📋 Montana Strengthens Cannabis Residency Rules Following Federal Court Decision

Montana regulators have adopted new cannabis licensing rules requiring businesses to provide the names and proof of residency of anyone who exercises “day-to-day operational control” over a licensed cannabis company, regardless of ownership status. State officials said the rule clarifies existing residency requirements under the Montana Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and cited a recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruling that found states may enforce residency-based cannabis licensing requirements while marijuana remains federally prohibited. The change drew criticism from industry advocates who argued it burdens smaller operators and may violate constitutional commerce protections, but regulators rejected those concerns and pointed to the Ninth Circuit’s decision as legal support for the policy. The move comes as conflicting federal court rulings on cannabis residency requirements increase the likelihood that the U.S. Supreme Court will eventually weigh in on the issue. (Cannabis Business Times)

🍁 New Congressional Bill Would Classify Cannabis as a “High-Risk” Product for Online Advertising

A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would designate cannabis as a “high-risk” product category, requiring businesses that advertise marijuana online to undergo enhanced verification and screening procedures before placing ads on major digital platforms. The proposed Stopping Abuse and Fraud Enabled by Platforms Act (SAFE Platforms Act), sponsored by Rep. Valerie Foushee and Del. James Moylan, is primarily aimed at reducing online scams but would place cannabis in the same category as alcohol, tobacco and other age-restricted products. Under the measure, cannabis advertisers would need to submit additional documentation, undergo reviews of their business operations and periodically reverify their information to continue advertising. Supporters say the bill would improve consumer protection and reduce fraud, while the added requirements could create new compliance burdens for cannabis companies already facing restrictive marketing rules. (Marijuana Moment)

📊 Teen Marijuana Use Falls to Record Lows as More States Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

New federal survey data show that marijuana use among American teenagers has reached its lowest recorded levels, even as more states continue to legalize cannabis for adult use. The findings come from the federal Monitoring the Future survey, which found significant declines in past-year cannabis use among 8th, 10th and 12th graders compared to peak levels seen in earlier decades. Researchers say the trend challenges long-standing concerns that legalization would lead to increased youth consumption, with teen marijuana use continuing to decline while regulated adult-use markets expand across the country. The data add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that legalization has not been associated with a rise in adolescent cannabis use at the national level.

👉 Read The Full Study Here

💰 Illinois Bill Would Provide Direct Cash Payments to People Harmed by Marijuana Criminalization

Illinois lawmakers are considering a new bill that would create an Illinois Freedom Program to provide direct cash payments to individuals disproportionately impacted by past marijuana enforcement policies. Introduced by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, the proposal would be funded through the growth of state cannabis tax revenue and would operate alongside, rather than replace, Illinois’s existing Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) program that supports communities affected by the war on drugs. The legislation would establish a dedicated Illinois Freedom Fund to finance the payments while protecting current R3 funding from any reductions or delays. If approved, the program would take effect on July 1, 2027, representing one of the most direct marijuana-related reparative justice efforts proposed by a state government. (Marijuana Moment)

🗓️ Continued Cannabis News & Events

• Nearly 18,000 people work in Mass. marijuana industry. What happens if the repeal ballot question passes?

• Missouri asks state Supreme Court to block award of 13 marijuana licenses

• Law Enforcement Eradicates About 700 Cannabis Plants from Mendocino National Forest Grow Site

• Missouri cannabis regulators recall pre-rolled joints after mold found in testing