Newsletter
Congressional panel moves to block cannabis rescheduling (Newsletter: July 15, 2025)
Senate report on marijuana, hemp & psychedelics; Feds cancel cannabis cultivation contract; New PA legalization measure; DE gov weighs local control
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
House Appropriations Committee leaders included provisions to block marijuana rescheduling in a Justice Department funding bill—while also continuing a separate rider that protects state medical cannabis law from federal interference.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a report expressing concerns about “misleading” marketing of cannabis products and noting the need for revised hemp rules, while also supporting continued research into psychedelic medicines.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is declining to renew a longstanding marijuana cultivation contract with the University of Mississippi through which the school provided cannabis for federally approved research for over half a century.
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer (D) discussed the “competing priorities” he is weighing over a bill on his desk to limit county zoning restrictions on marijuana businesses, saying “we believe strongly in local control” but also that the legal cannabis market has “taken too long to get off the ground.”
Bipartisan Pennsylvania House lawmakers filed a new marijuana legalization bill—days after separate legislation to legalize cannabis was introduced in the Senate, where the lead sponsor says “we have a path to get this done.”
The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation’s Shanita Penny argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that while “no piece of legislation will satisfy every stakeholder,” incremental reforms like Rep. Dave Joyce’s (R-OH) STATES 2.0 Act provide a “very much needed foundation to move federal cannabis policy forward.”
- “Opposing everything that is not your version of perfect is not just hopeless—it is counterproductive.”
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s marijuana social equity technical assistance and training program is back on track after a pause—kicking off in September with the current round of applicants and accepting more submissions starting on August 1.
/ FEDERAL
Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) tweeted, “Our vets deserve the best care. Psychedelics could be the game changing solution that helps veterans heal from the invisible wounds they incurred on the battlefield back home. Let’s keep fighting to deliver mental health care solutions that work.”
The House bill to seal marijuana conviction records got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
/ STATES
A North Carolina representative who owns a hemp company is being sued by another industry firm over allegations he used his “power and influence” to coerce payments after a partnership fell apart.
A Nevada assemblymember spoke about the potential for the cannabis and gaming industries to work together.
Louisiana regulators adopted changes to medical cannabis rules.
California regulators sent a reminder that disaster relief resources are available for cannabis businesses affected by wildfires.
New York regulators posted a series of public service announcements about cannabis.
The Maryland Advisory Board on Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis will meet on Thursday.
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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
A former Rohnert Park, California police officer was convicted in federal court on charges of pulling over drivers suspected of possessing significant amounts of marijuana and extorting the cannabis by falsely claiming to be an Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent and threatening arrest if the drivers contested the property seizures.
Taylor, Michigan police said a possible prank led to cannabis photos being featured in search results for a Google search of the department.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Acting Dominican Prime Minister Irving McIntyre spoke at a cannabis event, saying the government wants to “explore the vast potential of the cannabis plant, for public health, economic empowerment, agricultural revitalization, and social equity.”
Thailand’s public health minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to new, stricter cannabis laws.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that medical cannabis “treatment initiation was associated with reductions in pain severity and interference and improvements in quality of life and sleep quality, but not in illicit opioid use or cravings in adults with chronic pain receiving buprenorphine/naloxone for” opioid use disorder.
A review concluded that “validated CBD could offer an innovative [hepatocellular carcinoma] management option.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Australian Medical Association is supporting new federal medical cannabis guidelines.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced that its Brampton, Ontario, Canada distribution center received European Union Good Manufacturing Practice certification.
Michigan retailers sold $261.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in June.
/ CULTURE
Charles Barkley spoke about why he doesn’t like to consume marijuana, saying it “does nothing for me.”
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