Below is The Marijuana Herald’s Daily Cannabis News Brief for September 25, 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.
Pennsylvania Senate Committee Schedules September 29 Vote on Bill Allowing Medical Marijuana Use in Hospitals
The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee will vote September 29 on Ryan’s Law, legislation requiring certain healthcare facilities to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana. Senate Bill 1035 has 22 cosponsors in addition to its sponsor, Sen. John Kane (D), and would allow facilities to prohibit smoking and vaping while establishing reasonable storage and use restrictions.
Study Finds Low-Dose THC and CBD Work Synergistically to Reduce Sickle Cell Pain in Mice
A new study using a humanized mouse model of sickle cell disease found that low doses of THC and CBD produced greater pain relief together than expected from either cannabinoid alone. Researchers also found CBD reduced a pro-inflammatory marker while THC increased an anti-inflammatory marker, with the findings supporting further testing in human clinical trials.
Colorado Marijuana Company Recalls 49 Vape Products Over Methylene Chloride Contamination Days Before Expanded Testing Begins
Colorado marijuana manufacturer StayCon LLC, doing business as Craft, has recalled 49 vape products after methylene chloride was detected in an ingredient used to make them. The recall comes just days before Colorado expands its required residual-solvent testing panel to include methylene chloride and 16 other substances, with the new requirements taking effect September 28.
U.S. Senator Files Amendment to Ban College Athletes From Marijuana-Related NIL Deals
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has filed an amendment to the Protect College Sports Act that would prohibit name, image and likeness agreements paying college athletes to promote marijuana. The restriction would also apply to gambling, tobacco, nicotine, alcohol and sexually explicit commercial products or services. The Senate is scheduled to vote on final passage of the broader bill September 28.
Pennsylvania Expert Tells Lawmakers State Is “Surrounded by Legal Cannabis,” Citing Nearly $5 Billion in Neighboring Sales
Oren Gur, director of research and the District Attorney’s Transparency Analytics Lab for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, told Pennsylvania lawmakers the state is “surrounded by legal cannabis,” pointing to nearly $5 billion in recreational marijuana sales in neighboring states during 2025. His comments came during a Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing focused on adult-use legalization.
Florida Medical Marijuana Dispensations Surpass 16.36 Billion Milligrams of THC and 5.62 Million Ounces of Flower in 2026
Florida medical marijuana patients have received more than 16.36 billion milligrams of THC and 5.62 million ounces of smokable marijuana so far in 2026. During the latest reporting week alone, treatment centers dispensed nearly 419 million milligrams of THC and roughly 149,658 ounces of flower, while the state reported 941,616 active qualified patients.
New South Wales Medical Cannabis Driving Reform Officially Becomes Law
New South Wales has enacted legislation creating protections for registered medical cannabis patients who test positive for THC while driving. Once implemented, qualified patients will not automatically commit the state’s standard drug-presence offense when THC is detected below specified thresholds, although impaired driving will remain illegal and roadside testing will continue. The new protections are expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027.
New Massachusetts Poll Finds 71% of Voters Oppose Question 8 to Repeal Recreational Cannabis Market, Just 24% Plan to Vote “Yes”
A new University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll finds 71% of Massachusetts voters plan to oppose Question 8, compared with just 24% who intend to vote for it. The November ballot measure would eliminate licensed recreational marijuana sales and home cultivation while continuing to allow adults 21 and older to possess limited amounts of marijuana.
U.S. Virgin Islands Clears First Commercial Marijuana Cultivator, Official Growing Begins
The U.S. Virgin Islands has issued its first Certificate to Operate to a commercial marijuana cultivator, allowing regulated cultivation to officially begin more than three years after legalization. Regulators also announced that a temporary testing laboratory on St. Croix is operational and awaiting plants. Commercial sales have not yet started, with dispensaries continuing through certification and inspection.
Pennsylvania House Speaker Says November Senate Elections Could Clear Path for Marijuana Legalization in 2027
Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton says recreational marijuana legalization could have a clearer path in 2027 if Democrats gain three Senate seats in November and take control of the chamber. Democrats currently hold 23 of 50 Senate seats, while the Democratic-controlled House has already approved legalization legislation, though that proposal was rejected by a Republican-controlled Senate committee.
