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“Regulation is what we need. Prohibition is just hilarious regression.” By Trevon Spencer, NC Newsline Chris Karazin started Carolindica with his brother and a friend in 2019, making homemade CBD products in a kitchen while working other jobs to pay the bills. “I didn’t even get a paycheck until three years ago,” Karazin said. Seven years later, the Raleigh-based company has grown into a multi-store hemp business with manufacturing operations and dozens of employees. New customers still walk through Carolindica’s doors every day. Now, a looming change in federal law is forcing Karazin to reconsider the company’s future. Beginning December 11, federal restrictions will sharply narrow which hemp-derived cannabinoid products qualify as legal. Congress approved the new federal regulations in 2025 as part of the tax cut and spending measure known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Under the new law, the only hemp products that will be legal are those with no more than 0.4 milligrams of THC compounds per consumer container, a threshold that could outlaw many products currently sold in stores. The restrictions were originally scheduled to take effect in November, but Congress extended the deadline by a month. One part of the law is still scheduled to take effect on November 12. It excludes products that cannabis plants can’t naturally produce, including synthetic cannabinoids, from the federal definition of hemp, classifying them as marijuana. For Karazin, the impending bans on synthetic cannabinoids and THC mean he’s rethinking the products the company can continue selling, how much inventory to carry and where to invest its money. The federal restrictions follow years of rapid growth in the hemp industry, which proliferated after Congress legalized hemp production in 2018. North Carolina’s market has grown into a roughly $3 billion industry that employs about 16,000 people statewide. But North Carolina hemp businesses are now preparing for the possibility that much of that market could soon disappear. A business built around hemp The federal changes could affect more than intoxicating products such as THC gummies and drinks. CBD products, which contain small amounts of THC and other natural compounds found in hemp, could also exceed the new limit. The potential impact extends across the Triangle’s hemp retail market. A report by Raleigh Dispensaries, which maintains a database of hemp retailers in the region, found that 79 of 82 shops it tracked across seven counties listed at least one product category that would be affected by the restrictions. Jake St. Peter, the founder, said his report suggested more than 90 percent of the shops could be affected by the changes, and he’s been actively tracking how local businesses are preparing for the deadline. “I think this is really going to be a serious blow to these businesses,” he said. Some North Carolina hemp businesses are already closing as a result. Bloom Collective in Raleigh announced its closure on social media by the end of the month, saying new hemp regulations are putting “pressure on small businesses.” Other retailers and farmers began preparing for the federal restrictions last year. Owners of Durham’s Redhead Hemp said the limit could affect all of their inventory, while a Buncombe County farmer said his farm lacked the equipment to shift to THC-free products. For businesses that depend on those products, switching to a different line of merchandise isn’t straightforward. Karazin said Carolindica is exploring supplements, functional mushrooms and other products that could offer alternatives if the restrictions go through as planned. But he said many smaller hemp retailers won’t have the same options. “Most companies are retail, distribution and e-commerce,” he said. “Those types of companies have no way of adapting at all.” The restrictions would reach beyond the products sold on store shelves. Farmers growing hemp for cannabinoid products could lose buyers if manufacturers reduce production. At the same time, merchandisers could have to find new markets for products or ingredients that comply with the federal law. State lawmakers weigh additional restrictions on hemp The federal deadline is not the only regulatory challenge facing North Carolina’s hemp industry. State lawmakers have also debated legislation that would impose the same THC limit on hemp products as under the federal law, and would also ban the sale of even low-level hemp consumables, including CBD products, to people under 21. The state Senate passed the measure last summer, saying it would be a backstop in case Congress decides to revise or delay the new federal law. However, the House declined to take up the proposal during its August session under conflicting pressure from hemp businesses and law enforcement. House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, said lawmakers needed more time to consider the issue and could reconsider it after the November elections. Meanwhile, the state’s Advisory Council on Cannabis is moving in a very different direction. The Council was created by Gov. Josh Stein (D), who is in favor of allowing a regulated cannabis market for adults only in North Carolina. The Council is developing recommendations for setting up such a market should legislators decide to allow it. Its final report is due to Stein by the end of the year. A recent poll from researchers at Elon University of over 1,000 North Carolina adults found that 75 percent of respondents were in favor of legalizing cannabis for medical use, while 55 percent were in favor of legalizing it for recreational use. Karazin said he supports regulations including age restrictions, child-resistant packaging and standardized laboratory testing. He’s worried lawmakers will eliminate the entire legal hemp market instead of creating a strong regulatory framework that could allow his business to stay open. “Regulation is what we need,” he said. “Prohibition is just hilarious regression.” This story was first published by NC Newsline. The post North Carolina’s $3 Billion Hemp Industry Braces For Impact Of Scheduled Federal THC Product Ban appeared first on Marijuana Moment. 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Washington State regulators are accepting public comments on a proposal to a create process allowing marijuana businesses to document their participation in the medical cannabis market in order to ease their access to benefits that come with the Trump administration’s partial rescheduling move. The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) voted last week to move ahead with the plan, which is based on an advocacy group’s petition and comes after state officials said earlier this year that rescheduling cannabis on the federal level “does not appear to apply” to businesses in Washington. Under an order issued by 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). While an administrative hearing is considering broader marijuana rescheduling, Washington businesses currently have no way to verify their medical cannabis-specific activities. “Rules on this subject may be needed to consider the development and operation of a certification program for licensees participating in licensed medical cannabis activity in the state,” LCB said in an update after the vote. “This certification would serve to verify information about the regulated status of a cannabis licensee and confirm the extent of the licensee’s participation in existing state-authorized medical cannabis activities for federal registration, banking, insurance, or other lawful purposes.” While board’s vote—which came over the objection of agency staff—is a win for petitioners The Cannabis Alliance and Caitlein Ryan, it is only the beginning of potential rulemaking. “At this stage of the rulemaking process, no proposed language is offered,” LCB said in the Friday update. “Any interested party may comment on this possible rulemaking during the designated comment period.” Stakeholders can weigh in on the potential rulemaking through December 4. LCB said it “may coordinate with the Washington Department of Health and federal authorities such as the Drug Enforcement Administration to determine necessary documentation and verification of state-authorized medical cannabis activities of licensees,” though regulators in a growing number of states have complained that DEA has not been cooperative in providing guidance on complying with the federal marijuana rescheduling process. In a previously issued guidance memo in June, LCB said that “Washington does not license medical cannabis producers, processors, or retailers.” “Instead, Washington has a single recreational market and within that market producers/processors may manufacture [Department of Health]-compliant products, and certain retailers may sell DOH-compliant products to all adult patients and designated providers,” it explained. “Because of this, Washington’s cannabis licensees do not appear to qualify as ‘state medical marijuana licensee[s]’ and therefore may not be eligible to register under the Final Rule,” the agency said, referring to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration process for state-legal marijuana businesses to take advantage of federal benefits that come with the reform. That said, LCB is “not taking a position to prevent licensees from applying for federal registration if they choose,” the guidance continued. “If any licensee does apply for federal registration, we would be interested in learning about their experience and any federal determination.” Nonetheless, “based on our analysis, federal rescheduling in its current form does not appear to apply to Washington’s cannabis licensees due to the statutory framework predominately regulating recreational cannabis,” LCB said. Washington isn’t the only state moving to reform its own marijuana rules in light of the federal rescheduling process. In California, regulators recently adopted emergency rules changes for the state’s marijuana licensing process that are intended to make it easier for businesses to qualify for benefits in line with the Trump administration’s recent move to federally reschedule medical cannabis. Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images. The post Washington Officials Invite Public Comments On Proposal To Make It Easier For Medical Marijuana Businesses To Access Federal Rescheduling Benefits appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

The Democratic Party’s nominee to be the next governor of Wisconsin says the state should legalize marijuana to raise revenue that can be used to fund free pre-kindergarten education and an expansion of healthcare access. David Crowley, who currently serves as the Milwaukee County executive, said last week that in addition to ending tax breaks for billionaires to address fiscal issues, the state should also “look at new revenues and how we grow our economy.” “We want to make sure, one, that we legalize marijuana,” he told a reporter from CBS 58 News. “That will help bring in more dollars throughout the state.” He added that he also wants to form a commission to examine fiscal issues more broadly to “permanently fix our taxing and spending problem” in the state. Meanwhile, one of David Crowley's loftiest plans is free pre-K for every 3-year-old and 4-year-old child. How will he pay for that? -Marijuana legalization -Eliminating tax breaks on the rich -A "blue ribbon commission" on all taxing and spending https://t.co/NVulyN9CR3 pic.twitter.com/g5nqMSyoDN — A.J. Bayatpour (@AJBayatpour) October 9, 2026 Crowley separately told Fox6 News that if elected his administration would need to “continue to have to work with the legislature” on solutions to fund universal pre-K and expanded access to the state’s BadgerCare program. “It’s about looking at the totality of our revenue and spending,” he said. “It’s about bringing in new revenues like the legalization of marijuana, but also making sure that the big corporations who have seen permanent tax cuts in the state of Wisconsin for the past decade and a half, that they start to pay their fair share.” The Democratic gubernatorial candidate also addressed cannabis in another interview with Wisconsin Watch, saying that “it needs to be legalized.” “We don’t have the same opportunities as folks in Minnesota and in