420 with CNW — Marijuana Firms Boost Security Measures Amid Increasing Robberies

Cannabis retailers across Michigan are tightening security as robberies and break-ins continue to spike in waves, prompting concern among business owners and law enforcement officials alike.

Law enforcement officials say the pattern has become familiar since the state approved recreational marijuana sales in 2018 and the first licensed stores began operating the following year. Steve Hinkley, Calhoun County Sheriff, noted that dispensary burglaries tend to spike suddenly, often involving several locations within a short period, before tapering off for months. According to Hinkley, these episodes have occurred repeatedly over the past several years.

Southeast Michigan has seen the highest concentration of incidents. A report from the Detroit Metro Times documented at least 75 dispensary break-ins in Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland counties since January 2024. The publication noted that the total is likely higher as not every case is publicly reported.

The same report found that at least 22 burglaries took place during the first quarter of 2025, with most occurring in the Metro Detroit area.

Similar crimes have been reported elsewhere in the state. In Grand Rapids, Noxx Cannabis was robbed at gunpoint in November 2025. Four people recently faced charges in Battle Creek for a break-in at Potter’s Cannabis Boutique. Monroe police also made arrests last summer following a break-in at a dispensary there.

Hinkley noted that these crimes are often driven by organized efforts rather than impulsive theft. Stolen marijuana is frequently resold at prices well below market value, allowing offenders to quickly profit and fund additional break-ins.

The tactics used in dispensary robberies vary, but many involve weapons, adding to the risks faced by employees and customers. As a result, marijuana businesses have increasingly invested in advanced safety systems designed to limit access and quickly alert authorities.

At Flora Cannabis Co. in Lansing, staff rely on multiple layers of protection. Panic buttons are placed throughout the store, triggering silent alerts to police while also activating an audible alarm inside the building. The dispensary uses a controlled entry system that allows staff to unlock doors remotely. In the event of a robbery, employees are instructed to fully cooperate to avoid injury.

Detroit-based Green Acres Cannabis has also upgraded its security. The front entrance remains locked at all times, and customers are admitted through a remotely operated exterior gate. The business recently changed access codes and enhanced outdoor surveillance to further reduce risk.

Law enforcement agencies statewide are coordinating with the industry to address the issue. Ronald Wiles, executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said departments continue to investigate each case while encouraging prevention through better safeguards.

These challenges come from transacting in cash, so the problems above aren’t unique to Michigan. Even entities like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) in other states have had to implement elaborate security measures to limit the likelihood of being targeted by criminals.

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of an article each business day at 4:20 p.m. Eastern – a tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. The concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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420 with CNW — Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bill Enabling Recreational Cannabis Sales

Virginia legislators have advanced legislation that would legalize and oversee adult-use marijuana sales in the state. The proposal is one of several drug policy measures being debated during the 2026 legislative session.

The bill, sponsored by Delegate Paul Krizek, cleared the House General Laws Committee with a 19–2 vote. The legislation had already advanced through a Senate committee and a House subcommittee last week and will now move to the House Appropriations Committee before potentially reaching the full chamber for consideration.

During the committee hearing, Delegate Adele McClure, who chairs the committee, noted that the proposal creates a detailed framework for regulating recreational marijuana in Virginia. She explained that the bill sets rules for retail operations, establishes penalties for violations, and includes measures aimed at addressing the long-term impacts of marijuana prohibition on communities.

McClure also highlighted revisions adopted in a substitute version of the measure. Those changes, she said, strengthen penalties for unlawful marijuana sales and alter the structure of the board that governs the state Cannabis Control Authority.

Virginia legalized possession and limited home cultivation of marijuana in 2021, but efforts to establish a commercial system have repeatedly stalled. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed bills that would have created a retail market, preventing implementation despite support from the Democratic-controlled legislature.

Under the House measure, legal sales of recreational cannabis could begin as early as Nov. 1, 2026. That timeline is more aggressive than in the Senate companion bill, which sets a start date of Jan. 1, 2027. Krizek acknowledged the difference and said lawmakers would need to resolve it during conference negotiations.

If enacted, the legislation would allow adults to buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per transaction, or an equivalent amount of other marijuana products as defined by regulators. Individual servings would be limited to 10 milligrams of THC, with a maximum of 100 milligrams per package.

