Newsletter
Cannabis reform is “good politics,” Trump White House official says (Newsletter: October 17, 2025)
Bernie Sanders & AOC talk marijuana; WI medical cannabis hearing; FL officials rescind medical marijuana patient IDs; Hemp regs poll; OH DUI bill
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A White House official said marijuana reform is “good politics” as President Donald Trump considers a proposal to federally reschedule cannabis—with sources indicating a decision could come by the end of 2025 or even as soon as this month.
- “For a lot of the base, it’s an issue like gay marriage that people have gotten comfortable with.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) joked about marijuana at a CNN town hall—with Sanders saying anyone who believes Republicans will negotiate on healthcare reform “is smoking what is illegal in many states” and AOC saying cannabis “should be legal in more” states.
The Wisconsin Senate Health Committee has scheduled a hearing on a bill to legalize medical cannabis that is sponsored by the chamber’s Republican president and other GOP lawmakers.
The director of the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use told lawmakers that officials are actively revoking medical cannabis patient and caregiver registrations from people with drug-related criminal records under a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
A new poll shows that 72 percent of American likely voters support keeping consumable hemp products legal and enacting “new safety and licensing regulations to protect children and adult consumers.”
The Ohio Senate passed a bill to change rules for how prosecutors must prove charges of driving under the influence of marijuana by removing the ability to convict based solely on the presence of cannabis metabolites in a person’s system.
/ FEDERAL
President Donald Trump said he is considering expanding his administration’s military strikes on boats suspected of drug involvement to include actions on land as well.
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tweeted a link to an op-ed arguing in favor of closing the federal hemp “loophole.”
/ STATES
The chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board is running for attorney general.
Ohio’s House speaker said a judge’s decision to block Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) ban on intoxicating hemp product sales doesn’t add urgency to the need to pass legislation on the issue.
The Oklahoma House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee held a hearing on hazards posed by abandoned marijuana facilities.
The South Dakota legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee will meet on Wednesday.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismissed an appeal of a case on whether a police chase arising from the smell of marijuana was legal.
Connecticut regulators are being sued over the state’s marijuana social equity rules.
California regulators said they are seeing approximately 99 percent compliance with hemp product restrictions after one year of enforcement.
Florida regulators published updated data on the medical cannabis program.
Michigan regulators published a report on marijuana operation and oversight grants given to counties.
Washington, D.C. regulators shut down more unlicensed marijuana businesses.
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission will meet on Monday.
Illinois regulators will hold a hearing about proposed changes to cannabis rules on Monday.
The Colorado Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.
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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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/ INTERNATIONAL
A Colombian lawmaker tweeted that it is “about time we advanced in regulating the various applications of cannabis” but said the government should consult with “the producer communities of northern Cauca, who have expressed their concern that this regulation will leave them out.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found a “consistent negative relationship between [recreational marijuana legalization] and opioid overdose deaths.”
A review concluded that there is “a positive effect on wound healing by cannabinoids.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Australian Medical Association issued medical cannabis policy recommendations.
/ BUSINESS
Herbal Wellness Center workers in Columbus, Ohio went on strike.
Illinois retailers sold $154.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in September.
Washington, D.C. businesses sold $8.2 million worth of medical cannabis products in August.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
