New hemp regulation bill in Congress; MA anti-marijuana campaign challenge fails; Bipartisan lawmakers talk psychedelics; SD cannabis in hospitals

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chairman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) filed a bill to federally regulate consumable hemp products—offering a potential alternative to the THC ban that President Donald Trump recently signed into law.

The Virginia Senate Rehabilitation & Social Services Committee and a House General Laws subcommittee both approved bills to legalize recreational marijuana sales, building on the state’s current law that allows personal cannabis possession and home cultivation.

The Massachusetts State Ballot Law Commission rejected a challenge claiming that a campaign seeking to roll back marijuana legalization used misleading

The post Virginia cannabis sales legalization bills advance (Newsletter: January 26, 2026) appeared first on GrowCola.com.

“Some licensees believed they were permitted to bring in clones or tissue cultures as well as seeds on an ongoing basis.”

By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent

At least seven marijuana cultivation facilities in Missouri have been fined over the last year for breaking what’s known in the industry as the “immaculate conception rule.”

Marijuana can’t pass over state lines because it’s still federally illegal, and state law mandates that all marijuana must be grown within the state.

However, there is one year after a licensee passes a commencement inspection when the state essentially closes its eyes and puts its hands over its ears on how a cultivation facility starts its inventory.

It’s called the immaculate conception rule, and six facilities were fined up to $500,000 from breaking it last year.

A spokesperson for the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation said regulators “discovered some licensees believed they were permitted to bring in clones or tissue cultures as well as seeds on an ongoing basis. However, this practice is a violation of seed-to-sale tracking regulations.”

To keep up with customers’ preferences and demand, these companies had been bringing in clones, or starter plants, and tissue cultures, which is a form of in-vitro

The post Missouri Marijuana Businesses Fined For Bringing Clones Across State Lines In Violation Of Rules appeared first on GrowCola.com.

A committee had advanced the bills without a recommendation to pass them.

By John Hult, South Dakota Searchlight

State senators voted against discussions on banning hemp-derived consumables and kratom on Thursday at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre.

Separate bills to ban the use, possession, sale or consumption of those intoxicating substances advanced out of a Senate committee on Wednesday, but the committee voted to send them to the Senate floor with no recommendation, rather than a recommendation to pass them.

By Senate rules, bills that land on the full chamber’s calendar without a recommendation need the support of a majority of senators before they’re eligible for a debate, and ultimately for a vote.

Sen. Kevin Jensen, R-Canton, moved to put the bills on the Senate’s calendar for Monday. He said both bills had drawn spirited debate and survived attempts by some committee members to defeat them.

On the bill to ban hemp-derived intoxicants for anyone without a medical marijuana card, Senate Bill 61, Jensen said there are amendments in the works to address its opponents’ concerns.

He offered similar comments, without referencing possible amendments, when he moved to place Senate Bill 77’s ban on kratom products on the Senate calendar.

“It’s

The post South Dakota Senate Rejects Debate On Banning Intoxicating Hemp And Kratom appeared first on GrowCola.com.

“The people have spoken. I’m proud to see this funding distributed across Ohio and look forward to seeing the ways these funds will benefit local communities.”

By David Beasley, The Center Square

For cities and towns in Ohio that have allowed recreational marijuana dispensaries, it’s payday time.

A 10 percent tax on cannabis products, approved by Ohio voters in 2023, goes to cities and towns with dispensaries at 36 percent rate of the tax revenue, according to state law.

This month, cities and towns with dispensaries are receiving their first checks, a total of $33 million.

The city of Piqua is one of those, with a check for $438,000, which it plans to use for park improvements.

“Local governments—including Piqua—decided to allow recreational marijuana sales within their communities based on the understanding that funds would come back to local control to best serve the individual needs of the community,” city manager Paul Oberdorfer said in a statement.

A small town called Seven Mile Village, which has a population of only 712 people and an annual budget of about $75,000, received a check for $400,000, State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, told The Center Square.

Huffman, a medical doctor, opposed legalizing

The post Ohio Cities Begin Receiving Marijuana Revenue To Support Local Programs And Services appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Janet Jackim (Courtesy photo)

(This is a contributed guest column. To be considered as an MJBizDaily guest columnist, please submit your request here.)

President Donald Trump’s Dec. 18 executive order directed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to take “all necessary steps” to move marijuana to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act. It also encouraged medical marijuana research, testing and use.

For healthcare providers and legal marijuana businesses, federal marijuana rescheduling marks a potentially significant shift in how medical cannabis may be researched, regulated, prescribed, and commercialized at the federal level.