Michigan and in Illinois,” he said. “I believe that we should support it, one, because this is a personal health position for those who want to utilize it as an alternative to a prescription drug.” “But I also look at it as an opportunity, right?” Crowley said. “Being able to grow our economy here locally, but also finding a new revenue stream to invest in things like public safety, public education and child care.” Crowley’s Republican opponent in the governor’s race, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-W), told the outlet that he prefers to “take a go-slow approach” on marijuana “because we’ve seen some states that went straight to it, like I think about Colorado, and they had some real problems as a result of that.” “Think about Oregon, where they adopted full legalization, but then they also legalized other hard drugs. They had to pull back, and so I think those are a lesson to other states that we should take this go-slow approach,” Tiffany argued. “Also, I’ve voted federally for more money to go into research, and I think that research can inform states about what’s the best approach to take in regards to legalization.” Tiffany voted against bills to federally legalize marijuana on the House floor in 2020 and 2022, as well as an amendment in 2020 to shield state recreational cannabis laws from federal interference. He also opposed a bill to increase marijuana businesses’ access to banking services in 2021. That said, the GOP congressman’s gubernatorial campaign website says. “I support legalizing medical marijuana in Wisconsin through a responsible program that gives veterans, those suffering from chronic pain, and other patients access to the treatment they need.” “At the same time, we must have strict age requirements, responsible oversight, and strong protections to keep marijuana out of our schools and away from children,” it says. Meanwhile, a Democratic congressman who represents Wisconsin recently told Marijuana Moment that he thinks the state is poised to legalize cannabis as soon as next year—especially if his party wins control of the legislature in the November elections, but perhaps even if Republicans maintain a majority under new leadership for the 2027 session. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) said there’s a “really good chance” of legalizing cannabis in Wisconsin in the short term if Democrats can “flip the legislature,” where marijuana reform proposals have stalled under Republican control in recent sessions. Pocan said, however, that he thinks cannabis legislation has a shot even if the GOP stays in control under an expected new leader in the state Assembly who is seen as more friendly to reform than the current speaker of the chamber. Gov. Tony Evers (D) and Democratic lawmakers have pushed to legalize marijuana for recreational and medical purposes for years, but those proposals have been blocked by the legislature’s Republican majority. A limited medical cannabis bill did clear one committee this session, but did not advance further. Crowley said at a forum hosted by a cannabis reform group earlier this year reform supporters “cannot wait until after the governor’s election” to push the issue, arguing that they need to “organize in making this one of the top priorities in this upcoming election.” “If you can’t change minds, you have to change faces,” he said. “I want you all to know that we’re going to work directly with you and make sure that you have a seat at the table, because if you don’t have a seat at the table, that means you’re on it.” Evers, for his part, recently sent a letter calling on the state’s congressional delegation to “prevent mass disruption of the hemp industry” by stopping the planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products that’s set to take effect later this year. The governor has repeatedly pushed for broader reform—including marijuana legalization in multiple budget requests, for example—but efforts to enact it have consistently stalled out in the Republican-controlled Assembly and Senate even as adult-use markets have come online in neighboring states such as Illinois and Michigan. Evers said last year that if his party can take control of the legislature, the state can “finally” legalize marijuana so that residents don’t have to go to neighboring Illinois to visit its adult-use market. — 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. — Democratic lawmakers filed legislation in the 2026 session to broadly legalize and regulate marijuana, and bipartisan legislation to simply decriminalize cannabis possession was also filed—but neither proposal advanced. A poll released last year by Marquette Law School found that two in three Wisconsin voters support legalizing marijuana. A legislative analysis requested by lawmakers estimated that Wisconsin residents spent more than $121 million on cannabis in Illinois alone in 2022, contributing $36 million in tax revenue to the neighboring state. Meanwhile, the state Department of Revenue released a fiscal estimate of the economic impact of a legalization bill in 2023, projecting that the reform would generate nearly $170 million annually in tax revenue. The post Wisconsin Should Legalize Marijuana To Fund Pre-K And Healthcare Expansion, Democratic Governor Candidate Says appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“Reports of the marijuana rescheduling proceeding’s death are greatly exaggerated… This is a procedural pause, nothing more.” By Eric P. Berlin and Joanne Caceres, Dentons Reports of the marijuana rescheduling proceeding’s death are greatly exaggerated. Despite the alarm set off by a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) proceeding to move cannabis from schedule I to schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is very much alive. The record has been in the hands of DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Derek Julius since August 17, and with the midterm elections approaching, the industry expected, or at least hoped, for a rescheduling recommendation this month. That timeline has now slipped—but this is a delay, not a defeat, and the industry should not panic. This is a procedural pause, nothing more. The GAO report raised questions about process, not substance, and the stay it prompted should cost the proceeding time, not its outcome. Moreover, it has no bearing on the rescheduling of medical marijuana. Like the other substances the GAO reviewed, medical marijuana has already been formally rescheduled, and the attorney general’s medical marijuana decision rested on 21 U.S.C. § 811(d), and the United States’s international treaty obligations, with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) evaluation serving only as additional support. Consider the GAO report’s timing: a scheduling process that has operated unquestioned since Congress enacted the CSA in 1970—56 years ago—was suddenly found to have “gaps” only at the final stage of marijuana rescheduling. On September 23, GAO released the report. Five days later, three rescheduling opponents asked the DEA chief ALJ to add the report to the hearing record, allow more briefing and stay the proceedings. The next day, he paused the proceeding to consider their motion. Through all of this, one thing has not changed: the HHS scientific evaluation supporting schedule III. Opponents are spinning the GAO findings as a setback for rescheduling. They are not. Look at what the report and the order actually say. What The GAO Report Does (And Does Not) Establish The headline findings are modest. In its report, GAO found that neither DEA nor the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has comprehensive written policies describing how staff should evaluate and schedule substances and that FDA has no written criteria for judging a drug’s “potential for abuse.” It also found that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the FDA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)—which describes procedures for the cooperative and timely interaction between the agencies in expediting HHS scheduling recommendations, and took effect in 1984—has not been updated in more than 40 years. Both DEA and FDA agreed to address these gaps. What GAO did not find matters far more. It reviewed 95 substances that required HHS input from 2020 through 2025. In every one, DEA requested and considered HHS’s evaluation. In all 84 cases where a final decision had been issued, DEA’s decision matched the HHS’s scientific recommendation. That is a perfect record. The report does not conclude that any scheduling decision, including on marijuana, was wrong, unlawful or contrary to the CSA. In GAO’s own words, DEA “routinely seeks and considers HHS’s scientific and medical expertise.” What The ALJ’s Order Does (And Does Not) Do On September 28, the opponents moved to add the GAO report to the record, reopen briefing and stay the case. The chief ALJ’s response was limited to pausing the proceeding while he considers the motion. That order is purely procedural. It merely halts the proceeding to permit the government, which must file, and the rescheduling opponents, who may file, to brief the motion by October 13. It casts no doubt on the substance of HHS’s evaluation or on DEA’s position at the hearing that all of cannabis belongs in schedule III. Under DEA’s rules, the ALJ’s power to receive evidence ends once the record is certified to the DEA administrator. The pause simply allows the chief ALJ to rule on the motion before that happens. It says nothing about whether the report is accurate, admissible or important. The Opponents’ Argument The rescheduling opponents’ theory runs, as follows: because DEA’s case for schedule III rests on HHS’s 2023 evaluation, DEA’s position is only as good as the process behind it. A schedule III finding requires comparing marijuana’s abuse potential to drugs in schedules I and II. They note that FDA found a high potential for abuse in 2015 but reached the opposite conclusion in 2023. Without a written standard, they say, no one can tell whether new science or a new yardstick explains the change. This argument confuses procedure with substance. No law requires the written policies GAO recommended, a point DEA made to GAO directly, stating that the CSA and its regulations set out the legal requirements. The GAO report cites no legal mandate; it simply recommended more detailed internal guidance as a good-government practice. The rescheduling record is also substantial, likely one of the most complete of any rescheduling process. It includes HHS’s 252-page detailed scientific evaluation and thousands of pages of supporting health and safety data, the attorney general’s final order and a full hearing record with the government’s opening and closing briefs thoroughly describing its position. In addition, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) concluded in 2024 that HHS’s two-part test is a valid way to establish accepted medical use, finding that DEA’s previous five-part test was “an impermissibly narrow interpretation” of the CSA and that a substance could have a “currently accepted medical use” even without FDA approval. The OLC also concluded that schedule III, with added controls, can satisfy U.S. treaty obligations. Better Recordkeeping, Not Reversal The GAO report has value. We certainly favor government accountability and good recordkeeping. Agencies should write down how they do important work, and DEA and HHS have agreed to do that moving forward. But GAO itself described the issue modestly—not as the existential flaw the opponents claim. The report said only that the gaps “may pose a risk to the consistency” of future operations if staff leave or institutional knowledge is lost. A call for better recordkeeping is not a reason to undo sound policy. The rescheduling of marijuana rests on reams of scientific and public health and safety data, a 252-page evaluation by the scientists tasked to interpret the data and a full hearing with testimony and briefing by all parties. Nothing in GAO’s findings should disturb the schedule III recommendation. What Comes Next Yes, the stay will cost time. Briefs are due on Tuesday, and the chief ALJ may ask for supplemental briefing before ruling. After that, he will issue a recommended decision, and certification cannot occur sooner than 25 days after that recommendation is served. In