Newsletter
American athlete faces death penalty for cannabis in Indonesia (Newsletter: October 6, 2025)
KY’s 1st medical marijuana harvest; TX hemp rules; NH bill to allow for-profit cannabis biz; Scientists discover new cannabinoid; MI tax increase
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
American basketball player Jarred Shaw is facing the possibility of the death penalty in Indonesia after being caught with cannabis gummies he uses to treat Crohn’s disease.
The director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis said a cultivator has harvested its first crop and sales to patients could begin next month—while Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said businesses are about to “grow a whole lot more” as the program gets underway.
The Texas Department of State Health Services adopted emergency rules banning sales of consumable hemp products to people under the age of 21, mirroring separate regulations already enacted by the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
A New Hampshire House Finance subcommittee approved a bill to allow medical cannabis dispensaries to convert to for-profit operations from their current nonprofit status.
Scientists discovered a new component of marijuana—called cannabizetol—that they say has “remarkable antioxidant and skin anti-inflammatory” properties.
- “These results highlight cannabizetol as a promising bioactive metabolite with potential dermatological applications.”
Michigan lawmakers sent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) a bill to add a new 24 percent wholesale tax on marijuana, which members of the cannabis industry say will increase costs and put some operators out of business.
A Nebraska senator filed a formal challenge to medical cannabis rules signed by Gov. Jim Pillen (R) that scale back the scope of the legalization law approved by voters on last year’s ballot.
An Ohio senator filed a bill to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people under the age of 21 and to require that they undergo the same testing procedures that marijuana products are subjected to.
/ FEDERAL
Bipartisan members of the Senate Armed Services Committee reportedly pressed Department of Defense officials for a better legal explanation to justify the Trump administration’s decision to attack boats suspected of smuggling drugs.
The Drug Enforcement Administration posted another profile of one of its special agents.
The House bill to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
The House bill to designate psychedelic therapy centers of excellence got two new cosponsors for a total of 17.
/ STATES
Staffers for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) are being issued subpoenas in an investigation related to whether state Medicare funds were improperly diverted to a campaign to defeat a marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued an executive order legalizing drug testing strips and reagent kits.
Wisconsin lawmakers filed a bill to restrict intoxicating hemp products.
The Virginia Supreme Court said a judge improperly jailed a woman for contempt after concluding she was impaired by marijuana on the witness stand during her ex-boyfriend’s domestic violence trial.
Illinois regulators filed proposed changes to cannabis plant tracking rules, and will hold a hearing about the issue on October 20.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, located within Minnesota, is seeking public comment on proposed cannabis legislation.
Oregon regulators sent a newsletter with updates about the psilocybin services program.
Maine regulators will hold an event about cannabis sales trends on Thursday.
New York regulators will host an event about careers in the cannabis industry on October 21.
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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.
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/ LOCAL
The Dane County, Wisconsin executive discussed the benefits of legalizing marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabis-based medicinal products were associated with improvements in pain severity and interference.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin demonstrates promise as a novel treatment for depression, especially for individuals unresponsive to conventional antidepressants.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
An annual survey of Ohio marijuana consumers found the first-ever drop in respondents’ satisfaction levels with the state’s medical cannabis program.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham tweeted that “cannabis is the most dangerous drug in America right now.”
/ BUSINESS
Vireo Growth Inc. entered into agreements to acquire approximately 86 percent of the outstanding senior secured convertible notes of Medicine Man Technologies Inc. (dba “Schwazze”).
Green Check launched a new platform aimed at providing education and connections between cannabis and other high-risk businesses and financial and business service providers.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
