Supreme Court schedules cannabis case argument (Newsletter: January 5, 2026)

OG article by Tom Angell

January 5, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court has set oral arguments for March 2, 2026, in a case challenging federal restrictions on gun ownership for marijuana users. Meanwhile, a Congressional Research Service report indicates that rescheduling cannabis would relax advertising rules for the industry but not resolve most consumer penalties, like gun rights loss or employment barriers.

The anti-reform group Smart Approaches to Marijuana has retained former Attorney General Bill Barr to lead a lawsuit against rescheduling and petition to return cannabis to Schedule I. In Massachusetts, lawmakers formed a committee to reconcile bills doubling possession limits and restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission. New York reported over $1.5 billion in 2025 legal marijuana sales, with dispensaries nearly doubling.

Federally, the Ninth Circuit upheld residency requirements for cannabis licenses in Washington and California, ruling the dormant commerce clause inapplicable to illegal markets. State updates include Alabama's hemp restrictions, Tennessee's reform support, and various regulatory meetings. Locally, a New Mexico sheriff penalized firefighters for off-duty cannabis use. International news involves Venezuelan charges, while studies explore cannabinoids for cancer and pain. Business notes include StickIt Technologies adjustments. The newsletter urges support for ongoing cannabis policy coverage.