Connect with us

Newsletter

New Trump drug czar supports medical cannabis (Newsletter: January 7, 2026)

Published

on

IRS rejects marijuana nonprofit’s app; WI medical cannabis; IN legalization bill; VA patient protections; MI tax lawsuit proceeds

Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.

Get our daily newsletter.

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…

Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going.

Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nomination of Sara Carter Bailey—who called medical cannabis “fantastic”—to serve as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The Internal Revenue Service rejected a cannabis tourism group’s request for nonprofit tax-exempt status, citing the ongoing federal criminalization of marijuana and saying that the organization’s activities create a “private benefit to the cannabis industry” and its members.

Wisconsin’s Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) said his chamber is “not there” yet in having enough votes to pass a medical cannabis legalization bill despite his support for limited reform—and he criticized President Donald Trump’s federal rescheduling move, calling marijuana a “dangerous drug.”

An Indiana representative introduced a bill to legalize possession and cultivation of up to two ounces of marijuana, without creating a regulatory structure for licensed cannabis production and retail sales.

A Virginia delegate filed a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, subject to certain limitations.

A Michigan judge is allowing the marijuana industry’s lawsuit challenging a new wholesale tax on cannabis to proceed despite state officials’ request for her to reconsider a ruling denying their motion for a summary judgement.

Florida lawmakers filed legislation to make it illegal to possess open containers of medical marijuana or hemp products in vehicles—with the loss of medical cannabis patient status as a possible penalty.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum posted a video about a money counting machine in its collection.

/ STATES

Colorado’s attorney general reached a settlement with a cannabis company that allegedly violated the terms of a prior settlement.

Oklahoma’s attorney general said “trafficking of illegal marijuana from Oklahoma into Texas represents a serious threat to public safety in both states.”

The New Jersey Assembly Health Committee approved a bill to restructure the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

Nebraska regulators approved new emergency medical cannabis rules as well as a cultivation license.

California regulators filed proposed changes to the cannabis appellations program.

Vermont regulators approved updated guidance on marijuana advertising and product labeling and registration.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.


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.

/ LOCAL

A court overturned Southampton, New York’s cannabis zoning rules.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers approved quotas for production of medical cannabis and other drugs for 2026.

The German Bundestag Health Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to add restrictions on medical cannabis on January 14.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study’s results “suggest the potential application of hemp seed protein hydrolysate and its fractions as antioxidant and chemoprotective supplements in oncologic therapies.”

A study found that “cannabis may influence brain health differently across the lifespan, potentially offering protective effects in older age while posing risks earlier in development.”

A study found “a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms after psilocybin treatment.”

/ BUSINESS

Nabis is acquiring select assets of Humble Cannabis Solutions.

IM Cannabis Corp. has a new board of directors member.

/ CULTURE

A marijuana dispensary co-owned by Ice-T in Jersey City, New Jersey has closed.

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.

Get our daily newsletter.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
Become a patron at Patreon!

Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 25-year veteran in the cannabis and drug law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana, psychedelics and other substances. He previously reported for Forbes, Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and was given the Hunter S. Thompson Media Award by NORML and has been named Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access. As an activist, Tom founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority and handled media relations, campaigns and lobbying for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

Advertisement

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

Get our daily newsletter.

Support Marijuana Moment

Add Marijuana Moment as a preferred source on Google.

Marijuana News In Your Inbox

 

Get our daily newsletter.