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Massachusetts officials have denied a last-ditch attempt to keep an initiative to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law from appearing on the November ballot. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office determined earlier this month that organizers for the anti-cannabis initiative had turned in enough valid signatures to put the measure before voters, but marijuana reform advocate Kevin Gilnack then filed an objection with the State Ballot Law Commission claiming that various signatures were not genuine, obtained through fraudulent means or were not “signed substantially as registered.” Others, the complaint said, belong to people who are not registered voters at the address they claimed or who subsequently requested to have their names removed. The filing also says that some petition forms contained extraneous marks or were not “exact copies” of the form provided by the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office, “in that they differ from the original in paper size, color, text, or format, or otherwise fail to conform to the requirements” of the law. After holding a hearing on the dispute last week that included testimony from a forensic document examiner and handwriting expert who appeared on behalf of the challenger, the commission on Tuesday rejected the objection. The panel “finds, rules and concludes that the Objector has not met his burden of proof to disqualify enough signatures on the initiative petition,” it said in a 16-page decision. “The Commission overrules Objector’s challenges to the initiative petition and the Secretary is ordered to print the ballot question on the November 3, 2026, State Election Ballot.” The body ended up invalidating only four of the challenged signatures due to missing address information while rejecting the request to throw out additional petitions over issues such as illegibility, non-genuineness or stray marks. During last week’s hearing, Gilnack also sought to enter into the record affidavits of voters who said their signatures were obtained through fraud. The anti-marijuana campaign objected, however, as those voters were not identified in the initially filed objection, and the commission agreed. Shortly after the commission’s ruling on Tuesday, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office announced that the anti-cannabis measure will be designated as Question 8 on the ballot. Under state law, Massachusetts ballot campaigns must turn in signatures in two waves. After the first submission, the legislature gets a chance to enact proposed ballot measures after organizers submit an initial round of petitions. Lawmakers in May declined to act on the anti-marijuana measure, however, and so organizers needed to submit additional 12,429 certified signatures by July 1 to make the November ballot. The state Elections Division determined that 12,551 signatures of the 12,889 submitted in the latest batch were valid. Wendy Wakeman, a spokesperson for the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, which is behind the anti-cannabis initiative, previously called Gilnack’s challenge “one last desperate attempt for big marijuana to keep this discussion from the voters.” Meanwhile, a coalition of Massachusetts marijuana business leaders, healthcare professionals and other advocates have launched a campaign to defeat the measure, which if enacted would repeal laws allowing the regulated commercial sales of recreational cannabis and home cultivation while maintaining legal possession and continuing the medical marijuana system. In June, the campaign behind the legalization rollback measure, the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, fired a signature gatherer it says was shown appearing to engage in “wholly unacceptable” conduct in a recent video. As Marijuana Moment reported, a man petitioning for the Massachusetts initiative as well as a similar anti-cannabis proposal in Maine was depicted in recent social media posts seeming to argue that voters who support legal marijuana access should sign the petitions in order to advance or protect reform. The campaign later said it has “zero tolerance for any circulation tactics that would mislead petition signers.” “The identified canvasser was immediately terminated, in coordination with our vendor, upon being made aware of the alleged conduct,” the group said. “The conduct apparent in the video would be wholly unacceptable and does not reflect how this campaign operates. We demand honesty, transparency and professionalism from everyone associated with our effort.” A video posted to Reddit of the signature gatherer shows the man collecting signatures outside a retail store in Massachusetts next to a sign that says “keep cannabis legal.” When confronted by a marijuana reform supporter who recorded the petitioner’s interactions with voters, he appeared to be trying to convince them that it is important to qualify the anti-cannabis measure for the ballot in order to then defeat it. “This is what we’re fighting against right here. That’s why we vote no,” he said. “If we can get this to the ballot right here, we vote no.” The person who captured the video pointed out that Massachusetts voters already approved marijuana legalization years ago, and that the only way it could be imminently repealed is if the new ballot measure qualified for the November election. If the initiative does not get enough signatures to go before voters, the state’s laws will remain the same. “It’s my job,” the petitioner insisted, however. “I know what I’m talking about.” “It’s a group of rich folks from out of state that want to basically take marijuana to when it was a medical marijuana card,” he said. “We don’t want that to happen.” The same man also appeared to also be gathering signatures for a separate measure in Maine that would similarly repeal laws allowing regulated adult-use marijuana sales and home cultivation rights for adults while keeping possession legal and adding new testing requirements for medical cannabis. A staffer for the prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), whose affiliated group SAM Action is largely funding the anti-cannabis ballot campaigns in both states, declined to comment about the petitioner’s conduct when reached by Marijuana Moment. The campaigns have previously been accused of misleading petitioning tactics. In Massachusetts, some voters reported that the campaign used fake cover letters for other ballot measures on unrelated issues like affordable housing and same-day voter registration during the first round of petitioning. Legal cannabis supporters filed a formal complaint about the prohibitionist effort’s tactics, but the State Ballot Law Commission rejected the challenge. The measure faced a legal challenge from cannabis industry operatives who argued it contains “impermissibly unrelated subjects,” and that the state attorney general’s official summary is “misleading and deficient.” The state Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments on the litigation challenging the anti-marijuana initiative but it ultimately ruled against the challenge. Separately, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill this month containing provisions to create a five-year pilot program allowing the use of psychedelics to treat mental health conditions. Read the commission’s decision rejecting the challenge to the anti-marijuana ballot initiative below: Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan. The post Massachusetts Officials Reject Challenge To Anti-Marijuana Initiative Signatures, Ruling It Will Appear On November Ballot appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“Building a new regulatory agency is much like constructing a house.” By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission will move forward with requiring fees for registered cannabis establishments and applicants in the coming weeks. Commissioners released the first draft of updated regulations Monday. The proposal would create a $5,000 application fee, license and renewal fees based on license type, a $1,500 relocation fee and a $13,000 fee for participation in the state’s seed-to-sale inventory tracking system. There would also be a $250 fee to license a new product, plus a $100 renewal fee. The latest proposal would no longer include a specific license type for transporters. Instead, as commissioners hinted previously, product manufacturers could apply for a transporter certification to be part of their business. Proposed fees Initial and renewal fees per license type would be as follows: Cultivators — $20,000 for a new license; $23,500 annual renewal fee. Transporter — $10,000 for a new certification. Product manufacturers — $20,000 for a new license; $23,500 annual renewal fee if the licensee does not have a transporter certification or $28,500 if the licensee does. Dispensary — $15,000 for a new license; $18,000 annual renewal fee. Commission regulations permit up to four cultivators, four product manufacturers and 12 dispensaries, arranged by judicial district. That would mean one dispensary each in Douglas County (584,526 residents), Lancaster County (322,608 residents), Sarpy/Cass Counties (217,202 residents) and Buffalo/Hall Counties (112,979 residents), according to 2020 census data. All four cultivators have been licensed. One cultivator is approved to start growing. Licensees would need to pay the seed-to-sale $13,000 fee at each renewal period. This means an annual payment of at least $30,000 to more than $40,000 each year for licensees. The commission opened applications for product manufacturers shortly after its last meeting in mid-June. At least two businesses have applied so far. Commissioners extended the deadline for more applications to August 17, the next commission meeting. Applications can be submitted through the commission’s website. The commission hasn’t yet indicated when it will approve its first product manufacturer licenses. That likely won’t happen until at least September now, based on monthly commission meetings. The commission has not indicated when it would license its first in-state dispensaries either. ‘Thinking more proactively’ Multiple members of the public, many of whom were involved with the successful 2024 voter-led effort to legalize and regulate medical cannabis, said commissioners needed to move faster and more diligently. Voters created the Medical Cannabis Commission at the 2024 election. Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which led the 2024 effort, said commissioners had a choice whether to reinforce a belief that commissioners were standing in the way of what Nebraskans voted for. “I can tell you, it is a certain type of hell to be a parent who has given the last decade of my life to this effort and now have serious concerns of whether my son is ever helped,” Eggers said. Troy Burgess, a Nebraska resident who has worked in the medical cannabis industry for about six years in other states, including Oklahoma, told the commission that “just because we have plants in the ground doesn’t mean patients will ever have medicine.” He is one of the two applicants who have submitted for a product manufacturer license. Burgess and Eggers said commissioners should start preparing now to work with state lawmakers to button up holes in January, such as around testing, confidentiality and legal or professional protections for health care providers wishing to recommend medical cannabis. “We need to start thinking more proactively and working to remove roadblocks, eliminate them,” Burgess said. “We’re here to help. Ask.” Earlier this month, regulations that had been in progress over the past year took the force of law after Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R) and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed off. Placing them into the state administrative code opened the door for more changes, such as new fees. The Nebraska Legislature authorized the commission to issue fees this spring and appropriated dedicated funding to the commission. Lawmakers fell short of doing so in 2025. ‘Foundational efforts’ Commissioner Lorelle Mueting of Gretna, who is interim commission chair, said Monday’s meeting demonstrated the “foundational efforts” the commission has achieved in its first year of running. “Building a new regulatory agency is much like constructing a house,” Mueting said. The commission hired its first dedicated staff this month: a program manager, who started July 6, and a new in-house legal counsel, who started Monday. Commissioners are also in the process of hiring an executive director. Mueting motioned that the fees be approved, after review by the commission’s new attorney first. The motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Bud Synhorst of Lincoln was not in attendance. The fees would allow the commission to continue hiring staff, Mueting said, and were designed after reviewing programs in other states with “similar populations, regional considerations and regulatory structures.” Mueting told the Examiner after the meeting that she did not know how a recent Pillen memo for state agencies to cut spending and require approval for new hires would impact her agency. Commissioner Jim Elworth of Nebraska City will assist commission staff in preparing the commission’s budget request to the governor before the next legislative session in January. Cultivator dispute progress In June, Kent Rogert, a former state senator and leader of one of the commission-licensed cultivators, said he has reached a “tentative” resolution over a dispute with Washington County officials. Officials had issued a stop-work order against Rogert’s operation after Rogert said planning officials changed course and wouldn’t allow him to use an agricultural permit. “We have a path set forward through which we can apply for a conditional use permit for the building permits,” Rogert said of a meeting with the Washington County attorney. Rogert told commissioners the process could take a “little bit of time” and some county meetings, but he hopes that by August, he could provide an updated “good report.” Said Rogert: “We’ve agreed to disagree on the agricultural issue, but…they’ve given us a path forward, assuming everything works and we get a positive vote from the county board.” The next Medical Cannabis Commission meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. August 17. This story was first published by Nebraska Examiner. Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer. The post Nebraska Medical Marijuana Officials Approve Rules For Business Application And Licensing Fees appeared first on Marijuana Moment. 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127. Psilocybin for Anorexia: Inside UCSF's Trial Dr. Amanda Downey on UCSF's psilocybin trial for anorexia, why caregivers enroll, and what the medicine can and can't reach in eating disorders. Episode Summary Eating disorders are the deadliest psychiatric illness we have. Someone in the United States dies of one every 52 seconds, and two of every three people who get conventional treatment never fully recover. Anorexia nervosa has had no new FDA-approved treatment since the 1990s. That is the ground this conversation stands on, and it is why I sat down with Dr. Amanda Downey at Town Hall Seattle. Dr. Downey is a pediatrician and psychiatrist at UCSF and a lead investigator on an active Phase 2 trial studying psilocybin for anorexia in young adults. We talk about why her trial enrolls caregivers as participants, what psilocybin might reach that decades of treatment have not, and where the science is still honestly uncertain. This one is close to me. I recovered from anorexia myself, and I know how little the map has changed. Key Takeaways Psilocybin is being studied as the first potential breakthrough for anorexia in a generation, but every honest researcher in the room is holding equipoise, not hype. The molecule is one component of a system, not a cure. The trial's design is unusually intensive because the population is unusually vulnerable. Two high-dose sessions, three preparation sessions before each, real-time heart monitoring, and blood draws throughout. Between 8 and 20 weeks of contact per participant. Families are part of the treatment. Young people rarely get better if they return to the same system in which the illness grew, so caregivers enroll and prepare too. Improving cognitive flexibility does not guarantee behavior change. People report expanded thinking and a better quality of life. Whether that translates to weight restoration is the open question this trial is built to answer. Access without support is the real risk. Psilocybin floods the body with sensation, and people with anorexia are often profoundly disconnected from the body. Unsupported, that experience can compound harm rather than heal it. Timestamps [00:00] Why eating disorders are the deadliest psychiatric illness, and the numbers that frame the night [01:00] Meeting Dr. Amanda Downey and how she came to eating disorder and psychedelic work [03:00] The patient who inspired the study, and the moment the idea was first spoken aloud [04:30] Funding a trial the government will not pay for, almost entirely through patients and families [05:30] Trial design, and why caregivers enroll as participants [07:30] The scale of the scaffolding: 20 to 25 milligram doses and weeks of contact [08:00] Safety at the core, hypoglycemia, and real-time cardiac monitoring [09:00] The working hypothesis, cognitive flexibility, and the default mode network [11:00] Ketamine versus psilocybin, and why durability may be the difference [25:30] Audience question on integration, plasticity, and extralegal use [26:30] Harm reduction for parents, and where to find a legal path [27:00] Could this help ARFID and other eating disorders? [28:30] Adverse reactions and the terror of five hours of amplified embodiment [31:00] Cognitive flexibility that did not translate to behavior change [34:00] San Francisco decriminalization and the trial timeline [38:00] Why eating disorders get so little funding, and who the illness actually affects [43:00] Supporting the family system, and chatter about 5-MeO-DMT [46:30] Closing reflection: what psilocybin opens, and what eating disorders require to close Guest Dr. Amanda Downey is a pediatrician and psychiatrist specializing in adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. She is the assistant medical director of the UCSF Eating Disorders Program, a member of UCSF’s Translational Psychedelic Research Program, and a lead investigator on an active Phase 2 trial of psilocybin therapy for young adults with anorexia nervosa, ages 18 to 25. Learn more about UCSF psilocybin and anorexia trial @ clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu Resources Ask April: How Do I Find a Psychedelic Guide? — column on legal access, licensed facilitators, and the Oregon versus Colorado distinction Follow April on Substack Visit aprilpride.com Original Substack post: https://aprilpride.substack.com/psilocybin-for-anorexia-ucsf-trial Hosted by April Pride IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@aprilpridecreates YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@aprilpridecreates Get full access to APRIL PRIDE at aprilpride.substack.com/subscribeCatch the full episode here

