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The Republican governor of Indiana says the “crescendo will rise” in the call to legalize marijuana, with regional dynamics and even law enforcement buy-in favoring reform down the line. But for now, he says GOP legislative leadership is “not interested in doing anything soon,” even if “over half of Hoosiers probably smoke it illegally.” Gov. Mike Braun (R) gave his perspective on the cannabis policy issue during an interview with WOWO’s Fort Wayne’s Morning News, saying he feels lawmakers should take “an additional look at it” and that, while he’s personally “agnostic” on legalization, the reality is that Indiana is “surrounded now by four states” that allow either medical or adult-use cannabis. “Over half of Hoosiers probably smoke it illegally,” he said, noting that neighboring Kentucky permits patients to access medical cannabis, while Illinois, Michigan and Ohio have recreational marijuana laws on the books. “I’m going to listen to law enforcement. Even they have changed their opinion in terms of legalizing it and regulating it,” Braun said, adding that he’d compare cannabis to gambling. The state was late in the game to adopt laws allowing adults to gamble, he said, but now it ranks in the top three states nationwide in terms of revenue per capita from the vice. “Some people aren’t going to want it, just out of principle. A lot of our state police and sheriffs are tolerating people going across the border [to buy cannabis]. It’ll be an increasing issue that, so far, our state legislature has kind of dug in against it,” he said. “I’ve been more agnostic about it. I can see points of view, and I’ve seen law enforcement move on it somewhat.” “So that would give you the best description of where the dynamic is in our state,” the governor told WOWO. “I think the leader of the Senate especially, and the Speaker of the House, are pretty—and they control the legislative agenda—not interested in doing anything soon. But I think the crescendo will rise, and that describes in a snapshot where we’re at.” Braun similarly talked about the issue in another recent interview, saying the state is “probably going to have to address” the issue and likening cannabis reform to sports betting. Lawmakers in the state had already signaled that marijuana legalization isn’t in the cards in the 2026 session, meaning another year where Indiana will be an outlier as one of the few remaining states without effective medical or adult-use cannabis laws. The governor separately said in January that he’s “amenable” to the idea of legalizing medical cannabis in the state. Instead, Indiana legislators this session have been focused on efforts to ban hemp THC products—though it seems that fight is over for 2026 after a last-minute push failed late last month. Braun has also said that a move by President Donald Trump to federally reschedule marijuana could add “a little bit of fire” to the local push for cannabis legalization in his state. Months later, Trump did sign an executive order directing the attorney general to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), but that hasn’t materialized yet. Among Indiana residents, however, a survey released in January found that nearly three in five back legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational use. Specifically, the annual Hoosier Survey from the Bowen Center at Ball State University (BSU) found that 59 percent of residents are in favor of legalizing cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. An additional 25 percent back only allowing patients to access medical marijuana, raising the total support for that reform to 84 percent. — 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. — Braun, for his part, previously said that “it’s probably time” to allow access to therapeutic cannabis among patients in the state. Those comments came alongside a separate poll indicating that nearly 9 in 10 Indiana adults (87 percent) support marijuana legalization. Top Republicans in the legislature, however, have openly opposed marijuana reform. “It’s no secret that I am not for this,” Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R) said in late 2024. “I don’t have people coming to me with really compelling medical cases as to why it’s so beneficial. And any state that I’ve seen pass medical marijuana is essentially passing recreational marijuana.” House Speaker Todd Huston (R) doubted any medical benefits associated with marijuana, calling the substance “a deterrent to mental health.” He and others suggested that lawmakers supportive of the reform merely want to boost state revenue. A number of marijuana reform bills were introduced for the Indiana legislature’s 2025 session, including one—from Reps. Jim Lucas (R) and Shane Lindauer (R)—that would have legalized medical marijuana for people with “serious medical conditions as determined by their physician.” The post Indiana Governor Blames GOP Leaders For Marijuana Legalization Inaction While ‘Half Of Hoosiers Probably Smoke It Illegally’ appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators have introduced a bill to promote research into the therapeutic potential psychedelics by creating a new office in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that would advance the development innovative treatments for serious mental health conditions and assist in reviewing the scheduling status of drugs like psilocybin, ibogaine and MDMA. The legislation—titled the “Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act”—is being led by Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and is cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and John Boozman (R-AR). “After young Americans who signed up to fight for our nation and were willing to give up their own lives for others come home, we better make sure the VA is ready to care for them and that they have access to the best, most innovative care available,” Sheehy said in a press release. “The VA’s core mission is to care for veterans, and this bipartisan bill will help the hardworking men and women at the VA fulfill that critical mission.” If enacted, the new bill would direct the VA to take steps to streamline studies into psychedelics and other emerging therapies This is one of the latest examples of congressional efforts to encourage scientific investigations into psychedelics, with a focus on military veterans with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment-resistant depression, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic pain and more. “Veterans suffering from invisible wounds like PTSD and depression deserve the same level of care from their VA as those with physical wounds, and it’s past time we do more to ensure our VA is equipped and prepared to navigate these veterans’ unique needs,” Duckworth said. “Our bipartisan legislation recognizes that the VA is uniquely positioned to oversee and administer this care as our veterans’ medical center home and would cut red tape and establish groundbreaking infrastructure to more quickly review and approve emerging therapeutics for our wounded warriors.” The bill’s findings section says that “emerging therapeutic interventions, including certain psychedelic-assisted therapies under evaluation by the Food and Drug Administration as of the date of the enactment of this Act, may significantly alter the treatment landscape for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental health conditions affecting veterans.” “The administration of certain emerging therapies may require intensive clinical engagement, interdisciplinary teams, dedicated clinical space, structured preparation, and post-treatment integration that differ substantially from traditional outpatient mental health services,” it continues, adding that VA is “uniquely positioned to deliver integrated, veteran-centered care that combines medical, mental health, and peer support services within a single system of care.” That’s the only explicit mention of “psychedelics” in the legislation, and it doesn’t list specific psychedelic substances that would be prioritized for research, but that’s a common feature of recently filed bills touching on the issue, with various other examples using catchall terminology like innovative or novel treatments or therapies effectively serving as a stand-in for “psychedelics.” Gallego said in a press release that “when I got back from Iraq, I saw fellow Marines struggle in ways we weren’t prepared to treat. There’s no one way to address veterans’ mental health, and for those who don’t respond to existing treatments, we need to look at new ones.” “Emerging therapies like psychedelic treatment may offer real hope for veterans with PTSD when nothing else has. This bill makes sure we’re exploring every option to support them,” he said. Under the measure, a new Office of Novel Therapeutics would be established under the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to facilitate the research initiatives. Studies exploring the alternative treatments would focus on substances such as psychedelics that are under review for potential approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Absent centralized governance and implementation planning, the Department may face delays, safety risks, or inconsistent access following regulatory approval of such therapies,” the bill’s findings section says. “Establishing a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics will ensure that the Department is prepared to responsibly evaluate, research, and implement emerging treatment modalities consistent with patient safety and evidence-based practice.” There would be at least one “Center of Excellence” to facilitate the program in each VA regional district to help develop a national model for the initiative. A Veteran Advisory Committee would be established, comprised of veterans, experts and health professionals, to advise on matters such as access barriers and safety protocols. VA would also need to coordinate with other federal agencies—including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), FDA, Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), the Department of Defense (DOD) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—to consider regulatory issues, possible rescheduling action for novel therapies and means of providing health care coverage for psychedelics access and treatment. VA would need to furnish annual reports to Congress updating lawmakers on its progress. Within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, the department would need to report