OG article by Sarah Atwood January 1, 2026 Wayne State University is conducting a study exploring cannabis as a potential treatment option for U.S. military veterans dealing with various health issues. The research focuses on the therapeutic effects of cannabis compounds in addressing conditions commonly faced by veterans, such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other service-related ailments. Participants include veterans seeking alternative or complementar

OG article by Nakayla McClelland January 1, 2026 Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen decided in early June 2025 to remove firefighters from the Metro Air Support Unit (MASU) helicopter operations due to a county policy change in December 2024 that permits off-duty marijuana use and eliminates random cannabis testing. This decision followed the 2022 helicopter crash that killed three BCSO deputies and a BCFR specialist, prompting Allen to rebuild the unit with heightened safe

OG article by City News Service January 1, 2026 The city of San Diego has initiated a crackdown on smoke shops illegally selling THC-containing products by filing a lawsuit against two businesses—Mira Mesa Smoke and Vape Inc. and Prime Smoke and Vape—and their owners, Wadeea Wadeea and Talin Toma. The suit, brought under the Unfair Competition Law and Uniform Controlled Substances Act, alleges that these shops sold unlicensed cannabis products from concealed back rooms, evadi

OG article by Aaron Houston January 1, 2026 A government-funded study published in Clinical Chemistry reveals that per se THC blood limits in nearly 20 states are leading to the unjust jailing of marijuana users who show no impairment, as THC metabolites linger in the body for days or weeks after use, unlike alcohol. The research, involving 190 heavy cannabis consumers abstaining for 48 hours before measurement and driving simulation, found that regular users often exceed zer

OG article by Eric Peterson January 1, 2026 The Surin family of Schaumburg faces a critical shortage of medical marijuana patches essential for controlling 19-year-old Ashley’s epileptic seizures, with their supply depleting in two weeks after the product ceased production in Illinois. Ashley, who overcame leukemia at age 2 but developed epilepsy, autism, and a concussion-related injury, has relied on these patches—licensed by Mary’s Medicinals and manufactured locally—for ei

OG article by Anthony Martinelli January 1, 2026 On January 1, 2026, new cannabis and hemp laws took effect across multiple U.S. states, emphasizing enhanced regulation and oversight. In Alabama, a comprehensive system for consumable hemp products mandates statewide licensing, testing, labeling, THC limits per serving and package, child-resistant packaging, and restricts sales to licensed in-person retail only, banning online, delivery, and vending; a 10% retail excise tax wa

OG article by Shaun Hegarty December 31, 2025 A push is underway to place a marijuana-related measure on Ohio ballots in November 2026, aiming to overturn recent legislative changes rather than introduce new laws. Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana in 2023, but new regulations enacted this year, including restrictions on hemp products and limits on plant growth, have sparked opposition. Supporters, led by Dennis Willard of a cannabis petition group, argue that polit

OG article by Jay RootBianca Pallaro and Michael Forsythe December 31, 2025 A New York Times investigation reveals connections between Oklahoma cannabis farms and leaders of Chinese diaspora hometown associations in New York City, some with ties to Beijing. In China, marijuana trafficking is punishable by death, but in the U.S., it has become profitable for certain individuals. Botanical Green Farms in Wynnewood, Okla., is among several operations linked to these groups. Th

OG article by Anthony Martinelli December 31, 2025 California’s Department of Cannabis Control has proposed modifications to cannabis cultivation regulations and new statewide sanitation standards, following prior public input. The updates aim to streamline rules, clarify track-and-trace requirements, and mitigate contamination risks from unsanitary handling. Key elements include uniform sanitation standards for licensees in cultivation, processing, or handling of unpackaged

OG article by Anthony Martinelli December 31, 2025 State Senator Alexis Calatayud (R) has introduced Senate Bill 1032 to amend Florida's medical marijuana program. The bill permits qualified physicians to certify up to a 70-day supply of marijuana per order, doubling the existing 35-day limit. Physicians may request exceptions for higher daily dosage and possession limits for smokable forms, requiring electronic submission of patient medical condition details, dosage needs,

OG article by Aaron Houston December 31, 2025 A new federally funded study reveals that medical marijuana use is common among adults with disabilities, with over one in five respondents reporting current cannabis consumption. The primary reason for use is pain relief, cited by more than 70 percent of users, followed by relaxation or tension relief at over 60 percent. Specific conditions addressed include migraines, nausea, muscle spasms, seizures, mental health issues, and s

OG article by Adam Levin December 31, 2025 Adam Levin, former chairman of High Times magazine and a daily cannabis user for 25 years, reflects on his personal experience of recognizing cannabis's subtle risks after quitting. He supports President Donald Trump's December 18, 2025, executive order reclassifying cannabis as a less dangerous substance, which directs federal agencies to modernize policy, confront data, protect youth, and avoid past public health errors. Levin cre