common perception that cannabis kills concentration, leaving smokers spacey and unmotivated. And let’s face it, there’s validity to the stigma, because it’s true that indulging in too much or smoking the wrong strain of marijuana can leave consumers in a confused place. Still, cannabis has a wide range of effects, so the story about cannabis and focus isn’t as simple as it seems. This powerful plant can also have the opposite effect and actually improve mental functionality. Many cannabis users report that cannabis helps them stay more engaged and clear-minded.
Apr 14, 2026	Is Spain Set to Become the Next European Cannabis Processing Hub? As the European medical cannabis market has developed, expanded and matured over the last half-decade, Portugal has played a critical role in the global supply chain, earning a reputation as the ‘doorway to Europe’. Dried flower from Canada, Colombia, Thailand and a swathe of other global exporters has been diverted through the Portuguese processing hub for the majority of the European market’s existence. Its dominance, built on a forgiving regulatory framework, low costs and a cluster of EU-GMP processing facilities, is now under pressure.
Apr 14, 2026	New Study Finds Vaporizing Cannabis Reduces Harmful Combustion Byproducts by Up To 99% Compared to Joint Smoke PAX, a leading global cannabis brand rooted in science and innovation, today released new research demonstrating that vaporizing cannabis flower can dramatically reduce exposure to harmful combustion byproducts compared to smoking a joint. I would take this study with a grain of salt, mainly because a vaporizer company did the research
Apr 13, 2026	Alabama’s 1st Medical Cannabis Dispensary Plans to Open Next Month Five years after legalization, Alabama’s first licensed medical cannabis dispensary intends to commence sales on May 4 in Montgomery, state regulators announced during their regular commission meeting on April 9. Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission’s (AMCC) newly elected chairman, Sam Blakemore, said during the meeting that Callie’s Apothecary, located in the state’s capital city, expects to start serving patients in as little as three weeks, WSFA 12 News reported.
Apr 13, 2026	Understanding the nuances of South Africa's cannabis laws It's been just over seven years since South Africa's Constitutional Court, in the landmark judgment of Prince, confirmed an order of constitutional invalidity made by the Western Cape High Court, which declared legislation criminalising the use, possession, purchase and cultivation of cannabis unconstitutional.
Apr 13, 2026	France extends experimental access to medical cannabis until 2027 Patients currently receiving medical cannabis as part of the French trial have been granted a temporary reprieve. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist signed the accompanying letter guaranteeing continued access to treatment, potentially until the first quarter of 2027 , pending the widespread implementation of medical cannabis.
Apr 13, 2026	How to Start a Cannabis Business: A Complete Guide The global legal cannabis industry is no longer an emerging market, but a maturing one with established regulatory frameworks, institutional capital, and a growing ecosystem of professional services. Europe’s medical cannabis market alone is projected to reach €2.28 billion by 2029, up from €1.09 billion in 2025, according to Prohibition Partners research. For entrepreneurs and investors looking to enter the sector, the opportunity is real, but so is the complexity. This guide covers the key steps involved in starting a cannabis business, from choosing your market and structure to navigating regulation, technology, and funding.
Apr 13, 2026	Germany Now Represents 62% of Canadian Cannabis Flower Exports as Portugal’s Share Collapses Canadian cannabis exports totalled CA$51.6 million in February 2026 across the three main cannabis HS codes tracked in export data, up 8.7% on the same month a year earlier. Beyond this headline export growth sits a more nuanced picture of supply chains, trade routes, and emerging markets from the world’s largest exporter of cannabis products.
Apr 13, 2026	Nova Scotia chiefs call for moratorium on cannabis raids, want talks The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs is calling for a moratorium on raids on cannabis dispensaries located in First Nation communities and is asking for open dialogue with the provincial government. The move comes after events on April 2 that saw traffic impeded by protesters in some communities in Cape Breton and off-island after an early-morning raid in Potlotek First Nation. Before the RCMP could leave Potlotek, residents had blocked in several police vehicles. As a result, the RCMP retrieved their guns from the vehicles and walked out of the community to waiting cars that drove some of the officers away.
Apr 11, 2026	$80M cannabis bust results in $50K fine against Leamington company Through a lawyer Friday, 2732304 Ontario Ltd. Pleaded guilty to a single charge of unlawfully cultivating cannabis. Court learned, on Nov. 18, 2020, 89,613 live cannabis plants and 5,353 pounds of dried product was seized from a greenhouse on Mersea Road 3. It was valued at $80-million by the OPP and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
Apr 11, 2026	RFK And Dr. Oz Want Anti-Marijuana Groups’ Lawsuit Challenging Medicare Hemp Coverage Program Dismissed Federal health officials are asking a court 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.
Apr 11, 2026	Province seeking feedback on proposal to allow cannabis shops to open as early as 7 a.m. Ontarians could soon have the same flexibility to buy cannabis and alcohol at the same time. The Ministry of the Attorney General is seeking feedback on a proposal to amend the Cannabis Licence Act that would allow stores to open as early as 7 a.m. Under the current law, cannabis retail stores are only able to operate between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Apr 11, 2026	How $10 Million Meant for Florida Taxpayers Ended Up in the Anti-Marijuana War Two months before Florida voters decided the fate of marijuana legalization, $10 million tied to a Medicaid overbilling settlement quietly resurfaced in a campaign to keep cannabis illegal. The money, drawn from a $67 million settlement with the state’s largest Medicaid contractor, moved through a charity founded by First Lady Casey DeSantis and then to two nonprofits with close ties to Governor Ron DeSantis’s political orbit. Within days, $8.5 million landed in political committees fighting Amendment 3, the marijuana legalization ballot measure, according to state campaign finance records and documents obtained by the Associated Press.
