Newsletter
Trump DEA pick says cannabis rescheduling review is a top priority (Newsletter: May 1, 2025)
SBA loan guidance for marijuana biz; VA secretary on psychedelics; Federal cannabis record sealing bill; TX psychedelics bills approved
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.
Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…
Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.
Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment
/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
Terrance Cole, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, said it will be one of his “first priorities” to check on the marijuana rescheduling process if he’s confirmed—but he refused to commit to moving cannabis to Schedule III as federal health officials have recommended.
- Cole also said he wants to form a marijuana “working group” in response to a senator’s questions about the growing federal-state divide on cannabis laws.
The Small Business Administration published updated guidance clarifying that marijuana businesses are not eligible for key federal loan programs “even if the business is legal under local or state law where the Applicant is or will be located.”
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins reiterated his support for exploring psychedelic therapy options for military veterans, saying his department is “committed to doing what we can to make the veteran’s care better.”
Bipartisan House and Senate lawmakers filed legislation to automatically seal records for certain non-violent federal marijuana offenses and to provide assistance for expunging convictions at the state level.
The Texas House Public Health Committee amended and approved two bills aimed at speeding up access to psychedelic therapy following federal approval of substances like psilocybin and MDMA.
Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball (R) is accusing the Kentucky Democratic Party of using “intimidation tactics” by filing public records requests about her investigation into the Office of Medical Cannabis’s business licensing process.
/ FEDERAL
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that the odor and sight of marijuana gave a police officer reasonable suspicion to prolong a traffic stop that resulted in the seizure of an illegal firearm.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) will reportedly be the lead Republican sponsor of a cannabis banking bill this session.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) said the Congressional Cannabis Caucus still hasn’t met this year.
/ STATES
Nebraska’s attorney general discussed his opposition to medical cannabis. Separately, a senator said he believes lawmakers have reached a compromise on medical marijuana implementation legislation.
The Ohio Senate passed a bill to restrict the sale of intoxicating hemp products to marijuana dispensaries.
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill providing funding for cannabis regulators.
A Florida representative said hemp regulation legislation is dead for the session.
Missouri regulators announced a recall of marijuana products whose design resembles non-marijuana non-marijuana products.
Maryland regulators published guidance on marijuana processing and growing.
Illinois lawmakers launched a new medical cannabis registration portal.
Oregon regulators will host listening sessions about the psilocybin services program in June.
—
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
The Dover, Delaware City Council is considering a proposal for a local marijuana tax.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Israel’s minister of economy and industry is pushing back against the minister of finance’s objections to proposed tariffs on Canadian medical cannabis imports.
An Australian House of Representatives candidate discussed his support for legalizing marijuana.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A review concluded that “CBD and nanocurcumin could be considered as therapeutic agents to improve the symptoms of [rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis] patients, especially by attenuating pain and joint stiffness.”
A study of epilepsy patients found that “initiation of [cannabis-based medicinal products] was associated with an improvement across all [patient-reported outcome measures].”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Cannabis Council of Canada is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to take action to aid the cannabis industry, including by reforming tax policies.
/ BUSINESS
Aurora Cannabis Inc. completed an investment of $3 million in improvements to its manufacturing facility in Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada.
The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. sent an update about its previously announced plan of arrangement.
/ CULTURE
Travis and Jason Kelce spoke about Travis’s suspension over marijuana use during college.
Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.
Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
