On Thursday, June 5 2026, Alabama’s medical cannabis programme finally went live, ending a five‑year legislative and regulatory wait. The opening of Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery marked not only a state milestone but also a flashpoint in the broader national debate over cannabis rescheduling, state‑level policy, and federal tax treatment.
Alabama’s First Medical Cannabis Dispensary Opens After Five Years of Delay
Patient advocate Amanda Taylor became the first legal purchaser at Callie’s Apothecary, selecting a water‑soluble tincture and a peach‑flavoured gel cube. Taylor, who lives with multiple sclerosis, said she hopes the product will reduce her reliance on prescription medications. Alabama’s programme currently recognises about 15 qualifying conditions, including cancer, PTSD, and chronic pain, while state law continues to prohibit smokable forms. With this launch, Alabama joins 39 other states where medical cannabis is legally accessible, and three additional dispensary operators are expected to open sites by summer 2026.
Indiana and Nebraska Sue Federal Government to Halt Medical Cannabis Rescheduling
On the same day, the attorneys general of Indiana and Nebraska filed a petition with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, challenging the Trump administration’s April 23 order that moved state‑licensed medical cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. The complaint describes the rescheduling as “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not in accordance with law.” The case has been consolidated with an earlier challenge from the prohibitionist group SAM Inc. and the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association. Although Louisiana’s attorney general initially signed on, that state has since withdrawn its support. The DEA’s broader administrative hearing on rescheduling all cannabis products is set for June 29, and observers can follow developments via the Cannabis Rescheduling Tracker.
Louisiana Governor Signs Law Stiffening Cannabis Penalties Near Schools
Governor Jeff Landry approved HB 568, which makes it a felony to consume cannabis within 2,000 feet of any school or university. Violators face up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine, with limited eligibility for probation or parole; the measure takes effect August 1, 2026. The law reverses a 2021 reform by former Governor John Bel Edwards that had removed jail time for low‑level possession. Governor Landry cited frequent complaints about cannabis odour at college sporting events, a justification that advocacy groups have contested, pointing to recent polling that shows a majority of Louisiana adults favour adult‑use legalisation.
Vermont Legislature Approves Expanded Adult‑Use Cannabis Purchase Limits
Vermont’s General Assembly passed legislation that will double the daily adult‑use purchase limit from one ounce to two, lower fees for outdoor cultivators, and create a pilot programme allowing licensed retailers to sponsor public cannabis events where customers can buy directly from local growers. The bill now awaits Governor Phil Scott’s signature, with most provisions slated to begin July 1, 2026. While the Vermont Growers Association had pushed for direct‑to‑consumer sales and home delivery, those measures were omitted, leaving smaller cultivators concerned about limited shelf space among the state’s 110 licensed retailers.
Republican Lawmakers Push Back on 280E Tax Relief From Cannabis Rescheduling
A group of Republican members of Congress wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern that cannabis businesses could obtain federal tax relief as a result of the partial rescheduling of medical cannabis to Schedule III. The letter warns of possible retroactive benefits and unclear eligibility criteria. Currently, Internal Revenue Code Section 280E prevents Schedule I cannabis operators from deducting ordinary business expenses; moving to Schedule III would allow state‑licensed companies to claim those deductions. The Treasury has not yet issued formal guidance, leaving operators and investors in a state of uncertainty. Market watchers can track potential impacts through the Cannabis Stocks Tracker.
Watch this weekend for further filings in the DC Circuit rescheduling case and for signals on whether the Treasury Department will issue 280E guidance ahead of the June 29 administrative hearing. Governor Scott’s decision on Vermont’s cannabis purchase‑limit bill is also expected in the coming days. Stay up to date with all the latest on the Cannabis News Hub.
