Newsletter
DEA’s contrasting cannabis legalization stance in new report (Newsletter: May 19, 2025)
Investigation on FL Medicaid funds’ use against marijuana reform; Reparations resolution cites drug war; DeSantis signs psychedelic spore ban
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s new 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment claims that states that have legalized marijuana are providing cover for illicit cultivation operations by cartels—while at the same time implicitly acknowledging that ongoing prohibition in other states creates opportunities for that cannabis to be sold on the illegal market.
Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Darren Soto (D-FL) are asking federal officials to investigate an organization with ties to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) over the “potentially unlawful diversion” of Medicaid funds to campaign against a marijuana legalization ballot initiative.
A Pennsylvania GOP senator who supports marijuana legalization but not via a House-passed bill to create state-run stores is suggesting slowing the process down by creating a new Cannabis Control Board to immediately regulate medical marijuana and hemp while preparing to eventually oversee the adult-use market.
- Meanwhile, a Democratic sponsor of the House bill says the marijuana industry “would rather keep cannabis illegal in Pennsylvania than see it legalized in a way that doesn’t boost their stock prices.”
Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) filed legislation including a provision titled “Welfare For Needs Not Weed” that would prevent people from accessing federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits at marijuana dispensaries.
Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) and other Democratic lawmakers filed a resolution on the U.S.’s “moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the crime of enslavement of Africans and its lasting harm” that notes that “Black people are still presumed dangerous and therefore are systematically targeted and criminalized under our legal system, including through the war on drugs.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed an agricultural bill that includes provisions to ban sales of spores or mycelium that can produce mushrooms containing the psychedelic compounds psilocybin or psilocyn.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) is pledging to provide administrative support and resources to the state’s new Medical Cannabis Commission as lawmakers separately prepare to begin a floor debate on medical marijuana implementation legislation on Tuesday.
- Nebraska lawmakers are continuing to work to pass legislation to implement—and amend—the voter-approved legalization of medical cannabis despite opposition from the attorney general.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission approved changes to an application for marijuana testing labs and discussed ongoing litigation challenging their business licensing decisions.
U.S. Pain Foundation CEO Nicole Dyer authored an op-ed calling on Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) to veto a hemp product restriction bill that she says would “strip away access” to full-spectrum CBD products that she and others use to “get through the day.”
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting an event about workplace drug education on June 17.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said in a Senate floor speech that “any” amount of marijuana “is too much.”
/ STATES
Minnesota lawmakers sent Gov. Tim Walz (D) cannabis omnibus bill. Separately, lawmakers agreed to increase marijuana taxes.
Kentucky’s state auditor spoke about her investigation into regulators’ medical cannabis business licensing process.
The New Jersey Assembly Oversight Committee held a hearing on cannabis product safety issues.
California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to inaccurate product type on the labels, inability to establish the licensee is manufacturing with good manufacturing practices and because they exceed the per package concentration limit for THC. Separately, regulators touted an action to seize illicit cannabis and psilocybin.
Delaware’s new top marijuana regulator was sworn in.
Rhode Island regulators established a new Cannabis Office.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s executive director announced his retirement.
Colorado regulators published guidance on tracking business-to-business marijuana transfers.
Oklahoma regulators said that medical cannabis business licenses that were inadvertently canceled due to a software glitch have now been restored.
Washington State regulators sent guidance about the cannabis licensing portal.
The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Monday.
The New York Cannabis Control Board will meet on Tuesday.
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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.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL
New York City officials are removing padlocks on unlicensed marijuana stores they previously shuttered as court orders begin to expire.
The Minneapolis, Minnesota Park and Recreation Board approved an updated policy to ban smoking and vaping of cannabis in public parks.
/ INTERNATIONAL
The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare is considering a proposal to lower the health insurance coverage threshold for the cannabis-based medication Epidiolex.
The Australian Legalise Cannabis Party saw a nearly 30-fold increase in first preference votes for House of Representatives seats in recent elections.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “habitual cannabis use (vs. non-use) is associated with lower peripheral inflammation with no difference in insulin sensitivity in metabolically healthy, young people.”
A review highlighted the “potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a promising alternative or adjunctive treatment for” alcohol use disorder.
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
A poll of Florida voters found that 53 percent support legalizing marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Curaleaf and a former vice president of the company it accused of stealing confidential records are negotiating a settlement to resolve litigation over the matter.
Leafwire Media and CannaSpyglass formed a strategic partnership.
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Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.
