OG article by Lauren Brensel and Amanda Friedman January 2, 2026 President Donald Trump has announced plans to deregulate marijuana by accelerating its rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III, allowing easier research, reduced taxes for cannabis businesses, and potential Medicare coverage for certain CBD products in pilots. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supports the move, praising cannabis compounds for treating chronic pain, PTSD, and epilepsy, while acknowled

OG article by Austin Pratt January 2, 2026 Senate Bill 1 in Alabama proposes stricter regulations on hemp and cannabinoid products, restricting sales of certain psychoactive cannabinoids to licensed pharmacies only. This builds on 2025's House Bill 445, which imposed manufacturing, distribution, and sales rules but faced criticism for effectively banning many consumable hemp items. Sponsor Sen. April Weaver aims for tight controls to limit access. Marty Schelper, president o

OG article by Anthony Martinelli January 2, 2026 The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for March 2, 2026, in U.S. v. Hemani, a case contesting the federal prohibition on firearm possession by marijuana users under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3). This law prevents individuals who use federally illegal drugs, including cannabis, from owning or buying guns. The defendant, Ali Danial Hemani, successfully argued in a lower court that the ban infringes on Second Amendment rig

OG article by Julia Tellman January 2, 2026 Researchers at the University of Washington's Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences are undertaking a groundbreaking study on health hazards in the cannabis industry, driven by recent legalization and historically limited research due to federal Schedule I status. Funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the project—led by principal investigators Christopher Simpson and Coralynn Sack

OG article by Kyle Jaeger January 2, 2026 The U.S. Supreme Court has set oral arguments for March 2, 2026, in the case U.S. v. Hemani, challenging the federal law that prohibits marijuana users from possessing or purchasing firearms under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3). This statute bars individuals who unlawfully use controlled substances, including cannabis, from gun ownership. The case stems from a lower court ruling that deemed the ban unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.

OG article by Austin Pratt January 2, 2026 A new bill introduced in the Alabama Statehouse, House Bill 72, seeks to classify the act of smoking or vaping marijuana in a vehicle with a child present as a Class-A misdemeanor. This applies regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or parked, and even if windows are down. Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Sellers, the legislation responds to concerns raised by educators and school administrators about children being exposed to secondh

OG article by Brady Hix January 2, 2026 Local nurse Hannah Jones, neurologist Dr. Juan Gonzalez, and pharmacist Jason Sneed have opened The Healing Card and Elevated Rx, Dalton's first medical cannabis pharmacy, at 1507 Professional Court. Partnering with Botanical Sciences in Marietta for supply, the facility provides regulated medical cannabis for qualifying conditions including chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, Parkinson’s, ALS, Crohn’s, and more. Patients qualify via approved

OG article by Madeline Colli, Erin McEvoy January 2, 2026 The 2025 medical cannabis landscape featured significant research, regulatory, and clinical progress. Studies highlighted cannabis as a potential alternative to opioids for chronic pain and overdose reduction, though limitations in ecological designs tempered conclusions on mechanisms and legalization effects. Kentucky launched its medical cannabis program on January 1, 2025, targeting opioid reduction and relief for

OG article by Anthony Martinelli January 2, 2026 A randomized clinical trial published in Headache shows that vaporized marijuana flower combining THC and CBD significantly outperforms placebo for acute migraine treatment. Researchers from the University of California San Diego Health System enrolled 92 adults with migraine in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Participants treated up to four attacks using four formulations: THC-dominant (6% delta-9 THC), CB

OG article by Anthony Martinelli January 2, 2026 Research published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences shows that cannabinoids CBD, CBN, and THC have selective antibacterial effects against key dental pathogens associated with persistent endodontic infections. Scientists from University of Detroit Mercy tested these compounds against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum—bacteria often resistant to standard root canal treatm

OG article by Anthony Martinelli January 2, 2026 A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences demonstrates that cannabidiol (CBD) shows selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells with minimal impact on non-cancerous cells. Researchers from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Mexico tested CBD on three human cancer cell lines: HeLa (cervical), MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative breast), and CaCo-2 (colorectal). These were exposed to CBD concentrations of 5

OG article by IM Cannabis Corp. January 2, 2026 IM Cannabis Corp. (Nasdaq: IMCC), a medical cannabis company active in Israel and Germany, announced on December 30, 2025, its exploration of opportunities to enter the U.S. cannabis market. This move follows President Donald Trump's executive order signed on December 18, 2025, directing the Attorney General to accelerate rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The order recog