Latest Cannabis News: April 29, 2026

Latest Cannabis News: April 29, 2026

Sabrina
APRIL 29TH, 2026

Stay up to date with the latest legalization and cannabis news with the C.B. Advisors. Every week, we will release a snippet of what’s happening with each state in the cannabis industry. Did you miss last week? No worries – click here for last week’s cannabis news.

Federal

Effective April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) officially reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana and FDA-approved cannabis products from Schedule I to Schedule III, marking a historic recognition of its medical value. This shift immediately exempts medical operators from the punitive Section 280E tax code, allowing them to deduct standard business expenses like rent and payroll for the first time. While the order facilitates easier scientific research and establishes an expedited DEA registration process for medical businesses, it does not legalize recreational use or grant full banking access. A separate administrative hearing is scheduled to begin on June 29, 2026, to evaluate whether these broader categories of adult-use cannabis should also be rescheduled.

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/trump-administration-reclassifies-cannabis.html

 

Low THC, High CBD

South Carolina:

After months of debate, South Carolina lawmakers remain deeply divided on how to regulate hemp, leaving the future of the billion‑dollar industry unsettled as the legislative session moves closer to adjournment. Members of both chambers agree that the state’s hemp market is largely unregulated and poses problems, particularly when it comes to youth access. But efforts to agree on a comprehensive solution have repeatedly stalled. On Wednesday, the House rejected the Senate’s proposed regulatory framework. A conference committee could meet as soon as next week. Until then, the future of hemp products in South Carolina remains unclear.

Source: https://www.wistv.com/2026/04/22/no-deal-yet-south-carolina-lawmakers-deadlocked-hemp-regulation/

Tennessee:

Bill SB1603 is now signed, preventing automatic changes to Tennessee’s marijuana laws if federal policy legalizes or reclassifies the substance, acting as a “deadbolt” to ensure state control. It mandates that marijuana remain a restricted substance in Tennessee unless the General Assembly specifically passes new legislation, regardless of federal actions.

Source: https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/republicans-block-medical-marijuana-changes-following-federal-rescheduling/

 

Medical

Pennsylvania:

A bipartisan measure to legalize cannabis for adults is stalled in the Pennsylvania State Senate. Dead on arrival is what state Republicans are saying about attempts to approve recreational cannabis legalization, let alone exemption from criminal or civil penalties for cannabis convictions and expungements. The big sticking point remains who will run any dispensaries: the state or individuals.

The House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing on Monday where leaders discussed why they believe Pennsylvania should legalize cannabis.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pennsylvania-marijuana-legalization-clean-slate-provision/

https://www.wfmj.com/news/ohio-pennsylvania-news/policy-committee-reviews-pa-cannabis-bill-reform-needs/article_b10b0e7c-644f-4431-b082-c8b02d1e601e.html

Texas:

A critical court hearing deciding the fate of Texas’s hemp industry has been delayed from April 23rd to April 28th, with a potential timeline ending April 30th. The court will weigh in regarding the state’s Total THC rule, currently 0.3% THC, to also include THCA, a change that effectively outlaws raw hemp flowers and prerolls. The hearing will also discuss increasing industry fees.

Source: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/legal-battle-over-texas-total-thc-rule-licensing-fees-delayed-until-april-28

 

Adult-Use

Colorado:

Lawmakers are advancing a proposal that could place marijuana policy changes on the 2026 ballot, allowing voters to decide on updates to cannabis regulations. The effort is driven by concerns about product safety, testing standards, and how the industry is taxed, with some officials arguing the current system needs improvement. If approved, the measure would give voters a direct say in refining oversight and revenue structures for the state’s cannabis market.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/marijuana-ballot-colorado-2026/

 

 

The Cannabis Business Advisors have more than thirty years of combined industry experience, spanning across the U.S. and around the globe. C.B. Advisors offers a comprehensive suite of services, including application and licensing preparation, operational analysis, merger and acquisition support, policy and procedures, exit strategy guidance, and business development planning. Stay up to date on the latest cannabis news with The CB Advisors!

Contact Info@thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com for more information on how to apply for a cannabis business license.

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