📅 NORML Urges DEA to Let It Participate in Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing

The advocacy group NORML has formally asked the Drug Enforcement Administration to reconsider its decision excluding the organization from participating in an upcoming marijuana rescheduling hearing, arguing that the process lacks consumer representation and risks producing an incomplete record. The DEA had previously invited only opponents of cannabis reform to take part, rejecting supporters on the grounds they were not “adversely affected” by the proposed rule, a rationale NORML disputes. NORML maintains that while moving cannabis to Schedule III is an improvement over Schedule I, it does not go far enough and that excluding reform advocates undermines transparency and fairness in a decision with major national implications. (Marijuana Moment)

💊 Debate Intensifies Over Whether Marijuana Is Medicine or Politics Driving Policy

An opinion piece in The Hill argues that the push to reclassify marijuana as a medicine risks prioritizing political momentum over rigorous scientific evidence, emphasizing that true pharmaceuticals must meet strict standards for safety, efficacy and consistency that cannabis products largely have not demonstrated in controlled trials. While acknowledging that some cannabinoid‑based drugs have been approved, the author contends that most retail cannabis products lack the clinical validation required to be broadly considered medicine and warns against using state legalization as proof of medical acceptance. The article highlights the central tension in current policy debates, whether federal cannabis reform is being guided by evolving science or shaped primarily by shifting public opinion and political pressure. (TheHill)

⚕️ Study Explores Health Risks and Outcomes Linked to Cannabis Use

A peer‑reviewed study published in ScienceDirect examines associations between cannabis use and health outcomes, highlighting emerging evidence that heavier or more frequent use may be linked to increased risks for certain medical conditions while noting variability depending on usage patterns and individual factors. The research emphasizes that outcomes can differ widely based on dose, method of consumption and patient characteristics, underscoring the complexity of evaluating cannabis’s overall health impact. It concludes that while cannabis may have therapeutic potential in some contexts, more rigorous and controlled studies are needed to clarify long‑term safety and establish clearer clinical guidelines.

👉 Read The Full Study Here

💰 States Collected Nearly $15 Billion in Marijuana Tax Revenue Over Five Years

A new federal report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that states have generated nearly $15 billion in marijuana tax revenue since late 2021, reflecting the growing economic impact of legalization across the country. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, states collected about $825 million, with leading markets like California, Washington, Michigan and New York contributing the largest shares. While the data highlights cannabis as a significant and expanding revenue source for state budgets, it also shows some recent fluctuations and underscores that total earnings are likely even higher due to incomplete reporting and additional revenue streams not included in the federal tracker. (Marijuana Moment)

🗓️ Continued Cannabis News & Events

• What cannabis brands can learn from a Snapple bottle cap

• Consumer fraud lawsuit against cannabis vaping manufacturers dismissed

• As An Olympian, Cannabis Use Was Forbidden. Now I Spend My Career Studying It.

• National cannabis lobby group suspends operations, citing black market