Interest in using marijuana for medical reasons is growing among athletes as more states enact legalization, but many feel they aren’t getting adequate information about cannabis from their teams’ and leagues’ health officials due to ongoing stigma around the issue, a new study funded by the National Football League (NFL) shows. “Elite contact sport athletes use cannabis intentionally for recreational, therapeutic, and recovery purposes but face systemic barriers related to misinformation, stigma, and inconsistent policy guidance,” the study, published this month in the journal Sports Health, says. “As cannabis legality expands, this potential knowledge gap impairs athletes’ ability to make informed decisions about cannabis for health and performance. Lack of knowledge increases exposure to unregulated products, and may cause athletes to overlook potential therapeutic benefits.” The paper, written by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina in Canada, notes that major sports leagues have changed their policies in recent years to remove strict punishments for cannabis use. Most recently, for example, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) this year removed marijuana from its prohibited substances list while also laying out rules for how players can invest in and promote cannabis companies. “With sports leagues removing cannabis from the banned substance list, athletes increasingly rely on personal experience or peer advice to guide them, with minimal formal education ever provided,” the new study says. The research, which was partially funded by the joint pain management committee overseen by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, involved interviews with 10 current or former elite contact sport athletes from professional and collegiate leagues. That includes the NFL as well as the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and others. Participants described using cannabis for “pain management, mental health support, relaxation, recovery, sleep, perceived neuroprotective benefits and preferring cannabis to alcohol in social situations,” the paper says. The researchers highlighted a number of specific comments athletes made during their interviews: “It [cannabis] makes you focus on other things, or just not being focused on how bad my neck would hurt.” “It puts your body at ease, and it’s far better than taking any sort of pain killer in my experience, from a prolonged long-term perspective for sure.” “I stopped drinking alcohol because of the adverse effects. My freshman year I consumed a lot of alcohol, and I found it was really bad for both my mental and physical health. I think I wanted to explore an alternative. I wanted to try both the therapeutic and recreational [use of cannabis]. It was just kind of experimental.” “It has always been something that I found meditative and grounding, the mental spiritual components of it, and then, physically it puts your body at ease.” “The positive effects I felt [from cannabinoids] with sleep and rest is definitely good.” “I sleep better using cannabis at night than I did taking T3s [Tylenol with codeine]… A better effect on my health when it comes to sleep dealing with inflammation and arthritis.” “I totally used cannabis throughout having those concussions and it helped me a lot with the pain and the recovery.” “It helped me focus a lot. Sometimes I would use it in the spring months when I had exams, and it would help me really dial in on a video or on a subject.” Even as stigma surrounding cannabis is being reduced amid the growing legalization movement and as leagues are beginning to change older anti-marijuana policies, however, athletes still “anticipate or experience judgment from teammates, organizations, and the public, especially in shared spaces such as hotel rooms and locker rooms,” the study says. There is also an ongoing fear of being punished over cannabis and of having to deal with public relations and image issues stemming from legal issues in jurisdictions where marijuana is still criminalized. Drug testing policies also “reinforced fear and raised fairness concerns, as athletes questioned why cannabis was treated like performance‑enhancing drugs and argued that if cannabis use warranted sanction, alcohol should be treated similarly given how heavy drinking was common yet less harshly judged,” the paper says. “Normalizing alcohol while stigmatizing cannabis creates confusion and erodes trust, even as informal conversations suggest movement toward more open dialogue.” But despite the ongoing stigma, “many athletes report positive, often discreet social environments around cannabis use,” the authors wrote, pointing specifically to “teams or regions with legal markets.” Another major theme that emerged from the interviews highlights athletes’ desires to receive more accurate and unbiased cannabis education from team and league health officials. “Participants reported that the limited education they received from teams or governing bodies was largely 1‑sided, focused on negative effects and rarely clarified the rationale for cannabis rules, leading them to question why alcohol was permitted while cannabis remained prohibited,” the study says. As a result, many athletes rely on their peers and the internet to obtain information about cannabis, “with limited formal guidance,” it says. The researchers highlighted several key takeaway lessons: “First, cannabis education tailored to athletes and sports medicine. Second, policies should be harmonized across leagues and grounded in emerging evidence, with clear communication. Third, organizations should foster open, nonjudgmental communication between athletes and medical staff. Fourth, leagues should reduce stigma surrounding cannabis use in sport. Finally, professional leagues should support further research on cannabis effects on athletic wellness, performance, and long-term health outcomes.” “This study highlights the complex relationship between professional athletes and cannabis use in professional and college-level contact sports. It shows growing interest in cannabinoid products and the importance of addressing this safely and appropriately in athletics,” the paper concludes. “The substantial stigma and lack of knowledge among medical personnel working with these athletes underscores the need for improved education, communication, and evidence-based policies to protect athlete health in an evolving legal and commercial cannabis landscape.” The researchers behind the new study previously published research in 2024 that highlighted the growing acceptability of medical cannabis in sports, while also underscoring the obstacles to marijuana research caused by ongoing federal prohibition. NFL and the league’s players union in recent years have put a focus on funding research related to cannabis and athletes. In 2022, for example, they authorized $1 million in grants for a pair of studies looking into the efficacy of marijuana and its components in managing football players’ pain and providing neuroprotection from concussions. The league and the players union also awarded funding to support research on the therapeutic benefits of CBD as a pain treatment alternative to opioids for players with concussions. The NFL reached an agreement with its players union in 2024 to further reform its marijuana policies, significantly reducing fines for positive tests while increasing the allowable THC threshold for players. About four years after NFL ended the practice of suspending players over cannabis or other drugs as part of a collective bargaining agreement, the league again revised its Substances of Abuse Policy and Performance Enhancing Substances Policy. NBA, for its part, removed marijuana from the banned substances list for players in 2023, and it also freed them up to invest in and promote cannabis companies. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2024 voted to remove marijuana from its banned substances list for Division I players. The reform builds on a 2022 change that increased the allowable THC threshold for college athletes, aligning NCAA’s rules with those of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) blasted the “unfair” ban on marijuana for athletes competing in international sport events, including the Olympics that were underway in Paris at the time of the comments. USADA CEO Travis Tygart said it was “disappointing” that WADA has maintained the cannabis prohibition based on what he considers a misguided justification. WADA did carry out a review into its marijuana policy at the request of USADA and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) following the controversial suspension of U.S. runner Sha’Carri Richardson, who was barred from participating in the Olympics in 2021 after she tested positive for THC. Richardson said she used cannabis to cope with the recent passing of her mother. While UFC announced in late 2023 that it was formally removing marijuana from its modified banned substances list for athletes, the league notified participants that the reform didn’t apply under California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) rules. UFC advised fighters that they could be subject to a $100 fine by CSAS if they tested over 150 nanograms of THC per milliliter ahead of the UFC 298 event that took place in February. The post Sports Leagues Should Reduce Anti-Marijuana Stigma And Provide Honest Education For Athletes, New NFL-Funded Study Concludes appeared first on Marijuana Moment. 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The acting head of the Department of Justice is refusing to commit to more broadly rescheduling marijuana beyond medical use as he seeks to be confirmed as attorney general—and he indicated he has no problem federally prosecuting people for simple cannabis possession in national parks. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve in the role on a permanent basis, answered senators’ written questions as part of the confirmation process—including queries about cannabis. Blanche in April issued an order that immediately reclassified state-licensed medical cannabis, as well as marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III. Broader rescheduling of cannabis, including for recreational use, is being considered through a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing that wrapped up testimony last week. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) asked why the department has “forgone the traditional notice-and-comment period and an administrative hearing required by the CSA for rescheduling” before adopting the partial rescheduling of marijuana for medical use. “The Department of Justice delivered on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” Blanche wrote. “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.” When pressed about whether he supports further rescheduling of cannabis for adult use or reducing current penalties for possession and sales, Blanche dodged the question, saying he “will give the matter careful consideration after conferring with all relevant stakeholders, including DEA personnel” if confirmed as attorney general. Padilla also pressed the acting attorney general on whether he supports a Trump DOJ move to directing federal prosecutors to begin enforcing laws against simple cannabis possession in places like national parks. “As a general matter, I think it is important to empower our U.S. Attorneys to enforce all laws as appropriate and in accordance with relevant facts and law to keep the American public safe,” Blanche replied, indicating he does not oppose prosecuting people in federal court for possessing marijuana in national parks as the senator asked about. Blanche was also asked about whether relief from the 280E tax penalty under rescheduling applies to businesses that hold licenses for both medical and adult-use cannabis. “Section 280e of the Internal Revenue Code applies to businesses engaged in trafficking in controlled substances in schedule I or II,” he said, without directly answering Padilla’s question about how relief would apply to dual-licensed businesses if recreational marijuana remains in Schedule I following the ongoing administrative hearing process. — 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. — Blanche’s refusal to commit to broader rescheduling comes as the latest Marijuana Moment/NuggMD quarterly tracking poll shows cannabis consumers’ support for the Trump administration’s actions on the issue has declined in the months since DOJ first announced it was moving forward with rescheduling—as most don’t believe it will be completed this year. Blanche was also pressed about cannabis issues last year during his confirmation process to become deputy attorney general. He said in response to a written question about marijuana rescheduling from Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) that he would “give the matter careful consideration after conferring with all relevant stakeholders, including [Drug Enforcement Administration] personnel.” When asked about aligning federal and state marijuana laws, he said that “coordination between federal and state authorities is critically important” but that he had “not had the opportunity to study this particular issue.” “If confirmed, I will consult with the necessary stakeholders and give this matter careful consideration,” he said. Welch also asked about Obama-era enforcement guidance that directed prosecutors to generally not interfere with state cannabis laws, which was rescinded during the first Trump administration. “I have not had occasion to study this particular issue,” Blanche replied. “If confirmed…I think it is important to empower our U.S. Attorneys, who we trust to follow the law and to follow Department rules.” Meanwhile, DEA, which has been charged with defending the rescheduling proposal during the administrative hearing, has focused testimony on the medical benefits of cannabis and its relative safety compared to alcohol and other substances—despite excluding reform supporters from participating in the proceedings. The cannabis rescheduling move is also being challenged in court through a number of lawsuits from the drug testing industry, a pharmaceutical corporation, legalization opponents and others. In May, the House Appropriations Committee voted to block federal officials from taking further steps to carry out cannabis rescheduling. Bipartisan lawmakers told Marijuana Moment, however, that they don’t expect the legislative effort to block rescheduling to succeed. The post Trump AG Dodges Question About Further Rescheduling Of Marijuana Beyond Medical Use appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

AL marijuana rescheduling hearing; Study: THC & CBD for Alzheimer’s agitation; AR gov candidates on legalization 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. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going. Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW The latest Marijuana Moment/NuggMD quarterly tracking poll shows cannabis consumers’ support for the Trump administration’s actions on the issue has declined in the months since the Department of Justice first announced it was moving forward with rescheduling—as most don’t believe it will be completed this year. The Alabama State Committee of Public Health will hold a public hearing this week on whether to continue an objection to rescheduling marijuana under state law in line with the Trump administration’s federal reclassification move. A new federally funded study found that the cannabis compounds THC and CBD improve agitation in 9 out of 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia—concluding that cannabinoid medicine “may be an important therapeutic tool” for such patients. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) and Democratic challenger Fred Love both oppose marijuana legalization—while Libertarian contender Colt Shelby said he would support legalizing cannabis if voters approved it on the ballot. / FEDERAL Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) wrote about the uses of hemp in a constituent letter. The House bill to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products got one new cosponsor for a total of 37. / STATES Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei said a bank owned by Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R), who is also running for governor, “operates in the cannabis industry.” Florida and Indiana Republican representatives discussed their support for harm reduction drug policies in the face of Trump administration opposition. A California senator pushed back against criticism of the state’s new hemp product restrictions. New Jersey regulators took action on marijuana business issues. Michigan regulators are moving to bar a man from participating in the state’s marijuana industry over alleged violations. Kentucky regulators are hosting a series of medical cannabis webinars. Oregon regulators are accepting applications to serve on a psilocybin testing rules advisory committee. Utah regulators sent updates about the medical cannabis program. Minnesota regulators will hold a cannabis policy listening event on Thursday. — 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. — / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “UVB reshapes the cannabis floral flavonoid metabolome by selectively stimulating the accumulation and structural modification of flavonoids” and “represents a potential horticultural strategy to enhance flavonoid-related aspects of medicinal cannabis inflorescence phytochemical quality, without affecting cannabinoid levels.” A review concluded that “positive findings were also reported for MDMA in participants with PTSD, including improvements in self-reported psychosocial functioning, self-awareness, and self-compassion.