But medical is the key word here. Near-term federal policy changes are expected to apply only to cannabis used for legitimate medical purposes, not adult use.

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President Trump’s kind words for

The post Does federal marijuana rescheduling only apply to medical cannabis? appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Hemp-derived products containing CBD – the non-intoxicating cannabinoid President Donald Trump proposed covering via Medicare last month – would be regulated under federal law for the first time if a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress on Thursday passes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would set cannabinoid limits for hemp-derived products under the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization and Protection (HEMP) Act, sponsored by Republican U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith of West Virginia and Texas Democratic U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey.

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The bill does not regulate cannabis.

While draft language appears to empower the health secretary to set THC limits, the bill’s intent is limited to CBD, according to a statement from Griffith’s office.

That’s still good news for the U.S. hemp sector, which

The post Bipartisan proposal could fulfill President Trump’s promise for CBD Medicare coverage appeared first on GrowCola.com.

As predicted, Arkansas medical marijuana operators reported record-breaking sales in 2025.

Dispensaries rang up $291.1 million in sales in 2025, surpassing the previous record of $283 million set in 2023, according to data from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

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That’s a $15 million increase over the prior record of $275.9 million set in 2024 and signals a rebound for the state’s medical cannabis industry, which launched in 2019,

Arkansas medical cannabis sales recover after 2024 stumble

“The industry certainly rebounded in 2025 with a new sales record, following a decrease in sales the previous year,” Scott Hardin, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, said in a statement.

Arkansas has recorded $1.6 billion in sales since the

The post Arkansas medical cannabis sales hit record $291 million in 2025 appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Bipartisan congressional lawmakers are stressing the importance of strategically advancing psychedelics reform in a way that mitigates bureaucratic conflict and the influence of outside interests. Even just one misstep could threaten to upend the movement, they say.

At a public forum in Washington, D.C.—hosted by the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition (PMC) and Mission Within Foundation (MWF) last week—Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA), Jack Bergman (R-MI) and Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) spoke about the work ahead to provide access to psychedelics for patients.

Much of the focus centered around the need to give military veterans alternative treatment options for serious mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychedelics like MDMA and ibogaine could help fill that gap, the legislators said.

Luttrell said a key challenge supporters are up against is the inaccessibility of data from private research institutions that could demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics—something that he argued would likely move the needle for members who are on the fence on the issue.

The congressman said he and colleagues have pressed agencies such as the Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about the problem.

“How do you get

The post Bipartisan Lawmakers Warn That Even One Mistake In Push For Psychedelics Access Could Derail Progress appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Bipartisan congressional lawmakers have filed a new bill to regulate consumable hemp products—offering a potential alternative to the outright THC ban that was included in a spending bill President Donald Trump signed late last year.

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chairman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection (HEMP) Act on Thursday as the future of the market sits in limbo.

The proposal would affirmatively allow the sale of consumable hemp products to adults 21 and older. That includes edibles, beverages and inhalable items. Certain provisions have been amended since the GOP sponsor first circulated a discussion draft of the legislation in August.

“Despite raising repeated concerns about the ongoing confusion regarding the safety, consumption and sale of CBD-containing products until a discussion draft of this bill was circulated, I believe we have yet to see meaningful progress at the federal level,” Griffith said in a press release.

“I am proud to lead the effort in the House along with Representative Veasey to present a path forward for the federal regulation of CBD products,” he said. “After discussions with stakeholders, federal officials and other relevant authorities, I believe the HEMP

The post New Bipartisan Congressional Bill Would Regulate Hemp Products, In Contrast To Ban Trump Signed appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Virginia senators have advanced a bill to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana sales—one of several reform proposals under consideration as the 2026 session gets underway.

The Senate Rehabilitation & Social Services Committee on Friday took up two marijuana sales legalization measures. After amending one of the proposals from Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) with a substitute version, it passed the panel in a 8-7 vote.

The bill largely aligns with recommendations released last month by the legislature’s Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market.

Since legalizing cannabis possession and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia lawmakers have worked to establish a commercial marijuana market—only to have those efforts consistently stalled under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who twice vetoed measures to enact it that were sent to his desk by the legislature.

“In 2021 Virginia became the first southern state to legalize adult use cannabis, and five years later, Virginia has yet to implement the marketplace we originally envisioned,” Aird said. “Each year that we go without a marketplace, the illicit market grows and health and safety concerns rise for our citizens.”

“The legislation establishes a market, once and for all, that will protect consumers, protect

The post Virginia Senators Approve Bill To Legalize Marijuana Sales Under New Pro-Reform Governor appeared first on GrowCola.com.

