Feds finalize Medicare CBD coverage rule, hemp industry operative says (Newsletter: February 16, 2026) – Marijuana Moment
Congress Should Delay The Federal Hemp Ban And Instead Enact Regulations For THC And CBD Products (Op-Ed)
Missouri Bill To Restrict Hemp THC Products Stalls Amid Senate Filibuster
Colorado Officials Weigh Changes To How Marijuana Is Sampled For Testing To Help Avoid Fraud
New Farm Bill Released By GOP Committee Chair Aims To Reduce Hemp Industry ‘Regulatory Burdens’
Trump Pardons Former NFL Star Convicted Of Trafficking 175 Pounds Of Marijuana
AI Models Like ChatGPT Can Generate ‘Convincingly Realistic’ Psychedelic Experiences When Virtually Dosed, Study Shows
Cannabis-Infused Drinks Offer Consumers A ‘Harm Reduction’ Alternative To Alcohol, Study Shows
Marijuana Use Isn’t A ‘Red Flag’ In The Dating Scene, Three In Four Americans Say In New Survey
10 Million US Adults Microdosed Psychedelics Last Year, New Report Shows
Marijuana’s Restrictive Federal Classification Isn’t Supported By Science, New Study Concludes
DEA Promotes Anti-Marijuana PSA Contest Inviting Students To Warn Peers About THC Dangers On 4/20
Largest Entertainment Arena In US Partners With Cannabis Businesses To Sell THC Drinks At Concerts And Live Events
Woody Harrelson Got Kicked Out Of Two Bars For Smoking Marijuana With Matthew McConaughey’s Mom
State Marijuana Regulators Share Tips On How To Stay Safe And Legal Around The Holidays
One In Three Americans ‘Pre-Game’ With Marijuana Before Family Holiday Gatherings, Survey Finds
Montana Retailers Have Sold More Than $1 Billion Worth Of Recreational Marijuana Since Legalization Took Effect
Pre-Rolls Are A Key Driver Of The Cannabis Retail Market’s Success (Op-Ed)
Massachusetts Hits $10 Billion Marijuana Sales Milestone, With Top Official Saying Consumption Lounges Will Bolster Industry In 2026
Ohio Dispensaries Sold More Than $1 Billion Worth Of Legal Marijuana In 2025
Marijuana Consumers Are More Likely To Shop At Target Following Decision To Sell Cannabis-Infused Drinks, Poll Shows
Feds finalize Medicare CBD coverage rule, hemp industry operative says (Newsletter: February 16, 2026)
FDA head discusses cannabis benefits & concerns (Newsletter: February 13, 2026)
Cannabis businesses’ lawsuit against feds is dismissed (Newsletter: February 12, 2026)
Cannabis not a “priority” for Trump DOJ, GOP congressman says (Newsletter: February 11, 2026)
Trump was misled on cannabis rescheduling, GOP senator says (Newsletter: February 10, 2026)
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Trump pardons NFL star for marijuana; New Farm Bill hemp provisions; VA cannabis sales legalization; MD psychedelics; CO medical marijuana access
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has finalized a rule to provide federal health insurance coverage for CBD, according to an executive with the hemp product company Charlotte’s Web, which has been collaborating with the agency on the initiative.
President Donald Trump pardoned former NFL player Nate Newton over a conviction for trafficking 175 pounds of marijuana, as advocates point out that there are still people in federal prison for lesser amounts of cannabis than that.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) filed a new Farm Bill that “reduces regulatory burdens” for industrial hemp producers—including by reducing testing and background check requirements and establishing a process to accredit testing labs.
The Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee amended and approved a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales, sending it to a floor vote as similar legislation with key differences is also advancing toward passage in the House of Delegates.
The Colorado Senate Health & Human Services Committee approved a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities such as hospitals.
The Maryland Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on a bill to extend the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances for another year and require a new report with updated recommendations to ensure “broad, equitable and affordable access to psychedelic substances.”
Steph Sherer of Americans for Safe Access argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the FY2026 federal budget is largely a “letdown” for medical cannabis patients who need “comprehensive federal legislation that creates a national medical cannabis framework to recognize cannabis-based therapies as part of modern healthcare.”
A Missouri bill to restrict hemp THC products stalled amid a filibuster on the Senate floor.
The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division is considering changing rules that allow cannabis companies to choose their own product samples for testing by instead requiring independent labs or outside vendors to select them.
Mike Simpson of Lovewell Farms argues in a new op-ed that Congress should delay the impending recriminalization of hemp THC products and give officials more time to “regulate with evidence rather than panic.”
/ FEDERAL
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he “used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats.”
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and 16 cosponsors filed a resolution noting that “the United States-backed drug war, along with economic displacement attributable in part to United States-sponsored free trade agreements, resulted in another major wave of migration from Central America and Mexico during the first two decades of the 2000s.”
The House bill to create a pathway for patients to access Schedule I drugs got one new cosponsor for a total of 15.
/ STATES
The Oregon Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health approved a bill to limit cannabis edible to 10 milligrams of THC.
The Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee deferred a bill to criminalize possession of marijuana products outside the original sealed container in the passenger area of a vehicle until next year.
Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation to decriminalize drug checking tools.
Washington State House Democrats sent a press release about the passage of a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities.
A New York senator explained why he voted against legislation to provide greater zoning flexibility for marijuana businesses.
Colorado regulators issued an expanded health and safety advisory about marijuana products with aspergillus, yeast and mold above acceptable limits.
Massachusetts regulators published guidance on enrolling in the medical cannabis program.
New Jersey regulators took action on alleged marijuana business violations.
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office published a report about the budget request for the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel.
The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday.
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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 25-year veteran in the cannabis and drug law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana, psychedelics and other substances. He previously reported for Forbes, Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and was given the Hunter S. Thompson Media Award by NORML and has been named Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access. As an activist, Tom founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority and handled media relations, campaigns and lobbying for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
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