on practical considerations such as staffing needs and regulatory barriers. Boozman said that “we owe it to veterans to ensure the VA can effectively facilitate access to new therapies and care upon FDA approval.” “Doing so will give them more options to improve their health, including recovering from the invisible wounds that represent a unique challenge to their well-being,” he said. “I am proud of this bipartisan, proactive effort to meet the needs of our former servicemembers who have earned this support for all they have given to defend our nation and freedoms.” The legislation is being supported by groups such as Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans and Psychedelic Medicine Coalition. The bill is somewhat similar in intent to another bipartisan measure filed earlier this month, sponsored by Gallego and Sen. David McCormick (R-PA), that would provide $30 million in funding annually to establish psychedelic-focused “centers for excellence” at VA facilities, where veterans could receive novel treatment involving substances like psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine. A House companion version of the bill—sponsored by Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus co-chairs Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI)—was introduced last year, but it has not yet advanced in the chamber. The House and Senate measures are substantively identical, with minor formatting differences. Lawmakers and advocates supporting such reform bills notably have allies in top positions within the Trump administration, including VA Secretary Doug Collins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who have both embraced psychedelic policy reform. Kennedy recently told Joe Rogan on a podcast episode that the administration is “very anxious” to create a pathway for the novel therapies and that officials across federal agencies want to “get it out to the public as quickly as possible.” Multiple veterans groups also recently advised congressional lawmakers about the need to continue exploring psychedelics and marijuana as alternative treatment options for the military veteran population at hearings on Capitol Hill. The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) specifically cited the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act as an example of a reform they’re backing. Correa and Bergman, the House sponsors of that legislation, separately filed a bill in January that would also promote research into the therapeutic potential of certain psychedelics in the treatment of serious mental health conditions experienced by veterans. The bipartisan duo in January also discussed the importance of strategically advancing psychedelics reform in a way that mitigates bureaucratic conflict and the influence of outside interests. Even just one misstep could threaten to upend the movement, they said. Last year, the VA secretary touted his role in promoting psychedelics access for veterans with serious mental health conditions, saying he “opened that door probably wider than most ever thought” was possible. The department in 2024 faced criticism after rejecting a grant application from an organization that helps connect veterans to programs abroad where they can receive psychedelic therapy to treat serious mental health conditions. Meanwhile, in November, Kennedy, Vice President JD Vance, the FDA commissioner and other Trump administration officials attended a “Make America Healthy Again” summit that featured a session dedicated to exploring psychedelic medicine. In June, Kennedy said his agency is “absolutely committed” to expanding research on the benefits of psychedelic therapy and, alongside of the head of FDA, is aiming to provide legal access to such substances for military veterans “within 12 months.” The secretary also said in April that he had a “wonderful experience” with LSD at 15 years old, which he took because he thought he’d be able to see dinosaurs, as portrayed in a comic book he was a fan of. Last October, Kennedy specifically criticized FDA under the prior administration over the agency’s “suppression of psychedelics” and a laundry list of other issues that he said amounted to a “war on public health” that would end under the Trump administration. Image courtesy of CostaPPR. The post Bipartisan Senators File Bill To Support Psychedelics Research And Treatment For Veterans appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A Democratic congressman is pressing the Department of Justice for answers to a question that’s been on the minds of many Americans since President Donald Trump ordered the quick completion of the marijuana rescheduling process late last year: What’s the hold up? In a letter sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terry Cole on Friday, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) asked for a status update on the pending proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). And he’s also asking the officials to account for why DOJ missed a deadline to issue guidelines easing research barriers into Schedule I drugs—which currently includes cannabis, as well as various psychedelics. “It is critical that our drug laws and policies enable research and provide patients with access to effective therapies,” Cohen said in the letter, which was exclusively shared with Marijuana Moment ahead of its release. Trump’s December executive order on cannabis specifically instructed Bondi to finalize the Schedule III rule in “the most expeditious manner.” He didn’t set a deadline for the action, but the Biden administration had already laid the groundwork for a reclassification. There was a months-long scientific review by federal health agencies that led to the Schedule III recommendation, which received sign-off from former Attorney General Merrick Garland. It was subject to an administrative hearing process that’s since stalled out, and the administrative law judge who oversaw those hearings is now retired and has not been replaced. “Therefore, how does the Drug Enforcement Agency [sic] plan to reschedule without an ALJ to oversee the Hearing?” Cohen asked. “What is the expected timeline for rulemaking to be completed?” The proposed rule to reclassify marijuana wouldn’t federally legalize it, but it would remove certain research restrictions associated with Schedule I drugs, while allowing state-licensed cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions they’ve been barred from under an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code known as 280E. Cohen supports ending marijuana prohibition altogether, and he’s been known to raise the issue directly with administration officials in various congressional hearings. He’s not the only lawmaker who’s taken a special interest in the topic, but the new letter to Bondi is one of the first major public attempts to extract specific answers about what DOJ is at in the process directed by Trump more than three months ago. The executive order the president signed—which also included provisions dealing with CBD coverage under certain federal health insurance programs that is moving forward—conveyed a sense of urgency with respect to the rescheduling directive. But as Cohen pointed out, the fact that marijuana was placed in Schedule I in the first place has been a point of contention for decades, with a 1970s commission at one point releasing a report concluding that cannabis laws should be reformed. “However, the Nixon Administration did not adopt the findings from the Commission he appointed. It has been more than 50 years since that report,” the congressman wrote. “It is my firm belief that Marijuana never belonged on Schedule I. Its inclusion resulted in harsh and disproportionate prison sentences, particularly for communities of color, and has substantially hampered research.” “You have a historic opportunity to make meaningful progress and implement the wishes of the American people, the President, and the US under the Controlled Substances Act,” he told Bondi and Cole. “Rescheduling is widely understood to be in alignment with the best available scientific data and will significantly strengthen scientific and medical research into marijuana.” The congressman also used the letter as an opportunity to seek clarification on DOJ’s implementation of research provisions included in the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act (HALT Fentanyl Act) that Trump signed into law last year. Bondi missed a congressionally mandated deadline to issue guidelines by January 16 to ease barriers to studying Schedule I substances such as marijuana and psychedelics by setting new processes for research registration. “These provisions were designed to improve access to Schedule I substances by the research community for scientific studies, and not as a legalization measure,” Cohen said, adding that as co-chair of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, “I believe that scientists must be able to expeditiously conduct experiments and not be subject to undue regulatory barriers.” “Because the DEA has not issued these regulations, scientific research using these substances has been harmed and hampered. Currently, scientists are waiting until the DEA finalizes these rules and cannot access these vital research tools, delaying important research and impacting public health,” he said. “For example, psilocybin, a Schedule I substance, has shown promise in preclinical and clinical trials as a potential treatment in depression and smoking cessation models, but access for research remains difficult.” “Please let me know when the scientific community can expect to see the notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the research provisions in the HALT Fentanyl Act,” the letter concludes. “I look forward to your assistance and the answers to these questions.” On the rescheduling order, Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chair Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) told Marijuana Moment last month that while that reform might not be at the top of the agenda for the Justice Department or White House amid competing interests, he and bipartisan colleagues will be ready when “opportunity does present itself.” Joyce separately said in January that he doesn’t think the attorney general would seek to undermine the president’s executive order to move marijuana to Schedule III despite any personal reservations she may have about the policy change. A DOJ spokesperson told Marijuana Moment in January that it had no “comment or updates” to share on the topic. However, an agency official later told Salon that “DOJ is working to identify the most expeditious means of executing the EO.” Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Trump’s first pick for attorney general this term who ultimately withdrew his nomination, raised eyebrows last month after posting on X that he’s been told the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is actively drafting a rescheduling rule and intended to issue it “ASAP.” There was some confusion around that point, however, as the rule is already pending before the Justice Department—and a new rule would presumably be subject to additional administrative review and public comment. Last month, meanwhile, the White House declined to comment on the status of the rescheduling process, deferring Marijuana Moment to the Justice Department. — 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. — A Democratic senator told Marijuana Moment last month that it was “too early to tell” what the implications of Trump’s cannabis order would be—saying that while there are “things that look promising” about it, he is “very concerned about where the DOJ will land.” “The ability of the Trump administration to speak out of both sides of their mouth is staggering,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said. “So I’m just going to wait and see right now. Obviously, there’s things that look promising—to end generations of injustice. I really want to wait and see.” Also in January, two GOP senators filed an amendment to block the Trump administration from rescheduling cannabis, but it was not considered on the floor. That same month, DEA said the cannabis rescheduling appeal process “remains pending” despite Trump’s executive order. A recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report discussed how DOJ could, in theory, reject the president’s directive or delay the process by restarting the scientific review into marijuana. Read Cohen’s letter to Bondi on marijuana rescheduling and Schedule I research directives below: The post Congressman Demands Marijuana Rescheduling Update From DOJ, Three Months After Trump’s Executive Order appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Mississippi’s governor has vetoed a pair of bills to expand medical marijuana access while signing separate legislation to support research in hopes of gaining federal approval for the psychedelic ibogaine as a novel treatment option. Lawmakers approved each measure by strong margins, but on Thursday Gov. Tate Reeves (R) rejected the cannabis proposals while accepting the psychedelics one. One of the vetoed bills, known as the “Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act,” would have created a pathway for patients who don’t have one of the state’s specific delineated qualifying conditions to become eligible for legal marijuana access. Under HB 1152, from Rep. Lee Yancey (R), doctors could have submitted petitions to the state Department of Health on behalf of their patients who have chronic, progressive, severely disabling or terminal illnesses. The state health officer would then have been able to approve or deny those requests. Reeves wrote in a veto message that while he believes “nearly all reasonable people would agree that a Mississippian suffering from a painful and debilitating terminal illness should be afforded an opportunity, subject to medical review, to try any medication or treatment to ease their suffering when they are near the end of life,” recent amendments to the bill prevented him from signing it. Specifically, while he said its original intent was “commendable,” a Senate amendment to remove the residency requirement for eligibility would have opened the state’s medical cannabis program to “every person on the planet.” The governor said it has been a “continuing challenge to strike the appropriate balance between the utilization of marijuana for medical purposes versus the utilization of marijuana for recreational purposes” and that the new bill as it reached his desk “has the potential to upset the tenuous balance struck by the [current program] and poses an unreasonable risk of pushing the medical marijuana program in the direction of facilitating recreational use.” Reeves also vetoed separate legislation to expand the kinds of products that are legally available and to ease some rules for patients and caregivers. That measure, HB 895, also sponsored by Yancey, would have removed a restriction under current law that limits medical cannabis tinctures, oils and concentrates to a potency of 60 percent THC. The bill would have also removed a mandate that patients have six-month follow-up visit with their recommending physicians and would have additionally extended medical cannabis caregiver registrations to two years from the current one year. The governor said the legislation would “erode three important safeguards contained in” current law “to minimize the potential diversion of medical marijuana for recreational purposes” that he argued are “reasonable and necessary checks and balances on the medical marijuana program and do not create unnecessary barriers.” “I believe the Act, as it exists, has been largely successful in achieving its intended purpose to cabin the use of marijuana in Mississippi to the treatment of medical conditions, and there is no reason to alter it at this time,” Reeves wrote. HB 895 as originally introduced would have also extended medical cannabis patient card validity from one year to two years, but the Senate removed that provision. — 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. — The governor did sign separate legislation, HB 314 from Rep. Sam Creekmore IV (R), to establish a consortium to conduct a clinical trial on ibogaine with the intent of helping to win federal approval for the psychedelic from the Food and Drug Administration. The “Ibogaine Drug Development Clinical Trial Act” will specifically support trials to get ibogaine approved as a medication to treat opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorder and other neurological or mental health conditions. The bill would give the state a portion of any revenue stemming from intellectual property or commercial rights generated by the research. The House also passed separate legislation this session to allow terminally ill patients to access medical marijuana in hospitals, nursing facilities and hospice centers, but it stalled in the Senate. The post Mississippi Governor Vetoes Bills To Expand Medical Marijuana Access, But Signs Psychedelic Research Measure appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Americans across every demographic—age, gender, religion and political affiliation—all agree that using marijuana is not morally wrong, according to a new polling report from the Pew Research Center. However, Republicans are still twice as likely as Democrats to say consuming cannabis is a moral no-no, the survey results show. The analysis was based on a recent poll that asked Americans about their views on the morality of a variety of behaviors and policies. Overall, 76 percent of U.S. adults said using marijuana is either morally acceptable or not a moral issue at all, compared to 23 percent who said the activity is immoral. That puts marijuana use in roughly the same moral standing as getting a divorce and spanking children, at least from the average American perspective. More Americans believe using marijuana is not morally wrong than those who feel the same about gambling, watching pornography, having an abortion, being gay, the death penalty and more. Cannabis is considered decidedly less moral than alcohol, however, with only 16 percent of respondents calling it morally wrong to drink. That said, a closer look at the demographic data on the marijuana question shows that, by and large, the prevailing opinion is that smoking marijuana doesn’t make someone a bad person. The age breakdown for those who said cannabis use isn’t morally wrong shows little deviation among younger and older adults: 18-29 (79 percent), 30-49 (76 percent), 50-64 (77 percent) and 65+ (73 percent). There’s also general uniformity in the belief that cannabis use is not morally wrong among people who subscribe to different religious denominations: Christian (72 percent), Protestant (73 percent), Catholic (74 percent), Jewish (85 percent). Atheists and agnostics were even less likely to regard marijuana use as immoral, with 98 percent and 94 percent percent describing the activity as morally acceptable or not a moral issue, respectively. Men and women were equally likely to say using cannabis isn’t immoral, at 76 percent. Via Pew Research Center. Where there is a notable divide, however, concerns politics. While a majority of Americans on both sides of the aisle say consuming cannabis isn’t morally wrong (69 percent for Republicans and 84 percent for Democrats), Republicans (30 percent) were two times as likely as Democrats (15 percent) to say using marijuana is immoral. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say using marijuana is morally wrong(30% vs. 15%). — Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) March 26, 2026 An earlier polling report from Pew on the same survey, which also combined data from respondents across the world, showed that people with lower levels of education are more likely to have moral concerns about cannabis. The fact that people are less likely to have moral concerns about alcohol isn’t particularly surprising, as more Americans report drinking alcohol than use cannabis—and its status as a widely available legal substance for adults in all 50 states may contribute to perceptions of morality—but it also comes amid a broader shift in public opinion that’s been detailed in prior polling. For example, a survey released last year found that a majority of Americans believe marijuana represents a “healthier option” than alcohol—and most also expect cannabis to be legal nationwide within the next five years. Data from Pew’s latest report was based on a nationally representative panel of 3,605 U.S. adults who were surveyed from March 24-30, 2025. — 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. — Meanwhile, back in 2018, Gallup also asked U.S. adults about the morality of various issues. It found that Americans view cannabis consumption as more moral than the death penalty, medical testing on animals, physician assisted suicide, abortion, pornography, cloning animals, polygamy and extramarital affairs. Pew released a poll last year that showed an overwhelming majority of Americans—nearly nine in 10—support legalizing marijuana in some form. An earlier Pew survey from 2024 separately highlighted views on the societal impacts of recreational legalization, and a majority (52 percent) said the reform is “good” for local economies. A 42 percent plurality additionally agreed that legalization would make the criminal justice system “more fair.” Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer. The post Republicans Are Twice As Likely As Democrats To See Marijuana Use As Morally Wrong, Poll Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Feds list immigrants who possessed marijuana as “worst of the worst”; ID medical cannabis ballot; OH hemp THC drink push; LA psychedelics 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… Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen. If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW The White House Office of Management and Budget has scheduled a meeting for next week about a CBD products compliance and enforcement policy that the Food and Drug Administration submitted for approval. The Department of Homeland Security’s “worst of the worst” list of noncitizens arrested by federal immigration officials contains at least 77 people whose only noted charge is marijuana possession—despite President Donald Trump’s started belief that “it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana.” An Idaho medical cannabis campaign released an analysis on the economic impact of the legalization measure it’s working to put on the November ballot—finding that the reform could generate $100 million in annual sales and up to $28 million in new yearly revenue for the state. Ohio breweries are urging lawmakers to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) veto of legislative provisions that would have allowed continued sales of hemp THC drinks through the end of this year. The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill to create a psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program, using opioid settlement dollars to fund clinical trials aimed at developing alternative treatments such as psilocybin and ibogaine. / FEDERAL White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Sara Carter discussed the Trump administration’s forthcoming National Drug Control Strategy. The Drug Enforcement Administration promoted a podcast about social influencers and substance use trends. / STATES Missouri’s attorney general sent 33 cease and desist letters to unlicensed retailers selling intoxicating cannabis products outside of the legal marijuana system. The Minnesota House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee approved an omnibus cannabis bill after rejecting a previous version. The Ohio House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to provide cultivation and dispensary licenses to stand-alone cannabis processors. A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “Illegal cannabis products are already flooding PA. A recent I-80 stop uncovered over $1.2 million in marijuana products, the same kinds being sold in vape shops across the Commonwealth with little to no oversight. My bill, SB 49, would change that.” A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit challenging New York rules prioritizing cannabis business applicants with marijuana convictions can proceed. New Jersey regulators published a blog post about cannabis terpenes. Maine regulators sent a newsletter with updates on various cannabis issues. — 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 Long Beach, California City Council advanced a proposal to allow cannabis events. / INTERNATIONAL A former UK justice minister was fined £1,200 for possessing illegal drugs after he told a court he attended chemsex parties to help inform government policy. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “marijuana users were found to require 94 fewer [morphine milliequivalents] to manage post-operative pain and achieved comparable pain scores despite receiving fewer opioids.” A study said it is the “first report of diclofenac and cocaine in sharks from The Bahamas, an environment commonly described as pristine.” / BUSINESS Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$40.1 million. Cambria Investment Management is liquidating the Cambria Cannabis ETF. Sunnyside Dispensary workers in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania secured a new contact following a strike. 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 White House schedules cannabis enforcement meeting (Newsletter: March 27, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Idaho could see more than $100 million worth of medical marijuana sold on an annual basis and up to $28 million in new yearly revenue for state coffers under a legalization measure that activists are working to qualify for the November ballot, according to a new economic analysis released by the campaign. The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho (NMAI), which last week announced that it’s collected enough signatures for a medical cannabis legalization initiative to exceed the statewide threshold for ballot qualification, commissioned the firm Younger Associates to run two fiscal projections for the proposal, using Utah’s medical marijuana program as a model. “Under a Utah-comparable participation trajectory, Idaho could support approximately 63,000 active patients and $108.5 million in annual retail sales by Year 6,” the analysis says. Under the first revenue scenario, the state’s existing 6 percent state sales tax would be applied to marijuana sales and there would also be a $100 annual patient registration fee, which is projected to net about $6.5 million in annual sales tax revenue and $6.3 million in annual patient card fees by the program’s sixth year. The second revenue scenario includes the same patient registration cost and sales tax, but also adds an additional 14 percent fee assessed at the point of sale. The would generate about $21.7 million in annual tax and fee revenue, in addition to the roughly $6.3 million in yearly patient card fees, for a total haul for the state of $28 million a year. “Actual revenues will ultimately depend on final program design and implementation decisions adopted by the State,” the report says. In addition to the economic analysis, NMAI also released a new short video this month that argues the measure “proposes tightly regulated market access” for cannabis and treats patients “with dignity rather than fear or stigma.” The video also frames medical marijuana as an “alternative to the devastating consequences of opioids” and says the initiative “supports local jobs, Idaho agriculture and generates tax revenue while maintaining robust enforcement standards to prevent misuse.” “This is not about recreation. It’s about care,” it says. “The Act provides for medical freedom for patients to consult with their doctor regarding their medical conditions and assert their individual right to make choices for their care.” But because it’s unclear how many signatures the campaign has collected to far are valid and whether activists have met a separate requirement for regional distribution of petitions, NMAI is continuing to hold signature gathering events across the state to widen their coalition of supporters in the run-up to the May 1 submission deadline. Amanda Watson, NMAI’s communications lead, told Marijuana Moment on Wednesday organizers “feel very confident we will qualify for the ballot in November.” As of this week, NMAI has collected more than 73,000 signatures total—exceeding the 70,725 statewide requirement for valid petitions—according to the campaign’s website. To be certified for the ballot, the team also needs to submit signatures from 6 percent of registered voters from at least 18 of the state’s 35 legislative districts. Marijuana Moment reached out to NMAI for a status update about their progress to that end, but a representative was not immediately available. Meanwhile, teams of paid and volunteer petitioners are being deployed throughout the state to target high-traffic areas to gather signatures, and NMAI’s website features a map showing where registered voters can go to sign. The Idaho Medical Cannabis Act, which NMAI unveiled last October, would provide patients with qualifying conditions access to marijuana from a limited number of dispensaries and provide a regulatory framework for the market. Here are the main provisions of the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act: Health practitioners would be able to recommend medical cannabis to patients with conditions that include, but are not limited to, cancer, anxiety and acute pain. Medical marijuana patients or their designated caregiver could purchase up to 113 grams of smokeable cannabis, or 20 grams of THC extract for vaping, per month. The state would be start by issuing three vertically integrated cannabis business licenses, after which point it could license up to six total. Marijuana would be reclassified under state law as a Schedule II, rather than Schedule I, controlled substance. State and local law enforcement would be barred from assisting in federal drug enforcement activities related to the state-legal cannabis program. There would be anti-discrimination protections for those who use or sell marijuana in compliance from state law, preventing adverse actions by employers, landlords and educational institutions. It does not appear that there would be any equity-centered reforms, nor would the initiative provide for a home grow option. “We believe Idahoans deserve access to legal, compassionate, natural care right here at home,” NMAI’s website says. “Our mission is to give patients a legal pathway to natural medicine that can ease suffering and restore dignity without the fear of addiction.” “The Idaho Medical Cannabis Act is our first step forward. It creates a safe, tightly regulated medical program that allows qualified Idahoans to seek medical cannabis treatment with a valid diagnosis from a healthcare provider,” it says. “It supports Idaho agriculture, generates tax revenue to reinvest locally, and ensures that patients can find natural relief.” The campaign last month also released the results of a statewide poll showing that 83 percent of likely voters back medical cannabis legalization, including 74 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of Democrats and 92 percent of independents. Asked how they would vote if the current medical cannabis legalization does appear on the November ballot, 76 percent of respondents said “yes.” Of that cohort, 50 percent said they would “definitively” vote yes, and just 21 percent said they’d vote “no.” After the medical cannabis initiative was unveiled last year, a separate campaign that launched in 2024, Kind Idaho, told supporters that it would be suspending its own signature gathering for a ballot initiative to legalize the personal possession and cultivation of marijuana by adults. Kind Idaho previously introduced medical marijuana ballot measures intended to go before voters in both the 2022 and 2024 elections, but the efforts proved unsuccessful. Meanwhile, voters this year will see a different kind of proposal on the ballot: A constitutional amendment that the legislature approved to make it so only lawmakers could legalize marijuana or other controlled substances. — 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. — Legislators separately held a hearing last March to discuss a bill to enact medical cannabis legalization legislatively, but there hasn’t been meaningful action on the issue in the months since. Separately, a bill from Rep. Bruce Skaug (R) last year would have set a $420 mandatory minimum fine for cannabis possession, removing judges’ discretion to apply lower penalties. Skaug said the bill, which ultimately stalled in committee, would send the message that Idaho is tough on marijuana. House lawmakers also passed a bill to ban marijuana advertisements, though the Senate later defeated the measure. Photo courtesy of Max Pixel. The post Idaho Medical Marijuana Campaign Says Legalization Ballot Measure Would Generate $100 Million In Annual Sales appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

