Newsletter
Trump lied about cannabis rescheduling opposition, GOP senator says (Newsletter: December 22, 2025)
Marijuana banking bill momentum; State legalization gets boost from Trump move; GOP AGs concerned over cannabis rescheduling; FL legalization to court
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump touted the benefits of medical marijuana as a safer “substitute for addictive and potentially lethal opioid painkillers”—but clarified that he is “not going to be taking it” himself.
- “I don’t want it.”
Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) is suggesting that President Donald Trump lied when he said during a marijuana rescheduling signing ceremony that he hadn’t received any calls opposing the move—with the senator saying he spoke to the president about his concerns just days earlier.
Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) told Marijuana Moment that lawmakers have not yet discussed reintroducing marijuana banking legislation this Congress due to other priorities but that federal cannabis rescheduling “changes it big time.”
President Donald Trump’s federal marijuana rescheduling move could boost efforts to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wyoming and other states—lawmakers and elected officials say.
A coalition of Republican state attorneys general are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s decision to reschedule cannabis—saying “the science surrounding marijuana…properly establishes it as a Schedule I drug, and we have seen firsthand the harm the drug has caused in our communities.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) has formally asked the state Supreme Court to begin a review of a marijuana legalization initiative to determine whether it meets constitutional requirements to appear on the 2026 ballot.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill to recriminalize some marijuana activity that was legalized under a voter-approved ballot measure—while also line-item-vetoing a provision that would’ve allowed hemp THC drink sales for another year.
The Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board approved an emergency rule regulating consumable hemp product sales over the opposition of a state representative who sponsored the law underlying the regulation.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach (R) and the director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are being sued over raids against hemp businesses that they claimed were selling illegal marijuana products.
/ FEDERAL
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to place several synthetic cannabinoids in Schedule I.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) discussed the case of former federal marijuana prisoner Weldon Angelos in a Senate floor speech.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) suggested ahead of President Donald Trump signing a marijuana rescheduling executive order that the president might change his mind and not do it.
Several Republican members of Congress expressed concerns about marijuana rescheduling.
The House bill to let Department of Veterans Affairs doctors issue medical cannabis recommendations got one new cosponsor for a total of two.
/ STATES
North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R) said the impact of marijuana rescheduling could be “really complicated.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced the awarding of marijuana revenue-funded grants to support programs focused on preventing youth substance use.
The Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling in a case on marijuana metabolites in a driver’s system.
The Texas Supreme Court declined to take up Austin’s appeal of a lower court ruling blocking its voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.
Arizona regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to possible pesticide contamination.
Nevada regulators issued an amended bulletin about marijuana products that were treated with an unapproved pesticide.
Delaware, Maryland and Michigan regulators published guidance about the federal move to reschedule marijuana.
New York regulators approved additional marijuana business licenses.
Oklahoma regulators’ medical cannabis licensing portal is experiencing problems.
Minnesota regulators extended the deadline to apply for a cannabis industry training grants program.
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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
Howard County, Maryland officials reached an agreement to allow firefighters to use medical cannabis while off duty.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Jamaica’s minister of industry, investment and commerce praised the U.S.’s move to reschedule marijuana.
The United Arab Emirates government issued a decree regulating industrial and medical uses of hemp.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study of goats found that “liposomal CBD demonstrated remarkable efficacy in pain control and wellbeing improvement for several weeks and can potentially provide similar results in humans.”
A review concluded that “psilocybin shows promise as a multidimensional therapy for chronic pain, addressing both sensory and affective components.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Cannabis Regulators Association published an explainer on what marijuana rescheduling would and would not mean.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board criticized President Donald Trump’s move to reschedule marijuana.
The Washington Examiner editorial board is arguing that President Donald Trump’s marijuana rescheduling move will “actively harm some of his most fervent supporters, and undermine both his anti-drug and anti-crime efforts.”
/ BUSINESS
Trulieve Cannabis Corp.’s CEO spoke about her discussions with President Donald Trump ahead of his decision to reschedule marijuana.
The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. is selling its Virginia assets to Millstreet Credit Fund LP after that company outbid Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
/ CULTURE
Jimmy Kimmel joked about President Donald Trump appearing sleepy during his marijuana rescheduling order signing ceremony.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
