Pax Cannabica: How the Plant Became a Geopolitical Tool in a World at War
Cannabis is quietly emerging as a geopolitical tool in 2026, reshaping global trade, diplomacy and soft power amid energy crises and shifting alliances. From U.S. policy shifts to exports in Latin America and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, the plant is increasingly positioned as a strategic asset in a changing world order. Rarely, perhaps not since […]
Nebraska Officials React To Federal Marijuana Rescheduling As State Slowly Implements Voter-Approved Legalization
“My stance on this issue has been clear. I remain committed to combatting the growing public health and safety threat marijuana poses.” By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner After the Trump administration federally downgraded medical marijuana to a less dangerous classification of drug on Thursday, Nebraska federal and state representatives remained largely noncommittal. Advocates, meanwhile, said […]
Buddhist Monks Caught Smuggling $3.6M in Weed Through Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan authorities arrested 22 individuals after uncovering a sophisticated cannabis trafficking operation involving Buddhist monks carrying over 220 pounds of weed hidden under their robes. The case raises questions about recruitment tactics, deception, and the exploitation of religious trust in organized drug networks. Buddhist monks with pounds and pounds of weed, carefully distributed under […]
Indiana GOP Governor Directs State Agencies To Meet With Medical Marijuana Advocates As Federal Rescheduling Takes Effect
Indiana state officials are holding a series of meetings with medical marijuana advocates at the direction of the Republican governor. One day after the Trump administration announced that federal cannabis rescheduling is moving forward, officials from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and other state agencies sat down with Hoosier Veterans […]
Matt Zorn and the Next Phase of America’s Drug Policy Revolution
By Hirsh Jain via Cannabis Confidential newsletter. Subscribe here. How Zorn’s trajectory from litigator to policymaker echoes Thurgood Marshall. As we look back on the most consequential week in the modern history of American drug policy, much of the attention and fanfare has focused on President Trump, and for good reason. Trump displayed a unique […]
Wisconsin Democratic Candidates For Governor Call For Marijuana Legalization
“Wisconsin is falling behind. Legalizing marijuana is about fairness, growth, and common sense.” By Benjamin Yount, The Center Square There was lots of pot talk on social media in Wisconsin on Monday. A number of Democrats, including two of the leading candidates for governor, took to X to push for legal marijuana on 4/20. “It’s […]
Arkansas Attorney General Certifies Law Restricting Hemp-Derived THC Products
“These drugs honestly have been always illegal, but we brought clarity to the law and we brought reinforcement to the law.” By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (R) on Wednesday formally cleared the way for the state to enforce a law regulating hemp-derived products following the conclusion of litigation challenging an earlier […]
Congressional Committee Directs Federal Agencies To Study State Marijuana Laws
A key congressional committee issued a directive this week for federal agencies to study the “adequacy” of state marijuana laws and to assess methods for “preventing diversion of state legal cannabis product into jurisdictions that do not permit the use of cannabis.” The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved spending legislation and related reports, one […]
Pennsylvania Governor Says Trump’s Marijuana Rescheduling Move Is An ‘Important Step’ That Helps The Push To Legalize In The State
“Practically every one of our neighbors has legalized marijuana and is benefiting from hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and revenue.” By John Cole, The Center Square Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) thinks the Trump administration took an “important step” on Thursday after it redefined how the federal government classifies medical marijuana. Acting […]
Federal Officials Announce Plan For ‘Accelerating’ Access To Psychedelics For Patients With Mental Health Conditions Following Trump’s Order
Federal health officials are taking steps that they say will help with “accelerating” therapeutic access to psychedelics for patients dealing with serious mental health conditions. Following President Donald Trump’s signing an executive order aimed at expanding and expediting research on the medical benefits of psychedelics, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday announced a series […]