USDA closing hemp committee; GOP senator’s alcohol & marijuana hypocrisy; PA legalization deal; NH Senate kills cannabis bills; TX hemp ban
Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.
Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Attorney Matthew Zorn, who successfully sued the Department of Health and Human Services to release marijuana rescheduling documents, now serves as deputy general counsel at the agency with a focus on streamlining psychedelics reform.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving to terminate trade advisory committees—including one with a focus on promoting American hemp in overseas markets—in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump on “the reduction of the federal bureaucracy.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), who campaigned against legalizing marijuana in his state, is complaining about pending revisions to federal guidelines that could recommend Americans drink less alcohol—claiming it’s “why Joe Biden and his cronies were voted out of the White House.”
Pennsylvania House and Senate lawmakers are “optimistic” they can work out a deal on a marijuana legalization bill—with a senator saying it could pass “in the next few weeks” and a representative saying his proposal for state-run dispensaries is not a “line in the sand.”
The New Hampshire Senate has rejected every marijuana reform bill passed by the House of Representatives this session—including measures to enact legalization, allow medical cannabis homegrow and annul conviction records.
The Nebraska legislature rejected an amendment to provide additional legal protections to doctors who recommend medical cannabis, upholding a ruling that it wasn’t germane to a broader health bill.
Minnesota lawmakers sent Gov. Tim Walz (D) a bill to decriminalize bong water by amending a current law that says its weight can be charged as that amount of the pure, uncut version of whatever drug the bong was used to smoke.
Texas retailers say a ban on consumable hemp products with any amount of THC that is moving through the legislation will have a “devastating” impact on businesses across the state.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration promoted an article about addiction experts’ warning on marijuana use rates by Oregon youth.
/ STATES
Texas’s agriculture commissioner is seeking to reassure farmers that a pending bill to prohibit consumable hemp with any amount of THC “does not ban growing hemp or planting hemp for biomass.”
Indiana’s lieutenant governor discussed his opposition to legalizing marijuana.
Oklahoma lawmakers sent Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) a resolution disapproving certain medical cannabis rules.
A Minnesota legislature working group is considering increases to cannabis taxes as part of legislation expected to be considered in a special session.
An attorney for a Florida marijuana legalization campaign participated in oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging a new state law that makes it harder to qualify ballot initiatives.
California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to labeling that is attractive to children as well as packaging and labeling safety issues.
Oregon regulators filed rules on artificially derived cannabinoids.
Missouri regulators issued guidance about the need for marijuana businesses to maintain current contact and facility information.
Montana regulators published guidance for law enforcement on interstate personal transportation of marijuana.
—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine announced stricter cannabis regulations.
Caye Caulker, Belize activists submitted signatures for a marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that legalizing marijuana would provide “substantial potential benefit for Finland as it would open up a whole new industry” and generate tax revenue that could “be used to tackle the limited negative impact that legalization would have on society as well as potentially help tackle other societal challenges Finland faces such as overconsumption of alcohol.”
A study of children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy found that the majority “presented a good response to treatment with [medicinal cannabis derivatives], which was maintained during follow-up.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Australian Medical Association said more robust medical cannabis regulations are needed.
/ BUSINESS
4Front Ventures Corp. subsidiaries filed for a voluntary receivership in aid of liquidation.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