A tax rate of up to 12.625% would apply to marijuana sales, combining state taxes with an optional local levy. Revenue would fund regulatory operations, early childhood education, public health programs, and substance use treatment and prevention programs.

Local governments would not be allowed to prohibit cannabis businesses, and delivery services would be permitted statewide.

The bill also calls for further study of on-site consumption permits, temporary sales at events, and the possible involvement of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority in cannabis oversight.

New Governor Abigail Spanberger has voiced support for legal recreational cannabis sales, arguing that the current legal landscape is confusing for residents. She has said the lack of a clear system creates uncertainty for both medical patients and individuals seeking to comply with personal use laws, underscoring the need for a regulated marketplace.

If this legislation is eventually implemented, it could create opportunities for entrepreneurs to form companies like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) focused on providing licensed products to adults who wish to consume marijuana legally without having to grow their own plants.

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420 with CNW — Lessons That Successful Marijuana Retailers Have Learned

Mike Khemmoro expected the launch of Mango Cannabis’ New Buffalo store in Michigan to follow a familiar playbook. As chief operating officer of the small multistate company, which operates retail locations across four states, he anticipated the usual challenges that come with opening a new dispensary. What he did not expect was a sudden change in state tax policy just days before opening.

Michigan’s decision to introduce a 24% wholesale tax starting January 1 forced Khemmoro and his team to rethink their strategy. The market was already crowded with large, established competitors, and prices had been under pressure for years. Opening with limited inventory was not an option, but neither was losing ground on margins.

To stay competitive, Mango significantly increased its opening order. Khemmoro said the company purchased roughly three times the inventory it would normally carry at launch. Without that adjustment, he said, the store would have started off at a serious disadvantage.

Operators often face rising costs and delays well before their first sale. Many say these issues become clear only after they are deep into the process.

Fadi Boumitri, chief executive of Ohio-based Ascension Biomedical, learned this lesson while planning the launch of Roam Dispensary. Boumitri believed he had secured an ideal location, only to discover that local zoning rules made the site unusable. Ohio law requires marijuana retailers to maintain a 500-foot distance from certain locations, including schools, parks, churches, and libraries.

In Boumitri’s case, a nearby office building housed a church that used part of the space once a week for services. That was enough to disqualify the site. After months of work with brokers and negotiations, Boumitri had to abandon the plan and start over elsewhere.

Even after navigating state regulations, operators must pay close attention to local rules. Counties and cities often impose their own restrictions, from caps on the number of licenses to detailed security standards. These requirements can significantly increase construction costs.

In New York, cannabis regulators require surveillance cameras at all entrances, exits, and points of sale, with footage capable of clearly identifying individuals. Meeting these standards can be expensive. High-quality camera systems alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars, according to industry consultants. Overall startup expenses for a cannabis store can range from several hundred thousand dollars to well over a million, depending on location and scope.

Costs can rise further when approval processes stretch out. Many operators underestimate how many layers of review are involved. Community board meetings, municipal approvals, and state sign-offs often happen sequentially, not simultaneously. During that time, rent and other fixed expenses continue to accumulate.

Inventory planning presents another challenge. Coordinating product deliveries, intake procedures, and point-of-sale systems must align with construction timelines and inspections. Experts advise new retailers to avoid overcommitting at launch. A smaller, varied product selection can reduce risk and allow stores to better respond to local demand.

Staffing decisions can also make or break an opening. Employees must be trained on compliance rules, customer service, and technology systems. Hiring too late can leave a team unprepared, while hiring too early can strain payroll before sales begin. Khemmoro said he would prioritize building his team earlier if starting over, even if it meant higher upfront costs.

He also recommends building extra time and budget into every phase and considering a soft opening. A limited launch allows operators to address issues in a lower-pressure setting before welcoming a full flow of customers. For many retailers, that flexibility can make the difference between a rocky start and a sustainable business.

For companies like TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF) that have been in operation for years, these lessons have been learned and honed into a working system that keeps the entities on a growth trajectory.

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420 with CNW — Study Links Long-Term Marijuana Use to Superior Mental Performance Among Seniors

Older adults who have used marijuana at some point show stronger cognitive abilities than those who report little or no prior exposure, according to new research published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Using data from a large national cohort in the UK of over 500,000 participants, the team examined the relationship between marijuana use, brain structure, and cognitive function in adults between the ages of 40 and 70.

