Cannabis News

Federal Health Agency Moves To Allow CBD Coverage Under Medicare, As Promoted In Video Trump Posted

Published

2 weeks ago

November 26, 2025

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A federal health agency wants to soon allow health insurance coverage for CBD under some Medicare programs.

The policy change has been unfolding for about a month from US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. President Donald Trump shared a video over the summer after meeting with the head of an organization behind it. claimed the therapeutic potential of the cannabinoid. That video specifically called for Medicare coverage for seniors who want to use CBD as an alternative treatment.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), under HHS, will publish a notice in the Federal Register on Friday about “marketing and communications, drug coverage, enrollment processes, special needs plans and other programming areas” for insurance programs it oversees. One of these changes concerns the cannabidiol coating.

CMS earlier implemented the 2026 final rule in April specifically stipulating that marijuana, as well as CBD derived from federal law hemp, are ineligible For coverage of the Medicare Advantage program and other services, the agency is revising that policy.

The proposed 2027 rule would change the regulation, which currently states that “cannabis products” cannot be covered. The new policy would “prevent coverage of cannabis products that are illegal under applicable state or federal law, including the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”

Because hemp and its derivatives like CBD are federally legal, the change suggests that patients in states where these products are legal can make valid insurance claims to pay for alternative treatment options, as long as the product is federally legal.

That said, recent changes to federal hemp law that will take effect next year—and a growing push by states to limit the sale of consumable cannabinoids—could significantly limit the types of products that patients can access. The way the law is written will allow limited concentrations of THC, where most growers and manufacturers say the idea of a split for CBD is unfeasible. And for companies that market non-intoxicating products, this could spell doom, or at the very least force them to take on the significant additional cost of extracting CBD isolates in order to avoid running afoul of the law.

CMS he said In the filing to be published this week, “Hemp and hemp-derived cannabis products that meet the current 2018 definition are not federally controlled substances until November 11, 2026, and those that meet the amended definition after November 12, 2026, are not federally controlled substances after that date.”

“If such products comply with all other applicable federal laws, including the definition of hemp and the applicable provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), they are not illegal under federal law,” he said.

The revised language examines eligibility for coverage of legal cannabis products at the state and federal level, but the agency specifically stated that the rule would allow Medicare Advantage to offer “hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil,” given that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already deemed the materials safe by the RAS (Generally, the RAS has approved a review).

The CMS policy change regarding cannabidiol was detailed in a Bloomberg brief reviewthe news organization reported, the document suggested an early version of the plan could focus on oncology and palliative care for the elderly, though it’s unclear to what extent the report is based on the latest Federal Register release, which it did not cite.

But the proposed rule is also taking about a month for Kennedy — the HHS secretary who previously approved granting access to cannabis and psychedelics for therapeutic purposes — to discuss the issue with Commonwealth Project CEO Howard Kessler, according to Bloomberg.

Kessler’s organization produced a Trump-promoted Truth Social video in late September promoting the health benefits of cannabis, suggesting that CBD coverage under Medicare would be “the most important senior health initiative of the century.”

“It’s time to educate physicians on the endocannabinoid system, provide Medicare coverage for CBD, and provide millions of seniors with the care they deserve,” he said.

The video Trump posted also featured a Fox News clip describing the economic benefits of legalizing medical marijuana, saying that “$64 billion would be saved annually if cannabis were fully integrated into the health care system.”

The Commonwealth Project also participated in the stalled hearings on the marijuana deregulation process initiated by the Biden administration. He filed a comment in the federal filing arguing the “historic” proposal “provides greater, but not complete, certainty for seniors, researchers and physicians to participate in research or health care pilot projects exploring the benefits and distribution of medical cannabis.”

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Cannabis News

US (FL): Cannabis company countersues competitor for AI-fabricated extortion

Published

21 hours ago

December 9, 2025

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Leafwell Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against medical marijuana company My Florida Green, alleging that its competitor used artificial intelligence to make legal claims as part of an extortion scheme designed to harm Leafwell’s business. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court…

Cannabis News

Maine Officials Approve 2026 Ballot Initiative To Largely Repeal Marijuana Legalization Law For Signature Collection

Published

21 hours ago

December 9, 2025

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Maine officials have given permission to prohibition activists to begin gathering signatures for a proposal A ballot initiative that would roll back the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law. The measure, if passed, would also overhaul the regulatory structure of the medical cannabis program by establishing product testing requirements.

The proposal — called the “Cannabis Legalization Act and Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act” — is a revamped version of a marijuana initiative introduced in September, sponsored by a Republican state senator and a former top staffer for then-Gov. Paul LePage (R), staunch prohibitionist.

