Newsletter
Congressional hearing on cannabis & organized crime sparks debate (Newsletter: September 19, 2025)
GOP senator: hemp products could be banned in 2 weeks; Marijuana industry wants tax reform; Edible Arrangements hemp delivery; Study: Cannabis odors
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, & Accountability held a hearing on Chinese-linked marijuana grows—with witnesses blaming legalization for creating an opportunity for organized crime and one Democratic lawmaker calling for federal rescheduling.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said he’s worried Congress could pass legislation banning many consumable hemp products “within the next two weeks” as the debate on cannabis policy has “swung hard on the prohibitionist side.”
- “If it relaxes you, calms you [and] allows you to have less anxiety and to sleep at night, I’d much rather be having people take a hemp product than Oxycontin.”
The National Cannabis Industry Association published a report calling on Congress to treat marijuana businesses like other lawful industries by allowing them to take federal tax deductions—and also to apply the reform to the 280E penalty retroactively to provide relief for past payments.
The company behind Edible Arrangements is expanding its cannabis product delivery service to 30 U.S. states—including same-day delivery of hemp-derived THC drinks and chews in several major cities.
A new study provides the “first comprehensive sensory-guided investigation into the composition of the odor-active compounds” in cannabis—”revealing the intricate interplay between terpenes, esters, sulfur compounds, and previously underexplored odorants such as phenolic compounds, volatile acids, and furanones.”
- “By deepening the knowledge of cannabis secondary metabolism, targeted breeding efforts could optimize the production of desirable odorant compounds, catering to distinct market preferences in food, fragrance, and cannabis-based consumer products.”
/ FEDERAL
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published an overview of data on marijuana and opioid use.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “The Trump Admin is once again using the failed war on drugs to justify their egregious violation of international law. There is NO legal justification. It risks spiraling into the exact type of endless, pointless conflict that Trump supposedly opposes. I have a War Powers resolution to fight back.”
Rep. Tom Kean (R-NJ) tweeted, “Join me in applauding the @NJSP, who seized over $48M in illegal marijuana & THC products during a Warren County traffic stop. Thank you for your incredible work protecting our community & state!”
/ STATES
Tennessee regulators are facing a federal lawsuit over the state’s hemp product restrictions.
Alabama administrative law hearings are underway concerning regulators’ medical cannabis business license award processes.
Minnesota’s top marijuana regulator spoke about efforts to license additional testing labs.
Vermont regulators discussed the process of awarding medical use endorsements for marijuana businesses.
The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board met.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board met.
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/ INTERNATIONAL
A German Health Ministry proposal to restrict medical cannabis access was withdrawn.
Colombian lawmakers have varied reactions to the U.S.’s move to decertify the country as a partner in the “war on drugs.”
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study suggested that “nanoencapsulated CBD holds promise as an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, potentially mitigating adverse effects associated with cannabinoid therapy.”
A review concluded that “both psilocybin and ketamine demonstrate rapid antidepressant effects with acceptable safety in” treatment-resistant depression.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Emancipate NC’s strategic director authored an op-ed arguing that North Carolina police should not be able to conduct searches based on the smell of cannabis.
/ BUSINESS
Cresco Labs Inc. shareholders elected board of directors members.
Missouri retailers sold $130.5 million worth of legal marijuana products in August.
/ CULTURE
Willie Nelson spoke about the time he smoked marijuana on the roof of the White House.
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