our view, the likely best case for a final rule is the first quarter of 2027. Rescheduling is still moving forward. The industry should remember, however, that the surest path to federal cannabis reform without protracted litigation runs through Congress. As the GAO report itself notes, Congress can schedule substances through legislation, without the agency process that is now under attack. A statutory change in law is far less exposed to the kind of procedural challenge that opponents are mounting here. Eric P. Berlin and Joanne Caceres are partners at Dentons. The post The Marijuana Rescheduling Process Has Been Delayed—But Not Derailed (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A new federally funded study shows that “most cannabis users reported that it improved their cancer-related symptoms”—including pain, appetite, mood and insomnia—while also serving as a substitute for opioids for nearly a third of them. Researchers with the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Penn State Cancer Institute and Fox Chase Cancer Center surveyed 186 patients, about a quarter of whom (26 percent) had used cannabis since their diagnosis. “A majority of users reported improvement in most cancer-related symptoms assessed, highlighting its potential role in cancer symptom management,” the study, published in the journal Supportive Care in Cancer, found. “Symptom improvement was reported for insomnia (89.7% of users), appetite (85.7%), mood (83.7%), joint pains/stiffness (83.3%), stress/anxiety/depression (81.6%), cancer-related pain (80.7%) and digestive symptoms (67.9%).” A minority of patients saw improvements in other cancer-related symptoms, including fatigue/lack of energy (49 percent), sexual interest (42 percent) and sweating/hot flashes (28 percent). The study also found that cancer patients in the sample “commonly used cannabis as an alternative to opioids for pain management,” which the researchers said “supports existing evidence suggesting that many patients prefer cannabis over opioids due to fewer side effects and better symptom control.” “30.1% reported using cannabis instead of opioids to manage pain, and 32.0% reported that cannabis helped them decrease or stop other medications.” While one aim of the research—which was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences—was to investigate whether there would be differences in marijuana use between patients who live in urban, suburban and rural areas, it turned out that there were “broadly similar cannabis attitudes and rates of use” regardless of geography. Overall, the study found that “cannabis use was relatively common among our sample of cancer patients, who held generally favorable attitudes towards its use, with most cannabis users reporting symptom relief across a majority of cancer-related symptoms assessed.” “These findings point to the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis among cancer populations.” Patients in the study “generally viewed cannabis as safe and beneficial,” it said, with 93 percent believing there are medical benefits and only 3 percent considering it to be unsafe. That said, 77 percent of participants voiced concerns about risks—particularly related to legal, professional and social consequences. The researchers cautioned that the study has some limitations, including its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-report data, as well as the fact that they did not differentiate cannabinoid content, dosage or route of administration of the marijuana products that patients were using. The new paper is the latest to latest to show that medical marijuana can provide relief for people struggling with cancer. For example, a recent study found that medical marijuana is “commonly” used to treat symptoms of cancer such as pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, poor appetite and sleep disturbance—and 80 percent of patients report that it provides relief and improved quality of life. A recent federally funded study found that “cannabis use conferred therapeutic benefits for several health issues commonly encountered by cancer patients“—including “pain relief, improved sleep, physical relaxation, emotional regulation, and reduction of concomitant medication.” Another recent study conducted by Minnesota state officials found that medical marijuana appears to help cancer patients by decreasing pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and depression while also improving sleep. A separate study found that nearly one in five cancer survivors say they’ve used CBD after getting their diagnosis—primarily to manage pain, sleep difficulties and emotional distress. And more than half of those who used it for specific symptoms reported at least some benefit. Another recent study determined that medical marijuana extracts “meaningfully” improve cancer-related symptoms such as sleep difficulties and anxiety—though responses varied among patients depending on personal preferences for individual cannabinoid content of the extracts. Researchers separately found that components of marijuana show “consistent and statistically significant anti-tumor effects” in certain types of cancer, including glioblastoma and breast cancer. The study also showed that cannabinoids seem to “enhance chemotherapy efficacy.” Another systemic review concluded that studies “consistently show” that the CBD is a potential “anticancer agent across different cancer types”—and that effect applies to dogs as well as humans. A similar analysis showed that CBD “holds substantial promise as an anti-tumor agent” in addition to its other anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists explored CBD’s effect on many types of cancer—including some of the most aggressive ones, such as glioblastoma, which affects the brain. They also noted it can help suppressing the growth and metastasis of other cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, ovarian and prostate, among others. In 2025, a paper published in the journal Pharmacology & Therapeutics, assessed a range of clinical and preclinical findings that the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs can be enhanced by medical marijuana. In a sign of greater acceptance of medical applications of cannabis, President Donald Trump’s choice to serve as the next White House drug czar has called medical marijuana a “fantastic” treatment option for seriously ill patients and said she doesn’t object to legalization, even if she might not personally agree with the policy. Also last year, a study found that “patients with cancer using cannabis report significant improvements in cancer-related symptoms.” Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer. The post Medical Marijuana Improves Cancer-Related Symptoms And Helps Reduce Use Of Opioids, Federally Funded Study Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

DOJ & anti-marijuana groups agree on rescheduling lawsuit calendar; Cannabis Caucus chair: review psychedelics; Poll: hikers use marijuana on trails 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… BREAKING: Journalism is often consumed for free, but costs money to produce! While this newsletter is proudly sent without cost to you, our ability to send it each day depends on the financial support of readers who can afford to give it. So if you’ve got a few dollars to spare each month and believe in the work we do, please consider joining us on Patreon today. https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW President Donald Trump complained that in Democratic-run cities it “smells of marijuana and other things worse than marijuana.” “The sidewalks are disgusting. The streets are disgusting. They’re just in bad shape… Everything’s dirty.” The Department of Justice and opponents of marijuana rescheduling have jointly agreed to a proposed briefing schedule in litigation challenging the reform—saying the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit should “schedule oral argument as soon as reasonably practicable.” Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) told Marijuana Moment that he wants the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling move expanded to an “across-the-board” review of the classification of psychedelics and other drugs. “I want them to review all of it… It’s not just cannabis. It’s a bigger conversation.” A new poll shows that more than a third of hikers have used marijuana to enhance their experience on the trail, while 15 percent have hiked under the influence of psilocybin. The Marijuana Policy Project is asking its supporters to send letters to Congress opposing the currently scheduled federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, saying that lawmakers should instead focus on enacting comprehensive legal regulations for all cannabis. The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission’s chief legal counsel said the state needs to “wait and see what the federal government does” on hemp product policy “before we can sort of act and advise our licensees in accordance with that.” Incarcerated writer Derek Jason LeCompte argues in a new op-ed that prisons should allow marijuana use, because seeing the widespread and dangerous use of the synthetic cannabinoid K2 “has made me realize it is not realistic to eradicate all illegal drug usage behind bars.” “Instead, we should find strategies for safe and responsible harm reduction, including allowing the use of organic marijuana.” / FEDERAL The Department of Justice revised a kratom-related substances scheduling proposal in a way that will allow some products to remain legally available, based on a recommendation from the Department of Health and Human Services. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s (D-TX) political action committee endorsed a Houston, Texas ballot initiative to deprioritize marijuana enforcement. The House bill to create a pathway for patients to access Schedule I drugs got one new cosponsor for a total of 18. / STATES Connecticut’s attorney general reached a settlement with a company that allegedly illegally sold cannabis products. An Oregon senator discussed plans for legislation to restrict marijuana edibles. A South Dakota representative authored an op-ed urging Congress not to avert the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products. Colorado regulators issued an expanded health and safety advisory about marijuana products with a synthetic, unapproved flavoring ingredient. Oklahoma medical cannabis regulators are being sued for alleged sex discrimination by a former employee. Massachusetts regulators posted resources recognizing the 10-year anniversary of adult-use marijuana legalization. Montana regulators posted a review of the first year of actions by the merged Cannabis & Alcohol Regulation Division. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife assisted Nevada County police in enforcement actions against suspected illegal cannabis operations. — 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 Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday. / INTERNATIONAL Pakistani officials finalized a regulatory framework for medical and industrial cannabis. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A review concluded that “cannabinoids as promising anticancer agents and therapeutic adjuvants, predominantly in the preclinical setting.” A study found that “CBD may modulate peak cardiovascular stress and enhance sleep duration and quality, particularly REM sleep, and may promote aerobic efficiency during moderate-intensity exercise.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The National Consumers League is urging Congress to allow the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products to take effect “unless and until a robust regulatory regime for hemp-derived products is put in place.” Eagle Forum’s president authored an op-ed calling for a “concerted effort” against “the threat posed by illegal Chinese marijuana growers across the nation.” / BUSINESS High Tide Inc. completed its acquisition of a cannabis retail store in Chestermere, Alberta, Canada. Still River Wellness workers in Torrington, Connecticut ratified a new contract. / CULTURE Former basketball player Robert Parish is urging Massachusetts voters to reject a ballot initiative to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law. Michael Douglas and Bill Maher spoke about their past experiences selling marijuana. 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: Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer. The post Trump complains about cannabis smell in liberal cities (Newsletter: October 12, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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I find the growing research on psychedelics fascinating, especially when it emphasizes careful guidance, legality, and mental-health support rather than hype. Personal wellbeing also depends on simple ways to relax and reset. When I need a short break from reading or screen-heavy work, I often play Snake Game for a few minutes. Its familiar, low-pressure gameplay helps clear my mind without requiring much commitment. It’s a small habit, but surprisingly effective.