Participants provided detailed information about their lifetime marijuana consumption. They also underwent brain imaging using magnetic resonance imaging and completed standardized tests designed to measure different aspects of thinking and memory. The tests evaluated areas such as learning ability, recall, mental speed, and the capacity to shift between tasks.

According to the researchers, individuals with a greater history of marijuana use tended to have larger brain volumes in specific regions known to contain high concentrations of cannabinoid receptors. These areas included the anterior cingulate cortex, caudate, hippocampus, and putamen, all of which play key roles in memory, emotional regulation, and executive function.

The study also found that higher lifetime cannabis exposure was linked to stronger performance across multiple cognitive measures. Participants with more extensive past use generally scored higher on assessments of memory, processing speed, learning, and flexible thinking.

The authors noted that the results align with emerging research pointing toward possible neuroprotective effects associated with marijuana use in older populations.

They added that their findings contribute to a growing scientific conversation rather than providing definitive conclusions. Still, they noted that the observed associations raise the possibility that cannabis could play a role in supporting brain health as people age, particularly in regions sensitive to cannabinoids.

Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said the study challenges deeply rooted assumptions about marijuana users. He argued that negative stereotypes surrounding marijuana and cognition remain widespread and often go unexamined. Armentano added that research contradicting these stereotypes rarely receives sustained attention in mainstream news coverage.

The results are consistent with findings from several recent studies. A study in Israel involving over 67,000 older adults found that participants with prior marijuana use performed better in areas including executive function, attention, memory, and processing speed. That study also linked past use with a slower rate of decline in executive abilities over time.

Similar conclusions were reached by researchers in Denmark, who observed significantly less cognitive deterioration among marijuana users compared with non-users over time. In the United States, a separate study focusing on older adults living with HIV found that those who reported occasional marijuana use demonstrated stronger cognitive performance than those who did not use the drug.

As more studies dispel the common misconceptions about marijuana, more people are likely to warm up to the substance and drive innovation within the industry. The accelerated growth of the industry could then open up new business opportunities for ecosystem firms like Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR).

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420 with CNW — New Congressional Bill Seeks to Regulate Instead of Banning Hemp

Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced new legislation aimed at setting federal rules for consumable hemp products, providing an alternative to the broad THC prohibition that became law late last year under a spending package signed by President Donald Trump.

The measure, known as the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act, was introduced by Reps. Morgan Griffith and Marc Veasey. Its release comes as uncertainty continues to surround the future of the hemp-derived products market.

The bill would permit the sale of consumable hemp products to adults aged 21 and over. The legislation reflects revisions made since Griffith circulated an earlier discussion draft last year, following feedback from regulators and industry participants.

Griffith noted that, despite long-standing concerns about the safety and legality of CBD products, federal agencies have made little progress in establishing clear rules. In a statement, he described the bill as a step toward resolving confusion that has left consumers unprotected and legitimate businesses operating without consistent oversight.

The legislation would impose several new requirements on manufacturers and retailers. Packaging would need to be child-resistant, tamper-proof, and designed in a way that does not attract minors. Labels would be required to list all cannabinoids contained in the product and include a QR code linking consumers to independent laboratory test results.

Companies would be barred from mixing cannabinoids with substances such as caffeine, melatonin, alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, or other compounds that could interact with or amplify cannabinoid effects. Facilities involved in producing hemp products would be subject to federal registration, manufacturing standards, and testing rules.

A key element of the bill is the creation of federal caps on total cannabinoid content. The HHS would propose limits within 60 days of the bill becoming law. If no final rules are adopted within three years, default thresholds would automatically take effect.

These include limits of 10 milligrams per serving and 50 milligrams per package for oral products with non-intoxicating cannabinoids. Higher caps are also included for inhalable and topical products and a 5-milligram-per-serving limit for products containing intoxicating cannabinoids such as THC, with a 30-milligram package maximum.

The THC limits are an increase from earlier drafts, though some industry voices argue the package cap remains restrictive. The updated bill would also give the Food and Drug Administration authority to order recalls of cannabinoid products and establish a new advisory committee to guide THC thresholds.