The latest proposal, a petition approved by the Secretary of State on Monday, would remove and amend multiple sections of the current state statute, which voters approved in 2016 to effectively repeal the legalization of recreational marijuana sales.

Adults over the age of 21 would remain legal to possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis under the proposal, but a section of the law allowing home cultivation would be repealed. The sale and home cultivation of medical marijuana would be legal.

Madison Carey, who was listed as a lead petitioner in the original version of the repeal initiative and remains involved in the current campaign, told Marihuana Momenti on Tuesday that “there needs to be regulation of marijuana,” arguing that her own experience recovering from opioid misuse disorder speaks to the inadequacy of the current law.

“My hope is to raise awareness of the reality of the potential dangers of not having regulation,” he said. “I think people are fed up with the constant use — the constant (retail businesses) coming up where people can legally buy marijuana.”

Of course, repealing the voter-approved law that established the adult-licensed sales system would eliminate the current regulatory infrastructure in place, which reform advocates say helps mitigate public health and safety risks associated with the illegal market.

Rep. David Boyer (R), who led the fight to get a cannabis legalization initiative on Maine’s ballot in 2016 when he was a staff member at the Marihuana Policy Project, said voters should refuse to sign petitions for the new initiative.

“Don’t stop Maine’s progress, don’t stop signing this unfair repeal initiative,” he told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday. “Repealing the legalization of cannabis would shut down an industry larger than lobsters, potatoes and blueberries combined, costing our state jobs, revenue and economic growth.”

According to the new measure, the director of the Office of Cannabis Policy will “advance policies that promote the health and welfare of the people of the state and protect their health and safety, emphasizing the health and welfare of minors as a priority consideration in the performance of all duties.”

They should also “ensure that eligible patients maintain access to high-quality, effective, and affordable medical cannabis under this Act.”

Under the proposal, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services would create a testing program for cannabis products that would require dispensaries and dispensaries to send those products to a licensed facility for safety evaluation before dispensing them to qualified patients.

The testing facility “should ensure that cannabis or cannabis products do not exceed acceptable levels of contamination for any contaminants that are harmful to health and require testing and ensure proper labeling.”

“The department shall adopt rules establishing a testing program under this section, rules identifying the types of pollutants harmful to health, which must be tested for cannabis and cannabis products under this chapter, and rules regarding the maximum level of contamination for each pollutant,” the vote said. the initiative the text says

Additionally, regulators should administer a system to track cannabis plants from seed to the point of retail sale or disposal. That system “should be able to track cannabis plants in groups during the cultivation phase and when passing from the cultivation phase to another registrar”.

Entrepreneurs must submit at least 67,682 valid voter signatures by February 2, 2026 to be eligible for next year’s ballot. If approved by voters, the initiative would take effect on January 1, 2028.

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It’s Marijuana Moment tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

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Maine lawmakers passed a bill in June legalize possession of an ounce of psilocybin Adults over 21 years of age.

After a different effort in the state last year legalize psilocybin and allow adults to access the psychedelic in state-licensed facilities. But lawmakers watered down that bill—instead, they changed it to create a committee to study further reforms—and in the end it was not approved.

Meanwhile, Maine legislators in February A top marijuana official voted to investigate possible conflicts of interest.

And last year, the law that allowed people came into force now apply for legal marijuana crime records to be sealed.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Cannabis News

By concentrating our portfolio, we create room for innovation and growth

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2025

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Viscon transfers the range fork product portfolio to Flier

Viscon Plant Technology will transfer its spacer fork product portfolio (including spacer forks and fixed forks) to Flier Systems effective January 1, 2026.

“The furrows are a proven solution for spacing within the sector. By transferring this portfolio to Flier Systems, the technology will remain available to both existing and new customers, with continued quality and support. Flier Systems will take over development, sales and technical service, while Viscon Plant Technology focuses on its core activities,” the team says.

“The transfer of the fields is a deliberate strategic step to strengthen our focus on automation solutions for plant growers and young breeders. In addition to concentrating our portfolio on technologies such as tissue culture automation, phenotypic sorting and somatic embryogenesis automation, we create room for further innovation and growth. We are pleased to have found a reliable and dedicated partner in Flier Systems,” said Nigela, who will continue the same product portfolio. Viscon Plant Technology.

“Acquiring spacer forks fits perfectly into our strategy to automate the entire production process for professional plant growers. Having just introduced the upgraded SPH transplanter/sorter, we have already taken an important step in the automation of potted plants. Acquiring spacer forks is a logical addition as it allows us to offer a complete and integrated package. Viscon,” said Ad Kranendonk, Flier Systems.