“The K2 crisis in prisons has made me realize it is not realistic to eradicate all illegal drug usage behind bars. Instead, we should find strategies for safe and responsible harm reduction.” By Derek Jason LeCompte, Prison Journalism Project This story was originally published by Prison Journalism Project. I entered my cell and found my cellmate babbling, a spaced-out look in his eyes. The pungent scent of burnt paper was overwhelming. My eyes watered. I monitored his high for about 30 minutes to make sure he did not die of an overdose or attack me because he was too intoxicated to know what was happening. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common occurrence in New Jersey prisons. It stems from a type of synthetic cannabinoid known as K2. K2 usage has become what one state prison official called “a serious problem.” In recent months, we have received multiple memos outlining this fact from the state prison commissioner’s office, which has urged prisoners not to smoke K2, and to report people to medical personnel or guards if they appear to need help. Never in my 27 years incarcerated have I seen a substance as unregulated, widely used and dangerous as K2. No comprehensive database tracks K2 deaths in prison, but conservative estimates suggest the drug is fueling dozens of fatal overdoses across the country each year. According to the Texas Observer, K2 deaths in the Lone Star State rose from 16 in 2023 to 65 in 2024. From 2016 to 2017, Florida prisons attributed a large share of its 62 “accidental deaths” to K2 overdoses, as highlighted in the Miami Herald. And reporting from The Marshall Project found that K2 overdose deaths in Ohio rose from three in 2023 to 13 in 2024. The K2 crisis in prisons has made me realize it is not realistic to eradicate all illegal drug usage behind bars. Instead, we should find strategies for safe and responsible harm reduction, including allowing the use of organic marijuana. A legal alternative Marijuana is legal in New Jersey, and dispensaries across the state operate in a highly regulated environment. Additionally, a multitude of county jails and prisons throughout the United States offer alternatives with a similar philosophy—like “vape pens” sold at commissaries as an alternative for smokers, or Suboxone as an alternative treatment to opioids. In other countries, such as Germany, Switzerland and Spain, prisons have offered safe needle exchange programs as a way to stop the spread of disease (and the use of drugs has not increased with the implementation of those programs). A 2022 study, led by researchers at Washington State University, hints at the possible benefits of allowing marijuana use inside prisons. It found a 37 percent drop in “poisoning reports for illicit synthetic cannabinoids”—that is, K2—in states that had legalized marijuana use. As the study reported, when people have a safer option, severe medical complications can be avoided. While this is not a long-term solution to stemming drug use, states have used medical marijuana as a form of harm reduction to taper people off of opioids and ease the comedown off stimulants like methamphetamine. In the case of prisons, edible marijuana products would not violate federal anti-smoking laws nor jeopardize air quality. Right now, guards and prisoners must put up with the strong smoke and odor from K2, which people consume every day. The scent—like the smell of trash from a nearby landfill—lingers in our living quarters. A dangerous addiction A man who goes by Fastlane said it’s hard to end a K2 addiction. As soon as he’s done smoking, his body demands more. “It got my head messed up, and I can always get my hands on it,” Fastlane said. “If there was something else that wouldn’t hurt me as much, I’d use that. But there isn’t.” K2 is arguably the most popular drug inside prison because it’s much easier to smuggle inside. Unlike organic marijuana, the synthetic drug can be sprayed or laced onto paper to evade detection systems. Once it’s inside, K2 is more cost-effective and easier to keep hidden, because a small amount can be quite potent. And since the chemicals that make up the drug are constantly shifting, there’s no easy way to test people for it like there is with other drugs. Users aren’t the only ones at risk. Fastlane once nearly killed himself and his cellmate in a fire started from smoking K2. With edibles, there’s no risk of fire use. A man who goes by Mizzle, who used to struggle with substance abuse, said that edibles could help him stay away from harder drugs. “I was a pretty heavy drug user with some serious drugs,” he said. “I have to fight every day with every fiber of my being to not do drugs like K2, because it’s everywhere. If I could have some weed brownies here and there, that would help me move forward and not have the urge to use harder drugs.” Regulation would be needed Of course, there are valid reasons to not allow edibles inside prisons. It could compromise safety if many people are frequently and strongly sedated inside the prison. And harm reduction approaches like this do not address the root causes of addiction as deeply as robust substance use and mental health treatment. Prisoners could also abuse edibles and end up in “green-outs”—mental states characterized by severe paranoia, rapid heart rate, hallucinatory episodes and extreme anxiety—which would be hard for regular prison staff to manage and unsafe for everyone else, too. But these safety and use management issues already exist with K2. And prisons do not offer sufficient substance use and mental health treatment options as it is. There would need to be regulations around how much someone could have at one time and when someone could use the drug. It’s not a perfect system, but having edibles available as an alternative to a much more dangerous drug is better than doing nothing. What prison staff think I have had conversations with staff about this potential solution. No one was willing to go on the record for fear of losing their job, but the various perspectives were interesting. More than half of the nine staff members I spoke to—of varying ranks and positions—were generally in favor of it, if for different reasons. One did not want to see people in prison suffer. A couple of officers mused it would lessen their workload by curtailing overdoses and violent reactions. All of them would be happy to not have to smell the burnt paper odor. Others were more indifferent, calling edibles the “lesser of two evils.” There are staff who are unequivocally against it, though. Some are skeptical the needed regulation would be adequately applied. Others don’t condone drugs of any type at any level. And still others merely see prison as punitive —there should be no escape. But something must be done. Every other policy the department of corrections has enacted—like restricting mail, visitation and packages—has already proven to be ineffective. K2 is still abundant and remains a deadly threat. It is time to start thinking radically to save people’s lives. Derek Jason LeCompte is a writer incarcerated in New Jersey. The post It’s Time to Allow Marijuana Use in Prison (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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President Donald Trump has a number of complaints about cities run by Democrats—including that they smell like marijuana. During a Friday speech commemorating Columbus Day, the president criticized the “radical left” and “dirty” Democrat-run cities. “The sidewalks are disgusting. The streets are disgusting. They’re just in bad shape,” he said. “The doors going into stores are dirty. Everything’s dirty. It smells. It smells of marijuana and other things worse than marijuana.” It’s not clear what Trump meant by things that smell worse than cannabis, but he also alleged that “blue-run cities” that reek of marijuana are also “where the crime is.” Trump’s cannabis odor complaint comes as his administration is moving forward with the process of federally rescheduling marijuana. 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 attorney general signed, a hearing is considering more comprehensively moving marijuana to Schedule III. The president has a long history of comments about cannabis and has mostly praised its medical potential while often expressing concerns about broader use. Earlier this year he said that marijuana is the “best of all the alternatives” for people suffering from certain medical conditions. Trump said last year that marijuana can be a “substitute for addictive and potentially lethal opioid painkillers”—but he also said he personally is “not going to be taking it.” Last year, the president said that he has “heard great things having to do with medical, and I’ve heard bad things having to do with just about everything else.” “Medical, for pain and various things, I’ve heard some pretty good things—but for other things, I’ve heard some pretty bad things,” he said. In 2023, Trump suggested there may be a link between the use of “genetically engineered” marijuana and mass shootings. Back in 2020 Trump claimed that marijuana “does cause an IQ problem” in people who use it. Along the lines of his latest comments about problems in Democrat-run cities and the smell of cannabis, the White House said last year that Washington, D.C.’s local “failed policies opened the door to disorder” specifically citing “marijuana decriminalization.” The post Trump Complains That Democratic-Run Cities Smell Like Marijuana appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“We kind of have to wait and see what the federal government does before we can…advise our licensees.” By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current On less than an acre of farmland in Hopkinton, rows of hemp plants were nearing harvest. Most of their “colas”—dense clusters of buds prized for smokable flower—had already been cut ahead of a nor’easter bound for southern New England on the last weekend of September. The rest will be harvested in the next couple of weeks and turned into concentrate, destined to become products such as tinctures, 1-milligram THC gummies and 5-milligram THC lemonades, which Lovewell Farms launched earlier in September. “We’ve leaned into the cans and beverages because the state regulations allow that,” Mike Simpson, co-founder of Lovewell Farms, said in an interview standing next to the hemp plants, joint in hand. “And we’re making hand over fist doing that.” Rhode Island’s regulated hemp market generated $2.85 million in sales in 2025, according to data provided by the state’s Cannabis Control Commission. Drinks and seltzers infused with THC—the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant that can cause impairmen—accounted for $2.36 million, or about 83 percent of the total. The state had 201 licensed hemp businesses as of October. 