Virginia’s retail cannabis market moved closer on Monday, with Governor Abigail Spanberger and legislative sponsors describing budget negotiations as “incredible and productive” ahead of the June 30 special session deadline. A new U.S. Sentencing Commission report placed federal cannabis prosecution totals at a record low of 383 cases in fiscal year 2025, while the EU drugs watchdog published its annual findings in Brussels and peer-reviewed research on cannabis and HIV inflammation entered the policy debate.
Governor Abigail Spanberger called her budget talks with legislative sponsors “incredible and productive” on 8 June, signalling that a deal to embed Virginia’s retail cannabis framework in the state budget remains in reach. She vetoed the standalone legislation (House Bill 642 and Senate Bill 542) in May over differences on tax rates, dispensary caps and market timing. The special session adjourns by 30 June; the General Assembly reconvenes 18 June. Delegate Paul Krizek told WVTF: “We’re one big team on this effort.” Virginia has permitted personal possession since 2021 but has no licensed retail market; analysts project annual adult-use revenue above $400 million within five years of opening.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission recorded 383 federal cannabis trafficking cases in fiscal year 2025, a 62 per cent fall from 2021 and down from roughly 5,000 annual cases in 2013, Marijuana Moment reported on 8 June. Cannabis now accounts for 2.4 per cent of all federal drug prosecutions, with the average sentence rising slightly to 44 months, suggesting enforcement has narrowed to higher-severity offences. The decline predates the Trump administration’s partial rescheduling move and reflects sustained prosecutorial discretion in states with legal markets. Follow the next phase of federal reform on the BoC Cannabis Rescheduling hub.
President Trump formally nominated Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General on 8 June, setting up a Senate confirmation battle after two months in an acting capacity. Blanche signed the April order placing state-licensed medical cannabis products in Schedule III and will oversee the DEA’s expedited rescheduling hearing scheduled to begin on 29 June. His confirmation is not guaranteed: some Republican senators have raised concerns over his handling of a government settlement fund, and Democrats are expected to contest several of his decisions at the department. The Marijuana Herald reported that the nomination directly affects the conduct of the pending rescheduling process, with Schedule III guidance contingent on whoever leads the DOJ.
The European Union Drugs Agency released the European Drug Report 2026 in Brussels on 9 June, warning of growing health risks from high-potency cannabis products, edibles and semi-synthetic cannabinoids in vapes. Cannabis accounted for 33 per cent of people entering drug treatment in Europe in 2024, an estimated 104,000 clients. Illicit supply routes are evolving: authorities seized roughly 21 tonnes of herbal cannabis at each of Rotterdam and Antwerp in 2025, most originating from Canada and the United States. Germany, Malta, Luxembourg and Czechia have expanded regulated frameworks, while most EU member states retain criminal penalties for possession. Developments in EU cannabis policy are tracked on the BoC EU Cannabis Regulation hub.
A peer-reviewed study in Brain, Behavior & Immunity found cannabis use associated with systemic inflammation reductions in 1,895 HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy across the Netherlands, Germany and Romania. Researchers measured 2,365 plasma proteins; cannabis use correlated with 50 downregulated proteins involved in immune pathways including leukocyte-mediated and NK cell activity. Tobacco produced far stronger inflammatory changes by comparison. The authors called for further work to determine whether the anti-inflammatory signal carries clinical benefit, stopping short of asserting therapeutic conclusions. The Marijuana Herald reported the findings on 8 June; the research adds to the body of clinical evidence expected to feature at the DEA’s June 29 rescheduling hearing.
Watch this week for any formal agreement from Virginia’s special session on cannabis retail legislation, and for updates ahead of the DEA’s 29 June rescheduling hearing, with participant notifications due on 22 June. The Blanche confirmation timeline in the Senate will shape expectations for further DOJ guidance on Schedule III implementation.
The post Cannabis News Today — Monday 9 June 2026: Virginia closes in on retail deal as prosecution data marks a decade of decline appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
Continue reading...