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS Fox News commentator Laura Ingraham expressed concerns about businesses dropping marijuana testing. / BUSINESS Vireo Growth Inc. is acquiring assets from subsidiaries of The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. in Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and West Virginia. Illinois retailers sold $118.1 million worth of recreational marijuana products in June. / CULTURE Bill Maher and Penn Jillette discussed their use, and non-use, of marijuana, respectively. Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: The post Cannabis consumers’ support for Trump drops, poll shows (Newsletter: July 21, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“Giving more access to drugs—particularly recreational access—does nothing to help or benefit Arkansans.” By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate Medical marijuana has generated more than $1 billion in Arkansas since voters legalized it in 2016. After the state opened its first dispensary in 2019, thousands of Arkansans joined the program and spent a record $291.1 million on medical marijuana in 2025, according to the state’s Department of Finance and Administration. Tax revenue from those sales now supports free breakfast for public school students, following approval of legislation by lawmakers last year. Medical marijuana programs have expanded across the country, as has recreational marijuana. Two dozen states, including neighboring Missouri, permit recreational marijuana use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Arkansas voters in 2022 rejected an effort to expand legalization to recreational marijuana, despite national groups spending millions in support of the measure. Restrictions on marijuana have relaxed at the federal level, with the U.S. Department of Justice downgrading the drug classification for medical cannabis earlier this year. Here’s what Arkansas’s gubernatorial candidates—Democratic state Sen. Fred Love, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Libertarian Colt Shelby—say about legalizing recreational marijuana. Democratic state Sen. Fred Love Love said he’s against legalization during a debate at the Arkansas Press Association’s annual convention in June. While sitting at a crosswalk at his daughter’s school, Love said “marijuana’s just all over” as children exit vehicles. When you grow up in a community where recreational marijuana is present, you see that it doesn’t always have a positive effect, he said. “I just don’t think that it is something that I can support,” Love said. “I have seen the long-term impact of it.” While he doesn’t personally favor it, Love said he would support legalizing recreational marijuana if Arkansans vote for it at the polls. Libertarian Colt Shelby Shelby said he’s for whatever Arkansans want, so he would support legalizing recreational marijuana if voters approved it. Shelby said the state’s elected officials have forgotten that what matters most is what Arkansans want, and that’s why he’s running for office. Though Shelby said he doesn’t smoke marijuana himself, he said almost everyone knows someone who does and it does have medicinal uses. “There’s a lot of good things that it brings, so I’m not going to say I’m against it, but let the people decide,” he said during the June debate. Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Sanders did not attend the June debate, but she said in an emailed statement she does not support legalizing recreational marijuana. “Giving more access to drugs—particularly recreational access—does nothing to help or benefit Arkansans,” Sanders said. Sanders last year vetoed a law approved by the Legislature that would have allowed dispensaries to deliver orders via a delivery vehicle or drive-through window. The governor in 2023 signed into law legislation that protects the rights of medical marijuana patients and caregivers to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun. In 2025, Sanders backed legislation that uses medical marijuana revenue to support free breakfast for all public school students. This story was first published by Arkansas Advocate. The post Arkansas GOP Governor And Democratic Challenger Agree On Opposing Marijuana Legalization appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A combination of the marijuana components THC and CBD leads to a significant and sustained reduction in agitation in the vast majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease of other forms of dementia, according to a new federally funded study. The placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involved a cannabis preparation called T2:C100 that contained 2mg THC and 100mg CBD, and included 120 people with dementia who were eligible to receive hospice care and were experiencing clinically significant agitation. The researchers, from Medical University of South Carolina and Georgetown University, found that there was a “statistically significant improvement” in scores on a standardized scale to systematically assess agitation among patients who received the cannabis medication as compared to the placebo group—measured at both two weeks into the trial and at the end of the full 12-week study. After week two, 84 percent of participants receiving THC and CBD improved, according to the caregiver-rated scale, compared to 31 percent of those who got the placebo. After the full trial, 87 percent of those who got the cannabis medication manufactured by MediPharm Labs saw improvement, as compared to 24 percent in the placebo group. The results, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference this month, suggest that the “THC/CBD combination used in the study may be an important therapeutic tool” for patients with agitation and Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, according to the abstract. “This is a robustly positive, randomized, controlled trial that represents a major step forward in treatment for a population that has been historically overlooked in clinical research,” lead investigator Jacobo Mintzer said in a press release. “We now have evidence supporting a new and very effective treatment approach for agitation that may be appropriate for people in the final stages of dementia at the end of life, offering them grace and peace in what is often an extremely difficult time for patients and their families.” “These trial results were extremely impressive and showed a level of response not seen before in clinical trials related to dementia,” he said. “Rarely do we see close to 90 percent of patients in a trial respond positively to a new medication.” The Life’s End Benefits of cannaBidiol and tetrahYdrocannabinol (LIBBY) study, which involved patients with an average age of 80.5 years, was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer’s Association. “The LiBBY study directly addresses one of the most challenging and under-discussed aspects of Alzheimer’s disease—end-of-life agitation,” Elizabeth Edgerly, voce president for care and support for the Alzheimer’s Association, said. “These results not only highlight a promising therapeutic option, but also underscore the importance of prioritizing attention, care and research for individuals in mid- and late-stage Alzheimer’s and related dementias.” Brigid Reynolds, a co-principal investigator on the study, said that “proving the clear benefit of THC/CBD over placebo can bring hope to millions of patients, their families, caregivers and loved ones.” “Agitation affects many people with late-stage dementia, causing symptoms such as restlessness, aggression and emotional distress that can profoundly impact patients and their caregivers,” she said. “Current treatment options are limited and often carry significant side effects, underscoring the need for safer, more effective therapies.” Meanwhile, the American Medical Association adopted a resolution last month recognizing both the risks and potential therapeutic benefits of marijuana use by older adults. It simultaneously notes that there is a “higher incidence of dementia among individuals who use cannabis” but also that “cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits for managing agitation in dementia patients, potentially serving as an alternative to antipsychotic medications.” A study published last year found that CBD shows “promising” results to reduce inflammation and cognitive decline associated with aging. In 2024, a scientific review concluded that THC, CBD and lesser-known phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids in marijuana are “promising agents in treating neurodegenerative disorders.” The post THC And CBD From Marijuana Reduces Agitation In 9 Out Of 10 People With Alzheimer’s Or Other Dementia, Study Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Officials in Alabama have scheduled a public hearing for this week to receive input on whether the state should reclassify marijuana in conjunction with the Trump administration’s move to federally reschedule cannabis. Under state law, federal rescheduling of a drug automatically triggers state-level reclassification within 30 days unless Alabama officials proactively object. “In that case, the State Board of Health shall publish the reasons for objection and afford all interested parties an opportunity to be heard,” state statute says. “At the conclusion of