1, including 169 retailers. But the market Simpson joined could soon be upended by a federal restriction that Rhode Island regulators say they must enforce. Starting December 11, federal law will prohibit the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. Existing regulations adopted by the Cannabis Control Commission in 2025 have allowed all products to contain up to 1 milligrams of total THC per serving, or 5 milligrams of total THC per package. A September 11 bulletin from the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission warns any product over the new limit will be considered noncompliant and subject to administrative penalties “including but not limited to monetary fines.” “Licensees are strongly encouraged to review their current inventory, assess their products against the new federal limit, and begin planning for the December 11 deadline,” the commission advised in an accompanying email. Existing regulations adopted by the Cannabis Control Commission in 2025 allow all products to contain up to 1 milligrams of total THC per serving, or 5 milligrams of total THC per package. For Simpson, the commission’s guidance raises questions about what happens to the pallets of lemonade cans stored in a dark room on the farm, ready to ship to Rhode Island liquor stores, which have been licensed to sell hemp-derived beverages for the past two years. “The idea that we would just kind of throw all that out without even engaging in a deeper conversation with the community or the industry is wild,” he said. Mariana Ormonde, chief legal counsel for the commission, said she understands the difficult position the state’s hemp licensees are in. But the state’s hands are tied when it comes to changes made at the federal level. “The reality of the situation is we can’t treat hemp like cannabis because it’s not cannabis,” Ormonde said in an interview. Lessons in chemistry Hemp became legal at the federal level after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, allowing products with a THC concentration of 0.3 percent or lower by dry weight. The law was meant to allow an agricultural market for hemp-based textiles, animal feeds and human wellness products centered on CBD products. But that original definition in the 2018 law did not account for ways to convert the plant to produce higher potency, paving the way for the proliferation of hemp-derived THC products like infused drinks—products which states have since scrambled to either regulate or ban. “That’s kind of what opened up Pandora’s box,” Ormonde said. Rhode Island’s hemp rules were formally adopted by the Cannabis Control Commission in 2025—just months before Congress moved to close the potency loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill as part of legislation to reopen the federal government after last year’s shutdown. By itself, hemp produces little to no THC, the compound most commonly associated with cannabis intoxication. But that can change as the plant matures, explained Ryan Plante, Lovewell Farms’ director of cultivation. “At 30 days of a harvest, it has almost non-detectable cannabinoids in most regards,” said Plante, who studied horticulture at the University of Rhode Island. “And then afterwards, it is common for hemp to get up to 0.5 milligrams, or 0.5 percent to 1 percent of THC in that flower.” Hemp’s THC potency can also be increased by chemistry. Methods include extracting cannabinoids from the plant and converting them into compounds such as delta-8 or delta-9 THC. THC drinks derived from hemp were illegal in Rhode Island until August 2024, when the state’s former Office of Cannabis Regulation began allowing the sale of products containing low levels of delta-9 THC at licensed retailers including vape shops, liquor stores and some bars. The new federal definition was originally set to take effect November 12, but Congress pushed the effective date back one month as part of a short-term government funding bill signed by President Donald Trump in September. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) was among the 90 senators who voted for the one-month delay in August. Ben Craig, a spokesperson for Reed’s office, said Rhode Island’s senior senator supported delaying what he called a nationwide hemp ban to give lawmakers more time to develop “balanced regulations” for hemp-infused products. “He also wants to ensure responsible Rhode Island hemp businesses are not unfairly, adversely impacted by federal regulations,” Craig wrote in an email to Rhode Island Current. But Reed has also shared concerns raised by attorneys general from 39 states, including Rhode Island AG Peter Neronha, who last year sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to tighten the federal definition of hemp. Neronha signed onto another multistate letter in August urging Congress to reject efforts to “delay, repeal, suspend, or weaken” the federal hemp restrictions enacted last year. Simpson criticized the AG’s push for tighter restrictions, saying he has seen no evidence that hemp-derived products have increased youth access in Rhode Island. “Give me the evidence in the state of Rhode Island where we have increased youth access to cannabis,” Simpson said. “Show me the data that shows that, and then I will agree and believe you.” Timothy Rondeau, a spokesperson for Neronha’s office, said the 2025 letter sought to close a loophole in the federal definition of hemp that allowed intoxicating cannabinoid products to be sold legally. “The letter asserts that potentially harmful substances like this should be regulated, and where the regulation is patchwork across the country, federal regulation is best,” Rondeau wrote in an email to Rhode Island Current. Why is the cannabis market different? Simpson sees a double standard in the Cannabis Control Commission’s decision to enforce the federal restrictions on hemp while continuing to allow the sale of recreational cannabis, which was never legalized under federal law. “Why this, but not cannabis?” he asked. Ormonde said the difference is that the federal government has imposed a new restriction on hemp that the state cannot simply disregard. “Federal law is the supreme law of the land,” she said. She said Rhode Island can regulate cannabis under state law because the state has chosen to do so, even though cannabis remains illegal under federal law. But with hemp, she said, the state is operating within a federal framework that Congress has now changed. Keeping the hemp market would also pose challenges to the liquor retailers who have carried the drinks. Nick Fede Jr., president of the American Beverage Licensees, said the changes could make it harder for retailers to process payments for hemp products because banks would no longer allow credit card sales—as is the case with regulated cannabis sales at Rhode Island’s retail pot shops. “If it’s not federally recognized, they don’t want to touch that money,” said Fede, whose family owns Kingstown Liquor Mart in North Kingstown, which has a valid hemp retail license through March 2027. Charon Rose, spokesperson for the Cannabis Control Commission, said her understanding is that the Trump administration is considering a new framework for hemp, but that the details remain unclear. That uncertainty is one reason Ormonde said the commission is trying to avoid telling businesses to outright shut down before the federal deadline. “We kind of have to wait and see what the federal government does before we can sort of act and advise our licensees in accordance with that,” Ormonde said. In the meantime, Rose said regulators plan to revise its September 11 bulletin and issue updated guidance to licensees “in the coming days.” Still, the ongoing uncertainty has made it harder for hemp businesses like Lovewell farms to plan for next year. Simpson typically buys its 1,500 seeds from Oregon in February, ahead of the growing season. Seth Crawford, co-owner of Oregon CBD Seeds, told the Oregon Capital Chronicle he still expects to sell seeds to anyone who wants them, but anticipates demand will fall if the new federal rules reduce the market for industrial hemp processing. “It’s very hard to run a business when you want to do investments in equipment and inventory when the regulations are changing,” Simpson said. This story was first published by Rhode Island Current. The post Rhode Island Grapples With Hemp Policy As Federal Ban On THC Products Looms appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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The Department of Justice and groups that oppose the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling move have agreed on what they believe the schedule should be in an ongoing lawsuit that seeks to block to reform. On Friday, federal officials who are defending the cannabis reform and the challengers behind the litigation filed a joint brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia laying out a proposed plan for how the case should proceed. The filing says that the proposal would allow for the briefing schedule to “conclude by mid-February, ensuring that oral argument could be heard before the Court’s summer recess.” They are requesting that the court “schedule oral argument as soon as reasonably practicable after the conclusion of briefing.” The appeals court is weighing three separate lawsuits against the proposal to move marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III that have since been consolidated. One suit is led by the prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA), who claim they are “aggrieved” by the reform. Another comes from a coalition of anti-marijuana activists, substance misuse professionals, doctors and MMJ International Holdings, a cannabis-focused biopharmaceutical corporation and its subsidiaries. A third challenge was filed by the attorneys general of Indiana, Nebraska and Louisiana—though the latter state later withdrew from the suit. The new filing on Friday says that all eleven cannabis rescheduling opponents in the consolidated cases are proposing joining together on a single opening brief and a single reply brief. The proposed briefing schedule is as follows: Petitioners’ Consolidated Opening Brief: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 Amicus Briefs in Support of Petitioners: Tuesday, December 1, 2026 Government’s Response Brief: Wednesday, January 13, 2027 Amicus Briefs in Support of the Government: Wednesday, January 20, 2027 Petitioners’ Consolidated Reply Brief: Friday, February 5, 2027 Deferred Joint Appendix: Friday, February 12, 2027 Final Briefs: Friday, February 19, 2027 “The parties have conferred and jointly propose this schedule (i) to allow Petitioners a small amount of extra time to coordinate their consolidated briefs and (ii) to provide additional time for the Government’s responsive brief both because the Government’s briefing period runs during the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years’ holidays and because counsel for the Government has pre-planned international travel scheduled for November 27 through December 13,” the filing says. “Even with these accommodations, the proposed schedule is materially shorter than those sometimes entered in complex consolidated agency cases,” it says, going on to explain why the parties are requesting that their jointly filed briefs be allotted a higher word count than is standard due to the proposed combination and because of the multiple issues of standing that are at play in the litigation. Last month, the court rejected a request from NDASA and MMJ to put a stay on the marijuana rescheduling process while the overall litigation is considered. The drug testing industry group and the pharmaceutical company had argued in support of the request that “marijuana abuse has dangerous, lifelong consequences—especially for adolescents and pregnant women” and that “by cutting taxes on cannabis companies,” federal rescheduling “will stimulate the industry and increase marijuana abuse.” The Department of Justice had opposed the request to pause rescheduling, noting in a brief that the entities challenging cannabis rescheduling have “pocketbook interests served by keeping all marijuana in schedule I” and are not suitable challengers to the reform because they are not the “intended beneficiaries” of the CSA. Meanwhile, the court also rejected a request from two medical marijuana companies that had filed a motion to intervene in the rescheduling lawsuit by joining the side of the government and opposing the litigation from prohibitionists, though it is allowing them to file amicus briefs in the case. Lawyers for NDASA and SAM had filed a brief arguing that the cannabis businesses should not be allowed to join the suit. Meanwhile, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other parties participating in a hearing on broad marijuana rescheduling filed their final briefs on the issue in August, though the judge overseeing the proceedings temporarily paused them last month in response to a request from opponents who want a recent federal report on “gaps” in the scheduling process included in the record. DEA, which is charged with defending the proposed rescheduling move, said in its brief that “marijuana no longer fits the statutory requirements for Schedule I because it has a currently accepted medical use within the United States and it has an accepted safety for its use under medical supervision.” The agency noted that under the law it must give “significant deference” to an “extensive ten-month study on the scientific and medical properties” of cannabis conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which recommended rescheduling. “Currently there are over 30,000 practitioners treating more than six million patients in 43 U.S. jurisdictions,” DEA said. “Such practices demonstrate that there is no longer a lack of accepted safety for use of marijuana under medical supervision, and as such, marijuana does not fulfill the requirements of being a Schedule I substance.” It also said that there is “substantial evidence sufficient to show that marijuana’s abuse and dependency profiles better align with Schedule III substances than Schedule II” or Schedule I. “The vast majority of individuals who use marijuana do so in a manner that does not result in dangers to themselves or to their communities.” In conclusion, DEA asked the judge overseeing the hearing to “expeditiously recommend” that marijuana be transferred from Schedule I to Schedule III. Opponents of cannabis reform—including the SAM; the states of Idaho, Indiana and Nebraska; NDASA and others—also filed briefs. The anti-rescheduling entities argued that a new two-part test federal officials used to analyze cannabis improperly departs from a former five-part test, that marijuana does not have accepted medical value and that the reform would undermine drug testing of safety-sensitive workers, among other things. In 2024, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) said the prior five-part test was “impermissibly narrow” and said the two-part review “is sufficient to establish that a drug has CAMU even if the drug has not been approved by FDA and would not satisfy DEA’s five-part test.” DEA has since embraced the new approach to evaluating cannabis for CAMU and it has been used to subsequently evaluate other substances. The DEA judge will consider the final briefs and testimony delivered during the hearing and issue a recommendation on cannabis’s scheduling status. The final decision will ultimately be up to the DEA administrator, however. 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 attorney general signed, the hearing is considering more comprehensively moving marijuana to Schedule III. The suit from SAM and NDASA challenging rescheduling was signed by attorneys at Torridon Law PLCC, where former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, led DOJ during Trump’s first term in office, is a partner. SAM had announced in January that it was hiring Barr’s firm to legally combat cannabis rescheduling after Tump signed an executive order directing officials to complete the process expeditiously. Meanwhile, 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. Separately, SAM, MMJ and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit seeking to block a Trump administration program to cover certain hemp-derived products through Medicare. That case was dismissed by a federal judge in May, but that decision is being appealed. Read the joint filing in the marijuana rescheduling lawsuit below: The post Feds And Marijuana Opponents Agree On Briefing Schedule In Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Reclassification Move appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A leading marijuana legalization advocacy organization is stepping up the pressure on Congress to reverse a scheduled ban on hemp THC products and institute a system of regulations as an alternative to criminalization. “When it comes to public health and safety, regulation and education consistently yield better results than prohibition,” the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) said in an action alert to its supporters this week, urging them to send letters to their members of Congress about the issue. “The path forward to address real safety concerns is setting clear potency limits, testing and labeling standards, age restrictions, and keeping dangerous products out of the market—all while preserving consumer access to a market that has created over 225,000 jobs and generated at least $28 billion in tax revenue nationally to date,” the group said. While some marijuana businesses see the federally legal hemp industry as a form of competition that unfairly has access to interstate commerce and have supported moves to federally recriminalize its products, MPP as an advocacy group is asking Congress to stop the planned ban while instead moving forward with comprehensive reform for all cannabinoids. Hemp derivatives with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed during his first term in office. But late last year, the president signed new legislation containing provisions that redefined hemp to make it so only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container would remain legal after November 12. Now, however, under provisions included in a funding bill Trump signed last month, the effective date of the ban for most products is being pushed back to December 11 to give lawmakers more time to craft regulations for hemp derivatives. There is a carve-out, however, to allow the recriminalization on November 12 of synthetic cannabinoids “that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant.” The sample letter that MPP is asking its supporters to send to U.S. senators and House members says that “millions of Americans have benefited from access to these products” and that “creating a framework for regulations is the only viable path forward.” “The current lack of regulatory guidance, including age-gating these products to adults 21 years old and over, on hemp-derived cannabinoids should be a legislative priority,” it says. “Congress needs to act to put sensible regulations in place that protect consumers and hold businesses accountable. But implementing a policy that would make 95% of the current hemp products on the market illegal is not just irresponsible—it will have devastating consequences for millions of Americans. Handing over this multibillion industry to the illicit market would be a blunder of enormous magnitude.” MPP’s new action alert comes months after the group’s executive director said he thinks it is “unlikely” there would be “further moves from the federal government on the cannabis front under this Congress.” On the other side of the debate, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) recently released an election guide that asks its supporters to press congressional candidates about their stance on hemp THC products. Meanwhile, advocates for convenience stores recently discussed their views that the retail outlets are an ideal place to continue to sell hemp products under any new regulations that are enacted. The pressure from industry and advocates comes as Members of Congress are debating how—and whether—the crop’s derivatives should be regulated as an alternative to prohibition. Several Republican lawmakers recently spoke to Marijuana Moment about the kinds of rules they would like to see enacted to keep hemp THC products legal. A number of lawmakers from both chambers and both parties have filed or are circulating a growing number of bills to prevent the scheduled federal recriminalization of hemp THC drinks and other products. Until now, none of those proposals have gained traction with congressional leaders. For example, Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH) filed a bill to keep hemp THC drinks legal while taxing and regulating them like alcohol. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is circulating legislation that would delay a planned federal ban on hemp THC products and institute some regulations—including packaging requirements, testing rules and age limits. Separately, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), filed a lengthier proposal to prevent the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products and put in place a number of regulations for manufacturing, labeling, sales and taxation of hemp-derived products, including an age limit of 21. Trump and White House officials repeatedly pressed Congress to delay, alter or reverse the ban in recent months. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in June, for example, White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought said the Trump administration wants lawmakers to “ensure the fair treatment of hemp products”—specifically citing Barr’s earlier amendment to keep many hemp products legal while adding regulations and taxes. The administration “welcomes the opportunity to work with the Congress to, at a minimum, update the statutory definition of final hemp-derived cannabinoid products to allow Americans to benefit from access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products,” OMB separately said in June, “while preserving the Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose serious health risks.” Also in April, the president himself urged congressional lawmakers to again redefine hemp to avoid recriminalization of full-spectrum CBD products. “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 said in a Truth Social post. “We must get this done RIGHT and FAST, especially for those who saw that CBD helps them,” he said. “Plus, I am told it will also help our GREAT FARMERS, who we love, and will always be there for.” Industry advocates say that the law as enacted last year not only threatens to prohibit intoxicating and synthetic cannabinoid products but also stands to remove popular full-spectrum CBD products that many Americans use therapeutically from the market. “ONE in FIVE adults used it in the past year, and many say it improved their chronic pain enormously,” the president said in his social media post, adding that hemp-derived CBD “has made a HUGE difference for so many people.” He also referenced a new initiative the administration launched in April to cover up to $500 worth of hemp-derived products each year for eligible Medicare patients. The program being implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) focuses largely on CBD but also allows products to have up to 3 milligrams of total THC per serving. A federal judge granted the government’s motion to dismiss marijuana legalization opponents’ lawsuit challenging the initiative, but that is being appealed. “In December, I signed a very important Executive Order calling for Research and Innovation for Hemp-derived CBD,” Trump said. “Our wonderful Dr. Mehmet Oz moved fast to follow the directive in the Executive Order, and launched a model for some Seniors earlier this month. But more must be done!” “Please get it done, and SOON,” the president said in reference to a congressional fix for the broad recriminalization set to take effect in November. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Some members of the alcohol industry have also urged Congress to regulate, rather than ban, hemp products. The National Restaurant Association recently sent a letter urging congressional leaders to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC beverages and replace it with a regulatory framework that “ensures consumer safety while meeting growing market demand” for the products as an alternative to alcohol. Major retailer Target, meanwhile, recently moved to expand its sales of hemp THC drinks into more states. Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen. The post Marijuana Reform Group Asks Congress To Keep Hemp THC Products Legal appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A significant number of people who hike enhance their experience on the trail with marijuana, according to a new poll. The expedition company Climbing Kilimanjaro surveyed 1,008 U.S. adult hikers, finding that more than a third (35 percent) have hiked while under the influence of cannabis—the most popularly used substance in the poll. Another 7 percent said they have hit the trail after using CBD products, and 15 percent have hiked while tripping on psilocybin. Nearly 1 in 4 respondents in the poll (24 percent) said they are curious about using psychedelics while in nature but haven’t done so yet. Overall, 44 percent of people surveyed said they have hiked under the influence of some substance. That includes 23 percent who have used alcohol on the trail. Among those who do indulge in substance use while hiking, 48 percent do so to feel more connected to nature, and 23 percent said it helps them calm their nerves and get over fears. More than half of those who consume cannabis or other substances while on hikes (51 percent) do so on short, easy trails close to where they live, while only 5 percent indulge on more difficult hikes or climbs, the poll found. Justin Mtui, Kilimanjaro Consultant for Climbing Kilimanjaro, told Marijuana Moment that “for some hikers, the natural high just isn’t enough, and they’re looking for even more ‘elevated’ ways to enjoy the trails.” “Cannabis and psychedelics aren’t competing with the outdoor experience, but they’re becoming part of the journey, with hikers using them to help relax, take in the scenery and feel more connected to nature,” he said. “With all of that being said, when it comes to more serious terrain, they’re opting for a clear head still.” The poll reinforces the results of previously published research that has undermined the “lazy stoner’ stereotype by showing that cannabis can be part of a healthy and active lifestyle. One study published this year, for example, found that people who use marijuana aren’t more or less likely to be physically active compared to non-users—but they do tend to favor light or moderate exercise, suggesting that “cannabis may influence the subjective experience.” Relatedly, a 2024 study found that young to midlife adults were neither more sedentary nor more intensely active after consuming cannabis. In fact, recent marijuana use was associated with a “marginal increase” in light exercise. “Our findings provide evidence against existing concerns that cannabis use independently promotes sedentary behavior and decreases physical activity,” authors of that paper wrote, adding that “the stereotypical ‘lazy stoner’ archetype historically portrayed with chronic cannabis use does not acknowledge the diverse uses of cannabis today.” Another study showed that the non-intoxicating marijuana component CBD holds “potentially performance-enhancing properties” for athletes and may serve as an effective post-exercise recovery tool, A study published in 2023 separately linked marijuana use to an enhanced “runner’s high” and lower pain during exercise. Participants experienced “less negative affect, greater feelings of positive affect, tranquility, enjoyment, and dissociation, and more runner’s high symptoms during their cannabis (vs. non-cannabis) runs,” according to those findings. And in 2021, researchers found that frequent marijuana consumers are actually more likely to be physically active compared to their non-using counterparts. Yet another study, in 2019, found that people use cannabis to elevate their workout tend to get a healthier amount of exercise. It also concluded that consuming before or after exercising improved the experience and aided in recovery. Meanwhile, a recent federally funded study challenged a related longstanding stereotype about marijuana munchies leading to obesity in lazy stoners—finding that whole extract cannabis is linked to both weight loss and and reduced risk of diabetes. A study released last year on the use of marijuana components to aid weight loss found that use of a combined product containing the cannabinoids THCV and CBD “was associated with statistically significant weight loss” as well as a slimmer waistline, lower blood pressure and decreased cholesterol. A separate study in 2024 found that regular marijuana users were less likely to be obese than people who don’t consume cannabis. In fact, the analysis showed a “dose-response relationship between marijuana use and [body mass index], with the lower the BMI classification, the higher marijuana use.” People who’d used cannabis within the past month were “31 percent less likely to be obese than non-users, after adjustment,” the study says, while “daily marijuana users are 32 percent less likely to be obese than non-users.” Additional research published in 2020 found that “compared to older adult nonusers, older adult cannabis users had lower [body mass index] at the beginning of an exercise intervention study, engaged in more weekly exercise days during the intervention, and were engaging in more exercise-related activities at the conclusion of the intervention.” The post More Than A Third Of Hikers Use Marijuana To Enhance Their Experience On The Trail, Poll Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A Republican congressman who leads efforts for marijuana reform on Capitol Hill says the Trump administration’s move to reschedule cannabis should be expanded to include a review of the classification of all federally controlled substances. “I want to see an across-the-board examination of cannabis, hemp, psilocybin, tranquilizers—of everything,” Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), who serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, told Marijuana Moment in an interview. Under an order issued by 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, including of recreational products. But Mast, for his part, wants a much broader reexamination of federal drug policy. “I want them to review all of it,” he said. “So what is actually working well, what is actually working wrong.” The scheduling of drugs needs to be reconsidered “across the board,” he said. “It’s not just cannabis. It’s a bigger conversation.” Meanwhile, a recent review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) called on federal agencies to improve their policies that govern the drug scheduling process—including how they evaluate substances and develop recommendations. That report found, among other things that the Drug Enforcement Administration “does not have any policies or procedures regarding how its staff are to conduct evaluations or schedule substances” and the Food and Drug Administration “does not have policies or procedures specifying how its staff are to conduct evaluations or develop scheduling recommendations for substances.” Opponents of marijuana rescheduling are asking for the GAO report to be included in the official record for the administrative hearing, leading to a temporary pause in the proceedings. The LCB contributed reporting from Washington, D.C. The post GOP Congressman Says Marijuana Rescheduling Should Expand To ‘Across-The-Board’ Review Of Psychedelics And Other Drugs appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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CA candidates: Overhaul marijuana laws; IA Dem governor candidate praises Trump on cannabis; WA medical marijuana rules 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 Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) exclusively told Marijuana Moment that they will be voting against an initiative on the Massachusetts November ballot to roll back the state’s cannabis legalization law. California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton and Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Fiona Ma are both calling for an overhaul of the state’s marijuana laws—with Ma saying she wants to put a new cannabis measure on the ballot for voters to decide. Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is praising the Trump administration for rescheduling marijuana—saying that “I’m a believer that it should be treated the way we treat alcohol. And so when they did it, I said, ‘Good for them.'” The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board voted to accept a rulemaking petition to create a process allowing marijuana businesses to document their participation in the medical cannabis market in order to ease their access to benefits under federal rescheduling. Amanda Strickland of the Source Craft Cannabis details in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed how Arkansas bans billboards for medical cannabis dispensaries like hers while allowing out-of-state marijuana companies from Missouri and Oklahoma to advertise on them. A Missouri jury awarded $10 million to plaintiffs in a lawsuit centering on a marijuana business ownership dispute. / FEDERAL President Donald Trump appears to have appointed Howard Kessler, who previously played a key role in convincing him to move forward with cannabis reform, as an advisor on aging healthcare. / STATES Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) touted his mass cannabis pardons during a debate. Idaho gubernatorial candidates discussed their opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would block voters from ever being able to legalize marijuana. Kansas attorney general candidates discussed their views on marijuana at a debate. The South Dakota legislature’s Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday. Colorado regulators published guidance about inactive ingredients added to cannabis vape devices. Oklahoma officials told lawmakers that they need better tools to track cannabis grows. New York cannabis regulators are recruiting people to serve on the Social and Economic Equity Cultivation Working Group. — 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. — / INTERNATIONAL The UK Conservative Party shadow home secretary said police should arrest everyone who smokes cannabis. A Romanian senator filed a bill to decriminalize drug possession. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “adjunctive Cannabis oil contributed to improved pruritus control in dogs with atopic dermatitis.” A study’s results “support psilocybin with adjunct psychotherapy as a promising antidepressant treatment – ​​potentially with a disease-modifying potential –, and most likely targeting a range of neurobiological and psychological therapeutic mechanisms.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The Idaho Freedom Foundation published a piece arguing that a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot to prevent voters from being able to legalize marijuana is “appropriate and necessary.” / BUSINESS Tilray Brands, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $257.1 million and a net loss of $40 million. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. commenced a public offering of stock. 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 US senators say keep cannabis sales legal in Massachusetts (Newsletter: October 9, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“You’ve seen countless billboards for Missouri and Oklahoma cannabis businesses, yet you’ve never seen one for an Arkansas dispensary. So you assume Arkansas must not have dispensaries.” By Amanda Strickland, The Source Craft Cannabis I was two sips into a mezcal cocktail at a bar in Bentonville, Arkansas—Walmart’s hometown—when a new friend said the six words that keep me awake at night: “I just drive to Missouri for cannabis.” Because I have no filter, I responded, “You’re killing my business!” She laughed, and I asked the real question: Why would a smart, well-traveled professional drive twenty-five minutes north to spend money at a dispensary chain when there’s a locally owned craft dispensary ten minutes from her house, with better product, better prices and established community give-back programs? The answer: “I didn’t know The Source existed.” Then the follow-up: “Getting a medical marijuana patient card in Arkansas seems hard.” I’ve had this conversation with hundreds of Northwest Arkansans, and my field research has revealed an unfortunate truth: my friend is not an outlier. She is the average Arkansan. Arkansas voters approved a medical-only cannabis program in 2016. Nearly a decade later, many Arkansans, particularly those who live near states with more permissive programs, do not know that Arkansas dispensaries exist. Billboard Advertising: The Ultimate Catch-22 Take a drive in Arkansas, and you’ll get an education in neighboring cannabis programs whether you asked for one or not. Head north on U.S. 65 toward Branson, Missouri, and count the cannabis billboards. Stairway Cannabis, in tie-dye script. Roughly eight more along I-49 between Fayetteville and Bella Vista. Five on the last stretch of I-40 into Memphis. Three around Jonesboro, in the state’s northeast