The Marijuana Policy Project recently released a report analyzing cannabis arrest data across all 50 states using FBI Crime Explorer data. The report identifies differences in arrest rates between states that have legalized cannabis for adult use and those that continue to prohibit it.

The report states that law enforcement agencies have made more than 21 million cannabis arrests in the United States since 1995. It also shows a decline in arrests as more states adopt legalization and regulatory frameworks.

“ Cannabis legalization across 24 states has driven a historic decline in cannabis arrests nationwide, from a high of nearly 900,000 to over 200,000 annually,” says Adam J. Smith, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project.“ That is still an alarmingly high number, with each of those arrests representing an actual person whose current reality and future prospects may well be derailed by a criminal record. Across half of our country, hundreds of thousands of Americans are still being funneled into the criminal justice

system every year for a victimless ' crime ' that is very likely legal in the next state over.”

According to the report, annual cannabis arrests in the U. S., including Washington, D. C. and U. S. territories, declined from more than 870,000 in 2007 to 211,104 in 2025.

The report also states that arrest rates declined in every state after legalization. On average, states with adult-use legalization saw cannabis arrest rates drop 85.53 %. Possession arrests declined by an average of 84.61 %, while sales arrests declined by an average of 80.39 %.

The report finds that the 24 states with legalized cannabis recorded 222,261 fewer cannabis arrests in 2025 compared to the year before legalization in each state.

In 2025, law enforcement agencies in legalization states reported 22,357 cannabis arrests, while prohibition states reported 186,581 arrests. The report states that prohibition states recorded more than eight times as many cannabis arrests as legalization states, despite having a smaller total population.

THC drinks pioneer Nowadays has announced Nowadays Extra Light, a beverage with 0.4 mg THC and 5 mg CBD per serving. The company designed this product to maintain compliance under potential federal changes and to reach consumers interested in THC beverages.

Nowadays Extra Light will use the same flavors as the company’ s THC canned cocktails: Tropical, Berry, Spicy Lime and Citrus. The product comes in 12−oz. cans.

The company plans a phased launch in late summer to early fall 2026. The product rolls out in four-packs with a suggested retail price of $ 17.99.

Nowadays expects distribution to expand from 26 states to approximately 40 states with the introduction of Extra Light.

The company believes that the combination of 0.4 mg THC and 5 mg CBD targets consumers who have not used higher-dose THC beverages. This is also meant to position the product for multiple servings per occasion.

Extra Light does not replace existing products. The company says it will continue to produce 2 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg formats and maintain distribution efforts and retail engagement.

Nowadays also announced Sip For Progress, an initiative supporting hemp-derived THC beverages. The initiative will direct $ 1 from each Extra Light four-pack to lobbying efforts opposing a hemp ban.

Sip For Progress will launch on June 1, 2026 at sipforprogress. com.

Nowadays will continue its existing product lines while pursuing distribution expansion and category advocacy. The company will continue lobbying, investment activity and consumer and retailer engagement. • www. beveragedynamics. com Summer 2026 • Beverage Dynamics 47