the hearing, the State Board of Health shall publish its decision, which shall be final unless altered by statute. Upon publication of objection to inclusion, rescheduling, or deletion under this chapter by the State Board of Health, control under this chapter is stayed until the State Board of Health publishes its decision.” The Alabama State Committee of Public Health in May issued a preliminary objection to cannabis rescheduling, with members saying they needed more time to determine how to implement such a reform in light of the state’s recently launched medical cannabis market. Scott Harris, the state health officer, said at the time that Alabama “fully intends” to follow the federal change. “We’re not saying Alabama’s not going to do this,” he said. “We certainly are going to do this, but if you receive it without objection, it’s scheduled immediately. If you do nothing, it’s scheduled within 30 days. I’m going to ask you to take the third option, which is to object. Then we just have a little bit of time to figure this out with all of our other stakeholders.” Now, Harris said in a new notice that the committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 22, to further weigh the issue. “Following input from the various Alabama governmental entities which could be affected by the rescheduling and from those people who provide testimony at the public hearing, the Committee will reconsider whether to continue its objection or whether to adopt the rescheduling,” he wrote. Under an order issued by U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in April, marijuana products regulated by a state medical cannabis license immediately moved from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III, as did any marijuana products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An administrative hearing is considering broader marijuana rescheduling. “In light of Alabama’s substantial work to establish its own framework for the dispensing of medical marijuana, additional time is needed to evaluate whether the federal rescheduling will alter that framework as outlined by the Legislature,” Harris’s notice says. “A public hearing on this matter will provide [the Alabama Department of Public Health] the opportunity to hear from the citizens of Alabama as well as stakeholders regarding this decision. The Committee wishes to make a reasoned, considered decision on this issue with input from all appropriate persons.” Aside from the public hearing, people can submit written comments on the issue through August 5. Alabama is not the only state considering whether and how to follow the federal government’s marijuana rescheduling move. A GOP senator in South Carolina, for example, said that “medical marijuana is now legal” in the state under a trigger law. Wyoming’s attorney general determined this month the state will not reclassify marijuana despite the Trump administration’s federal reform. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R), meanwhile, signed legislation this session to block an automatic review that could have potentially legalized medical marijuana under state law following the federal rescheduling of the drug. Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer. The post Alabama Officials Will Hold Hearing On Whether To Reschedule Marijuana In Line With Trump’s Federal Move appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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Marijuana consumers’ support for the Trump administration’s actions on cannabis has declined in the months since the Department of Justice first announced it was moving forward with rescheduling the drug, a new survey reveals. The latest quarterly presidential approval tracking poll from NuggMD and Marijuana Moment shows that 48 percent percent of marijuana consumers now either “approve” or “strongly approve” of the Trump administration’s cannabis actions. A total of 13 percent disapprove, and 40 percent say they have no opinion or are neutral. The numbers represent a significant drop in cannabis’ consumers support for the Trump administration’s actions on the issue from last quarter, when favorability came in at 73 percent. “Do you approve or disapprove of the presidential administration’s actions on cannabis?” n: % Strongly approve 76 15% Approve 166 33% No opinion/Neutral 202 40% Disapprove 43 8% Strongly disapprove 23 5% Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in April issued an order that immediately reclassified state-licensed medical cannabis, as well as marijuana products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III. Under a separate order the acting attorney general signed, a hearing is considering more comprehensively moving marijuana to Schedule III. Testimony in the cannabis rescheduling hearing, overseen by a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) judge, concluded last week, and participants are now set to file their final briefs by August 17. After that, the judge will issue his own recommendation on rescheduling, and the DEA administrator will then issue a final decision on whether or not to adopt the reform. A separate recent NuggMD poll conducted this month found that most cannabis consumers aren’t optimistic that marijuana rescheduling will be fully implemented by the end of the year. “Rescheduling continues to be popular among cannabis voters, but our polling shows a clear divide between support for medical rescheduling versus recreational reforms,” Tyler Elson, NuggMD’s director of content, told Marijuana Moment. “That or we’re seeing consumers declare that they don’t believe the DEA will get rescheduling done.” “I’m not surprised that support among consumers is down from the highs we saw after medical cannabis rescheduling. There have always been cannabis voters who draw a line between medical and recreational use,” he said. “I think the White House was expecting the formal rescheduling hearing to maintain that momentum among cannabis voters. And right now that’s not what our polling is showing.” When asked in the latest poll how their support for the administration would change if it were to more fully legalize marijuana, 54 percent of cannabis consumers said they would either support it much more (39 percent) or a bit more (15 percent), and 46 percent said their level of support would not change. “If the Trump administration were to more fully legalize cannabis, would that change your level of support for it?” n: % I would support it much more 198 39% I would support it a bit more 78 15% No change 233 46% I would support it a bit less 0 0% I would support it much less 1 0% The new survey involved interviews with 510 cannabis consumers who live in states with legal markets from July 9-15, with a +/-4.34 percentage point margin of error. Meanwhile, DEA, which has been charged with defending the rescheduling proposal during the hearing has focused testimony on the medical benefits of cannabis and its relative safety compared to alcohol and other substances—despite excluding reform supporters from participating in the proceedings. The cannabis rescheduling move is also being challenged in court through a number of lawsuits from the drug testing industry, a pharmaceutical corporation, legalization opponents and others. The results of the prior quarterly NuggMD/Marijuana Moment tracking poll represented a massive swing in support for the Trump administration’s marijuana policy actions from consumers compared to the last quarter of 2025, before the president issued an executive order directing officials to finalize rescheduling. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in April that the administration is moving forward with marijuana rescheduling because cannabis reform is “overwhelmingly popular” with voters and because doing so will help people who need access to the drug for medical purposes. In May, a House committee voted to block federal officials from taking further steps to carry out cannabis rescheduling. The post Marijuana Consumers’ Support For Trump’s Actions Drops As Most Don’t Believe Rescheduling Will Be Completed This Year, Poll Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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Next steps in DEA marijuana hearing; Rescheduling lawsuit filing; Study: Music & cannabis; State hemp developments in OH, FL & MO 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. