Last Week in Weed: September 7-13, 2026 – Illinois Expands Medical Cannabis Access

Cannabis policy moved on several fronts this week, from new medical permissions in Illinois to hemp restrictions in Missouri and an active federal rescheduling fight. Tax policy and product safety also created immediate operational questions for businesses.

Last Week in Weed reviews the major cannabis developments reported from Sept. 7 through 13, 2026. Each item separates confirmed action from pending litigation, projections, and investigations.

Illinois Adult-Use Stores Add Medical Permits

Illinois adult-use retailers can now apply for medical marijuana permits under SB 3222. State data cited by MJBizDaily showed 37 permits issued by Sept. 10, expanding the number of businesses that can serve registered patients alongside adult-use customers.

The shift may also affect federal positioning because licensed medical operators can pursue Drug Enforcement Administration registration under the current Schedule III framework. Tax treatment remains dependent on federal guidance, so operators should not assume automatic relief from Section 280E. Read the source.

Michigan Candidate Pledges to Challenge the 24 Percent Wholesale Tax

Michigan Republican gubernatorial nominee John James is courting cannabis businesses with a pledge to repeal or reduce the state’s new 24 percent wholesale marijuana tax. Industry support is consolidating around the promise as operators assess the tax’s effect on margins and retail prices.

The Democratic nominee had not announced a position at the time of the report. The issue is turning cannabis taxation into a major campaign question in a market already known for intense price competition. Read the source.

Industry Report Warns of Heavy Losses Under Federal Hemp Rules

A report cited by MJBizDaily estimates that forthcoming federal restrictions on intoxicating hemp could put 225,000 jobs and $8.9 billion in wages at risk. The projected Dec. 11 effective date is forcing retailers and manufacturers to consider inventory, staffing, and product reformulation decisions now.

The estimate is an industry projection rather than an observed outcome, and its assumptions deserve scrutiny. Even so, the scale illustrates how quickly hemp-derived THC products grew beyond the agricultural framework established by the 2018 Farm Bill. Read the source.

Federal Appeals Court Declines to Pause Medical Rescheduling

A federal appellate panel rejected a request to temporarily halt the administration’s medical marijuana rescheduling effort. The decision allows companies pursuing Drug Enforcement Administration registration to continue that process while a broader legal challenge proceeds.

The ruling does not resolve the underlying case and does not settle every question surrounding broader marijuana rescheduling. More filings are due, and a separate administrative process at the DEA remains relevant to the final federal framework. Read the source.

Missouri Moves Intoxicating Hemp Into the Regulated Market

Missouri’s HB 2641 will classify hemp products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container as marijuana beginning Nov. 12. Covered products will be limited to licensed cannabis stores and must come through the state’s regulated production system.

Hemp-derived THC beverages receive a short extension until Dec. 11 because of a federal delay. The law also brings a 21-and-older purchase rule and ends online sales of affected products in Missouri, creating a narrow compliance window for retailers. Read the source.

Ohio Investigates Serious Health Events Linked to a Store

Vext Science voluntarily closed its Herbal Wellness store in Jackson, Ohio, while state regulators investigate two serious health events involving suspected customers. The company said it acted after learning of the investigation and is cooperating with the state.

The available report does not establish a cause, and the investigation remains active. For operators, the episode underscores the need for traceable inventory, adverse-event procedures, and disciplined communication before facts are settled. Read the source.