Newsletter
GOP congressman backed by cannabis biz donations bashes legalization (Newsletter: October 1, 2026)
PA won’t legalize marijuana soon, top GOP senator says; Ads against MA anti-cannabis ballot measure; VA psychedelics research op-ed
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), whose reelection campaign is being boosted with ads paid for by marijuana industry donations to a Trump-linked political action committee, said during a debate that New York’s cannabis legalization law is “hurting” the state’s economy and neighborhoods.
Pennsylvania’s Republican Senate majority leader said he doesn’t think the state can legalize marijuana until it receives “national direction” on the issue.
- “The Department of Health has not exactly done a bang-up job on medical marijuana, so I don’t have a whole ton of confidence in our ability, even if we were to legalize recreational marijuana, to do it well.”
A Massachusetts campaign working to defeat an initiative on the November ballot that would roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law released two new ads featuring a public health expert, a military veteran and a business owner.
Stacey Armstrong and Alan Davis of Ohio State University Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education argue in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that while the Department of Veterans Affairs’s new psilocybin study is a “remarkable milestone,” independent research is still needed to “reach those who receive care elsewhere, including those who have disengaged from VA entirely.”
- “Independent psychedelic science is neither a rival nor a replacement for VA’s efforts. It is a necessary complement, one that can ask different questions, test different models of care and help reach veterans who might otherwise have nowhere else to turn.”
The Portland, Oregon City Council approved an ordinance making enforcement of laws against personal use of natural psychedelics a low priority for police.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing changes to rules on the time allowed for reexports of controlled substances outside of the European Economic Area.
The U.S. Forest Service touted its role in eradicating an illegal marijuana grow site in the Mendocino National Forest.
/ STATES
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand discussed his support for legalizing marijuana.
Ohio regulators adopted changes to cannabis rules.
Massachusetts regulators are accepting public comments on proposed changes to marijuana business agent registration rules.
Virginia’s acting top cannabis regulator discussed recently released draft recreational marijuana sales rules.
Minnesota officials are promoting a cannabis industry worker training program.
Oregon regulators are accepting applications to join the 2026 Cannabis Technical Rules Advisory Committee.
Michigan regulators revoked a business’s medical cannabis licenses and imposed a fine over alleged violations.
California regulators sent updates about various cannabis issues.
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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
Democratic Los Angeles, California mayoral candidate Nithya Raman, currently a City Council member, rolled out a cannabis platform.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Australian Capital Territory officials said they aren’t ready to implement a policy to protect medical cannabis patients from driving under the influence charges.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “wild hemp [essential oil] possesses strong insecticidal potential against cereal aphids, while its biological activity appears to be primarily associated with toxic effects rather than behavioural deterrence.”
A study found that “MDMA administration reduces ethanol drinking and is associated with altered nociceptin and dynorphin system gene expression in alcohol-preferring rats.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The prohibitionist Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions launched a new ad calling on President Donald Trump to ban kratom.
/ BUSINESS
The founder of KindManage, LLC is facing federal securities fraud and wire fraud charges.
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