Newsletter
Trump signs cannabis rescheduling order (Newsletter: December 19, 2025)
GOP lawmakers mount anti-marijuana effort; Senate amendment on hospital visits & cannabis; VA marijuana resentencing bill; MI psychedelics
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump followed through with his campaign pledge to reschedule marijuana by signing an executive order directing the attorney general to complete the process initiated during the Biden administration.
- Marijuana Moment obtained details of the cannabis rescheduling executive order ahead of its official signing—including how it addresses hemp and CBD product access.
House and Senate Republicans made a last-ditch attempt to convince President Donald Trump not to reschedule marijuana—sending a pair of letters that argued the move would harm public health and safety.
- The president dismissed concerns from Republican lawmakers who urged him not to reschedule cannabis by pointing to a poll showing “82 percent of the people want this” and talking about his friends who are “really sick” and found relief with cannabis.
Lawmakers, state officials, advocates and industry stakeholders reacted to President Donald Trump’s marijuana rescheduling executive order—with many saying it’s a step in the right direction but that further reforms are still needed.
Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) filed an amendment to require the federal government to track the cost of hospitalization due to marijuana use, directing the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress on the issue within one year.
Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore filed a bill to provide resentencing relief for people incarcerated or on community supervision for certain marijuana offenses as lawmakers prepare to legalize recreational cannabis sales in 2026.
The Jackson, Michigan City Council passed a resolution directing police to deprioritize enforcement of laws against the purchase, cultivation and possession of certain psychedelic plants and fungi.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tweeted, “I’m fighting for Kentucky’s hemp farmers and small businesses as Washington pushes new federal restrictions that threaten a billion-dollar industry built on jobs and innovation. We shouldn’t let the Swamp kill an American success story. We need common-sense hemp policy that protects jobs and choice.”
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) said rescheduling marijuana is a “big mistake.”
Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) said he has “concerns” about rescheduling marijuana.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) said people in her district are “not huge supporters of marijuana.”
Nebraska independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn tweeted, “The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is stacked with Ricketts/Pillen appointees whose job is to STRANGLE medical marijuana with regulations. This is what billionaires do when they lose at the ballot box. They rig the system.”
/ STATES
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, “We keep waiting for the federal government to catch up to Colorado on legal cannabis. Colorado has led the nation with smart, safe marijuana policy—cutting out illegal markets, protecting public safety, and generating billions for education. Outdated federal rules hurt small businesses and don’t reflect reality.”
Massachusetts House and Senate leaders have not yet begun negotiations about reconciling legislation to reform the Cannabis Control Board.
A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “Trump is going to declassify [sic] cannabis. This starts the I told you so tour.”
New York regulators created a new Cannabis Education Advisory Panel.
New Jersey regulators awarded additional marijuana business licenses and issued fines for violations.
Oregon regulators posted updated data on the psilocybin services program.
Washington, D.C. officials shuttered more unlicensed marijuana businesses.
The Minnesota Cannabis Advisory Council met.
The California Cannabis Authority Board of Directors will meet on Monday.
Maine regulators will host an event on cannabis lab testing standards 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
New Zealand regulators removed licensing requirements for industrial hemp.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “CBD protects primary hippocampal neurons from rotenone-induced toxicity.”
A study found that “Google Maps currently offers the most accurate source of dispensary data for cross sectional analyses and performs equally well in urban and rural areas.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
CatholicVote launched a campaign attempting to convince President Donald Trump not to reschedule marijuana.
/ BUSINESS
Jushi Holdings Inc. amended its CEO’s employment agreement.
Village Farms International, Inc. has a new global chief strategy officer.
/ CULTURE
Wiz Khalifa was sentenced to nine months in prison in Romania for marijuana possession, though he is appealing the ruling.
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