A South Dakota legislative committee has rejected a bill that would have allowed terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals and hospices.

The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 12-1 on Thursday to defer the measure to the 41st day of the session, effectively killing it.

Rep. Eric Emery (D), the sponsor of HB 1053, said it is a “narrow and carefully constructed bill that addresses one specific issue: ensuring that terminally ill patients who are already legally authorized to use medical cannabis under South Dakota law may continue the treatment when they enter the hospital or a hospice facility.”

“Under the current law, a patient may legally use medical cannabis at home with their approved practitioner. But once that same patient is admitted into a hospital or hospice facility, that access is abruptly ended—and not because the doctor has changed their mind, but because the facilities’ policies vary widely across the state,” he said. “For terminally ill patients, this disruption can mean unplanned pain, nausea, anxiety or even loss of appetite when care is no longer focused on the cure but comfort and dignity.”

“I’ve seen firsthand the pain and the suffering that often accompany… this

The post South Dakota Lawmakers Reject Bill To Let Terminally Ill Patients Use Medical Marijuana In Hospitals appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Massachusetts officials have rejected a challenge to a ballot initiative that seeks to significantly roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law by repealing regulated sales.

Weeks after cannabis activists filed a complaint with the State Ballot Law Commission under the Secretary of State’s office—alleging that petitioners with the anti-cannabis campaign used misleading tactics to convince voters to support its ballot placement—the body on Thursday overruled the objection.

The commission said advocates who challenged the ballot measure raised “unsupported allegations” about the propriety of the signature gathering process that they said warranted official scrutiny.

The claim “rings hollow given that absolutely no admissible evidence has been presented or offered supporting the allegations made,” the commission’s ruling said.

“With this decision, the certification of this round of petitions has now formally ended, and all eleven initiatives are now before the Legislature,” Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin (D), who chairs the commission, said, referring collectively to all ballot petitions advancing in the state this year including on other unrelated issues. “If the Legislature chooses not to pass any of the initiatives, the petitioners will have the opportunity to begin the final round of signature gathering in May.”

This represents a setback for

The post Massachusetts Officials Reject Challenge To Marijuana Legalization Rollback Initiative Amid Allegations Of Deceptive Petitioning Tactics appeared first on GrowCola.com.

NH legalization hearing; WA medical marijuana in hospitals; Alcohol coalition on hemp drinks; Study: 10M Americans microdosed psychedelics in 2025

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to legalize marijuana, with the sponsor saying President Donald Trump’s federal cannabis rescheduling order means it’s time for the state to act.

The Washington State House Health Care & Wellness Committee approved a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and

The post MA voters regret signing anti-cannabis ballot petition, poll shows (Newsletter: January 23, 2026) appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market may finally be taking off after a slow and challenging start.

Since the September launch of non-tribal adult use sales, Minnesota cannabis stores reported more than $31 million in revenue from 466,000 transactions through the end of December, according to the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management.

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In that time, medical cannabis sales totaled $31.7 million, according to OCM data. December was the first month that adult-use sales outpaced MMJ sales, with $9.4 million in adult-use compared to $8.8 million for medical.

The growing pains that slowed Minnesota cannabis sales

Among the problems hampering Minnesota’s launch was a lack of licensed cultivation space that left many retailers with bare shelves.

Then, after cultivators kicked into gear, a lack

The post Minnesota adult-use cannabis sales hit $31 million since September launch appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Thailand, where a billion-dollar cannabis industry has blossomed since the country became the first in Asia to experiment with decriminalization in 2022, is poised to make the drug illegal again.

Inspired by a backlash to the thousands of shops that have sprung up around the country – but also the Thai cannabis industry’s failure to deliver on promised potential – all three parties likely to prevail in national elections on Feb. 8 have promised to impose restrictions, Bloomberg News reported.

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That’s left cannabis business owners and advocates in Thailand feeling burned, and some of the North American players that have expanded to the region are pondering next steps even as they grapple with unprofitability.

Did Thailand’s cannabis rush fizzle?

Thailand decriminalized cannabis in

The post Thailand poised to recriminalize cannabis as boom sparks backlash – and boredom appeared first on GrowCola.com.

This is the first in a regular series of MJBizDaily interviews with major THC industry players. To be considered for an interview, contact editorial@mjbizdaily.com.

Seasoned cannabis executive Joe Bayern’s path into the legal marijuana industry didn’t start with a passion for the plant.

It began with water.

