Below is The Marijuana Herald’s Daily Cannabis News Brief for September 23, 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 Medical Marijuana Sales Reach $10.4 Billion as Active Patient Certifications Rise to 439,124
Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program has reached $10.4 billion in total sales, according to data presented to the state’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board. Active patient certifications increased to 439,124 as of September 1, while total patient registrations reached 1.15 million. The state now has 200 operational dispensaries, and average retail flower prices have fallen roughly 51% since 2021.
Federal Watchdog Finds Gaps in DEA and FDA Drug-Scheduling Policies Amid Marijuana Rescheduling Process
The U.S. Government Accountability Office found significant gaps in written Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) procedures for scheduling controlled substances. GAO found DEA lacks comprehensive internal policies for several scheduling functions, while FDA lacks detailed procedures for eight-factor evaluations. The findings come as DEA continues considering broader marijuana rescheduling.
U.S. House: Bipartisan Federal Bill to Regulate Hemp-Derived THC Beverages Like Alcohol Gains Fifth Sponsor
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) has joined the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act, bringing the bipartisan federal proposal to five sponsors. The bill would establish an alcohol-style regulatory framework for hemp-derived THC beverages, cap products at 5 milligrams of intoxicating THC per serving, restrict sales to adults 21 and older, and impose an 8-cent-per-milligram federal excise tax.
Study Finds THC-CBD Marijuana Extracts Linked to Reduced Pain and Opioid Use in Women With Endometriosis
Women with endometriosis experienced significant reductions in pain, pain days and painkiller use during three months of treatment with balanced THC-CBD oral marijuana extracts, according to a study published in PLOS One. Researchers also documented improvements in fatigue, anxiety, disability and quality of life.
CBD-Chemotherapy Combination Shows Enhanced Activity Against Human Ovarian Cancer Cells
A nanoparticle formulation combining CBD with the chemotherapy drug epirubicin showed dramatically stronger cancer-killing effects against human ovarian cancer cells than epirubicin alone. After 72 hours, the combination reduced cell viability by more than 80% even at the lowest tested concentration, while analysis indicated a strongly synergistic interaction.
Washington Cannabis Regulators Seek Nearly $12 Million for New Marijuana Traceability System
Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board is seeking nearly $12 million in the state’s 2027-29 budget for a new marijuana traceability system and eight full-time equivalent positions. The proposed system would replace the Cannabis Central Reporting System, which officials have described as a stop-gap platform, and could provide more robust real-time tracking of marijuana movements and sales.
Maine Regulators Propose Rules to Launch Medical Cannabis Research Grant Program Funding Clinical and Observational Studies
Maine regulators have proposed rules to launch a long-delayed medical cannabis research grant program that would fund clinical trials, observational studies and other research into marijuana’s medical effectiveness and health effects. Funding would come from the state’s Medical Use of Cannabis Fund, with the rules requiring legislative approval before implementation. A public hearing is scheduled for October 13.
Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge to Connecticut Marijuana Social-Equity Licensing Law, but Leaves Door Open for Revised Lawsuit
A federal judge dismissed a constitutional challenge to Connecticut’s marijuana social-equity licensing system without ruling on the law’s constitutionality. Judge Vernon D. Oliver found that plaintiff Brant Smith had not adequately established standing but dismissed the case without prejudice, allowing him to revise his complaint. Smith has until October 21 to file an amended lawsuit.
Property Crime Fell 34.9% in Massachusetts Communities That Were Among First to Open Recreational Marijuana Stores, Analysis Finds
Property crime fell 34.9% between 2017 and 2025 across 18 Massachusetts communities that were among the first to open recreational marijuana stores, according to an analysis of federal crime records and state licensing data. Property crime declined in every community examined, while violent crime fell 17.2%.
Fisher Clinical Services Seeks DEA Approval to Import Marijuana, THC and Psychedelics for Clinical Trials
Fisher Clinical Services has applied for Drug Enforcement Administration approval to import marijuana extract, marijuana and THC exclusively for clinical trials. The company’s application also covers several Schedule I psychedelics, including MDMA, 5-MeO-DMT, DMT and psilocybin. DEA says the requested registration would authorize use of the listed controlled substances for clinical trials only.
Tennessee Appeals Court Upholds Reinstatement of Sheriff’s Deputy Fired After THC Test, Citing Legal CBD Use
A Tennessee appeals court has upheld the reinstatement of a sheriff’s deputy fired after testing positive for THC, finding sufficient evidence that legally purchased CBD gummies could have caused the result. The court noted that drug testing could not determine whether the THC came from illegal marijuana use or a legal CBD product, and upheld the board’s finding that termination was not justified.
Everything Marijuana Prohibitionists Got Wrong About Legalization
For years, marijuana legalization opponents warned that legal sales would increase youth use and crime, push people toward harder drugs and fail to generate meaningful tax revenue. More than a decade of data from states including Washington, Colorado, California and Massachusetts shows many of those predictions did not materialize, although concerns surrounding impaired driving and illicit markets remain more complicated.
Michigan Judge Keeps Menominee Marijuana Retail Expansion Measure on November Ballot
A Michigan judge rejected a challenge seeking to remove a marijuana retail expansion initiative from Menominee’s November 3 ballot. If approved by voters, the citizen-initiated ordinance would increase the city’s maximum number of recreational marijuana retailers from nine to 13. Michigan law allows local voters to initiate ordinances establishing how many marijuana businesses may operate in a municipality.
Study Finds Marijuana Use Does Not Affect Strength Recovery After Nerve Transfer Surgery
Marijuana use was not associated with worse strength recovery following nerve transfer surgery, according to a study of 49 adults undergoing 67 procedures. Researchers found no significant differences in functional strength outcomes at six, 12, 18 or 24 months based on marijuana use. Younger age and undergoing surgery sooner after injury were more strongly associated with improved outcomes.
Alaska Marijuana Board Advances Numerous Rule Changes on Sampling, Advertising and More, Agrees to Double Purchase Limits for Concentrates and THC in Edibles
Alaska’s Marijuana Control Board advanced a broad package of proposed rule changes covering employee sampling, advertising, packaging, tracking and on-site consumption. Members also agreed on a framework that would double purchase limits to 14 grams of concentrate and 11,200 milligrams of THC in edibles, although that portion requires redrafting before a formal vote. None of the changes are yet final.
Phase III CBD Heart Disease Trial Expands After Blinded Review Finds Fewer Pericarditis Recurrences Than Expected
A Phase III trial examining an oral CBD formulation for recurrent pericarditis is expanding from 110 to as many as 150 participants after a blinded review found fewer disease recurrences than anticipated. Because the trial remains blinded, researchers do not know whether the lower recurrence rate occurred primarily in the CBD group, placebo group or both. The expansion is intended to preserve statistical power.
