Cannabis Industry News

At GreenPharms in Mesa, Arizona, cannabis shopping feels less like a counter transaction and more like a quick stop at the corner store. Customers grab a basket or cart, browse bright aisles, read labels, and compare products at their own pace, but budtenders remain available at the flower bar and checkout counter. Founder and CEO Marie Saloum spent two years navigating regulatory pushback to bring Arizona its first supermarket-style dispensary, and now she's planning a larger Phoenix flagship.

According to a new report from Americans for Safe Access, impending federal changes to hemp definitions could strip access from veterans, seniors, and those with rare diseases who rely on full-spectrum products.

A personal brand isn’t a logo or a vibe. It’s your reputation, your value, and the story people repeat about you when you’re not in the room. In cannabis, where competition is fierce and change is constant, being intentional matters more than ever. This guide breaks down what a personal brand really is, why authenticity wins, and how to build visibility without feeling performative through smart social media habits, consistent messaging, and real-world networking that reinforces who you are.

Beyond basic utility, the modern cannabis grinder has evolved into a precision-engineered tool and a luxury design object. From aerospace-grade aluminum and non-stick ceramic coatings to handcrafted exotic hardwoods, we explore the eight must-have grinders redefining retail inventory for 2026.

Rescheduling may bring long-awaited 280E relief and a new sheen of mainstream legitimacy, but it also opens the door to federal-grade oversight, GMP expectations, stricter lender requirements, and expanded liability exposure. The “extra” cash operators anticipate could be quickly absorbed by compliance upgrades, professional services, and risk management. For CEOs, COOs, and CFOs, reclassification isn’t a finish line. It’s the starting gun for a tougher operational race.

Zen Leaf operates dispensaries in 13 states, each shaped by different regulations, real estate constraints, and local culture. Instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all store model, the brand designs for consistency of experience: hospitality-led service, approachable education, and localized storytelling that still feels unmistakably Zen Leaf. Executive Vice President Robert Cohen explains how the company translates its “DNA and intention” across markets without losing the qualities that make cannabis retail feel human.

Deposits were the entry point; now, lending is the inflection point." Green Check CEO Kevin Hart breaks down why 40% of cannabis-serving banks have already moved into lending and how your compliance data has become your most powerful credit tool for 2026.

Many cannabis beverages promise faster onset and better bioavailability but still struggle in the market. The problem isn’t delivery science. It’s flavor. From bitterness and mouthfeel to preservation and stability, beverage success depends on principles long understood by the food-and-beverage industry. A flavor chemist explains why taste — not potency or onset speed — is the real driver of repeat consumption.

For years, legal cannabis behaved like a precocious teenager — full of ambition but fueled by optimism more than discipline. In 2025, that adolescence ended. Price compression, oversupply, and tighter capital forced operators to confront hard truths about efficiency, quality, and sustainability. The result? A more mature industry trading hype for resilience and learning how to earn legitimacy instead of chasing it.

Impressions and clicks once defined digital marketing success, but they never showed whether anyone actually paid attention. As privacy rules tighten and AI accelerates audience behavior, cannabis brands are turning to attention data to understand real engagement. Here's why vanity metrics are fading, how attention metrics work, and what they mean for compliant cannabis marketing strategies moving forward.