corner, including a purple one for a Missouri brand called Codes promising “your state line dispensary.” Simply driving makes you privy to the deals. A recent weekend special at Stairway’s Branson store: $100 ounces. Oklahoma, with 1,295 dispensaries, has stores along our western border simply named State Line Dispensary, because why be coy? Now I’d like to ask you to count the billboards for Arkansas dispensaries—but you can’t, because there are none. By regulation, an Arkansas dispensary may have three physical signs attached to its building, none bigger than 36 square feet. No billboards allowed. So the human brain does what it’s compelled to do, and it makes an assumption. You’ve seen countless billboards for Missouri and Oklahoma cannabis businesses, yet you’ve never seen one for an Arkansas dispensary. So you assume Arkansas must not have dispensaries, and who could blame you? A Rule Outsmarted By Time When Arkansas built its program from scratch, it was surrounded on every side by prohibition states. Nobody across the line was advertising to us, because there was nobody across the line. Then February 2023 happened. Missouri opened recreational sales to anyone over 21, no residency required, under a state constitutional amendment that says cannabis advertising can be no more restricted than alcohol advertising. If Budweiser can buy the board, so can the dispensary, and “the board” can be anywhere the customers are—including 300 miles inside Arkansas. Our neighbors adapted their cannabis programs; we didn’t. And of course Arkansas’s cannabis advertising rules apply only to Arkansas dispensaries. Dramatic Differences In Barriers To Entry Twenty minutes north of The Source, in Jane, Missouri, population 400, Flora Farms opened a store a third of a mile past the state line in January 2024. It runs 14 registers, roughly nine of every ten license plates in the lot are from Arkansas, and it has become one of Missouri’s highest-grossing dispensaries. High Profile opened up across the street shortly after. So why would an Arkansan choose a dispensary chain in another state over shopping local? They don’t know Arkansas even has a medical marijuana program. In Missouri, the front door only requires a driver’s license. Shopping at an Arkansas dispensary requires a doctor’s visit and fee, a $50 state fee and a card that arrives in about two weeks. The card has to be renewed every year. The impact on Arkansas’s program is staggering. The patient count rose 9 percent this year, to more than 119,000, and revenue fell anyway. More patients in the program, less of their money staying in Arkansas, which means less tax revenue, and fewer breakfasts for Arkansas schoolchildren. (Uunder a 2025 law, tax revenue from Arkansas medical marijuana helps make sure no kids go to school hungry.) The Rule Rewards Whoever Has A Second State Any company operating in Arkansas that also operates in a second state now has a valid loophole for billboard advertising. For example, the CODES billboard in Jonesboro points toward a dispensary in Missouri, while also operating as a brand and a dispensary in Arkansas. Now that’s clever. Any company’s Missouri stores can buy billboards in Arkansas. Its Arkansas stores can’t. The name recognition bears weight either way. That’s legal, and if I had a Missouri license, I’d probably do it too. But I don’t, and neither do the remaining independent operators. A single-state, single-location dispensary has no second state to advertise from. As the industry consolidates, that gap stops being a quirk and becomes a real problem for operators like us. Ask Me How To Buy Local Weed I run a locally owned, single-location cannabis company that offers subsidized health insurance and creative careers, and works alongside more than 15 local nonprofits. It is not threatened by Missouri, or by the other 36 dispensaries in Arkansas. It is threatened by invisibility. The state could fix that with one sentence: if a cannabis ad is allowed to appear in Arkansas, an Arkansas licensee should be allowed to buy the same space. That’s rulemaking, not a constitutional amendment, and nobody who wrote the current rule could have predicted Highway 65 in 2026. Until then, I’ve made it my mission to tell Arkansans they still have the option of shopping at a business that keeps their money local and puts values over profit, which is roughly the speech I gave my friend at the bar that night. Two weeks later, she had her Arkansas medical marijuana card. Not because of me, but because for the first time she had the information she needed to decide where her hard-earned dollars should go. Thanks to her, I got savvy. Since no billboard in Arkansas is allowed to say it, we printed the question on a T-shirt and built a website, howtobuylocalweed.com, to answer it. Ask me how to buy local weed; I’ll point you straight to The Source. Amanda Strickland is CEO of The Source Craft Cannabis, an independent, vertically integrated medical dispensary in Rogers, Arkansas and Director of the documentary Roots & Reefer: The Arkansas Cannabis Story. Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen. The post Arkansas Bans Billboards For In-State Medical Cannabis Dispensaries While Letting Missouri And Oklahoma Marijuana Companies Advertise On Them (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Republican and Democratic candidates running for California’s highest elected offices are in agreement that the state’s marijuana legalization law is in need of changes. Fiona Ma, the Democratic Party’s nominee for lieutenant governor, said at a cannabis conference this week that the legal marijuana market is “a complete disaster.” “California was the number one cannabis-producing state in terms of quality and being trusted by the farmers, similar to our wine industry,” she said at the IgniteIt event in Los Angeles. “And now it’s pretty much—it’s almost dead. The legal business is dead.” A big part of the problem, she said, is that taxes are “definitely too high” for the legal industry to compete with unlicensed operators. Ma, who currently serves as California’s treasurer, said she wants to “help spearhead trying to get something back on the ballot to change what is happening” in cannabis. Rather than collect signatures for a voter initiative, which is an expensive endeavor, she is proposing that “we go through the Legislature, get two-thirds of the votes, get the governor to sign the bill, and then it would go on the ballot.” “That’s the cheapest way, but I do need cooperation,” she said, adding that she wants to immediately begin convening a stakeholder working group to identify specific problems and solutions. “I can start convening right now.” Ma outlined a potential route: build an industry-backed proposal, seek two-thirds support in the Legislature and the governor’s signature, then take it to voters. Her goal: avoid an expensive signature-gathering campaign. — IgniteIt Cannabis (@IgniteItNews) October 7, 2026 Earlier this year, Ma held a hearing about cannabis banking issues and called California’s marijuana legalization law a “complete failure,” saying it should be replaced with a new ballot initiative that prioritizes consumers and small businesses. Meanwhile, Steve Hilton, the GOP nominee for California governor, is also highlighting issues with the state’s cannabis system. During a visit to a cannabis business this week he asked what he could do to help the industry if he is elected. A person working there said they are “over-regulated and overtaxed, and so it’s extremely difficult to operate, especially as a small business.” Hilton replied by citing a plan he has to create a new Office of Fun and Freedom. “The point about that is that there’s so many ridiculous things in California that just you know, stupid killjoy bureaucratic rules that don’t serve any purpose make life less fun and less free for no good reason, and less affordable,” he said. “I’m really looking for specific things that we can do to make life more fun and more free. “Therapeutic Alternative” in Sacramento pays $40,000 a year just to be ENDLESSLY inspected by California bureaucrats. Meanwhile, a full decade after legalization, the illicit cannabis market remains LARGER than the legal one. When voters approved Prop 64 in 2016, the point was… pic.twitter.com/S7WoYece3K — Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) October 8, 2026 “When voters approved Prop 64 in 2016, the point was safety and freedom—not to create ANOTHER overtaxed, over-regulated industry,” the GOP candidate said in a social media post. “When I’m governor, I’ll cut the red tape and give small dispensaries some much-needed relief.” In a separate post with another video of the cannabis business owner discussing taxes, Hilton said the effective 38 percent rate it pays on its products is “RIDICULOUS.” “ENOUGH with the fraud,” he said. “ENOUGH with crushing small business.” This Sacramento cannabis dispensary says its products are taxed at a RIDICULOUS 38% rate and is demanding an audit of the money. We looked into it ourselves and found that $350 million meant for substance abuse programs instead went to Democrat voter machines! ENOUGH with the… pic.twitter.com/S8JrjIoQ6I — Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) October 7, 2026 Hilton also spoke at the IgniteIt cannabis event where Ma appeared, calling for greater law enforcement efforts against Chinese-linked illicit marijuana cultivation operations. “It’s really bad, and they’re stealing water. They’re stealing electric,” he said. “And it’s really wrecking local communities.” 62% of cannabis consumed in California comes from illicit sources, including farms operated by cartels and Chinese gangs. ENOUGH. I’ll expand the Highway Patrol into a proper California State Police force to crack down on this crime and protect our LEGAL cannabis industry. From… pic.twitter.com/vYkMCJx7qQ — Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) October 8, 2026 In June, Hilton told Marijuana Moment in an interview that taxes and regulations on cannabis are “too high.” The Republican candidate said at the time that after studying the issue and spending “some time with the industry,” he came to understand that there is a “regulatory burden and a tax burden that is too high.” “The original intent” of legalization was to “bring the industry, as it were, into the open—and you’ve actually seen the illegal industry growing even more since these policies” were implemented, Hilton told Marijuana Moment. “So we’ve got to make a change.” He said he’s “actually in a conversation in great detail with the industry to look at the specific parts of the regulatory and tax burden that need to be changed in order to achieve the goals of legalization, which is a thriving industry that provides a product safely that people want to consume.” Incumbent California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) recently signed a bill to revise packaging and labeling rules for marijuana-infused edibles and beverages. Newsom separately signed a pair of bills revising various state marijuana laws related to product testing, tracking, consumer access to information and cannabinoid content. In August, he signed legislation to more clearly define the types of marijuana packaging and labeling that is prohibited due to appealing to children. Last month, the governor touted the fact that that legal marijuana sales have generated nearly $8.4 billion in tax revenue for the state since voters legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, saying that the money “helps fund programs that benefit Californians, including childcare and early childhood development, youth substance abuse prevention, medical research and environmental recovery.” California’s top cannabis regulator spoke recently about how the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hasn’t been cooperative in answering questions about the implications of the Trump administration’s rescheduling move. DCC Director Clint Kellum said that there have been “national-level efforts” to contact DEA in conjunction with cannabis regulators from other states, but they “just really haven’t seen any sort of interest on that front, unfortunately.” The post California GOP And Democratic Candidates Agree That Marijuana Law Needs An Overhaul appeared first on Marijuana Moment. 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