Virginia inches towards a retail cannabis market deal
Governor Abigail Spanberger called her budget talks with legislative sponsors “incredible and productive” on 8 June, signalling that a deal to embed Virginia’s retail cannabis framework in the state budget remains in reach. She vetoed the standalone legislation (House Bill 642 and Senate Bill 542) in May over differences on tax rates, dispensary caps and market timing. The special session adjourns by 30 June; the General Assembly reconvenes 18 June. Delegate Paul Krizek told WVTF: “We’re one big team on this effort.” Virginia has permitted personal possession since 2021 but has no licensed retail market; analysts project annual adult-use revenue above $400 million within five years of opening.
Federal cannabis prosecutions reach record low
The U.S. Sentencing Commission recorded 383 federal cannabis trafficking cases in fiscal year 2025, a 62 per cent fall from 2021 and down from roughly 5,000 annual cases in 2013, Marijuana Moment reported on 8 June. Cannabis now accounts for 2.4 per cent of all federal drug prosecutions, with the average sentence rising slightly to 44 months, suggesting enforcement has narrowed to higher-severity offences. The decline predates the Trump administration’s partial rescheduling move and reflects sustained prosecutorial discretion in states with legal markets. Follow the next phase of federal reform on the BoC Cannabis Rescheduling hub.
Trump nominates Todd Blanche as permanent attorney general
President Trump formally nominated Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General on 8 June, setting up a Senate confirmation battle after two months in an acting capacity. Blanche signed the April order placing state-licensed medical cannabis products in Schedule III and will oversee the DEA’s expedited rescheduling hearing scheduled to begin on 29 June. His confirmation is not guaranteed: some Republican senators have raised concerns over his handling of a government settlement fund, and Democrats are expected to contest several of his decisions at the department. The Marijuana Herald reported that the nomination directly affects the conduct of the pending rescheduling process, with Schedule III guidance contingent on whoever leads the DOJ.
EU Drug Report 2026: high-potency products and shifting supply chains
The European Union Drugs Agency released the European Drug Report 2026 in Brussels on 9 June, warning of growing health risks from high-potency cannabis products, edibles and semi-synthetic cannabinoids in vapes. Cannabis accounted for 33 per cent of people entering drug treatment in Europe in 2024, an estimated 104,000 clients. Illicit supply routes are evolving: authorities seized roughly 21 tonnes of herbal cannabis at each of Rotterdam and Antwerp in 2025, most originating from Canada and the United States. Germany, Malta, Luxembourg and Czechia have expanded regulated frameworks, while most EU member states retain criminal penalties for possession. Developments in EU cannabis policy are tracked on the BoC EU Cannabis Regulation hub.
Cannabis associated with reduced inflammation markers in HIV patients, study finds
A peer-reviewed study in Brain, Behavior & Immunity found cannabis use associated with systemic inflammation reductions in 1,895 HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy across the Netherlands, Germany and Romania. Researchers measured 2,365 plasma proteins; cannabis use correlated with 50 downregulated proteins involved in immune pathways including leukocyte-mediated and NK cell activity. Tobacco produced far stronger inflammatory changes by comparison. The authors called for further work to determine whether the anti-inflammatory signal carries clinical benefit, stopping short of asserting therapeutic conclusions. The Marijuana Herald reported the findings on 8 June; the research adds to the body of clinical evidence expected to feature at the DEA’s June 29 rescheduling hearing.
Watch this week for any formal agreement from Virginia’s special session on cannabis retail legislation, and for updates ahead of the DEA’s 29 June rescheduling hearing, with participant notifications due on 22 June. The Blanche confirmation timeline in the Senate will shape expectations for further DOJ guidance on Schedule III implementation.
The post Cannabis News Today — Monday 9 June 2026: Virginia closes in on retail deal as prosecution data marks a decade of decline appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
Continue reading...