The bill would further require HHS to publish and maintain a list of known cannabinoids within one year and amend the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to create a dedicated regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

The debate over hemp regulation is unfolding alongside broader shifts in federal cannabis policy. Trump recently signed an executive order directing the DOJ to move cannabis to Schedule III under federal law and encouraged lawmakers to revisit the definition of hemp to protect access to full-spectrum CBD.

The administration has also signaled plans to explore a Medicare pilot program that would allow some beneficiaries to receive non-intoxicating CBD at no cost with a doctor’s recommendation. These developments on Capitol Hill are likely to be of interest to not just the hemp industry but also marijuana industry actors like SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL).

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420 with CNW — Medical Cannabis Sales Set New Arkansas Record in 2025

Medical cannabis sales in Arkansas reached a new high in 2025. According to data released by the state finance department, patients spent $291.1 million at licensed dispensaries during the year. That total represents a 5.5% increase from 2024 and surpasses the prior record of $283 million achieved in 2023.

Medical dispensaries across Arkansas sold 79,223 pounds of medical cannabis in 2025, an increase of 4.8% from the 75,597 pounds sold in 2024. The state has 37 licensed dispensaries operating statewide.

Since Arkansas launched its medical cannabis program in 2019, total spending at dispensaries has exceeded $1.6 billion, according to DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin.

December proved to be the strongest month of the year, with sales reaching $25.749 million. Several dispensaries stood out for the amount of product sold that month. Suite 443 in Hot Springs led the state with 731.15 pounds sold, followed closely by Natural Relief in Sherwood at 717.83 pounds. CROP in Jonesboro recorded sales of 427.5 pounds, while Custom Cannabis in Alexander and Harvest in Conway sold 411.03 pounds and 410.85 pounds, respectively.

Tax collections tied to medical marijuana also rose alongside sales. Two separate state taxes generated a combined $32.3 million. Since 2019, these taxes have brought in over $218.32 million. Patients pay the standard 6.5 percent state sales tax on each dispensary purchase. In addition, a 4 percent privilege tax applies both to retail sales and to transactions when cultivators sell products to dispensaries.

The state health department also reported growth in the patient base. There were 115,113 medical cannabis cards by December 2025, reflecting a 5.1% increase from February 2025 and an 18.2% rise compared with the start of 2024. The expanding number of qualified patients has helped support steady demand across the state.

Suite 443 opened its doors in May 2019, becoming the first licensed medical marijuana retailer to operate in Arkansas.

Annual sales have climbed steadily since the program began, aside from minor fluctuations. Spending totaled $31.32 million in 2019, rose to $181.8 million in 2020, and continued upward to $264.9 million in 2021 and $276.3 million in 2022 before reaching record territory in subsequent years.

Arkansas voters approved medical cannabis in 2016, passing a constitutional amendment by 53%. The measure legalized cannabis for patients with one or more of 17 qualifying medical conditions and established the framework for state oversight. Much of the tax revenue generated by the program is directed to the University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences National Cancer Designation Trust Fund, though some collections, such as cultivator privilege taxes, are not directly tied to retail sales or consumer prices.

The success being witnessed in Arkansas is welcome to the entire marijuana industry in and outside the country, including firms like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF).

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420 with CNW — Marijuana Legalization Campaigners in Florida Are Being Arrested

Florida’s push to legalize recreational marijuana has entered a more volatile phase as state officials and campaign organizers trade accusations just weeks before a critical signature deadline.

State AG James Uthmeier stated that his office has opened dozens of new investigations tied to alleged election-related crimes connected to the ballot effort, a move that supporters of the initiative describe as politically motivated.

Smart and Safe Florida, the group leading the legalization push, rejected the claims. The group has until February 1 to deliver more than 880,000 verified signatures from registered voters. If the proposal reaches the ballot, it would still need approval from at least 60% of voters statewide to take effect.

The DeSantis administration has consistently opposed broader cannabis access, and the legalization effort has encountered resistance at nearly every stage. Uthmeier accused 50 individuals hired to collect signatures for the campaign of committing fraud. He alleged that petitions were submitted without voter permission and that some signatures were forged, including names belonging to people who have died.

