DEA marijuana registrations launch; AOC on rescheduling; SC medical cannabis impact; IN gov on legalization momentum; LA marijuana penalties
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…
Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.
Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Drug Enforcement Administration is now accepting applications from state-licensed medical cannabis businesses that want to take advantage of new federal protections and tax breaks in line with the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling move.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies is taking up a bill on Thursday containing provisions to block federal marijuana rescheduling—even as the Trump administration is moving forward with the reform.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) told Marijuana Moment that she supports the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling move—even if it “doesn’t quite make all the wrongs right” by leaving behind people who “had their lives destroyed by the war on drugs.”
A little-known South Carolina law could allow patients to get access to medical cannabis now that it has been federally rescheduled, with a senator saying the Trump administration’s move kicks off “a chain of legal consequences” that state officials “can no longer ignore.”
- Gov. Henry McMaster’s (R) office said South Carolina law will “require the State to mirror the new federal order” on marijuana rescheduling.
The Louisiana House of Representatives passed a bill that threatens to send people to jail for up to one year if they smoke marijuana within 2,000 feet of a school property—including college campuses.
A new federally funded study that analyzed more than 40,000 public comments in the official marijuana rescheduling docket “reveals strong public demand for broader reforms than the proposed Schedule III reclassification” being enacted by the Trump administration.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) said the state is “more likely” to legalize marijuana now that it’s been federally rescheduled under the Trump administration.
- “You’ve got to take what’s evolved over time. [If you] stick your head in the sand, you’re generally going to make the wrong decision.”
/ FEDERAL
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a study of U.S. adults showing that “3.7% used marijuana or CBD products as sleep aids.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said federal funds can no longer be used to purchase drug test strips.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) included a blurb about his efforts for federal marijuana reform in his newsletter.
The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got five new cosponsors for a total of 69.
/ STATES
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) touted the legalization of cannabis and expungement of convictions in his State of the State address.
The Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee is calling on Senate Republicans to act on marijuana legalization.
Colorado lawmakers withdrew a bill that would have allowed cannabis beverages to be served at bars, restaurants and movie theaters.
A Texas judge is holding a hearing on the hemp industry’s request for an injunction about restrictive state product rules.
Oklahoma’s top medical cannabis regulator said a federal registration process for marijuana business is an “important step toward a more mature and standardized regulatory environment.”
Maine regulators published guidance about labeling of marijuana products that have been treated or remediated using radiation or ozone.
California regulators sent updates about various cannabis issues.
—
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
Sinaloa, Mexico’s governor is facing U.S. charges of allegedly helping a cartel import drugs into the U.S. in exchange for bribes and votes.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study demonstrated a “value-added upcycling strategy that converts underutilized hemp byproducts into high-performance molded fiber packaging materials composed entirely of bio-derived constituents.”
A study of shrimp found that “moderate dietary cannabidiol enhances growth, restructures gut microbiota, and bolsters environmental stress resilience.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Washington Examiner editorial board called federal marijuana rescheduling a “mistake.”
/ BUSINESS
SNDL Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$195.9 million and an operating loss of C$9.1 million.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.
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.
