Below is The Marijuana Herald’s Daily Cannabis News Brief for October 15, 2026, sponsored by Trulieve. The Marijuana Herald publishes a new edition every weekday at around 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Previous editions can be found by clicking here.
CBD and Marijuana Terpene Combination Improves Intestinal Barrier Measure by 125% in Cell Study Conducted by USDA Researchers
A combination of CBD and beta-caryophyllene, a terpene found in marijuana, increased an electrical measure of intestinal barrier integrity by 125% compared with untreated control cells. Researchers from the University of Kentucky and U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the findings in the Journal of Animal Science. The combination also altered glucose utilization and the expression of a gene involved in glucose transport.
Study Finds CBD and CBG Protect Brain Cells From Toxic Damage, Identifies Key Receptor Behind Effects
A study published in ChemMedChem found that CBD and CBG protected cultured rat brain cells from toxic injury through a mechanism involving the sigma-1 receptor. Researchers found that blocking this receptor eliminated the protective effects of both cannabinoids. Computer simulations also predicted stable binding between CBD, CBG and the receptor, identifying a potential mechanism behind their neuroprotective properties.
FDA and NIDA Drafting New Federal Drug Scheduling Agreement, Expect Completion by End of 2026
The Food and Drug Administration and National Institute on Drug Abuse are developing a new agreement governing their coordination on federal drug scheduling evaluations. The Department of Health and Human Services told the Government Accountability Office that work began in late 2023, with completion expected by the end of 2026. The agreement would replace a document more than 40 years old.
Maryland to Require Marijuana Dispensaries to Report Sales Tax on Every Transaction Starting November 18
Maryland marijuana dispensaries must begin reporting sales tax information for every retail transaction recorded in the state’s Metrc tracking system on November 18. Transactions missing the required information will automatically be rejected. The requirement covers recreational and medical sales, although qualifying medical transactions may report $0 in tax. Recreational marijuana purchases remain subject to the state’s 12% sales tax.
Nevada Regulators Approve Vireo Growth’s Acquisition of Planet 13 Holdings
The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board approved Vireo Growth’s proposed acquisition of Planet 13 Holdings and its Nevada subsidiaries during its October 15 meeting. The transaction would substantially expand Vireo’s marijuana operations, adding dozens of dispensaries and major cultivation and production assets. Regulators also approved Vireo’s proposed acquisition of Clover Creek Organics, a separate Nevada marijuana business.
DEA Cites Marijuana Rescheduling Legal Standard in New Federal Scheduling Notice
The Drug Enforcement Administration explicitly referenced the Justice Department’s 2024 legal opinion supporting marijuana rescheduling in a new Federal Register notice concerning kratom-related substances. The notice discusses the revised federal standard for determining whether a substance has an accepted medical use, including the two-part approach developed by the Department of Health and Human Services that supported marijuana’s proposed move to Schedule III.
Marijuana Property Insurance Rates Drop at Least 20% Since 2025, but Federal Rescheduling Has Yet to Attract New Insurers
Marijuana property insurance rates have declined at least 20% compared with 2025, according to insurance industry data presented October 14 to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Cannabis Insurance Working Group. Directors-and-officers liability rates have fallen 20% to 25%, while cyber insurance rates have declined approximately 15% for businesses with strong security controls. No new insurers have entered the market because of federal marijuana rescheduling.
Three Oklahoma Marijuana Laws Take Effect November 1, Changing Employment Protections, Edibles and THC Classification
Three Oklahoma laws taking effect November 1 will change employment protections for medical marijuana patients, restrict edible marijuana products and revise the state’s classification of THC. One measure expands employers’ authority to take action following positive marijuana tests, while another strengthens restrictions on edibles designed to appeal to children. A third moves tetrahydrocannabinols from Schedule III to Schedule I under state law.
Nebraska Proposes Removing Schedule I Classification From Medical Marijuana Product Labels
Nebraska regulators are proposing to eliminate the requirement that medical marijuana packaging display the warning “SCHEDULE I CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.” The proposed change follows April’s federal rescheduling of qualifying medical marijuana products. The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission scheduled an October 15 public hearing on the proposal, which is part of a larger package addressing licensing fees, renewals and operational requirements.
Illinois to Enforce New Hemp THC Restrictions November 12 Despite Federal Delay
Illinois will begin enforcing new restrictions on hemp-derived THC products November 12, despite the federal government postponing many comparable restrictions until December 11. Products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will be regulated as marijuana and restricted to licensed dispensaries. The Illinois Department of Revenue confirmed the enforcement date in an October 14 bulletin.
Cronos Completes €57.5 Million Acquisition of Dutch Marijuana Producer CanAdelaar
Cronos Group has completed its acquisition of CanAdelaar, the largest marijuana producer participating in the Netherlands’ regulated recreational marijuana pilot program. The transaction carries a base price of €57.5 million, subject to adjustments and additional performance-based payments. CanAdelaar operates a 540,000-square-foot greenhouse and supplies nearly all 69 coffee shops participating in the Dutch program.
Massachusetts Sets New Requirements for Marijuana License Extensions, Caps Them at One Year
Massachusetts marijuana regulators have established new requirements for businesses requesting license extensions while securing compliant host community agreements. Extensions are now limited to 365 days, with applicants required to remain current on state taxes, file required returns and pay prorated licensing fees. The Cannabis Control Commission will stop granting these extensions after November 9, 2027.
Three-Year Study Finds Hemp Plants Can Be Shortened 14% Without Significantly Reducing Seed Yields
A three-year study published in Agronomy found that trimming the tops of industrial hemp plants reduced their height by 14% without significantly affecting seed yields or quality. Researchers in Italy tested three hemp cultivars between 2023 and 2025, finding that the technique could make hemp easier to harvest using conventional agricultural machinery, potentially improving efficiency for commercial growers.
Aurora Cannabis in Talks With Multiple Parties as It Rejects Curaleaf’s Revised $5-Per-Share Takeover Bid
Aurora Cannabis has rejected Curaleaf Holdings’ revised $5-per-share takeover proposal while revealing that multiple other parties are evaluating potential transactions involving the company. Aurora says it has entered confidentiality agreements and held discussions with interested groups. Its board unanimously concluded that Curaleaf’s increased offer still significantly undervalues the company and is urging shareholders not to tender their shares.
California Appeals Court Sides With Marijuana Dispensary in Lawsuit Over THC Gummy Recommended for Anxiety
A California appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against a marijuana dispensary accused of recommending a THC gummy for anxiety that allegedly caused a six-hour panic attack and lasting health problems. In its October 13 ruling, the court found that the customer’s adverse reaction did not establish that the dispensary employee knowingly made false statements about the product.
