AG Bondi on marijuana user gun rights; FDA head links cannabis to psychosis; Fed report: Youth use stable as legalization spreads; MA psychedelics
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Senate leaders agreed to remove language to ban hemp products from appropriations legislation in response to Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-KY) threat to block the large-scale spending measure over his concern the provision would “destroy” farmers in his state.
Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a proposed rule on restoration of gun rights for people disarmed under federal law that says certain applicants, including marijuana consumers, would be ineligible for relief because they have “a lack of respect for the law and potential dangerousness.”
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said he has “serious concerns about people using these cannabis products”—arguing that “cannabis use disorder is a real thing, and…there are now studies linking it to psychosis and even cardiovascular problems.”
- He made the comments at an event announcing that the agency is recommending the Drug Enforcement Administration schedule 7-OH, an opioid-like compound that is produced in small amounts by the kratom plant.
A new federal report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that marijuana use “remained stable among adolescents and young adults” in recent years even as more states legalized cannabis for adults—contrary to prohibitionist fears.
Federal researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology published a new study showing that “THC concentration in breath can increase after the ingestion of cannabis-infused edibles”—calling the first-ever results on the topic an “important step forward” in detecting marijuana-impaired driving.
The Massachusetts Psychiatric Society is calling on lawmakers to pass a bill to decriminalize psilocybin—which advocates say is the first time any branch of the American Psychiatric Association has endorsed psychedelics reform legislation.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) is calling for a Seattle area resident to be allowed to remain in the U.S. ahead of an immigration check-in, saying it is “beyond wrong to deport a man with an American wife and two American children for trying to purchase marijuana nearly two decades ago, a substance that has now been legalized in Washington state.”
/ STATES
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) appointed additional members to the Advisory Council on Cannabis.
Florida’s agriculture commissioner reported that more than 70,000 packages of illegal hemp products have been removed in the past two weeks.
The Georgia House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Georgia’s Medical Marijuana and Hemp Policies held a hearing.
A former Colorado Senate majority leader authored an op-ed calling on Pennsylvania lawmakers to legalize marijuana.
New York regulators informed 152 marijuana retailers that the need to find new locations after a review determined the way officials calculated proximity to schools and churches was incorrect.
Minnesota regulators published updated guidance on obtaining marijuana business licenses.
Vermont regulators published guidance on cannabis business governing documents.
California regulators held a hearing on rules to make a hemp product ban permanent.
Connecticut regulators suspended a business’s lottery agent sales license over alleged unlicensed cannabis sales.
Massachusetts regulators will begin accepting cannabis social equity program applications on Friday.
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/ LOCAL
The Reading, Pennsylvania City Council approved a marijuana decriminalization proposal.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Colombia’s Justice Ministry published a draft decree that would allow pharmacies to dispense psychoactive medical cannabis flower.
New Zealand regulators published medical cannabis advertising guidelines.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of medical cannabis treatment for adolescents with Tourette syndrome found that “statistically significant improvement was observed in parent and clinician reports on tics, and behavioural and emotional issues and quality of life as reported by the parent and young person.”
A study found that “there is great interest and positive attitudes towards cannabis use among patients with cancer.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America is asking its supporters to urge their U.S. senators to keep hemp product ban language in appropriations legislation.
The Houston Chronicle editorial board is urging Texas lawmakers to pass hemp regulation legislation.
/ BUSINESS
Tilray Brands, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $224.5 million and a net loss of $1.27 billion.
Canopy Growth Corporation entered into an agreement with lenders to make three prepayments that are expected to reduce its senior secured term loan by $50 million by March 31, 2026.
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