dispensaries

Virginia Governor Defends Cannabis Veto Over Timeline, Dispensary Concerns

Governor Youngkin defended his veto of Virginia's recreational cannabis sales bill, citing concerns about rushed implementation and too many dispensaries. The state remains in limbo with legal possession but no legal sales.

May 22, 2026

Curaleaf Arizona Workers Ratify First Union Contract After Years

Budtenders at an Arizona Curaleaf dispensary ratified their first union contract after years of organizing, securing guaranteed wage increases and protections against benefit cuts during the agreement's term.

May 9, 2026

California Dispensary Drive-Thru Bill Heads to Assembly Floor

California's AB 1894 advanced to Assembly floor vote after clearing appropriations 13-1. The bill would let licensed dispensaries with storefronts operate drive-thru windows.

May 8, 2026

DEA Opens Federal Registration Portal for State-Licensed Dispensaries

The DEA's new online registration portal allows state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries to apply for federal protections under Schedule III, marking a historic shift in federal cannabis policy.

Apr 30, 2026

Missouri Cultivators Sue State's Biggest Dispensary Chain Over Alleged Price-Fixing

Two Missouri cannabis growers filed suit against the state's largest dispensary chain, alleging it ran a price-fixing cartel that suppressed wholesale prices through coordinated buyer conduct.

Apr 30, 2026

Dispensary Workers File Wave of Lawsuits Over Stolen Tips

Cannabis dispensary workers are filing lawsuits alleging employers stole tips, while the practice of tipping at pot shops sparks debate among customers and reveals broader labor issues in the industry.

Apr 27, 2026

Culture

Dispensary Censorship Sparks Debate Over Cannabis Media Freedom

A dispensary's refusal to carry Fat Nugs Magazine's "Kids and Cannabis" issue has sparked debate over whether retailers should control editorial content in cannabis publications.

Apr 26, 2026

4/20 Drives 73% Transaction Surge at Cannabis Retailers Nationwide

Cannabis retailers saw 73% more transactions on 4/20 compared to the previous day, highlighting the holiday's continued commercial importance despite market maturation.

Apr 25, 2026

Illinois Allocates $32M in Loans to Social Equity Cannabis Operators

Illinois approved $32 million in low-interest loans for social equity cannabis businesses, addressing capital barriers that have prevented most license winners from opening. The funding targets craft growers and dispensaries in a market dominated by large operators.

Apr 23, 2026

California Assembly Advances Cannabis Drive-Thru Bill 17-2

California's Assembly Business and Professions Committee approved legislation 17-2 that would let cannabis retailers operate drive-thru windows, moving the bill toward a full Assembly vote.

Apr 23, 2026

New Jersey Bans Intoxicating Hemp Products Outside Dispensaries

New Jersey's Senate Bill 3945 restricts intoxicating hemp-derived THC products to licensed dispensaries only, eliminating sales from gas stations and smoke shops as of this week.

Apr 20, 2026

Sweetlife NYC Opens Boutique Dispensary on Manhattan's Upper East Side

Sweetlife NYC has opened a boutique cannabis dispensary on Manhattan's Upper East Side, offering curated products and delivery service as New York's legal market continues its gradual expansion.

Apr 16, 2026

Illinois Social Equity Lottery Faces Final Legal Challenge

Illinois appellate court hears arguments in final lawsuit challenging the state's social equity cannabis licensing lottery, with rejected applicants claiming the state failed to deliver on promises made when recreational marijuana was legalized in 2019.

Apr 13, 2026

Industry News

New York's Cannabis Program Shows Signs of Recovery After Rocky Start

Five years after legalizing cannabis, New York's market is stabilizing after regulatory delays and illicit competition nearly derailed the program. Housing Works executive details improvements in licensing, enforcement, and supply chain.

Mar 22, 2026

Industry News

Alabama Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Set to Open After Multi-Year Delay

Alabama medical marijuana dispensaries are nearing completion as the state's long-delayed program approaches its operational launch, nearly three years after legislative authorization.

Mar 16, 2026

Rhode Island Cannabis Regulators Face Pressure on Lottery Licenses

Rhode Island cannabis regulators are under pressure to finalize their lottery system for 20 new dispensary licenses by May, as applicants who've invested time and money demand clarity on the selection process.

Feb 22, 2026

Alabama Halts Dispensary Opening as Legal Challenge Continues

Alabama's medical cannabis commission extended a stay blocking Yellowhammer Medical from opening three dispensaries, citing ongoing court challenges to the licensing process.

Jan 29, 2026

Cannabis Retailers Face Crisis as Budtender Turnover Threatens Sales

Cannabis dispensaries are hemorrhaging front-line staff, with some seeing 60-80% annual turnover among budtenders. The constant churn drives up costs, undermines customer service, and threatens profitability across the retail sector.

Jan 29, 2026

Cannabis Retailers Share Five Hard-Learned Business Lessons

Dispensary owners reveal unexpected challenges from security costs to compliance complexity that new cannabis retailers should anticipate before opening.

Jan 27, 2026

Ohio Releases $11M in Withheld Cannabis Tax Revenue to Municipalities

Ohio has distributed nearly $11 million in cannabis tax revenue to local governments after withholding the funds for over a year, despite state law requiring the payments to municipalities hosting dispensaries.

Jan 25, 2026

Ohio Cities Collect First Wave of Cannabis Tax Revenue

Ohio cities that allowed recreational marijuana dispensaries are receiving their first tax revenue distributions from the state's 10% cannabis excise tax, with funds available for local programs and services.

Jan 25, 2026

Michigan Cannabis Sales Drop Despite Record Volume in 2025

Michigan dispensaries sold record cannabis volume in 2025 but revenue fell $113M to $3.17B as price compression outpaced increased sales, marking the market's first year-over-year decline.

Jan 21, 2026

Ohio's Adult-Use Cannabis Market Hits $836M in 2025

Ohio's adult-use cannabis market achieved $836M in sales in 2025, its first full year, showcasing strong growth potential.

Jan 11, 2026