Newsletter
Bipartisan lawmakers push Trump on cannabis rescheduling pledge (Newsletter: August 13, 2025)
Former Trump AG pick: rescheduling would destroy Dems; OK marijuana ballot push; MD psychedelics task force report; Medical cannabis for vets’ PTSD
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
Bipartisan members of Congress are pushing President Donald Trump to follow through on his campaign pledge to reschedule marijuana as he announces the issue is under review and that a decision is coming “over the next few weeks.”
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), President Donald Trump’s first pick for attorney general this term, said if the president moves forward with marijuana rescheduling, “the game is over for Democrats at the ballot box.”
- “We could be the party that allows people to safely use marijuana… It’s populism meets practicality. Suddenly, MAGA hats in line at the dispensary, patriots buying prerolls called ‘1776 Freedom Kush.’ Beautiful.”
Oklahoma marijuana activists launched an online map showing hundreds of businesses across the state where voters can sign petitions to put a legalization initiative on the 2026 ballot.
The Maryland Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances published its interim report, with members aligned on establishing a regulatory framework for psilocybin—while the group’s leaders say they have not been able to get input from any opponents of legalization, despite intensive outreach efforts.
A new federally funded study of military veterans found that “cannabis use links to lower PTSD symptoms and negative affect same-day.”
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation filed draft rules changes that would target predatory marijuana licensing practices, address hemp product recalls and shut non-compliant business owners out of the industry.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration published a new book marking the agency’s 50th anniversary.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission adopted priorities for the 2025-2026 amendment cycle, including further examination of the penalty structure for certain drug trafficking offenses.
Former Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA) authored an op-ed in support of federal marijuana rescheduling.
/ STATES
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) discussed his use of the psychedelic ibogaine.
A Missouri senator tweeted, “Fentanyl is a schedule II drug. Marijuana is a schedule I. This in and of itself, with the amount of Americans that have been killed by fentanyl, shows you another reason why marijuana must be reclassified.”
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that aspects of New York’s marijuana equity business licensing system are likely to be unconstitutional.
Colorado regulators filed proposed changes to marijuana rules.
Vermont regulators published guidance on marijuana taxes and disposable vaping devices.
Minnesota published guidance on cannabis issues for local governments.
Illinois regulators are accepting applications for a third round of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program.
Oregon regulators are accepting applications to serve on the Cannabis Legislative & Technical Rules Advisory Committee.
Rhode Island regulators posted an overview of cannabis legislation considered this session.
Michigan regulators published a month report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.
Washington State regulators will hold a hearing about proposed rules for acceptable forms of ID at marijuana businesses on Thursday.
California regulators will update contact types and functionality within cannabis licensing systems on Thursday.
—
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.
—
/ LOCAL
The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Half of Guernsey lawmakers support decriminalizing marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study concluded that “hemp seed oil has the potential to prevent ulcerative colitis.”
A review concluded that “Phase II/III trials consistently reported significantly greater [Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale} improvement with MDMA-[assisted therapy] vs. placebo with therapy after two or three interventional sessions.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable launched a new Farmer Advisory Council.
The Washington Examiner editorial board is urging President Donald Trump not to reschedule marijuana.
The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board said rescheduling marijuana would “compound the mistake of state-by-state legalization by easing up at the federal level.”
/ BUSINESS
Dispensary 33 workers in Chicago, Illinois voted to join Teamsters Local 777.
/ CULTURE
Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers joked about President Donald Trump’s consideration of rescheduling marijuana.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