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While chief operating officer at Voss Water in the late 2010s, he began scouting for new products. At the time, the “next big thing” was CBD. But as he looked deeper, he discovered a hidden world that traditional consumer packaged goods executives weren’t aware of: legal THC.

“I was never a big user, but I saw the potential of the marketplace,” Bayern told MJBizDaily.

Now, after a stint as president and chief executive officer of a

The post Joe Bayern’s ‘Day 2’ cannabis strategy: Build brands, not canopies appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Cannabis reform measures, including state-level adult-use marijuana legalization, are encouraging American adults who have historically steered away from cannabis to try the drug, according to recently published research.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, these include adults who are “older, female, white, or college educated” – some of the exact demographics that the $32 billion legal industry is keen to attract.

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Despite selling far more products than in prior years, declining prices mean legal cannabis operators are registering less sales by dollar in key markets, including California and Michigan, the country’s two biggest markets.

That’s led to manufacturers developing new products, including drinks as well as “functional THC” products, tailored toward populations, including older women and Gen

The post Study: Cannabis reform lures women, older adults to legal industry appeared first on GrowCola.com.

New Hampshire senators took up a bill to legalize marijuana in the state on Thursday.

The Senate Judiciary Committee did not vote on the legislation, but members heard testimony both in support of and against the measure.

If enacted into law, SB485 would allow adults over the age of 21 to legally possess up to four ounces of cannabis in plant form and 20 grams of concentrated cannabis products, as well as other products containing no more than 2,000 milligrams of THC.

“New Hampshire is now the only state in New England that has not legalized and regulated cannabis. Every single one of our neighbors has figured this out,” Sen. Donovan Fenton (D), the bill’s lead sponsor told the panel. “Meanwhile, we’re still pretending prohibition is working, while people just drive to Massachusetts, Maine or Vermont legally and bring it back home.”

He called President Donald Trump’s recent federal marijuana rescheduling executive order a “clear signal that even the federal government now recognizes what most Granite Staters already know: Cannabis is not the same category as the most dangerous drugs, and it should be handled with smart and regulated adult approach.”

“So question for New Hampshire is simple, do we lead

The post New Hampshire Senators Debate Bill To Legalize Marijuana, With Sponsor Saying Trump’s Rescheduling Move Means State Must Act appeared first on GrowCola.com.

“I’d hate to take a product away from people who are using it responsibly.”

A South Dakota Senate panel advanced—but did not endorse—bans on hemp-derived intoxicants and kratom on Wednesday at the Capitol in Pierre.

Both bills were sponsored by Sen. John Carley, R-Piedmont.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to put the two prohibition bills in front of the full state Senate with no recommendation. Committees generally give a “do pass” recommendation to the bills they send out for a floor vote.

The votes came one day after the Senate Judiciary Committee offered its unqualified support for a bill meant to restrict the sale of certain hemp-based products to people older than 21. That bill came from Attorney General Marty Jackley (R).

In testimony about Carley’s bills, business owners and consumers of products like hemp-derived THC seltzers and kratom said they helped people kick opioids or alcohol. They also mentioned sales taxes collected on consumable products and the value of hemp to South Dakota farmers. That led some committee members to oppose the bills and sparked failed attempts to block the proposals. Ultimately, however, the committee opted to let the state Senate weigh in.

“We need

The post South Dakota Senate Panel Advances Bills To Ban Intoxicating Hemp And Kratom—But Without Recommendations For Passage appeared first on GrowCola.com.

Nearly half of Massachusetts voters who signed a petition to put a marijuana legalization rollback initiative on the ballot say they were misled by the anti-cannabis campaign’s signature collectors, according to a new poll.

The survey involved more than 2,300 residents who signed the petition for the measure backed by the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts. It found that 1,163 voters said they would not have supported its ballot placement had they known it would repeal key parts of the state’s cannabis law allowing commercial sales.

Massachusetts officials are already reviewing complaints about allegedly deceptive signature gathering tactics for the initiative, which the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Elections Division certified for the ballot last month after the campaign turned in a sufficient number of petitions.

This latest poll, spearheaded by the pro-legalization Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation, adds to suspicions that petitioners working on behalf of the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts were either deliberately misleading voters or failing to disclose the initiative’s intent.

It showed that numerous voters were under the impression that the initiative petition they signed was meant to tackle non-marijuana issues such as public education, mitigating the fentanyl crisis and expanding housing opportunities, for example.

Of

The post Nearly Half Of Massachusetts Voters Who Signed Anti-Marijuana Initiative Petitions Feel Misled By Campaign Workers, Poll Finds appeared first on GrowCola.com.