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Cannabis banking will move “hopefully sooner than later,” senator says (Newsletter: July 7, 2025)

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Czech Republic marijuana & psilocybin bill passes; VA secretary: Psychedelics are “phenomenal” in treating veterans; Study on cannabis and sex

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) told Marijuana Moment that a cannabis banking bill will be taken up “hopefully sooner than later” but that “other things like war and reconciliation” have prevented key lawmakers from prioritizing the legislation.

  • “We’ve tried to schedule several meetings. We keep trying to do it.”

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said he’s “particularly proud” of efforts to expand research on the benefits of psychedelics, which he said “have been phenomenal” in helping people with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

The Czech Republic Senate passed a bill to legalize possession and home cultivation of marijuana and allow medical use of psilocybin, sending it to the desk of President Petr Pavel to be signed into law.

A new study shows that “more frequent cannabis use was linked with greater daily sexual desire.”

  • “Participants reported significantly higher sexual desire and lower sexual distress on days they used cannabis compared to non-use days.”

California’s Senate president pro tem defended his resistance to proposals to prevent a marijuana tax increase, saying, “any freeze will create a budget shortfall which would impact critical community programs funded by cannabis tax dollars.”

Texas medical cannabis companies are pushing lawmakers to ban synthetic delta-8 THC and restrict consumable hemp products to adults over the age of 21 in an upcoming special session this month.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission is proceeding with the application process for a medical marijuana dispensary license with previously qualified applicants from an earlier selection round.

All seven of Delaware’s medical cannabis operators have converted to adult-use marijuana sales and will be able to begin selling recreational products on August 1.

A new survey shows that marijuana consumers in the Des Moines, Iowa area are generally employed, own a home, vote regularly, pay their taxes and are involved in their communities—smashing “lazy stoner” stereotypes.

/ FEDERAL

The Bureau of Land Management announced its intent to award a contract concerning “reclamation activities from public land cannabis cultivation complexes.”

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield authored an op-ed detailing concerns about a “potent synthetic opioid masquerading as natural kratom.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) filed an amendment to require online platforms to take steps to prevent minors’ access to potentially sensitive content—including advertisements for cannabis products and certain other drugs and services.

/ STATES

The vice chair of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee said lawmakers will “unquestionably come back and remedy” any errors in an expungements law that may have omitted certain marijuana convictions pardoned by Gov. Wes Moore (D).

The Georgia House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Georgia’s Medical Marijuana and Hemp Policies announced its meeting dates and locations.

An Arizona judge denied a preliminary injunction against the attorney general’s move to crack down on intoxicating hemp products.

California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to various issues.

Minnesota regulators issued a consumer advisory about cannabis gummies due to product mislabeling and THC content above the legal limit.

Colorado regulators published a bulletin reminding marijuana business licenses of the upcoming second annual payment for the two-year license term.

Michigan officials are distributing free locking bags for marijuana in order to help prevent accidental ingestion by children.

Missouri regulators are accepting applications to participate in the Missouri Cannabis Regulation Collaborative.


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

Dallas, Texas officials are asking a judge to issue a temporary injunction against the city’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.

/ INTERNATIONAL

An Israeli Ministry of Justice official issued an opinion upholding the minister of finance’s rejection of tariffs on Canadian medical cannabis imports.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study “illustrates the potential of phytocannabinoids as antifungal treatments and opens up new routes towards development of novel antifungal drugs.”

A review concluded that “evidence from case studies, preclinical research, and early phase clinical trials suggests that psychedelics may alleviate pain in conditions such as cluster headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain syndromes.”

/ BUSINESS

Blum Holdings, Inc. is acquiring another dispensary in Northern California.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

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Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 25-year veteran in the cannabis and drug law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana, psychedelics and other substances. He previously reported for Forbes, Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and was given the Hunter S. Thompson Media Award by NORML and has been named Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access. As an activist, Tom founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority and handled media relations, campaigns and lobbying for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

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