🌿 DOJ Nominee Avoids Taking Position on Adult-Use Cannabis Rescheduling

During the Senate confirmation process, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee to permanently lead the Department of Justice, declined to state whether he supports extending federal Schedule III status to adult-use cannabis or reducing federal enforcement related to recreational marijuana. Blanche defended his April 2026 order that moved state-licensed medical cannabis and FDA-approved cannabis products from Schedule I to Schedule III, saying the action was intended to expand access to medical treatment and support further research into cannabis safety and effectiveness.

His refusal to address broader adult-use legalization highlights the distinction the administration continues to make between medical and recreational cannabis. While medical marijuana has received limited federal relief, adult-use cannabis remains federally prohibited, and Blanche offered no indication about whether the DOJ would support broader rescheduling or legalization efforts in the future. (Cannabis Business Times)

📈 Study Finds Frequent Cannabis Users Wake Up With Higher Levels of the Stress Hormone Cortisol

A new study from Oregon State University found that frequent cannabis users tend to wake up with higher cortisol levels than nonusers, suggesting a potential disruption in the body’s normal stress-regulation system. Researchers noted that while cannabis is often used to relieve stress in the short term, long-term frequent use may be associated with alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps regulate stress responses.

The study found that both cannabis users and nonusers experienced a normal cortisol awakening response, the rise in cortisol that typically occurs shortly after waking, but frequent users started the day with a higher baseline cortisol level. Researchers emphasized that the findings do not prove cannabis use causes elevated cortisol. It is equally possible that people with preexisting stress-system disturbances are more likely to use cannabis frequently. The authors say additional long-term research is needed to determine the direction of the relationship and whether elevated morning cortisol could serve as a biological marker of problematic cannabis use. (Medical Xpress)

🧠 Cannabis-Induced Psychosis or Bipolar Disorder? Physicians Highlight Diagnostic Challenges

A commentary published on KevinMD explores the difficulty clinicians face when distinguishing between cannabis-induced psychosis and bipolar disorder, as both conditions can present with similar symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, mood instability and impaired judgment. The article stresses that careful evaluation of symptom timing, cannabis use patterns and family psychiatric history is essential for making an accurate diagnosis.

The discussion notes that heavy cannabis use can trigger psychotic episodes in some individuals, particularly those with underlying vulnerabilities, but determining whether the psychosis is temporary and substance-induced or an early sign of a primary psychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder may require extended observation after cannabis cessation. The article reflects a broader trend in mental health research showing increasing concern about the relationship between frequent cannabis use and serious psychiatric conditions. Current evidence suggests daily or heavy cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of psychosis, while the relationship with bipolar disorder remains more complex and less definitively understood.

👉 Read The Full Study Here

🗓️ Continued Cannabis News & Events

• Report: Nearly Half of Employers No Longer Screen Pre-Hires for Cannabis

• One cannabis mistake at airport could bring 10 years in prison and $15,000 fine

• Slumber in the grass: What weed before bed actually does to your sleep

• What THC products will still be legal in Texas after July 31? Here's what to know