State-legal marijuana exception in new fed rule; RFK “still uses psychedelics”; Roger Stone talks Trump & hemp ban; VA legalization plan
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump’s administration “thinks that marijuana use is a public safety hazard,” the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Wyoming said—drawing criticism from Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV).
A new Federal Register filing from the U.S. Department of Education says that people working in and around the state-legal marijuana industry won’t be automatically disqualified from a loan forgiveness program under rules barring employers that have a “substantial illegal purpose.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “still uses psychedelics,” according to a New York Times report about a forthcoming book from journalist Olivia Nuzzi, who allegedly had a romantic relationship with him.
GOP political operative Roger Stone said President Donald Trump is “the founder of the modern legal hemp industry in America” and was “forced to sign” new legislation recriminalizing THC products by House and Senate Republicans who inserted it into a bill to end the government shutdown.
Virginia lawmakers will soon release draft legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales that they plan to pass in the 2026 session under the state’s newly elected governor, who supports the reform.
North Carolina hemp businesses are bracing for the impact of a newly approved federal ban on THC products, with some saying they plan to fight to stop it with new legislation before it takes effect in a year.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) tweeted, “Minnesota has one of the strongest, most carefully regulated systems in the country to allow the sale of hemp products like THC beverages. This ban just needlessly screws everything up while hurting our breweries.”
Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) tweeted, “Texas’s hemp industry is staring down a crisis because of Trump and Congressional Republicans’ hemp ban. A thriving sector that supports 8,500 businesses and over 50,000 jobs is now at risk of being wiped out. They are killing a Texas industry instead of protecting Texas jobs.”
Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) discussed the prospects for federal marijuana reform.
A former House Rules Committee chief of staff authored an op-ed criticizing Congress’s “abdication” of its war powers responsibilities regarding the Trump administration’s military attacks on suspected drug boats.
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, “Colorado has generated over $3 BILLION in cannabis revenue — paving roads, building schools, rec centers — all while crushing the illegal sales.”
South Dakota’s health secretary spoke about the growth of the medical cannabis program.
Oregon lawmakers are reportedly considering cutting medical cannabis programs to save money.
A Missouri representative said he will make adjustments to planned hemp legislation in light of a newly enacted federal ban on hemp THC products.
A new member of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission was sworn in.
A New York regulator discussed efforts to expand medical cannabis access.
Nevada regulators will host a workshop on proposed changes to cannabis rules on Wednesday.
New Jersey regulators will discuss cannabis issues at a conference on Wednesday.
—
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/ LOCAL
Richmond, Virginia’s mayor discussed the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana sales.
Los Angeles County, California published guidance about kratom and 7-OH products.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The German Bundesrat Health Committee issued medical cannabis recommendations.
Israel’s medical cannabis program saw its first decline in registered patients.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “higher CBD doses may be associated with clinically meaningful improvements in sleep in cancer patients enrolled in a medical cannabis program.”
A study found that “psilocybin’s antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties make it a promising natural compound for reducing skin aging, particularly under oxidative stress conditions.”
Case studies of children with Tourette syndrome found that treatment with cannabis-based medicine led to “clinically relevant symptom improvement without any severe adverse effects or negative impact on cognitive and academic performance.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Washington Examiner editorial board cheered “Trump’s welcome marijuana crackdown.”
/ BUSINESS
Green Thumb Industries Inc. is urging an Illinois court to dismiss a lawsuit alleging it mislabeled products to evade potency limits.
Licensed Missouri marijuana businesses filed a lawsuit against sellers of unregulated cannabis products.
AYR Wellness Inc. is initiating Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings in Canada as part of its restructuring process.
SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor launched a comprehensive financial solutions platform for the cannabis industry.
/ CULTURE
The Onion joked about the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products.
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The post Trump admin see cannabis as “hazard,” federal prosecutor says (Newsletter: November 18, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.
