Daily Cannabis News Brief for 8/24/2026

Medical cannabis was associated with improvements in pain, sleep, quality of life and nighttime urinary symptoms among people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. The prospective study followed patients for three months, although researchers said randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the findings.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is considering applications from California-based Biopharmaceutical Research Company to import flowering marijuana and cannabis derivatives and manufacture pharmaceutical-grade marijuana for research, including clinical trials. The applications were disclosed in Federal Register notices published August 24.

Seventeen percent of U.S. adults say they smoke marijuana, tying the record high reported by Gallup in 2023 and more than doubling the 7% recorded in 2013. Meanwhile, cigarette smoking remains at a record low of 11%, while 15% of adults report consuming marijuana edibles.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission will accept new applications for its Social Equity Program from September 1 through November 30. The free statewide program provides technical assistance and training to people disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement, with four virtual application clinics planned to assist prospective applicants.

Australia has banned the upcoming video game Halloween: The Game because players can smoke marijuana to temporarily reveal the location of Michael Myers, providing a gameplay advantage. Australian classification rules prohibit games from rewarding illicit drug use, leading regulators to refuse the game classification despite its graphic violence.

Aurora Cannabis is disputing claims made by Curaleaf Holdings in support of its hostile takeover bid, arguing that Curaleaf has understated the strength of Aurora’s international medical marijuana business. Aurora highlighted 17% year-over-year growth in international revenue and again urged shareholders to take no action while its board reviews the offer.

Curaleaf Holdings has responded to Aurora Cannabis’ rejection of its hostile takeover bid, accusing the company of misleading shareholders and highlighting selective performance figures. “Aurora’s hollow protests and completely misleading statistics change nothing about reality,” Curaleaf said. The company defended its offer as providing a substantial premium and said it remains willing to meet with Aurora to discuss a potential agreement.

Ohio retailers sold approximately $777 million worth of legal marijuana between January 3 and August 21, a roughly 28% increase from the same period in 2025. All-time sales have surpassed $4.15 billion, including $1.75 billion from nonmedical marijuana and $2.40 billion from medical marijuana.

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) reduced several markers of brain inflammation and improved insulin signaling in rats fed a high-fat diet, according to a study published in Inflammopharmacology. Researchers also observed reduced expression of BACE1, increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and decreased amyloid-beta deposition in part of the brain.

Hemp seed polysaccharides improved red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit while reducing spleen damage in an animal model of blood deficiency syndrome, according to a study published in Food Research International. Polysaccharides extracted from stir-fried hemp seeds generally produced stronger effects and altered the composition of the gut microbiota.