January 29, 2026

News

DEA Under Fire: Diversion Division Accused of Blocking US Drug Development, Stalling Cannabis Medicines Despite FDA Approval

Maoli Mitchell07 mins

US Biotech Accuses DEA of Stalling Innovation In an era where strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains, particularly for critical pharmaceuticals, has become a national priority, a significant hurdle is allegedly emerging within the very agencies tasked with regulating controlled substances. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Diversion Control Division is being highlighted as a major…

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Florida Recreational Marijuana Initiative Gathers Over 600,000 Signatures for 2026 Ballot Push

Malcom Green06 mins

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Proponents of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana use in Florida have announced a significant milestone, submitting more than 600,000 valid petition signatures towards their 2026 ballot effort. According to data updated Tuesday on the state Division of Elections website, the campaign has formally filed 613,206 verified signatures. The…

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North Carolina Grapples With Regulation Amid Boom in Unregulated Hemp and Cannabis Market

Logan Blac07 mins

RALEIGH, North Carolina — State lawmakers and a newly formed advisory council in North Carolina are currently navigating the complex challenge of regulating the state’s rapidly expanding market for synthetic hemp and unregulated cannabis products. The current environment, often described by observers as a “wild west,” has raised significant public safety concerns, prompting urgent calls…

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New Jersey Cannabis Workers Ratify Landmark First Contract with UFCW Local 152

Leif Zimmerman06 mins

Vineland Cannabis Cultivation Employees Secure Union Representation Vineland, New Jersey – Workers at the Columbia Care cannabis cultivation facility in Vineland, New Jersey, have overwhelmingly ratified their inaugural union contract with UFCW Local 152. This significant development culminates an organizing effort that commenced in November 2022, marking a pivotal moment for labor relations within the…

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Ohio’s Voter-Approved Marijuana Law Faces Legislative Battle Over Implementation Changes

Kevin Davidson07 mins

Columbus, Ohio – Months after Ohio voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana, the state legislature remains locked in a debate over implementing the new law, potentially altering key provisions backed by the electorate. In November 2023, Ohioans passed Issue 2, a ballot initiative that legalized adult-use cannabis, permitted home cultivation, and established a framework…

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Allegations Mount Against DEA Leadership Over Unsafe Cannabis Markets and Blocked Research

Heather Homer06 mins

A recent report has cast a critical light on the oversight – or lack thereof – within the burgeoning state-legal cannabis markets and the federal approach to cannabis research. Central to the allegations is the performance of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and specifically its Deputy Administrator Thomas Prevoznik, who heads the agency’s Diversion Control…

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Contaminated Cannabis Fears Rise Amid DEA Inaction, Research Delays Fuel Criticism

Heather Homer07 mins

A recent report raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) approach to cannabis, alleging failures that jeopardize public safety in state-regulated markets while simultaneously hindering legitimate pharmaceutical research. The report, attributed to ACCESS Newswire, specifically highlights concerns surrounding the actions, or lack thereof, attributed to DEA Deputy Administrator Thomas…

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Georgia Centralizes Drug Policy: Private Opioid Therapy Banned, State Takes Control

Hank Thompson07 mins

Tbilisi, Georgia — Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), has enacted sweeping legislative changes that ban private entities from offering opioid replacement therapies and importing or distributing psychotropic drugs. The controversial amendments, passed during an extraordinary session of the GD one-party parliament on July 1-2, transfer the full responsibility for these critical services exclusively to…

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Massachusetts Revokes First Cannabis Testing Lab License Over Public Health Threat, Inaccurate Data

Connor O'Reily07 mins

BOSTON, MA – State regulators in Massachusetts have taken the unprecedented step of revoking the business license for a commercial cannabis testing laboratory, citing a pattern of inaccurate reporting that they deem poses an “immediate and serious threat” to public health and safety. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) announced the suspension and subsequent revocation…

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California Cannabis Tax Hikes Again: State Excise Rate Jumps to 19% on July 1, Impacting Consumers and Businesses

Zach Ladelaw08 mins

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California’s legal cannabis market saw a significant shift beginning July 1, 2025, as the state’s excise tax on all cannabis products climbed from 15% to 19% [8, 14]. This four-percentage-point increase marks another step in the state’s evolving taxation policy for the industry, bringing added costs to consumers and intensifying financial pressures…

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