Apr 11, 2026	Rapid Onset Cannabis Drinks The ButACake Cherry Hibiscus Elixir has been launched in New Jersey from the cannabis brand as its latest marijuana refreshment that makes use of Azuca's proprietary technology to accelerate effects for consumers. The drink is formulated using Azura's TiME INFUSION processing and has the RTD ACTiVATOR that enables it to achieve onset in five to 15-minutes.
Apr 10, 2026	Once a global leader, Canada is turning back the clock on access to medical cannabis for veterans Canada was one of the first countries to authorize the use of cannabis for medical purposes in 2001, and the second to legalize recreational cannabis with the 2018 passage of the Cannabis Act. However, for veterans experiencing anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and PTSD, significant budget cuts for medical cannabis at Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) have left many of them feeling betrayed, as the clock turns backward on access.
Apr 10, 2026	The US vape market is reshaping itself: Here’s what you need to know Over the past year, the US cannabis vape category hasn’t just grown; it has fundamentally reorganized. What used to be a relatively straightforward market defined by cartridges and distillate is now evolving into something far more segmented, more strategic, and more competitive. If you’re a brand, buyer, or operator, the takeaway is clear: the old playbook is no longer enough.
Apr 10, 2026	Hawaii Senate Votes To Ask Congress To Federally Legalize Marijuana The Hawaii Senate has passed a pair of resolutions calling on Congress to federally legalize marijuana, support state efforts to clear people’s conviction records and take steps to facilitate access to banking services for companies in the cannabis industry.
Apr 10, 2026	Pennsylvania is Handing Revenue to Neighboring States as Marijuana Legalization Stalls On a cold Friday afternoon near the New York–Pennsylvania border, cars begin to line up outside Organic Blooms, a recreational cannabis shop that has quickly become a regional draw. Vehicles with New York plates share space with those from Pennsylvania, a sign of a growing cross-border market fueled by differing state laws.
Apr 10, 2026	Americans Support Legalizing Marijuana Home Cultivation Amid Concerns About Pesticide-Tainted Products, Poll Shows Three out of five Americans say it should be legal for people to grow their own marijuana plants at home, according to a new poll that also shows cannabis consumers are broadly concerned about harmful pesticides in the products they consume.
Apr 10, 2026	The Real Cost of Cannabis Prohibition Cannabis reform is often framed as a business or cultural issue. In reality, cannabis policy goes far beyond dispensaries; it touches the health, security, and financial stability of every American family. Decisions on cannabis policy shape who can access medicine, how communities are protected, and whether hardworking people can maintain stable livelihoods.
Apr 10, 2026	After Pennsylvania legalizes, build a cannabis market on independent retail Pennsylvania can build a thriving and open cannabis market - and avoid state allegations of a price-fixing cartel - by prioritizing independent retailers.
Apr 10, 2026	Osoyoos motel ordered to pay North Vancouver woman $5,000 for cannabis roach eviction An Osoyoos motel must pay a North Vancouver woman $5,000 after the BC Human Rights Tribunal found the business violated her rights by kicking her out for leaving a cannabis roach in her ashtray.
Apr 9, 2026	Long weekend liqour and cannabis ban for Banff National Park campers Spending a long weekend in Banff National Park campground in 2026 will be peaceful for campers. Parks Canada has put a liquor and cannabis ban in 15 park campgrounds for three major long weekends. Camping areas included in the ban are: Castle Mountain, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise Hard-sided, Lake Louise Overflow, Lake Louise Soft-sided, Mosquito Creek, Protection Mountain, Rampart Creek, Silverhorn Creek, Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court, Tunnel Mountain Village I, Tunnel Mountain Village II, Two Jack Lakeside, Two Jack Main and Waterfowl Lakes. The weekends when the bans are in affect are: Victoria Day (Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18), B.C. Day/Heritage Day (Friday, July 31 to Monday, Aug. 3), and Labour Day (Friday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 7.) weekends.
Apr 9, 2026	Village Farms pilots THC potency range labelling in BC A cannabis company in British Columbia has introduced the first THC potency ranges on dried flower in the Canadian adult-use market. Pure Sunfarms has started providing a potency range labelling on cannabis packaging for its Pink Kush sold in BC, reinforcing what the company says is the value of a more transparent and realistic approach to labelling.
Apr 9, 2026	Advisory Council Recommends Marijuana Legalization in North Carolina A state-appointed advisory panel is urging North Carolina legislators to move toward legalizing cannabis under a controlled system that would permit adult sales. The group argues that regulation would improve public safety and generate significant revenue for the state.
Apr 9, 2026	Chiefs call for moratorium on N.S. cannabis raids after last week’s highway protests Mi’kmaw chiefs in Nova Scotia are demanding a moratorium on RCMP raids on cannabis stores in their communities. The call from Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq, also known as the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, comes after First Nations communities blocked a number of provincial highways last week in protest of increased police raids in their communities in recent months. First Nations leaders have claimed they have a treaty right to sell cannabis, which the provincial government denies.
Apr 9, 2026	North Carolina hasn't legalized pot. Now it faces a $3 billion problem An advisory council in North Carolina recommended lawmakers create a system that allow adults to use marijuana in hopes of regulating a multibillion dollar, "wild west" marketplace. North Carolina is one of only 10 states and three U.S. territories that does not have a regulated adult-use marijuana market or medical marijuana program, according to a draft report from the state's Advisory Council on Cannabis released April 2. In the absence of a legal market, consumers in the state spent an estimated $3.2 billion on illicit marijuana in 2022, according to a U.S. Cannabis Report cited by the council.

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