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: 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 A multi-day Drug Enforcement Administration hearing on the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling proposal concluded, with an agency judge issuing an order that lays out next steps and the schedule for participants to file post-hearing briefs. New Federal Election Commission records show that several of the U.S.’s largest marijuana companies donated a collective $11.5 million last month to an agriculture-focused political committee that shares the same treasurer as President Donald Trump’s own super PAC. The drug testing industry and a pharmaceutical corporation are asking a federal court to block the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling move—claiming it will “increase marijuana abuse” and dismissing the government’s criticism that they have “pocketbook interests” in opposing the reform. A new government-funded study found that combining music and marijuana “typically helps reduce fear and anger while enhancing feelings of happiness, liveliness, relaxation, and nostalgia.” “Participants frequently reported the use of cannabis as a substitute for pharmaceutical treatments for pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders, with music further amplifying these therapeutic effects.” A federal judge placed a preliminary injunction on enforcement of Ohio’s hemp THC product restrictions against 10 specific companies while litigation challenging the policy proceeds. Missouri officials are facing a federal lawsuit over a ban on hemp THC products that is set to take effect later this year. Florida hemp businesses are concerned about the impact of the scheduled federal recriminalization of hemp THC products later this year—though some industry operatives are hopeful the Trump administration can convince Congress to reverse course. Several states advanced legislation this year to let first responders use medical cannabis or psychedelics to treat PTSD. / FEDERAL White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Sara Carter said it would be a “disaster” to end the war on drugs, arguing it would be “the beginning of the end of the American people.” The Food and Drug Administration tweeted, “FDA’s new guidance and MOU with @DeptVetAffairs on psychedelic drug development could open new doors for veterans battling PTSD. By supporting rigorous clinical research into psychedelic therapies, we’re helping advance potentially transformative treatment options for those who’ve served our country.” Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), who is running for U.S. Senate, spoke about her support for legalizing marijuana. / STATES Kansas gubernatorial candidates discussed their views on marijuana policy. The Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee posted a tweet pushing Senate Republicans to take up marijuana legalization legislation. A California judge tentatively ruled that recently enacted changes to how marijuana revenue is allocated are constitutional. Colorado regulators are proposing changes to marijuana rules. A new member of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission was appointed. Michigan regulators entered into consent orders with a marijuana business under which it will surrender its license and cease operations over alleged violations. Oregon regulators extended the deadline to apply to serve on a rules advisory committee about marijuana testing. The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday. The Guam Cannabis Control Board will meet on Wednesday. — 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 Kalamazoo, Michigan City Commission will consider changes to the city’s marijuana social equity policies on Monday. / INTERNATIONAL German officials have approved four marijuana research projects. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A review concluded that “CBD reduces anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors and improves cognitive performance across a variety of preclinical models.” A review concluded that “psychedelics have significant potential in [treatment-resistant depression] with superior mechanisms over traditional antidepressants. / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The New York Post editorial board said it may be time for officials to begin “rethinking legalization altogether.” / BUSINESS The Securities and Exchange Commission won a judgement against American Patriot Brands, Inc. and its executives and subsidiaries over fraud charges. Green Thumb Industries workers in New Jersey voted to remove United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360 union officials from their workplace. Arkansas dispensaries sold $140.3 million worth of medical cannabis products in the first six months of the year. / CULTURE Seth Rogen discussed his role in helping to normalize marijuana use through his work. Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: The post Cannabis companies make big donations to Trump-linked PAC (Newsletter: July 20, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“When you are in the fire service, or any first responder industry, or especially in the military, stuff builds up over time, and what happens is you see so many things that the crazy stuff starts to at least seem normal.” By Amanda Watford, Stateline More states this year have looked beyond traditional counseling and medication to help first responders cope with post-traumatic stress. Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical workers routinely witness fatal crashes, violent crimes and other traumatic events that can leave lasting psychological scars. “When you are in the fire service, or any first responder industry, or especially in the military, stuff builds up over time, and what happens is you see so many things that the crazy stuff starts to at least seem normal,” said Jason Cerrano, a retired firefighter and paramedic with more than 20 years of experience in Missouri. Cerrano is now the director of commercial research and development at IDEX Fire & Safety. In Ohio, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine last month signed into law a measure that will create a Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Commission to review applications from eligible first responders for assistance to help cover treatment costs. Maryland took a different approach this year, enacting a law that protects firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and other rescue workers from employment discrimination over the lawful off-duty use of medical marijuana. The new law, which goes into effect in October, applies to registered medical cannabis patients who test positive for cannabis metabolites but are not impaired while on duty. Several other states are exploring emerging therapies. A new Connecticut law expands a pilot program at Yale University studying psilocybin-assisted therapy by allowing any state resident age 18 or older to participate, provided they meet the clinical eligibility criteria established by Yale University’s institutional review board. The pilot program was previously limited to veterans, retired first responders and frontline health care workers. Missouri lawmakers advanced a bill allowing veterans and first responders in approved research studies to receive the psychedelics psilocybin and ibogaine under medical supervision for PTSD and other mental health conditions. The legislature adjourned in May before lawmakers could send the bill to the governor. This story was first published by Stateline. Image element courtesy of Kristie Gianopulos. The post States Move To Let First Responders Use Marijuana And Psychedelics To Treat PTSD appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“The category’s too big to fail. The consumer demand is there. The infrastructure is in place. I don’t think that it’s going anywhere. It’s a matter of when and how we get regulated.” By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix On Saturday, St. Petersburg retailer Herban Flow hosted its third High and Dry Festival, which featured dozens of brands showcasing THC-infused drinks, plus adaptogens, nootropics and alcohol-free libations. Herban Flow owner Michael Smith says that about 80 percent of sales from his two stores come from hemp-derived THC products, which is why he’s anxious about an impending federal ban on virtually all intoxicating and non-intoxicating hemp and CBD products, effective November 12. “It’s amazing how many people still don’t know about it,” Smith said. “So many people are now just discovering it and they don’t believe me when I tell them in three months that all of this is going away.” That possibility began to emerge last November, when Congress passed a spending bill which included a change to the federal definition of legal hemp to a “total THC standard” rather than Delta-9 THC only. Final-form hemp-derived products would be capped at 0.4 mg total THC per container. Translated, that would render approximately 95 percent of existing hemp-derived products federally illegal, according to the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. Florida hemp entrepreneurs say the pending ban is already harming their commerce. “Farmers are not putting plants in this season because if they harvest them in September or October, and then they find that the product becomes illegal in November, that’s a problem,” said Jammie Treadwell, CEO of Treadwell Farms in Umatilla. “So, I’m getting questions: Should I renew my license? Should I put plants in? Usually, by this time we’ve sold [products] to about 20 farmers. So far this year, we’ve sold to about six and for the ones who have purchased, they’ve purchased less than in prior years. So it’s already impacting me.’” Although it’s been reported that the pending ban threatens to remove just intoxicating and synthetic cannabinoid products, industry officials say it would also remove full-spectrum non-intoxicating CBD products used as alternatives to over-the-counter painkillers or prescription medications. The White House weighs in President Donald Trump wants Congress to overturn the ban, at least as it relates to hemp-derived CBD. “I am calling on Congress