The White House has scheduled a meeting for next week with a cannabis biotechnology company executive regarding a proposed enforcement policy for CBD products. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) under the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced earlier this month that it plans to review yet-unpublished guidance titled “Cannabidiol (CBD) Products Compliance and Enforcement Policy” that was submitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Interested parties are able to request meetings for discuss the issue—and now the first meeting is set for April 1. David Heldreth, CEO of Panacea Plant Sciences, told Marijuana Moment on Wednesday that he plans to use the meeting opportunity to encourage FDA to develop more holistic guidance around CBD that goes beyond isolates of the cannabinoid, which he expects the agency to default to based on its historical reluctance to regulate plants and extracts. “I requested the meeting to push for the new FDA CBD policy to be more than an isolate or even just extract policy, and to include more items like hemp leaves or even flower for culinary use,” Heldreth said. “Hemp leaf is a protein-rich superfood that should be adopted more widely.” The executive, who has also sought to inform federal cannabis policy with respect to a pending marijuana rescheduling rule, participated in a prior White House executive order meeting on FDA cannabidiol policy during the first Trump administration. “I don’t feel like anything came of that, but it’s worth educating policy makers to try for a better outcome,” he said. All of this comes months before federal hemp laws are set to significantly shake up the industry, with a ban on most consumable cannabinoid products containing THC taking effect in November. As part of the underlying law, FDA was tasked with publishing a list of known cannabinoids, but it missed a congressionally imposed deadline to fulfill that obligation and it’s unclear when that list will ultimately be furnished. Some have speculated that the enforcement policy guidance that OIRA is reviewing concerns the executive order President Donald Trump signed in December to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which also included provisions directing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to create a pathway for CBD health care coverage. To that end, CMS did recently shared new details about that plan, which would make it so patients enrolled in select insurance programs could have up to $500 of hemp-derived products covered each year beginning as early as April 1. The CBD-focused plan will also allow a certain amount of THC in products, but the agency said the planned rules are subject to change if federal hemp policy changes, as is currently expected under the law set to take effect in November. Participants would be required to ensure that CBD is sourced from “a legally compliant source and high-quality farm,” prepared as an oral solution and tested for cannabinoid content so that available products contain no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by dry weight and up to 3 milligrams of total THC per serving. CMS said that centers participating in one of three models that receive substance access Beneficiary Engagement Incentives (BEI) will be able to “consult with eligible beneficiaries about the possible use of eligible hemp products to improve symptom control.” The new details about the rules for the CBD pilot program come weeks after a co-founder of the hemp company Charlotte’s Web, which has been collaborating with CMS, said the agency had already finalized its plans for federal health insurance coverage of cannabidiol. While CMS implemented an earlier final rule last April specifically stipulating that marijuana, as well as CBD that can be derived from federally legal hemp, are ineligible for coverage under its Medicare Advantage program and other services, the agency is now revising that policy. CMS had already announced certain changes as part of a rulemaking process that was unveiled late last year, affecting “marketing and communications, drug coverage, enrollment processes, special needs plans, and other programmatic areas” for insurance programs it oversees. One of those changes dealt with cannabidiol coverage. Meanwhile, with respect to the marijuana components of Trump’s December executive order, Attorney General Pam Bondi was directed to expeditiously finalize the proposal to reschedule cannabis, which would not federally legalize it but would remove certain research barriers and let state-licensed marijuana businesses take federal tax deductions they’re currently barred from under an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code known as 280E. That rescheduling proposal remains pending, however. The post White House Schedules Meeting On Cannabis Products Enforcement Policy For Next Week appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A coalition of Ohio breweries are rallying residents to put pressure on their lawmakers to override the governor and give business until the end of the year to keep selling hemp-derived THC beverages as the legislature intended when they delivered a cannabis bill to his desk. While the House and Senate passed legislation last year to effectively ban the consumable cannabinoid market, it was sent to Gov. Mike DeWine (R) with language that would have carved out a temporary exception for hemp beverages, making it so those products could continue to be sold through the end of 2026. But when the governor signed SB 56, which also places new restrictions on the state’s voter-approved marijuana law, he used his power to line-item veto the cannabis drinks provision. Consequently, all hemp THC products, including beverages, are unlawful to market in Ohio as of last week. Now breweries across the state, including those that incorporated hemp drinks into their menu, are hoping to get lawmakers to override the veto. “We’ve been working with our politicians over the past few months and thought we had a really good, solid bill that was safe, that was endorsed by many on both sides of the aisle, and, unfortunately, that went to veto by the governor,” Brent Zimmerman, CEO of Saucy Brew Works, said in a video on Tuesday. “So I’m here today pleading that you all can help us.” Saucy is one of eight Ohio breweries that are organizing the campaign to keep hemp beverages on the market as the legislature intended. And so far, the businesses have seen an outpouring of public support, with thousands using an online form that sends a message to the their own lawmakers, as well as the House speaker and Senate president, urging them to restore THC drink protections included in SB 56. “We expected strong support, but the response from Ohioans has exceeded every expectation,” Zimmer said in a press release. “Surpassing 6,000 supporters in less than 24 hours shows just how important this issue is—not only for our industry, but for consumers across the state who want safe, regulated access.” But the prospects of a veto override are uncertain, with House Speaker Matt Huffman (R) telling cleveland.com that “we have to have 60 people do that in our caucus,” and an informal whip count puts the current number of likely “yes” votes to override around 30 “so I don’t think that it would likely happen in the House.” “But, you know, we really wouldn’t do serious consideration unless the Senate did that,” he added. While reversing the veto itself would only push back the timeline until hemp beverages would be banned, that delay could give stakeholders more time to work with the legislature to develop a long-term solution that regulates, rather than outright prohibits, THC drinks. Whether there’s an appetite among lawmakers to take that additional step in unclear. Another consideration for hemp businesses and state legislators is how Ohio’s hemp market could be impacted by a federal policy change set to take effect in November that would redefine the crop in a way that stakeholders say would effectively eliminate the marketplace. Several states has preemptively enacted hemp bans in response, though there are also efforts in Congress to delay the pending federal recriminalization of hemp THC products. Back in Ohio, an attempt to put a referendum on the ballot to block restrictive marijuana and hemp laws enacted under SB 56 failed to gather enough signatures by a deadline earlier this month. State officials have also recently defended the governor’s line-item veto on hemp beverages after a brewer filed a lawsuit challenging the policy. The governor separately stirred controversy last month after telling critics of the law rolling back the state’s marijuana market and criminalizing intoxicating hemp products to stop “whining” and instead “be happy with their victory at the polls.” When the governor said that “proponents” of the referendum should take the win and accept the policy changes that are being implemented under SB 56, he wasn’t necessarily referring to the broader marijuana industry, as many stakeholders