According to a letter dated January 20 from State Prosecutor Brad McVay, 9 campaign workers have already been taken into custody. McVay also indicated that additional arrest warrants could be issued in the coming days. The same letter requested authorization to issue subpoenas directly to Smart and Safe Florida to examine whether the organization itself violated election statutes.

The expanded criminal inquiry follows reports of mounting pressure on county election offices to invalidate petitions that had already been accepted. Campaign representatives say that they are complying with election rules and flagging any irregularities to state officials as required. A spokesperson suggested that the attorney general’s criticism stems from the campaign’s strict adherence to those regulations.

Legal battles are also playing out in court. Both the campaign and the state are involved in lawsuits over the legitimacy of thousands of signatures already submitted. Last week, a judge in Leon County ordered roughly 29,000 petitions gathered by out-of-state workers to be thrown out. The campaign appealed that decision.

Uthmeier’s role has drawn scrutiny as well. Before becoming attorney general, he served as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff during the 2024 election cycle, when cannabis legalization last appeared before voters. During that period, about $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was directed into a political fund overseen by Uthmeier. Advocates for legalization argue that the money was improperly used to campaign against the measure, an accusation the administration has denied.

Florida is currently the nation’s largest medical-use market, making it a key target for companies seeking broader legalization. Still, public support appears to have softened. A recent survey commissioned by the Florida Chamber of Commerce found that only 51% of respondents back legal marijuana, the weakest showing for the idea in four years.

Many firms like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) are likely to be concerned about the escalating relations between the Florida state government and the advocates seeking to put the legalization measure on the state ballot since ordinary residents could lose out on having their voices heard on the matter.

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420 with CNW — Recreational Marijuana Legalization Support Dips as Florida Officials Oppose Campaign

Florida officials under Governor Ron DeSantis are stepping up their opposition to a proposed ballot measure that would allow recreational marijuana, drawing county election offices into the fight and prompting accusations that the state is trying to derail the effort before voters weigh in.

Critics say the administration’s actions amount to an aggressive campaign against legalization at a time when public backing appears to be weakening. Florida requires at least 60% voter approval to amend its constitution, and recent polling suggests support for adult-use cannabis is well below that mark.

The latest push comes from Smart and Safe Florida, a group backed largely by Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a multistate cannabis company based in Tallahassee. The group is again seeking to place a legalization amendment on the ballot, this time targeting the 2026 election. A similar attempt in 2024 failed, even after it received a high-profile endorsement from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.

This election cycle, opponents within the state government have intensified their scrutiny. The DeSantis administration has filed a challenge with the Florida Supreme Court that raises several objections, including concerns tied to marijuana odor.

A poll released by the Florida Chamber of Commerce found that 51% of likely voters support legal recreational marijuana. That figure represents the lowest level of support recorded in four years.

In a statement issued Friday, the Chamber criticized both the initiative and its financial backers. The organization pointed out that over $200 million has been spent over two election cycles to promote legalization, with nearly all of that funding coming from Trulieve, the state’s largest medical cannabis operator. According to the Chamber, polling trends suggest that voter interest declines as people learn more details about the proposal.

Meanwhile, state election authorities have taken steps that supporters of the amendment view as an attempt to slow or block the process. The Office of Election Crimes & Security recently notified election supervisors in three counties that it plans to audit certain approved petition signatures to confirm they were collected legally.

Smart and Safe Florida responded by accusing state leaders of trying to silence more than one million voters who signed petitions in compliance with the law. The group faces a February 1 deadline to submit 880,000 signatures. As of this week, about 675,000 signatures have been validated, according to state records.

Outside Florida, Trulieve continues to expand its footprint. The company recently announced plans to enter the Texas market, where lawmakers are considering changes that would broaden its medical marijuana program.

Entities like Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) in the cannabis industry will be watching how efforts to get adult-use marijuana on this year’s ballot in Florida pan out amid growing opposition from state officials and waning voter support.

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420 with CNW — New Study Says No Science Supports Federal Categorization of Marijuana

A new scientific review is challenging the foundations of U.S. drug law, arguing that the legal system governing controlled substances no longer reflects modern scientific understanding of risk.

According to the analysis, drugs such as marijuana are regulated far more harshly than evidence would justify, while substances responsible for widespread harm often face looser oversight or fall outside the system altogether.

