Below is The Marijuana Herald’s Daily Cannabis News Brief for September 10, 2026. The Marijuana Herald publishes a new edition every weekday at around 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Previous editions are available here.
U.S. Census Bureau: State Marijuana Tax Collections Reach $986.8 Million in Q2, Up 11% From Last Year
State governments reported $986.8 million in marijuana-related tax collections during the second quarter of 2026, an increase of about 11% from the same period last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Collections were also nearly 16% higher than the first quarter, bringing reported state marijuana tax revenue to about $1.84 billion through June.
Survey Finds Just 5% of Cannabis Businesses Say Commercial Credit Is Readily Available, 73% Expect Rescheduling to Affect Their Business
A new industry survey found just 5% of cannabis businesses say commercial credit is readily available, while 73% expect federal marijuana rescheduling to affect their operations. Strong demand was reported for operating lines of credit, equipment financing and real estate loans, while 92% of respondents reported favorable satisfaction with their current financial institution.
Federal Appeals Court Reverses $31.8 Million Award to Michigan Marijuana Grower, Says Contract Was Federally Illegal
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a $31.8 million jury award to Michigan marijuana grower Hello Farms, ruling that federal courts cannot enforce a contract requiring conduct prohibited under federal marijuana law. The court also said the federal government’s move of certain medical marijuana to Schedule III does not make the 2020 agreement enforceable.
TerrAscend Now Has Until September 18 to Respond to Federal 280E Lawsuit Seeking Return of $8.4 Million Marijuana Tax Refund
Marijuana company TerrAscend has until September 18 to respond to a federal lawsuit seeking the return of more than $8.3 million in tax refunds tied to Section 280E. The federal government alleges TerrAscend improperly received the refund after amending its 2020 tax return to claim approximately $64.6 million in business deductions prohibited under 280E.
Vermont Marijuana Regulators Set September 30 Deadline for New Product Equivalencies and Transaction Limits
Vermont marijuana regulators have committed to establishing new product equivalencies and transaction limits by September 30 after state law doubled the amount of marijuana consumers can purchase in a single transaction. The Cannabis Control Board increased the flower limit from one ounce to two ounces July 1 but temporarily left limits for concentrates, edibles and vape cartridges unchanged.
Hemp Bark Extract Improves Memory and Targets Alzheimer’s-Related Pathways, Study Finds
Hemp bark extract improved memory and learning in an animal model of cognitive dysfunction while targeting several biological pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found the extract inhibited enzymes tied to cognitive decline, produced antioxidant effects and significantly improved performance on memory tests, with several cannabinoids showing distinct activity across the targeted pathways.
Maine Now Has 187 Active Adult-Use Marijuana Stores, Up From 163 a Year Ago
Maine now has 187 active adult-use marijuana stores, up from 163 around the same time last year, according to licensing data updated by the state’s Office of Cannabis Policy. The roughly 15% increase brings retail stores to more than half of the state’s 346 active adult-use establishments across retail, cultivation, manufacturing and testing.
Federal Judge Rules Hawaii’s Stricter Hemp Product Restrictions Are Not Preempted by Federal Law
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging Hawaii’s hemp product restrictions, ruling that the 2018 Farm Bill does not prevent states from imposing stricter rules on hemp products sold within their borders. The court rejected federal preemption and Dormant Commerce Clause claims brought by two hemp businesses and denied their request for a preliminary injunction.
Georgia Supreme Court Revives Hemp Farm Lawsuit Over $37,000 in Damage From Drug-Suppression Aircraft
The Georgia Supreme Court revived a lawsuit from licensed hemp grower Blue 42 Organics seeking compensation for about $37,000 in crop damage allegedly caused by low-flying state aircraft during a 2021 drug-suppression operation. The court ruled that the government’s exercise of police power does not automatically exempt it from constitutional requirements to compensate property owners.
