Marijuana Moment: FDA misses cannabis deadline mandated by Congress (Newsletter: February 19, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

AZ bill to criminalize “excessive” marijuana odor; PA legalization push; HI medical cannabis access vote; MO licensing audit

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Food and Drug Administration has missed a deadline in hemp recriminalization legislation signed by President Donald Trump to publish lists of cannabinoids in the plant and issue guidance on the term ‘container’” with respect to hemp product THC serving sizes.

An Arizona senator filed legislation to criminalize the “creation of excessive marijuana smoke and odor” after complaining about the smell of cannabis in his own neighborhood—but admitting that he “hadn’t thought about” applying it to cigarettes as well.

The Hawaii Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee approved a bill to allow patients to immediately purchase medical cannabis after their registration is submitted instead of having to wait until their card is delivered.

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council adopted a resolution calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and state lawmakers to “act with urgency and pass comprehensive adult-use cannabis legalization during the 2026 legislative session.”

Missouri’s state auditor issued a report highlighting “deficiencies” in the Division of Cannabis Regulation’s marijuana business licensing process, drawing pushback from the agency.

The Nebraska legislature’s General Affairs Committee approved a bill to give Medical Cannabis Commission members a salary, create a cash account to help fund the body’s work and allow it to charge fees of and require fingerprinting from business license applicants.

The South Dakota Department of Health announced that it will soon begin issuing digital medical cannabis patient cards as an alternative to physical ones.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration posted another profile of one of its special agents.

/ STATES

Texas’s agriculture commissioner and a primary challenger discussed marijuana and hemp policy during a debate.

Massachusetts’s top marijuana regulator acknowledged that the state has “not met the mission of promoting social equity” in the industry.”

California’s top marijuana regulator discussed taxes and efforts to oversee the legal industry.

New York regulators published guidance on hemp issues.

Oklahoma regulators touted their recent administrative actions over alleged violations by medical cannabis businesses.

Oregon regulators will consider lifting a marijuana business license moratorium on Thursday.

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Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ INTERNATIONAL

Finnish lawmakers rejected a marijuana legalization proposal.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of medical cannabis use found “improvements in pain, anxiety, depression, and [quality of life] were observed from Baseline to Week 24.”

A review concluded that “psilocybin-assisted therapy is associated with rapid antidepressant effects and durability signals in selected samples, while convergent animal and human mechanistic findings support neuroplasticity as a biologically plausible contributor to sustained clinical improvement.”

/ BUSINESS

MTL Cannabis Corp. shareholders approved the company’s acquisition by Canopy Growth Corporation.

Organigram Global Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire Sanity Group GmbH shares it does not already own.

Stiiizy Inc. is being sued for allegedly breaching contracts.

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. extended a forbearance agreement with noteholders.

/ CULTURE

Basketball player Deandre Ayton was detained on suspicion of marijuana possession at an airport in the Bahamas.

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