American drug policy has largely been shaped by the Controlled Substances Act, passed in 1970. The law created a series of fixed schedules meant to classify drugs based on their danger and potential for abuse. More than five decades later, researchers say those categories have not kept pace with scientific research or real-world outcomes. The new study concludes that official legal rankings frequently clash with expert evaluations of harm, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Despite broad public acceptance and legalization at the state level, marijuana has remained in the most restrictive federal category for years. Although President Donald Trump issued an executive order last month instructing the attorney general to accelerate the process of reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug, the change has yet to be finalized.

To conduct the review, the researchers used a structured evaluation approach known as multi-criteria decision analysis. A group of 17 specialists examined 19 widely used substances, scoring them across 18 measures of harm. These included fatal overdoses, chronic health effects, social disruption, criminal activity, and economic impact. The combined scores produced an overall ranking of harm for each drug.

One of the study’s notable conclusions is that most substances cause more damage to users themselves than to the wider public. That finding, the authors argue, has important implications for how governments respond. They suggest that policies focused on punishment have failed to reduce drug use and have coincided with a surge in overdose deaths. Instead, they call for expanded harm reduction measures.

The authors argue that public funds and attention would be better spent on prevention, treatment, and community health rather than incarceration. They describe a policy environment that has remained largely unchanged while patterns of drug use and harm have shifted dramatically. With fentanyl-related deaths rising and alcohol continuing to cause significant health and social damage, they warn that updating drug laws is no longer a theoretical exercise.

The paper also outlines practical steps tied to its findings. Since fentanyl ranked as the most dangerous substance overall, the researchers point to measures such as wider access to naloxone, drug-checking tools, and supervised consumption sites as evidence-backed responses. They also encourage further studies that consider additional substances, potential therapeutic benefits, vulnerable groups like young people, and different methods of consumption.

This study is likely to trigger plenty of discussion within the scientific community and in marijuana firms like Canopy Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: CGC) (TSX: WEED) due to the important questions raised about the basis upon which drug laws were formulated.

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420 with CNW — UCLA Gets $7.3M in State Grants to Study Marijuana

$7.3 million from the California Cannabis Control Department (DCC). The funding will support studies that examine medical applications of cannabinoids, potential heart-related risks linked to marijuana consumption, and ways to better understand and respond to California’s illegal cannabis market.

Faculty members from multiple UCLA divisions will participate, including researchers from the Fielding School of Public Health, the David Geffen School of Medicine, and the College of Letters and Science.

UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids director Ziva Cooper noted that the awards highlight the university’s growing role in marijuana research. She added that UCLA scientists are studying everything from molecular compounds created in the lab to consumer behavior in real-world markets to produce evidence that supports health-focused policy decisions.

The grants account for roughly one-quarter of the $30 million recently distributed by the DCC to nine institutions across the state. The broader initiative is designed to expand scientific knowledge about marijuana and help inform lawmakers and regulators overseeing California’s legal marketplace.

One of the funded projects will focus on synthetic cannabinoids. Granted $2 million, the study will involve creating rare and newly designed cannabinoid compounds in laboratory settings. Researchers will assess their potential medical value, potency, and possible adverse effects. The work is intended to lay the groundwork for future treatments that may be safer or more effective than existing options.

Another $2 million award supports a study of California’s unlicensed marijuana market, which continues to operate years after legalization. Researchers will investigate why many consumers still buy products outside the regulated system. The study will combine fieldwork, surveys, and laboratory testing to identify contaminants and other risks associated with illicit products. Findings are expected to help policymakers develop strategies to reduce harm linked to illegal sales.

A third study will examine how cannabis affects the heart. With $2.1 million in funding, researchers will conduct controlled clinical trials to measure both short-term and longer-lasting cardiovascular effects from smoked and edible marijuana. The results are intended to inform doctors, public health officials, and consumers.

The final project, funded at $1.2 million, centers on marijuana flavoring compounds known as terpenes. Researchers will create a scientific reference library of these substances to help regulators set standards for their use in commercial products. The work aims to reduce health risks and limit marketing practices that could appeal to children.

All four studies are scheduled to launch in early 2026.Their findings could provide insights to marijuana firms in and outside California, such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), in their bid to serve customers better while furthering their business interests.

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