D.C. cites federal appeals court ruling in ongoing cannabis licensing lawsuit
The District of Columbia is urging a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its cannabis licensing system by citing a recent Ninth Circuit ruling that upheld residency-based restrictions in Washington State and Sacramento. The appellate court found that the dormant Commerce Clause does not apply to cannabis markets because marijuana remains illegal under federal law, strengthening D.C.’s argument that similar claims in its case should fail as the court weighs a pending motion to dismiss.
- The next ABC Board meeting is April 22, 2026: watch, agenda.
- Catch up on the April 8 disposition.
Virginia’s cannabis faces ongoing testing challenges ahead of retail launch
As Virginia prepares to launch its long-anticipated adult-use cannabis retail market, significant challenges remain around product testing and impairment detection, particularly due to the lack of reliable THC testing standards. Unlike alcohol, there is no scientifically validated method to accurately measure cannabis intoxication in real time, and current tools such as THC breathalyzers are not considered dependable. Experts also note broader inconsistencies in cannabis testing regulations across jurisdictions, raising concerns about product safety, lab standards, and enforcement readiness as legalization approaches.
- Catch up on the next CCA meeting is April 8, 2026 here.
- Virginia’s governor signed bills creating a conditional pathway for psilocybin to become legal in the state if the FDA approves a therapeutic formulation.
- A separate state campaign launched to discourage driving after cannabis use amid ongoing concerns about impaired-driving safety as Virginia prepares for broader cannabis market changes.
- A Cato Institute article argues that Virginia’s recent crackdown on intoxicating hemp products represents a return to prohibition-era policies, contending that the state’s new restrictions effectively eliminate much of the legal hemp-derived cannabinoid market created after the 2018 Farm Bill and will likely push consumers toward unregulated or illicit alternatives rather than improving public safety.
Baltimore’s $35 million cannabis reparations fund has not reached residents yet
Baltimore has received more than $35 million in cannabis tax revenue intended for reparations and community reinvestment tied to harms from the war on drugs, but none of the funds have yet reached residents due to an ongoing dispute between City Hall and the city’s Community Reinvestment and Reparations Commission over control of the program and its distribution process. Officials have not finalized a spending plan or governance structure, meaning the first payouts could still be delayed for up to another year despite the fund’s establishment and the significant revenue already accumulated.
- A reflective culture column explored cannabis, energy use, and environmental impacts of indoor cannabis cultivation, especially its reliance on fossil-fuel-based electricity.
- A defendant has pleaded guilty in a nationwide marijuana-related money laundering scheme involving illegal financial operations tied to cannabis proceeds, including activity connected to Maryland.
- Maryland lawmakers advanced a bill extending the state’s psychedelics task force through 2027 to continue studying potential medical and regulatory frameworks for substances like psilocybin.
ICYMI: D.C. shuts down three unlicensed shops as cannabis drinks bill advances
East Coast Roundup
Massachusetts lawmakers are advancing reforms aimed at restructuring cannabis oversight and strengthening the Cannabis Control Commission amid ongoing concerns about regulation, licensing efficiency, and market performance.
North Carolina lawmakers continue to debate cannabis legalization, but the state has not yet moved to full legalization and remains in an incremental policy discussion phase.
Pennsylvania’s governor is emphasizing that legalizing cannabis could generate significant tax revenue intended to fund programs supporting children and public safety initiatives.
Culture & More
Federal policy discussions are exploring whether Medicare could begin covering certain CBD-based products under new or expanded healthcare reimbursement frameworks.
Scientific reporting highlights how THC can impair short–term memory formation and recall, explaining the neurological mechanisms behind cannabis-related memory effects.
Researchers are developing a low-cost 3D-printed device that could potentially serve as a roadside THC “breathalyzer” to help law enforcement assess impairment.
Around the Country
Alabama is nearing the opening of its first licensed medical cannabis dispensary, marking a key milestone in the state’s rollout of its medical program.
Colorado’s mature cannabis market is showing signs of declining sales and pricing pressure as competition, saturation, and shifting consumer dynamics reshape the industry.
A legal challenge is underway against Texas’ ban on smokeable hemp products, with opponents arguing the policy overreaches and threatens parts of the state’s hemp industry.
Businesses in Minnesota are assessing how evolving federal hemp and THC regulations could affect state markets, compliance requirements, and product availability.
From the swamp
A White House-led cannabis enforcement policy meeting focused on CBD products signals early federal efforts to coordinate and standardize how CBD is regulated—particularly around safety standards, labeling, and enforcement consistency—rather than advancing broader cannabis legalization or rescheduling policy.
A Trump advisor suggests that internal or administrative delays are slowing progress on federal cannabis rescheduling decisions, despite ongoing political attention to the issue.
