⚕️ Feds Outline Medicare Pilot to Cover Up to $500 in Hemp‑Derived CBD and THC Products

Federal health officials detailed a new CMS pilot program that could allow certain Medicare beneficiaries to receive up to $500 per year in hemp‑derived CBD products, with limited THC allowed, beginning as early as April 1 through select Innovation Center models such as ACO REACH and the Enhancing Oncology Model. The program sets strict guardrails, including oral‑only products sourced from compliant hemp producers, a cap of 0.3% delta‑9 THC and no more than 3 milligrams of total THC per serving, while emphasizing that participating healthcare organizations, not Medicare itself, would absorb the costs and that coverage rules could change as federal hemp law evolves. (Marijuana Moment)

📜 Bipartisan Bill Could Finally Let U.S. Cannabis Companies List on NYSE and Nasdaq

Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced the Capital Lending and Investment for Marijuana Businesses (CLIMB) Act, legislation that would allow state‑legal U.S. cannabis companies to access traditional lending services and list on major U.S. stock exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq for the first time. Supporters say the bill would level the playing field with Canadian cannabis companies, which already trade on U.S. exchanges, by shielding financial institutions and regulators from penalties for working with cannabis businesses and unlocking long‑restricted access to capital for domestic operators, particularly small and minority‑owned firms. (Cannabis Business Times)

🫗 Alcohol Industry Calls for Regulation of Hemp THC Drinks Instead of a Federal Ban

A major alcohol trade group, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, has launched a campaign urging Congress to halt a planned federal ban on hemp‑derived THC beverages and instead regulate them under an alcohol‑style framework that includes federal licensing, taxation, product testing and age limits. The group argues that without action before the November ban takes effect, THC drinks could disappear from licensed retailers while continuing to circulate through unregulated channels, and it is pushing lawmakers to delay the ban for two years to allow time for a uniform regulatory system to be established.

👉 Read The Full Study Here

🧠 Study Finds Cannabis Can Blur and Reshape Memory, Not Just Weaken It

A new Washington State University study finds that consuming THC can do more than impair memory, it can actively reshape it, with users more likely to form false memories and struggle with everyday cognitive tasks such as remembering appointments or tracking conversations. In controlled testing of regular cannabis users, researchers found that even moderate THC doses caused broad disruptions across multiple memory systems, with participants frequently “remembering” information that was never presented, underscoring that cannabis intoxication can distort how memories are formed and recalled in real time. (Khon2)

🗓️ Continued Cannabis News & Events

• Jushi Holdings Announces 1st Settlement in Ongoing Hemp-Derived THC Litigation

• Can I drive when taking medicinal cannabis? Is it safe?

• US army raises upper age for recruits to 42 and scraps marijuana restrictions

• Why does cannabis give people 'the munchies'?