Below is The Marijuana Herald’s Daily Cannabis News Brief for September 21, 2026. The Marijuana Herald publishes a new edition every weekday at around 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Previous editions can be found by clicking here.
FDA Plans Cannabis Public Health Messaging Initiative With Consumer and Healthcare Provider Testing
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning a cannabis public health messaging initiative involving consumers and healthcare providers. The proposed project would use focus groups, stakeholder engagement and message testing to develop recommendations covering potency, product formulations, manufacturing and health impacts while examining consumer misconceptions about cannabis safety and the extent of FDA regulation.
Air Force Member Asks Military’s Highest Court to Overturn Decades-Old Marijuana Urinalysis Rule
An Air Force member is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces to partially overturn a 1987 precedent allowing a positive marijuana urinalysis to support an inference of knowing use. Attorneys argue widespread legalization and the proliferation of THC products have undermined that assumption and say prosecutors should need evidence beyond a positive test to establish knowing consumption.
Pennsylvania Senate Committee Schedules September 25 Hearing on Adult-Use Marijuana Legalization
Pennsylvania’s Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a September 25 public hearing on adult-use marijuana legalization, focusing on criminal justice reform, public safety, enforcement and economic impacts. The 1 p.m. Philadelphia hearing will be hosted by Senator Nick Miller and Senator Sharif Street, a sponsor of bipartisan Senate Bill 120, which would establish a regulated recreational marijuana market.
Shareholders of Washington Marijuana Beverage Company Challenge $4.6 Million in IRS Tax Bills, Say Drinks Aren’t Controlled Substances
Shareholders of Washington marijuana beverage producer Dogtown Pioneers are challenging approximately $4.6 million in federal taxes and penalties stemming from Section 280E. The shareholders argue the IRS improperly focused on marijuana material used during production rather than the finished THC beverages, which they contend contained no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC and therefore were not federally controlled marijuana.
Study: Marijuana Terpene Beta-Caryophyllene Shows Promise for Obesity, Diabetes and High Cholesterol
A review published in Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management reports that beta-caryophyllene, a terpene found in marijuana and other plants, shows potential for addressing obesity, type 2 diabetes and abnormal lipid levels. Across 17 studies, researchers found associations with improved glucose control, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammation, although the evidence remains largely preclinical and human trials are needed.
Study Finds Nearly Half of Adults With Severe Epilepsy Had Seizures Cut at Least 50% During CBD Treatment
Nearly half of adults with severe, drug-resistant epilepsy experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency after 12 months of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment, according to a study published in Epilepsia Open. Among 37 adults, 45.9% reached that threshold at one year, while the median number of other antiseizure medications declined from four to three.
Green Thumb Industries Authorizes $50 Million Share Buyback Program
Green Thumb Industries has authorized up to $50 million in additional share repurchases under a program running from September 23, 2026 through September 22, 2027. Since beginning its first buyback program in 2023, the company says it has repurchased the equivalent of approximately 29.5 million shares for $203.4 million, including more than $80 million in 2026.
Study Finds CBD Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis and Improves Heart Function in Mouse Model of Heart Failure
A study published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine found that cannabidiol (CBD) reduced cardiac fibrosis and improved diastolic function in a mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Researchers also observed a substantial reduction in senescent cells, although CBD did not significantly reduce enlargement of heart muscle tissue. The findings remain preclinical.
Marijuana Flower Extracts Show Antidiabetic Potential, Cannabinoids Bind Key Diabetes Targets, Finds Study
A new laboratory and computational study finds that marijuana flower extracts inhibited enzymes involved in blood sugar regulation and increased glucose uptake. Researchers also found that several cannabinoids, including THC and cannabivarin, showed strong predicted interactions with major therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes. The findings are preliminary and were not tested in humans or animals.
California Marijuana Regulator Says DEA Still Hasn’t Provided Rescheduling Guidance Despite Repeated Outreach
California’s top cannabis regulator says the Drug Enforcement Administration still has not provided the state with formal guidance on implementing recent federal marijuana rescheduling changes despite repeated outreach. Department of Cannabis Control Director Clint Kellum said the agency has received no formal updates from DEA headquarters, leaving California to move cautiously while several implementation questions remain unresolved.
427-Person Study Finds Cannabinoid Tablet Associated With 32% Reduction in Same-Day Pain and Improved Mood
A 29-day observational study involving 427 adults with ongoing pain found that a cannabinoid tablet was associated with a 32% reduction in same-day pain scores. Participants also reported improvements in pain interference, mood, energy and overall-day ratings. The THC-free tablet contained CBDA, CBG and CBC. Researchers noted the study lacked a placebo group and was not randomized.
Study Finds CBD and CBG Extracts Show Strong Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity, CBG More Stable in Topical Formulation
A laboratory study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research found CBD-rich and CBG-rich extracts demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria. During six months of accelerated testing in topical formulations, CBD content declined approximately 65%, compared with just 16% for CBG, suggesting CBG may offer substantially greater chemical stability for future topical products.
FDA Quietly Moves to Study How Cannabinoids Affect Human Placental Cells
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is preparing research examining how cannabinoids including delta-9 THC and CBD affect human placental cells. The agency is seeking primary human trophoblast cells for researchers at its National Center for Toxicological Research, describing them as the “gold standard” for laboratory placental toxicity testing. Researchers also plan to develop three-dimensional cultures to study cannabinoid-induced toxicity.
Alaska Marijuana Regulators to Consider Eliminating Ad Warnings, THC Purchase Limits and Marketing Restrictions on Tuesday
The Alaska Marijuana Control Board will meet Tuesday to consider more than a dozen regulatory projects, including proposals to eliminate five mandatory marijuana advertising warnings, loosen restrictions on mobile marketing and event sponsorships and simplify packaging rules. Regulators will also reconsider eliminating daily limits of seven grams of inhalable concentrate and 5,600 milligrams of THC in combined purchases.
Kentucky Now Has 384 Nurses Authorized to Certify Medical Marijuana Patients, Updated Data Shows
Kentucky now has 384 advanced practice registered nurses authorized to certify patients for medical marijuana, according to updated data published September 21 by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. That’s up from 375 in the board’s Summer 2026 statistics. Authorized nurses can issue certifications allowing qualifying patients to apply for medical marijuana registry cards.
Study Finds 67 U.S. Colleges Across 23 States Offer Nearly 1,000 Cannabis Courses
A study published in Natural Sciences Education identified 980 credit-bearing cannabis courses across 67 accredited U.S. colleges and universities in 23 states. Researchers examined catalogs from 3,362 institutions, finding the largest concentrations of cannabis programs in Illinois, Colorado and California. Agriculture was the most common academic focus, followed by multidisciplinary programs, business and health professions.
