Daily Cannabis News Brief for 9/28/2026

Below is The Marijuana Herald’s Daily Cannabis News Brief for September 28, 2026. The Marijuana Herald publishes a new edition every weekday at around 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Previous editions can be found by clicking here.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring marijuana retailers to provide customers with laboratory results upon request and strengthening regulators’ access to products for independent testing. A separate measure excludes qualifying cannabinol (CBN) isolate from the state’s cannabis-concentrate definition beginning January 1, 2028. The bills also address laboratory performance evaluations, enforcement and marijuana tracking requirements.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to consider today whether to hear a Michigan case challenging the absence of a numerical THC impairment threshold. Ricky Darnell Patterson argues that drivers lack adequate notice of what THC concentration could expose them to prosecution. The conference concerns whether to accept the case, rather than a ruling on the underlying challenge.

Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) has become the second cosponsor of the bipartisan Cannabis Users’ Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act. The legislation would prevent past marijuana use from disqualifying applicants for federal employment or security clearances. It would also establish a process for reconsidering certain previous denials, with agencies required to review requests within 90 days.

New Jersey regulators are seeking an independent expert to analyze marijuana testing data for evidence of lab shopping and questionable potency or contaminant results. The contract, capped at $50,000, would establish twice-yearly analyses and recommendations following an audit that identified oversight failures. Proposals are due October 22 at 3 p.m. ET.

A Maryland law taking effect Thursday, October 1, protects veterinarians from professional discipline solely for discussing or recommending marijuana or CBD products for animals’ potential therapeutic benefit or health supplementation. Governor Wes Moore signed the legislation in April. The law addresses disciplinary authority without establishing a veterinary marijuana dispensing program or granting new prescribing authority.

High Tide ranked No. 315 among 375 businesses on the 2026 Report on Business list of Canada’s Top Growing Companies, marking its sixth consecutive appearance. The marijuana company recorded 66% revenue growth from 2022 through 2025 and said adjusted EBITDA increased 161%. High Tide operates the Canna Cabana retail chain, with 232 Canadian locations.

Philadelphia’s marijuana decriminalization policy reduced monthly arrests by 78% and saves an estimated $3.75 million annually in enforcement costs, Assistant District Attorney Shawn Baldwin told Pennsylvania lawmakers Friday. Monthly arrests have remained below 100 since 2015. Baldwin said the reductions allow police, prosecutors and courts to devote more resources to serious offenses.

The 119th Congress now has 34 standalone marijuana, hemp or cannabinoid-focused measures pending. The list has grown over the past month with new proposals addressing federal employment and security clearances and marijuana business insurance, while several existing bills have gained sponsors. The MORE Act continues to lead all measures with 75 total sponsors.

A Maryland law protecting firefighters, paramedics and other covered rescue workers from employment discrimination over lawful medical marijuana use takes effect Thursday, October 1. Employers generally cannot discipline or fire covered workers solely for holding a valid medical marijuana certification or testing positive for marijuana, although on-duty use and impairment can still be prohibited.

At least 17 cannabis studies published in 2026 have examined anxiety or included it as a meaningful outcome, according to research covered by The Marijuana Herald. The studies include human clinical and observational research as well as animal experiments involving marijuana, CBD, THC and other cannabinoids, with findings spanning anxiety associated with chronic pain, autism, cancer, endometriosis and other conditions.

Spain imported 25,730 kilograms of marijuana during the first six months of 2026, approaching the 26,883 kilograms imported throughout 2025, according to government data. Imports also exceeded first-half exports of 18,305 kilograms. Portugal supplied more than 40% of imported marijuana, underscoring Spain’s role as a processing and production center for Europe’s medical marijuana industry.

Trulieve announced a perpetual, royalty-free agreement granting exclusive rights to produce and sell Alien Labs and Connected marijuana products in Florida and Texas. The deal covers genetics, trademarks and production knowledge while expanding an existing Florida partnership. A Texas launch remains subject to licensing and regulatory approvals. The companies did not disclose the agreement’s financial value.