to update the Law to ensure that Americans can continue to access the full-spectrum CBD products they have come to rely on, and that help them, while preserving Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose Health risks,” Trump posted on his Truth Social page on April 23. “We must get this done RIGHT and FAST, especially for those who saw that CBD helps them. Plus, I am told it will also help our GREAT FARMERS, who we love, and will always be there for. Please get it done, and SOON.” David Shiffman is CEO of Amigos, a South Florida hemp-derived THC brand, as well as Tillman Tranquils, which offers edibles, gummies and mints. He’s played by the rules since hemp became legalized in Florida in 2019, he said—he’s paid his fees, passed state inspections, made improvements and updated packaging materials per the regulations the Legislature approved in recent years. “Trying to build a business by the book and then having the rug pulled out by new legislation is a scary thing for any business, especially a small business here in Florida for us and for our employees,” he said. Shiffman is confident that because of the directives coming out of the White House, a permanent ban isn’t likely to happen. “I hate to say it, but the category’s too big to fail,” he said. “The consumer demand is there. The infrastructure is in place. I don’t think that it’s going anywhere. It’s a matter of when and how we get regulated.” Jammie Treadwell’s family has had roots in Florida agriculture for more than a century and still grows citrus, peaches and blueberries. The family made a hard pivot to hemp after it was legalized in the state, launching Treadwell Farms in 2019. Hemp is a “perfect plant” for Florida because it can be grown year-round and allowed the family to take its agriculture legacy into the next generation, she said. But agriculture is a tough business and, after surviving hurricanes and the deepest freeze in 16 years in January, she said, farmers are watching their pocketbooks more than ever. “I don’t want to sound dramatic, but it could very well put us out of business,” she said of the pending ban. “Our business has grown every year, but we’re still a small business and there’s only so many hits that you can take. And so, for us to reformulate everything and potentially lose some of the products that are good sellers? I mean, it’s a daunting thing.” Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson on June 24, calling on Congress to revise the federal regulation of hemp “to ensure the fair treatment of hemp products,” similar to an amendment filed by Kentucky House Republican Andy Barr called the “Lawful Hemp Protection Act,” which would overhaul the pending hemp restrictions with a taxed and regulated framework. That legislation includes establishment of a three-tier distribution system for hemp-derived beverages, modeled on the distribution system used for alcohol—something Smith with Herbal Flow doesn’t want any part of. “It’s pushing into alcohol regulation,” he said. “Their whole claim is that it’s an intoxicating beverage so it should be treated like that but, at the end of the day, they don’t have child-resistant tops on Bacardi 151,” he said. “They’re able to put out Hard Mountain Dew and SunnyD without any label restrictions in that sense,” he added. “So, they’re not really treating us like alcohol, but they want to treat us as alcohol.” If the federal ban were lifted or delayed, it would open another lifeline to Florida hemp entrepreneurs who have dodged potential existential threats to their livelihoods in recent years. States have already banned or restricted intoxicating hemp The Legislature approved a proposal to restrict intoxicating hemp products and sent it to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) two years ago, which he vetoed. In his message, DeSantis said the bill would have imposed “debilitating regulatory burdens on small businesses” and done “dramatic disruption and harm” to retail businesses. After that close call, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez (R) announced just ahead of the 2025 legislative session that he was creating a “combined workgroup” on hemp. Although not tasked with producing any specific policies, the workgroup concluded its meetings by saying that although members didn’t want changes that could destroy the industry, the status quo had to change in terms of hemp’s regulatory framework. Ultimately, key differences between the Senate and House bills prevented any legislation making it way back to DeSantis that year. Contrast that with the fact that hemp-based intoxicants are already illegal or heavily regulated in more than a dozen states. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees the hemp industry in Florida. The Phoenix reached out to the office to ask where Commissioner Wilton Simpson stands on the impending ban, but his office did not respond to two attempts for comment. This story was first published by Florida Phoenix. The post Florida Hemp Businesses Hope Trump Can Save Them From Planned Federal Ban On THC Products appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“This isn’t consumer protection. It’s the elimination of an entire legal industry coupled with a government-mandated monopoly.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent A coalition of hemp businesses filed a federal lawsuit Thursday in an attempt to halt a statewide ban on intoxicating hemp products from going into effect in November. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District, claims the ban state lawmakers passed this spring contains “unconstitutionally vague” definitions for hemp and marijuana. Craig Katz, government relations and compliance manager for one of the plaintiffs, St. Louis-based MNG 2005, Inc., said the problem begins with lawmakers’ lack of understanding about the cannabis industry. “A lot of this stuff is kind of in the weeds,” Katz said. “It’s very difficult to understand. And when people are trying to legislate it, if they don’t understand it, you come up with something like HB2641, which doesn’t make a whole heck of a lot of sense.” The coalition includes MNG, which is the parent company for 55 CBD Kratom stores nationwide, the Missouri Hemp Trade Association and a Wisconsin-based hemp business, Lifted Liquids Inc. The bill in question was among the first Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed this year and will take all intoxicating hemp products off the shelves starting November 12—including THC seltzers currently sold in bars and grocery stores. The legislation largely aligns state law with the upcoming federal ban that Congress approved last year. Under Missouri’s bill, if Congress reverses course and decides to allow the sale of these products, the state would only permit them in licensed marijuana dispensaries. And if Congress delays the ban for a couple years, Missouri law would still ban all products, except for intoxicating beverages. It also tasks Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway (R) with enforcement. Kehoe, Hanaway and Sarah Wilson, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services which oversees the state’s marijuana program, are the named defendants. Hanaway’s spokeswoman said the office had not been served the lawsuit. Kehoe’s office and DHSS declined to comment since it’s pending litigation. Similar bills have been debated since 2023, but failed to pass. Without regulations, intoxicating hemp products with as much as 1,000 mg of THC are currently sold in smoke shops—outside of Missouri’s licensed marijuana dispensaries. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican from O’Fallon, said the legislation largely gives state law enforcement and prosecutors the authority to enforce the federal hemp ban after November 12. “ I believe this is the last ditch effort for the hemp industry,” Hinman said. “HB2641 passed the Missouri House, Senate and was signed by the governor. It was vetted throughout the entire process. I don’t believe this Hail Mary will get the results the Hemp Trade Association wants, and Missouri will mirror the federal government.” The lawsuit argues that the bill defines the same products as both “hemp” and “marijuana” in different provisions, which leaves businesses, law enforcement and prosecutors confused about what is legal. “Because unlicensed marijuana activity is a crime in Missouri, that confusion carries criminal consequences,” states the coalition’s press release announcing the lawsuit. While the bill “promises” not to interfere with interstate hemp commerce, the coalition notes that it also restricts who may transport hemp products through the state, the press release states. And it contains effective date provisions “so convoluted that businesses cannot determine which products are covered or when,” it said. The coalition believes the “confusing” definitions will also take non-intoxicating CBD products off Missouri shelves. “This isn’t consumer protection,” said Jay Patel, the association’s president. “It’s the elimination of an entire legal industry coupled with a government-mandated monopoly.” This story was first published by Missouri Independent. The post Missouri Hemp THC Product Ban Challenged With Federal Lawsuit Filed By Industry appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net