Newsletter
Pennsylvania governor keeps pushing to legalize cannabis amid GOP opposition (Newsletter: June 20, 2025)
Congressional hemp ban report; MD marijuana pardons; OH legalization amendment dispute; NH psilocybin reform advances; NY & CA cannabis grants
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
The Congressional Research Service said a bill advancing through the House would “effectively” ban hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including CBD—despite an Appropriations Committee report saying it “does not intend” to prohibit “non-intoxicating…products with trace or insignificant amounts of THC.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) marked Juneteenth with a new round of pardons for nearly 7,000 marijuana possession convictions that were inadvertently left out of an earlier mass cannabis clemency action because they were coded incorrectly in criminal records.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is continuing to push for marijuana legalization—saying residents are sending tax money to neighboring states with legal cannabis—even as the GOP Senate majority leader says there’s no way the reform can be included in the budget due this month.
An apparent agreement between Ohio House and Senate lawmakers on how to amend the voter-approved marijuana legalization law fell apart at the last minute, with key negotiators now saying that passing anything ahead of the summer recess is unlikely.
A New Hampshire House-Senate conference committee agreed to lower penalties for first-time possession of psilocybin, while a separate panel decided to remove provisions to legalize medical cannabis home cultivation from another bill.
The New York Office of Cannabis Management awarded the first 52 grants under a program to aid businesses run by people harmed by prior marijuana criminalization through reimbursements for expenses such as rent, renovations, inventory tracking and security systems.
The California Department of Cannabis Control is using $30 million in marijuana revenue to support research projects—prioritizing key focus areas like consumer preferences, crop yields, environmental sustainability and enforcement strategies.
FundCanna CEO Adam Stettner argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that it’s “hypocritical” and “illogical” for Texas lawmakers to spend $50 million to support research on the psychedelic ibogaine while continuing to criminalize cannabis.
/ FEDERAL
Former Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk posted what appears to be a report from a second drug test showing negative results for various substances.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) tweeted that a new study purporting to link cannabis use with heart attacks and stroke is “yet another reason to be very cautious about recreational marijuana and inflated claims about medical marijuana.”
/ STATES
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) appointed another member to the Liquor Control Commission who will jointly serve on the Medical Cannabis Commission.
Ultra Health Cannabis CEO Duke Rodriguez is considering running for New Mexico governor.
Texas’s lieutenant governor is continuing to agitate in favor of a bill to ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC, including by pushing back against polling showing that it is unpopular with voters.
A Missouri senator authored an op-ed about the benefits of federal marijuana rescheduling.
A Washington State representative is urging Lynnwood City Council members not to allow retail marijuana businesses to operate.
Former staffers for a Massachusetts psychedelics legalization ballot initiative campaign are alleging that it violated campaign finance laws.
Utah regulators posted information about the availability of new medical cannabis pharmacy licenses.
New York regulators are accepting applications to speak at the Medical Cannabis Symposium they are hosting in November.
California regulators will hold a public hearing about proposed cannabis tax rules on Monday.
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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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/ INTERNATIONAL
Jamaican officials dropped a case against a Rastafari man after recognizing his right to grow cannabis as a sacrament.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “medical cannabis pharmacies can provide an effective adjuvant intervention for pediatric cancer symptoms” and that most patients “reported that medical cannabis helped ease some distressing symptoms with minimal side effects, but not all experienced benefits.”
A review concluded that “assisted psilocybin use may have benefits in [traumatic brain injury] by reducing inflammation, promoting neuroplasticity and neuroregeneration, and alleviating associated mood disorders.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
Law enforcement and anti-drug groups sent a letter urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to sign a bill banning consumable hemp products with any amount of THC.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. denied reports that it is acquiring MedLeaf Therapeutics and that it entered into a strategic partnership with MediPharm GmbH for distribution of medical cannabis in Germany and other EU markets.
LeadiX GmbH is attempting to patent quantitative drug testing methods over the objections of harm reduction advocates who say that home use of the technology can prevent overdoses and save lives.
/ CULTURE
Former football player Ricky Williams is calling on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to veto a bill to ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC.
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