Virginia lawmakers defend cannabis budget language | Virginia
(The Center Square) – The Virginia lawmakers behind the state’s adult-use cannabis retail plan said Thursday that existing marijuana laws remain in effect, pushing back on claims that recently approved budget language legalized underage marijuana possession or unlawful distribution. Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Henrico, released a joint statement after confusion over […]
Medical Marijuana Is ‘Effective’ In Providing Relief To Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome, Study Shows
People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) could find “significant” long-term relief with cannabis treatment, according to a new study. Researchers said that while dopamine agonists have traditionally served as the “first-line treatment” of RLS, recent studies have signaled that gabapentinoids are now being recommended. Because cannabinoids, like gabapentinoids, inhibit a certain type of amino acid […]
Former Trump Homeland Security Official Pushes Congress To Keep Hemp THC Product Ban On Track, Warning Of Chinese Threat
The former head of the Department of Homeland Security under the first Trump administration is warning lawmakers against keeping hemp THC products legal, claiming that reversing a ban that is set to take effect later this year would “undermine public health” and “embolden foreign criminal actors.” Chad Wolf, who served as acting secretary of homeland […]
Using Marijuana Will Make You ‘A Loser In Life,’ GOP Congressman Says
A Republican congressman claims that using marijuana “hurts your DNA,” will “make you a loser in life” and leads to young women being “taken advantage of.” Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), one of the most outspoken opponents of cannabis legalization in Congress, made the comments in an appearance on “High Stakes,” a podcast produced by the […]
Massachusetts Anti-Marijuana Initiative Signatures Face New Challenge As State Officials Certify Measure For Ballot
Massachusetts officials certified this week that an initiative to roll back that state’s marijuana legalization law will appear on the November ballot—but the campaign is facing a new challenge to the most recent batch of signatures it submitted in support of the measure. The objection filed with the State Ballot Law Commission by cannabis reform advocate […]
Anti-cannabis measure qualifies for Massachusetts ballot (Newsletter: July 10, 2026)
Confusion about VA marijuana laws; NC gov & House speaker clash on legalization; HI medical cannabis patients’ gun rights Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… BREAKING: Journalism is […]
Virginia cannabis budget language triggers legal confusion, political fallout • Virginia Mercury
Virginia’s decision to revive legal cannabis sales through the state budget instead of standalone legislation has triggered several days of confusion over the commonwealth’s marijuana laws, with lawmakers, local prosecutors, Virginia State Police and legislative officials offering differing interpretations of when key provisions take effect. Much of the confusion focused on two issues: whether Virginia’s […]
Virginia Lawmakers Respond to ‘Inaccurate Reports’ on Cannabis Sales Bill
Editor’s note: This article was updated on July 17 to further clarify the timeline of events. No, the unlawful distribution of cannabis in Virginia did not accidentally become legal on July 1, 2026, nor did the possession of cannabis by those younger than 21 – at least according to two state lawmakers. Del. Paul Krizek, […]
Massachusetts Initiative To Roll Back Marijuana Legalization Officially Qualifies For November Ballot
Massachusetts officials have formally certified that an initiative to roll back that state’s marijuana legalization law will appear on the November ballot. The Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office on Thursday informed organizers that they had turned in enough valid signatures during a second round of petitioning to put the measure before […]
Virginia State Law Appears to Have No Marijuana Penalties for the Next Year
Virginia lawmakers who led the fight to legalize adult-use marijuana sales are seeking to clarify that the legislation they passed in June did not inadvertently erase all of the state’s cannabis-related penalties as police and prosecutors scramble to understand the impact of the bill’s various enactment provisions. Lt. Brandy A. Molinar of the Virginia State Police sent […]
Did Virginia Lawmakers Accidentally Repeal All Marijuana Penalties?
Virginia lawmakers who led the fight to legalize recreational marijuana sales are seeking to clarify that the legislation they passed last month did not inadvertently erase all of the state’s cannabis-related penalties as police and prosecutors scramble to understand the impact of the bill’s various enactment provisions. Lt. Brandy A. Molinar of the Virginia State […]
North Carolina Governor And House Speaker Clash On Marijuana Legalization
North Carolina’s Democratic governor and Republican House speaker have a disagreement on marijuana legalization. Gov. Josh Stein (D), who supports legalizing cannabis, said in a new interview that “we need to have a well-regulated market that puts public safety and public health at its center.” “It protects kids, and it is available for adult use—because […]