HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Director Mehmet Oz filed a brief to dismiss a lawsuit from anti-marijuana groups seeking to block hemp product coverage for eligible patients. HHS attorney Matthew Zorn, who previously led cases suing government agencies for drug policy reform plaintiffs, helped prepare the motion.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) asked legislators to amend a recreational marijuana sales legalization bill, including delaying the market launch by six months. She also signed bills protecting cannabis consumers' parental rights and allowing medical use in hospitals, and proposed amendments to resentencing relief legislation for prior cannabis convictions.
A new poll found 69 percent of Pennsylvania likely voters support marijuana legalization, with majority support among Republicans, Democrats, independents, and across all age, racial, and geographic demographics.
Target obtained 72 lower-potency hemp edible licenses from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management—one per store—becoming the state's largest license holder. NORML is running a pre-4/20 consumer freedom survey.
John Grady of Slaphappy Hemp Company wrote that the hemp industry is being targeted by "market consolidation dressed as consumer protection," stating: "Something real—something built with care—is being dismantled by people who never had to love it to profit from it." A Nebraska senator is opposing proposed state hemp rules that would label many products "adulterated" under the Pure Food Act and block their sale.
A U.S. Army spokesperson said members "who wrongfully uses, manufactures, and/or distributes marijuana could face action," addressing a reserve officer disciplined for owning a licensed New York cannabis business. Missouri discussed marijuana research facility license rules; New York is taking Medical Cannabis Advisory Council applications; New Jersey opens a cannabis loan program Monday; the Alaska Marijuana Control Board meets Wednesday–Thursday; the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board meets Thursday.
German lawmakers pressed for faster cannabis club approvals. One study confirmed glioma, neuroblastoma, and hippocampal neuronal culture sensitivity to CBD; another found intranasal 5-MeO-DMT alongside SSRIs showed acceptable safety with promising depressive symptom improvements. Smart Approaches to Marijuana launched a podcast. Vireo Growth Inc. and Glass House Brands Inc. announced a California dispensary joint venture, each taking 50 percent ownership. AYR Wellness Inc. completed initial transfer of its Virginia operations into Arboretum Virginia LLC and closed initial funding of a new money exit facility with Arboretum. CNN's Sanjay Gupta will premiere a new "Weed" installment Sunday.