On July 16, 2026, 17 Senators reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, commonly called the “CAOA.” The bill would remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, establish a new federal regulatory and tax system, expunge certain federal cannabis convictions, expand access to banking and Small Business Administration programs, and direct substantial federal revenue toward communities harmed by cannabis prohibition. 

North Carolina is facing a hemp apocalypse if the state’s House votes in favor of HB 328. Notably, the bill expressly prohibits CBD, and any other non-delta 9 THC molecules, in hemp-derived consumable products. Yes, you read that right. This bill is a disaster.

It was an invigorating experience witnessing the DEA aggressively argue in favor of the currently accepted medical uses that our beloved plant has and effectively crush the “refer madness” opposition to marihuana’s many efficacious therapeutic benefits.

A new IL law will reshape the state’s cannabis industry, including hemp. While imposing stricter hemp regulations, the new law also opens the door for new cannabis licenses for the first time in years, with priority given to certain hemp operators.

Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation announced it will accept third-round microbusiness license applications from July 13–27, 2026. This article provides information about licensing in MO.

The March 2026 DSHS hemp rules are back in play in Texas, and they are bad for the THCa flower market and the state’s hemp industry.

With SF 4401, Minnesota did not leave the hemp industry stranded while the broader cannabis market moves on. Instead, lawmakers made a practical choice to give legitimate hemp businesses more room to participate in the state’s expanding cannabis framework as federal law is moving in the opposite direction.

If you sell HHC, be honest about the risk. If you regulate hemp, be honest about the text. And if you care about the future of cannabis reform, do not mistake every legal opening for a wise business model.

As long as exemptions create carveouts while other variations of the cannabis plant remain controlled, we will continue to see creative legal arguments and scientific avenues to create access for those who need it most.