Newsletter
Trump cannabis order could touch banking & CBD Medicare coverage (Newsletter: December 18, 2025)
GOP lawmaker slams rescheduling; Poll: Voters back legalization; Marijuana in public housing; ME gov candidate: don’t sign recriminalization petition
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
A White House spokesperson confirmed to Marijuana Moment that President Donald Trump is “currently expected to address marijuana rescheduling” on Thursday, but added that “any details of this potential action until officially announced by the White House are speculation.”
- Sources familiar with the planning said a signing ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 PM ET and that the president will be surrounded by various cannabis industry and movement stakeholders when signing the order.
President Donald Trump’s anticipated executive order on marijuana rescheduling could also contain provisions on cannabis industry banking access and Medicare coverage for CBD—and may additionally be accompanied by clemency actions—according to news reports and sources.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) is arguing that President Donald Trump “technically” can’t reschedule marijuana by executive order—though he acknowledged it “would be a heavy lift” to overturn the reform in Congress.
A new poll commissioned by the conservative religious group Ethics and Public Policy Center shows that a majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana—though Trump voters are largely not on board, with the exception of younger ones.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) filed legislation to protect people who live in public housing from being evicted over marijuana use that is legal under state law.
Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate David Jones said a proposed initiative to roll back marijuana legalization is “really dumb,” and he’s urging voters not to sign petitions to put it on the ballot.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Tax Court upheld the Internal Revenue Service’s application of the 280E tax penalty to a marijuana business.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is running a campaign it calls “30 Days of Drug Facts.”
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) tweeted, “Even if cannabis becomes a Schedule III drug, we need specific legislation like my SAFER Banking Act to allow legal cannabis businesses in Nevada to access banking services, accept debit and credit cards, and combat money laundering and fraud.”
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said it is “great to see” reports that President Donald Trump may issue a marijuana rescheduling order this week.
The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of 60.
The House bill to create a pathway for patients to use Schedule I drugs got two new cosponsors for a total of 11.
/ STATES
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) commuted the parole supervision of a man who served time in prison for marijuana.
A Missouri representative spoke about legislation to restrict hemp products.
Colorado regulators issued an expanded health and safety advisory about cannabis products with pesticides above acceptable limits.
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that a medical cannabis dispensary cannot deduct its business expenses from state taxes.
New York regulators are being sued over new marijuana tracking rules.
Maryland lawmakers will file legislation to decriminalize drug paraphernalia in the 2026 session.
California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.
Dozens of Alabama doctors have taken a course that’s required to be able to recommend medical cannabis.
The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board 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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/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “dietary cannabidiol supplementation enhances growth performance, meat quality and antioxidant capacity in Landes geese.”
A study’s findings “support the idea that [medical marijuana] substitutes for prescription painkillers.”
A study found that “chronic treatment with cannabidiol confers significant anti-seizure benefit to the mouse model of [late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis] disease.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Washington Post editorial board is calling for federal marijuana legalization.
Prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana launched a new ad urging President Donald Trump not to reschedule cannabis.
CNN commentator Harry Enten said President Donald Trump rescheduling marijuana “would be some of his best politics in a long time.”
/ BUSINESS
Vireo Growth Inc. is acquiring certain Colorado assets from PharmaCann Inc.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp. closed a private placement of senior secured notes for aggregate gross proceeds of $140 million.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
