Below is The Marijuana Herald’s Daily Cannabis News Brief for September 16, 2026. The Marijuana Herald publishes a new edition every weekday at around 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Previous editions are available here.
Washington, D.C. Medical Marijuana Sales Reach $77.8 Million So Far in 2026, Up 32% From 2025
Washington, D.C.’s medical marijuana market generated $9.85 million in August, bringing sales through the first eight months of 2026 to $77.8 million. That represents a 32.8% increase from the same period in 2025. August sales were down 7.2% from July’s record $10.61 million but were up 19.4% year over year.
UK Food Standards Agency Board Backs First-Ever CBD Novel Food Authorizations Covering Roughly 3,000 Products
The United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency board backed recommendations to authorize three high-purity CBD products as novel foods, potentially covering roughly 3,000 products already on the agency’s interim CBD list. The recommendations now go to ministers in England and Wales for final decisions. If approved, they would become Great Britain’s first CBD novel food authorizations.
Federal Marijuana Legalization Bill Gains 18th Sponsor in U.S. Senate
Federal legislation that would legalize marijuana nationwide has gained its 18th Senate supporter, with Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey signing on as a cosponsor. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, establish federal regulations, expunge qualifying federal marijuana offenses and eliminate the tax restriction preventing marijuana businesses from claiming standard deductions.
Georgia Regulators Approve Three New Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses, Bringing Total to 22
Georgia regulators approved three new medical marijuana dispensing licenses, potentially increasing the statewide total from 19 to 22. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission approved one license for FFD GA Holdings LLC and two for TheraTrue Georgia LLC. Commissioners also approved production-license renewal items for Botanical Sciences and Trulieve and adopted the agency’s fiscal year 2028 budget request.
Massachusetts Cannabis Commission Set to Launch Major Overhaul Covering Testing, Licensing, Delivery and Advertising
Massachusetts marijuana regulators will begin a major regulatory overhaul September 17 covering testing, medical marijuana licensing, advertising, delivery, seed sales and other areas. Proposals include a standalone medical dispensary license, eliminating residency requirements for patients and revising testing standards. Commissioners will also consider delivery restrictions, loyalty programs, license caps and other changes, with draft regulations expected to receive votes in December.
Study Finds Single Dose of CBD Restored Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity and Reduced Depression-Like Behaviors in Animal Model
A study published in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics found that a single dose of CBD restored key measures of blood-brain barrier integrity, reduced neuroinflammation and improved depression-like behaviors in mice. Researchers also observed protective effects in cultured human brain endothelial cells. The authors cautioned that the findings are preclinical and require further investigation.
Oklahoma Senate Approves Four Marijuana-Focused Studies on Rescheduling, Testing and Abandoned Grows
The Oklahoma Senate approved four marijuana-focused interim studies ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The studies will examine how Oklahoma should respond to possible federal marijuana rescheduling, pesticide testing and contaminant standards, and issues involving abandoned commercial cultivation facilities. All four were assigned to the Senate Business and Insurance Committee, with hearings potentially occurring before October 30.
Virginia Expands Enforcement Against Illegal High-THC Hemp Sales Starting November 1
Virginia will gain additional legal tools November 1 to target businesses selling illegal high-THC hemp and other unlicensed THC products. New provisions will make certain sales actionable under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act and Consumer Protection Act, allowing officials to pursue civil penalties and court orders against businesses selling products that exceed the state’s THC limits.
Washington Marijuana Enforcement Disputes Advance Toward Formal Hearings at More Than Four Times the Alcohol Rate
Washington marijuana enforcement disputes have been forwarded from the state’s informal settlement process toward formal hearings at more than four times the rate of alcohol cases, according to a Marijuana Herald analysis of state data. Across 2022, 2024 and part of 2025, 24 of 143 marijuana cases were forwarded, compared with 34 of 879 alcohol cases.
Study Finds THC Reduced Inflammation and Neuroinflammatory Signaling in Human Cells and Mice
A study published in Frontiers in Immunology found that THC reduced multiple markers of inflammation in human immune cells and dampened neuroinflammatory signaling in mice. Researchers observed reductions in inflammatory cytokines and immune activation, while brain analysis showed lower expression of neuroinflammatory pathways. The authors said the findings warrant further investigation into THC’s potential in inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Florida Issues 22 New Medical Marijuana Business Licenses After Three-Year Process
Florida officials issued medical marijuana treatment center licenses to 22 companies, concluding a licensing process that began more than three years ago. The approvals mark one of the state’s largest medical marijuana industry expansions in years. The businesses cannot immediately begin operations and must separately obtain authorization to cultivate, process and dispense marijuana before entering the market.
U.S. House Passes Bill Directing Federal Study of Emergency Room Drug Testing, Including Marijuana
The U.S. House passed legislation directing federal health officials to study drug testing practices in hospital emergency rooms, including testing for marijuana, fentanyl and several other substances. Tyler’s Law would require the Department of Health and Human Services to study existing practices and issue guidance. A different version previously passed the Senate, meaning the chambers must reconcile their bills.
Nevada Hemp Panel Recommends Statewide 21+ Age Limit, Product Registration and Online Sales Rules
A Nevada hemp panel recommended a comprehensive regulatory system for consumable hemp products, including a statewide 21+ age requirement for intoxicating products and mandatory manufacturer and product registration. The proposal also calls for age verification on online sales, uniform testing and labeling standards, expanded recall authority and potentially an excise tax on intoxicating hemp products sold outside licensed marijuana businesses.
Study Identifies How Hemp Plants Defend Themselves Against Herbicide Stress
Researchers identified a group of genes that appear to help hemp plants respond to and detoxify herbicide exposure. The Journal of Cannabis Research study tested eight herbicides and used RNA sequencing to examine the plants’ molecular responses. Researchers identified 21 detoxification-related genes consistently activated after treatment, potentially providing new information for developing more effective weed-management strategies for hemp cultivation.
D.C. Cannabis Board Approves Eight Medical Marijuana Licensing Recommendations
Washington, D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board approved all eight recommendations on its September 16 medical marijuana licensing agenda. The matters included new retailer applications, license transfers and safekeeping requests involving retailers, a cultivation center and a manufacturer. The board also approved two separate medical cannabis administrative docket items involving ownership and license changes.
