Quick Hit January 2026: what we've missed in recent weeks

As regular Newsweed consumers will have noticed, we've been on hiatus for the past few weeks. But since news doesn't wait for us, here's a recap of what's been happening in the meantime on Planet Cannabis.

France

France has officially created a National Anti-Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (Parquet national anticriminalité organisée, Pnaco), which came into force on January 5 following the June 2025 law against drug trafficking, taking over the role of the prosecutor's office. older ideas. Designed to combat the most serious and complex forms of organized crime, the Pnaco is based on the model of national anti-terrorist and financial prosecutors. It replaces the former Junalco and aims to centralize and strengthen the fight against large-scale drug trafficking, violent criminal networks and sophisticated financial crime. The government sees it as an essential tool for tackling what it sees as a growing threat comparable to terrorism.

Comprising some thirty specialists, including magistrates, court clerks and experts from the police, customs, finance and prison services, the Pnaco acts as a national «public prosecutor». It can take on cases on its own initiative, or receive them from local prosecutors. Its remit covers major drug trafficking cases, transnational criminal networks, murders and acts of torture committed by organized gangs, as well as the financial mechanisms that support these activities. One of its main objectives is to «follow the money», targeting not only traffickers, but also money launderers, financiers and facilitators, while strengthening international cooperation and using new legal tools such as paid civilian informers.

The Pnaco has priority jurisdiction over existing specialized regional courts (JIRS), which raises questions about how responsibilities will be distributed without weakening structures that have proved their worth over the past two decades. Critics, particularly within the Syndicat de la Magistrature, also express concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of a single national prosecutor, the potential political influence on prosecutorial priorities, and insufficient resources, particularly within a judicial police force they see as weakened by recent reforms. Supporters acknowledge these risks, but assert that specialization and coordination are essential to combat increasingly violent and complex organized crime networks.

As far as medical cannabis is concerned, no progress has yet been made. The French National Authority for Health (HAS), whose’notice concerning drug reimbursement containing cannabis was expected, has, in its words, «been forced» to postpone its evaluation of medical cannabis due to the absence of a regulatory decree defining the framework for this evaluation. This evaluation is nevertheless a crucial step towards the generalization of medical cannabis in France.

The HAS was due to begin its assessment in late January and early February 2026, with hearings involving the Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament (ANSM) and independent experts. However, without the decree setting out the evaluation criteria, these sessions cannot take place. While the HAS is continuing its preparatory work, in particular updating the scientific literature on therapeutic cannabis, it cannot formally assess the medical benefit of treatments or issue recommendations on their reimbursement.

In the meantime, patients participating in the experimental program continue to benefit from medical cannabis treatments under a temporary and exceptional arrangement that expires on March 31, 2026. Further administrative delays could lead to interruptions in coverage or continuity of treatment. The Ministry of Health has not yet announced a timetable for the publication of the missing decree, while the decrees have been ready for several years which reinforces concerns about the lack of clarity and political follow-up of French policy on medical cannabis.

Europe

The new Czech cannabis legislation came into force on January 1. Adults over 21 can legally grow up to 3 plants and possess up to 100g of dried cannabis at home (25g outdoors).

According to the latest Cannamonitor report on Spain, The Spanish CBD market is now valued at 136 million euros a year, with sustained annual growth of 35% and over 500 specialist stores, but, as in France, regulatory loopholes are holding back its development. On the medical side Spanish decree on medical cannabis is in force, but opening up treatment to patients remains blocked in practice.

Malta has set a legal limit for cannabis use while driving (2 μg/L of blood) as part of a NEW BILL on driving under the influence of drugs presented to Parliament.

Events

Back in Paris after a first edition in 2019, Cannabis Europa takes place on February 19 at l'Hôtel of the industry with the ambition of bringing together leaders from the worlds of business, politics, health and investment to shape the future of cannabis on the continent. The event is organized in partnership with UIVEC, which represents over sixty agricultural, pharmaceutical and economic players along the hemp extract value chain.

In conjunction with Cannabis Europa, Newsweed will be sponsoring the event's official afterparty on the same day (February 19), organized by the communications agency Grasslands. Grasslands was founded by Ricardo Baca, journalist emeritus and founder of one of the first cannabis media in the United States, The Cannabist, hosted by the The Denver Post. The Cannabist bowed out a few years ago, but Ricardo hasn't left the industry and is now helping cannabis companies communicate. We'll be sure to bring you more details on what promises to be a memorable evening!

The 9th KONOPEX Expo will be held from April 24 to 26, 2026 in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

United States

In the wake of the Farm Bill's comeback ordered by President Donald Trump, Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine signed into law a bill banning psychoactive hemp products and making it illegal to possess cannabis products from other countries. He also vetoed a proposed exemption for hemp-based drinks, citing concerns about the possibility of misleading consumers.

Conversely, lawmakers on the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee have proposed a bill to prohibit the unlicensed sale of hemp-based products with psychoactive effects - thus allowing them only in licensed dispensaries - and to create new licenses allowing liquor stores to sell beverages made with THC derived from hemp.

For its part, Alabama has set new rules for hemp products, effective January 1. The rules set age limits for hemp products with psychoactive effects, require retailers to keep a certificate of analysis for each product, and set maximum THC concentration limits for various products.

According to data from the state's Bureau of Labor and Cannabis Authority, Michigan's cannabis industry has been the state's leading job creator between 2018 and 2024.

Canada

Alberta's cannabis regulator updated its rules on cannabis promotion, now allowing promotional activities between cannabis suppliers and retailers.

The Government of Ontario a issued a product recall on gummies where the CBD value displayed on the pack was incorrect - 25 mg instead of 20 - and where CBG had been omitted (10 mg per candy).

Search

More than 53,000 peer-reviewed articles on cannabis are now listed on the scientific platform PubMed, some of which date back to 1840. For the fifth year running, researchers from all over the world have published over 4,000 scientific articles on cannabis on this platform.

A Brazilian study has examined the safety and use of cannabidiol in children with autism spectrum disorders. The study points to reduced drug use and improved behavior during CBD treatment.