support reining in the consumable hemp 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. — In September, the Ohio Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) filed proposed rules to build upon the state’s marijuana legalization law, laying out plans to update regulations on labeling and packaging requirements. Ohio retailers sold more than $1 billion worth of legal marijuana products in 2025, according to data from the state Department of Commerce (DOC). Last March, a survey of 38 municipalities by the Ohio State University’s (OSU) Moritz College of Law found that local leaders were “unequivocally opposed” to earlier proposals that would have stripped the planned funding. Meanwhile in Ohio, adults as of June are able to buy more than double the amount of marijuana than they were under previous limits, with state officials determining that the market can sustainably supply both medical cannabis patients and adult consumers. The post Ohio Breweries Push Lawmakers To Override Governor’s Veto That Banned Hemp THC Drinks Last Week appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Louisiana senators have approved a bill to create a psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program, using opioid settlement dollars to fund clinical trials aimed at developing alternative treatments such as psilocybin and ibogaine. The legislation from Sen. Patrick McMath (R) passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, with amendments, on Wednesday. The sponsor said he filed the measure after hearing from military veterans who “opened my eyes to this world” of psychedelics therapy that they received, helping him to realize “it was a growing movement.” The psychedelics program would be overseen by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), which would be responsible for facilitating clinical trials involving substances that hold therapeutic potential. The bill says that eligible participants would include people with opioid use disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders and treatment-resistant neurological or mental health conditions. Any studies would need to go though the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigational drug approval process. Researchers would also need to be permitted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to conduct trials involving the Schedule I controlled substances. Patients participating in the studies would need to go through mental and physical health screening, and researchers would also be required to develop processes that ensure safety and compliance, with adverse event reporting rules, training and licensing for therapists and policies for tracking and handling the psychedelics. There are also specific provisions in the bill (SB 43) concerning ibogaine, with academic institutions authorized to collaborate in the clinical trials to bolster FDA approval prospects to develop prescription drugs based on the psychedelic. Researchers would also be encouraged to collaborate with institutions in other states that have similar programs in place. If a drug is approved and developed as a result of the pilot program clinical trials, there would be a revenue sharing requirement, with 20 percent of the profits that would go to the state. “Other states have passed similar bills to allow for clinical studies performed by universities and hospitals, and this would put Louisiana at the forefront of using these innovative medicines to treat not only our veterans, but individuals impacted by the opioid epidemic,” McMath said at Wednesday’s committee hearing. With respect to the related laws in states outside of Louisiana, such as Texas and Mississippi, the senator described an amendment that was incorporated into his bill that would follow their models by authorizing Louisiana to participate in a national consortium for ibogaine research and drug development. If an ibogaine therapy does gain FDA approval, revenue tied to the intellectual property rights of that drug would go to the consortium (except for the 20 percent specifically earmarked for Louisiana). McMath, who chairs the Senate committee, said there is a “tremendous opportunity” provided by the use of opioid settlement dollars to fund the program. Last year, the senator also sponsored a resolution approved by the full chamber that called for the establishment of a task force to study and make recommendations on the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for veterans. — 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. — Meanwhile in the state, another Louisiana lawmaker recently introduced a bill to create an adult-use marijuana legalization pilot program in the state to determine whether the reform should eventually be expanded and permanently codified. Rep. Candace Newell (D)—who has long championed legislation to end cannabis criminalization and filed a similar legal marijuana pilot program measure last session—is sponsoring what’s titled the “Adult-Use Cannabis Pilot Program Regulation and Enforcement Act.” Getting the bill across the finish line could prove complicated in the conservative legislature, however. Newell’s earlier version of the pilot program legislation didn’t advance to enactment last year, and lawmakers that session also rejected other marijuana reform proposals such as one that would have established a tax system to prepare the eventual legalization of adult-use cannabis. Photo courtesy of Dick Culbert. The post Louisiana Senators Approve Bill To Create Psychedelic Therapy Pilot Program Funded By Opioid Settlement Dollars appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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The Trump administration is claiming credit for ramping up deportations of immigrants who’ve been arrested that earned them a place on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “worst of the worst” list. That includes at least 77 people whose sole listed offense is marijuana possession. Although President Donald Trump has previously said he doesn’t think people should be jailed for possessing cannabis, and he’s moved to expedite the completion of a rule to federally reschedule marijuana, DHS is still doing a digital perp walk of noncitizens who were subject to deportation after being arrested for simple possession. A review of the department’s “worst of the worst” list by Marijuana Moment found at least 77 instances where the only crime attributed to a featured deportee was possessing cannabis, which is a federal crime but one that’s rarely prosecuted on its own, especially in recent years as more states have enacted legalization. There are many more individuals on the DHS list that involve marijuana—coupled with additional crimes such as unlawful sales, smuggling, probation violations, illegal reentry to the U.S. and possession of other controlled substances. “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” a description of the online resource, which also allows people to share the profiles of deportees on social media, says. “Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations—starting with the worst of the worst—including the illegal aliens you see here.” It should be noted that information detailed in the DHS profiles of deportees is limited. Each profile shows a photo of the individual, their country of origin, the location of their arrest and a summary of their alleged crimes. For the marijuana cases, there are no details about the amount of marijuana a person possessed or additional context on the prosecution. It’s also not clear to what extent the list is exhaustive and whether other immigrants have been arrested over possession who did not meet the administration’s “worst of the worst” threshold. In any case, the DHS list is apparently intending to maximize the perception that the administration is effectively targeting its enforcement efforts against serious criminals who do not have U.S. citizenship. It was developed as Trump and DHS have faced mounting pressure to deescalate aggressive anti-immigration tactics that have sparked protests—as well as pushback from Democratic congressional lawmakers who’ve held up DHS appropriations legislation until policy compromises are secured. Trump, for his part, said during the 2024 election that “it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.” Marijuana Moment reached out to DHS for comment, but a representative did not immediately respond. Federal marijuana and immigration issues have overlapped in other ways in the past, including in New Mexico where U.S. Customers and Border Protection (CBP) faced criticism from state-licensed marijuana retails who sued after having cannabis products, vehicles and cash seized at domestic checkpoints, despite their compliance with state law. Last month, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit against CBP, rejecting the marijuana operators’ claims of constitutional violations under the Fifth and Tenth Amendment in large part because cannabis remains federally illegal, superseding New Mexico’s cannabis policy. Meanwhile, according to a 2022 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), at CBP checkpoints across the country, agents are mostly taking small amounts of marijuana from American citizens, rather than making large busts of international cartels as some might assume. A study published in 2024 separately found that states that legalize marijuana see a “moderate relative decrease” in immigrant deportation rates compared to states where the drug remains illegal, as well as a slight decrease in overall cannabis-related arrests. Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan. The post Trump Admin’s ‘Worst Of The Worst’ Deportation List Includes Nearly 100 Immigrants Accused Of Marijuana Possession Alone appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Federal bill could peg marijuana users as gang members; CA gov on legalization; AZ cannabis odor vote; DE medical use in hospitals; WA psychedelics 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… *Rattling the tip jar* Got a few dollars you can spare to help Marijuana Moment pay our writers, keep our website running and grow into the kind of robust news organization the fast-paced world of drug policy deserves? Join us for $25/month and be a part of our work: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW The U.S. Army adopted a new policy allowing recruits who have a single conviction for marijuana possession or drug paraphernalia to enlist without needing a waiver—effective on the cannabis holiday 4/20. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) warned in a report on a bill to expedite deportation of non-citizens without a court hearing if the homeland security secretary designates them as terrorists or gang members that “a group [of] high school kids who regularly gather to smoke marijuana, even in a state where it is lawful, could be deemed a ‘criminal gang'” under the legislation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) took credit for legalizing marijuana in the state but said there’s “irony” in the fact that he has limited personal experience with cannabis—except for one “complicated” trip to the Grand Canyon. The Arizona House Judiciary Committee approved a Senate-passed bill to punish “excessive” marijuana smoke or odor—including with up to four months in jail if it’s “intentional or the person knowingly and substantially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.” The Delaware House Health & Human Development Committee approved a Senate-passed bill to allow medical cannabis use in hospitals for terminally ill patients. The Metropolitan King County Council in Washington State passed a resolution calling on police to make enforcement of laws against possession and personal cultivation of psychedelics among the “lowest” priorities and requesting they not arrest or prosecute people for using substances like psilocybin, ayahuasca, mescaline and ibogaine. / FEDERAL The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum posted a video about photos related to “The French Connection” that are in its collection. Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) tweeted, “I hosted my 5th annual #CrawfishAndCannabis Reform event to talk about the urgent need for cannabis reform and equity in the industry. I also shared more about the #CLIMBAct, which I introduced this week to bring equal opportunity to our nation’s growing cannabis industry and help communities long harmed by the criminalization of marijuana become business leaders.” / STATES Minnesota lawmakers sent Gov. Tim Walz (D) a bill to allow hemp businesses to continue testing low-THC beverages and edibles out of state. A Virginia delegate discussed the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana sales. An Indiana representative spoke about the economic impact of legalizing marijuana. Louisiana regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis rules. Colorado regulators published guidance on dual-chamber cannabis vaping devices. Ohio regulators published guidance on marijuana retailer point-of-sale system requirements. Michigan regulators reached a settlement with a marijuana business accused of violations. Washington State regulators sent a newsletter with updates on various cannabis issues. The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board will meet on Friday. — 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 Jamaican regulators filed changes to medical cannabis laws. A Western Australia lawmaker introduced a marijuana legalization bill. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “CBD is perceived as a highly acceptable treatment among [people at clinical high risk for psychosis].” Findings of a study on rats “support a role for psilocybin and ibogaine in facilitating extinction learning and suggest possible protective effects against [cocaine] relapse, warranting further research into their antiaddictive efficacy.” / BUSINESS Glass House Brands Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $38.9 million and a net loss of $15.5 million. Jushi Holdings Inc. subsidiaries settled litigation with Revelry Supply, Inc. over sales of hemp products in Pennsylvania. PharmaCann is closing a cultivation, processing and production facility in Pennsylvania. Cornbread Hemp announced that it reached an agreement with Alliant Purchasing to be an exclusive supplier of hemp-derived CBD products to Medicare beneficiaries within that network. / CULTURE Melissa Etheridge said she’s “given up on the cannabis business” after having incorrectly thought it was “going to be legalized in the next couple of years” at the federal level—adding that she now focuses her “energy on my foundation, which funds research into plant medicine for trauma and addiction,” including with cannabis and psychedelics. 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 Army adopts new cannabis policy to boost recruitment (Newsletter: March 26, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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A Delaware House committee has unanimously approved a Senate-passed bill that would allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals. About two weeks after the legislation from Sen. Marie Pinkney (D) advanced through the Senate, members of the House Health & Human Development Committee cleared it in a 9-0 vote on Wednesday. There was limited public testimony on the measure, which is being carried in the House by Rep. Kamela Smith (D). A representative of the Delaware Healthcare Association spoke in favor of the bill’s intent, while specifically applauding revisions made in the Senate to address “operational and compliance challenges” its members had raised. Smith said in her opening remarks that the measure “balances patient rights and clinical judgment by allowing physicians to make case-by-case decisions—and patients and facilities that comply with the legislation are protected from civil from criminal and from professional liability.” She also shared a personal story that’s informed her advocacy for the reform, describing how her father experienced “constant pain from from having cancer, and the only thing that bought him relief was cannabis.” “The physicians, acknowledging that he did have pain, and giving him space to relieve himself of that pain” is part of why she’s sponsoring the legislation, the lawmaker said. Under SB 226, patients and their caregivers would be responsible for acquiring and administering medical marijuana, and it would need to be stored securely at all times in a locked container. Smoking or vaping of medical cannabis would be prohibited, so patients would need to consume it via other methods. Healthcare facility officials would need to see a copy of patients’ state medical marijuana registry ID cards, and they would be required to note their use of the drug in medical records. They would also need to “develop and disseminate written policies and procedures for the use of medical marijuana within the health care facility.” Facilities would be able to prohibit medical marijuana use if they determine that such use would have an “adverse impact on the medical care and treatment of the patient or is otherwise contraindicated.” They would also be able to suspend permission to use cannabis if a federal agency such as the U.S. Department of Justice or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services takes an enforcement action against such use or “issues a rule, guidance, or otherwise provides notification to health care facilities that expressly prohibits the use of medical marijuana in health care facilities.” The right to use medical cannabis under the bill, SB 226, would not apply to patients who are in the emergency department. — 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. — Meanwhile in Delaware, the Senate in January voted to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would prevent local governments from imposing onerous zoning restrictions that make it more challenging for marijuana businesses to operate in their jurisdictions. Delaware’s adult-use cannabis market launched last August, with the governor touting the state’s first “successful” weekend of adult-use cannabis sales, with total purchases for medical and recreational marijuana totaling nearly $1 million—and compliance checks demonstrating that the regulated market is operating as intended under the law. The launch of Delaware’s legal market came about two years after marijuana legalization was enacted into law under former Gov. John Carney (D). Ahead of the sales roll-out, the governor last July toured one of the state’s cannabis cultivation facilities, praising the quality of marijuana that’s being produced, which he said will be the “French wine of weed.” The launch of the legal market came with some controversy, however, with critics alleging that allowing medical operators to start adult-use sales ahead of other license applicants is unfair. Dozens of other would-be retailers that have either already received licenses or are still awaiting issuance will need to wait for further regulatory approvals until they can open their doors—a situation that’s frustrated some advocates. Two lawmakers who led the push to legalize marijuana sought input from consumers and businesses about the market launch. Sen. Trey Paradee (D), the sponsor of SB 75, and House Majority Whip Rep. Ed Osienski (D)—the primary sponsor of the state’s 2023 legalization bills—put out an online form last year for residents to share thoughts and feedback about the cannabis program anonymously. Separately, a Delaware House committee in January approved a bill to decriminalize public consumption of marijuana. While certain legal marijuana states like Colorado and Ohio still impose criminal penalties for public cannabis use, Delaware stands out as especially punitive, with a maximum penalty that carries the risk of jail time in addition to a fine. Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen. The post Delaware House Committee Approves Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana Use In Hospitals For Terminally Ill Patients appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Arizona House lawmakers have approved a Senate-passed bill to penalize people who create “excessive” amounts of marijuana smoke or odor—a policy that’s faced criticism from advocates who say the proposal amounts to overreach that undermines the legalization law voters enacted. The legislation from Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R), which cleared the Senate earlier this month after being significantly amended, advanced through the House Judiciary Committee in a 8-1 vote on Wednesday. Members took public testimony on the proposal, with advocates representing organizations such as Arizona NORML and the ACLU of Arizona arguing against the legislation. Julie Gunnigle, an attorney and state director of Arizona NORML speaking on her own behalf, said the legislation “effectively disenfranchises all of our patients who need to consume but can’t consume inside their own homes because they rent.” Gunnigle said she might have previously been “sympathetic” to arguments that patients could choose a different method of consumption that didn’t involve smoking to avoid the issue, but she’s come to understand that there’s science behind the individualized efficacy of different types of products and “someone’s ability to smoke and consume is a decision that’s made in consultation, typically with doctors, pursuant to a whole range of different ailments.” Allison Stein, a board member of the state NORML chapter and medical cannabis patient herself, told the committee that the bill “clearly bypasses my rights that the voters voted on” when they opted to legalize adult-use cannabis at the ballot in 2020. Mesnard, the bill sponsor, responded to criticism of the proposal, including the possibility that the policy could be subject to litigation if its ultimately enacted into law. “I don’t think we should feel paralyzed as policymakers to advance the right policy that’s protecting somebody’s private property rights,” he said. “Someone can litigate anything we do down here, and it is often used as a way to try to paralyze us from decision making. I don’t think it should be in this case.” He also explained to a member of the House panel that the bill would not force local governments to adopt their own rules or take enforcement action. “Some some cities or towns may pursue something, some won’t. This is the backup if they don’t have something,” the senator said. “It’s obviously something that it’s easier to pursue at the local level—and, typically, nuisances are pursued at the local level—so it’s not trying to interfere with what is the most common approach.” A separate companion resolution to put the issue before voters to decide failed in the Senate this month, but Mesnard later made a successful motion to reconsider that defeat, so the measure could end up advancing upon a revote. As introduced, both measures would have added broad criminalization provisions back into the state’s cannabis use laws. But most of that punitive language was revised by the Senate Committee of the Whole. For example, it was changed to provide a clearer definition of “excessive” smoke and remove a reference to making the offense a “crime.” The bill as passed by the Senate and the House committee, however, would make it a public nuisance punishable by up to four months in jail and a $750 fine to create “excessive marijuana smoke or odor…if the person’s conduct is intentional or the person knowingly and substantially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.” The latest revised definition of excessive cannabis smoke or odor describes it as “airborne emissions resulting from the burning, heating or vaporizing of marijuana or marijuana products,” according to a summary of the adopted amendment. Such emissions must also be “detectable by a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities on other private property” and “occur for more than 30 consecutive minutes on a single occasion or on three or more separate days within a 30-day period.” The bill (SB 1725) that advanced and resolution (SCR 1048) that failed also now specify that “lawful possession or use of marijuana does not preclude a finding of nuisance, except that a court may consider possession of a valid registry identification card as a mitigating factor,” and they provide that “a person is not liable for committing a private nuisance unless the person has received notice of the interference and fails to abate it within five days.” Under the revised legislation, the affected party would first have to file a compliant with local officials before they pursue action with the state, but only if the municipality has already adopted an ordinance regulating excessive cannabis smoke or odor. A person would be deemed in violation of the law if a local court has issued a written order directing them to “abate excessive marijuana smoke or odor that constitutes a nuance” and that person “knowingly violates or refuses to comply with the order.” Each day of non-compliance after failing to adhere to the order would be consider a separate offense, and failure to comply would be a petty offense. — 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. — In the background of this legislation, anti-cannabis activists are working to put an initiative on the state’s November ballot that would significantly roll back its voter-approved marijuana legalization law. A GOP congressional lawmaker said recently he’d like to see his state take that action—but he also acknowledged that President Donald Trump’s recent federal rescheduling order could complicate that prohibitionist push. Under the proposal, possession would remain lawful if voters chose to enact the initiative—and Arizona’s medical marijuana program would remain intact—but the commercial market for recreational cannabis that’s evolved since voters approved an adult-use legalization measure in 2020 would be quashed. A findings section on the latest initiative states that “the proliferation of marijuana establishments and recreational marijuana sales in this state have produced unintended consequences and negative effects relating to the public health, safety, and welfare of Arizonans, including increased marijuana use among children, environmental concerns, increased demands for water resources, public nuisances, market instability, and illicit market activities.” “Arizona’s legal marijuana sales have declined for two consecutive years, resulting in less tax revenue for this state, while some patients have relied on recreational use of marijuana instead of utilizing the benefits of this state’s medical marijuana program,” it says. The initiative would also instruct the legislature to make conforming changes by amending existing statute as it relates to the commercial industry, including tax and advertising rules. In order to make the ballot, the campaign will need to collect 255,949 valid signatures by July 2. If the proposal goes to voters and is approved, it would take effect in January 2028. It remains to be seen if there will be an appetite for repeal among voters, as 60 percent of the electorate approved legalization at the ballot in 2020. What’s more a poll from last year found majority support for medical cannabis legalization (86 percent), adult-use legalization (69 percent) and banking reform (78 percent). Meanwhile, senior residents in Arizona independent living communities could soon see a different kind of care service available in their neighborhoods: Kiosks allowing them to view and buy marijuana products from licensed dispensaries. The retailer Life Is Chill and cannabis technology company LoveBud announced recently that they were partnering for the launch of the novel initiative, which will involve deploying the kiosks in participating senior living communities that residents can use to learn about and order marijuana products for delivery. The post Arizona Lawmakers Advance Bill To Punish People Over ‘Excessive’ Marijuana Odor Or Smoke appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) might have helped lead the push to legalize marijuana in the state—but that advocacy didn’t exactly come from a place of extensive personal experience. In fact, beside a “complicated” trip to the Grand Canyon involving cannabis, Newsom’s THC teetotaling was so “rigid” in his youth that even his father poked fun at him. During an interview with Politico, and in a recent memoir he’s been promoting, the governor recognized that he became a somewhat unlikely champion of marijuana reform given his nearly lifelong abstinence. But when he considered the harms and waste of the drug war, he decided to make it part of his political legacy to advance the issue, in part by backing California’s Proposition 64 in 2016 to enact adult-use legalization. “During my last term as lieutenant governor, it occurred to me that if I wanted to shape matters beyond the reach of my office, I needed only to grab the levers of California’s initiative process,” he wrote in his new book, Young Man In A Hurry. That included supporting Proposition 63 to place restrictions on large-capacity gun magazine clips and require background checks to buy ammunition, as well as Proposition 64 to end marijuana prohibition. “Californians who had no idea what I did for a living were now referring to me as the ‘guns and weed dude,'” Newsom, who was one of the first high-profile politicians to endorse legalization even years before voters chose to enact the reform, wrote. With an expansive email list that became “one of the largest political databases in the country,” the then-lieutenant governor recruited experts to help draft a white paper “making the case for legalizing cannabis” and then convened a blue-ribbon committee “to help raise funds and gather signatures.” “Our messaging for both propositions appealed to common sense,” he said. “California already had been the first state to legalize the medicinal use of cannabis two decades earlier. Why not take it one step further?” “Tens of thousands of Californians, the great majority Black and brown, were arrested each year for nonviolent marijuana felonies,” he said. “We were wasting the resources of cops and judges and taking up space in jails and prisons for cannabis, not to mention pulling families apart and worsening racial inequality.” But as far as his own personal experience with marijuana is concerned, Newsom told Politico that the only time he partook in cannabis was a “complicated story” that occurred during a visit to the Grand Canyon. He was vague on the specifics of the expedition, then pivoted to his role in advancing Proposition 64. “By the way, I legalized it in California. That was my initiative,” he said.”It was the great irony. I was the worst spokesperson. I remember—I’m sort of smiling now reflecting on that.” Except that one toke down at the grand canyon…. https://t.co/6KkXSfcAJZ — Jonathan Martin (@jmart) March 25, 2026 The governor also wrote in his book about another marijuana-adjacent story that happened when he was in Madrid at 19 years old. A straight-edge Newsom said he was watching Pink Floyd’s The Wall in a private movie room one night when “someone next to me rolled half a dozen joints and generously passed them around.” “I had gotten through my first nineteen years without ingesting a mind-altering drug—so rigid that even my father poked fun at me—and I wasn’t going to start then,” he said. “I used the excuse of not caring much for the movie to head back to my room at the Ritz Hotel. This was our Madrid trip in a nutshell.” Newsom’s father was evidently a bit more open to experimenting with drugs, at least in a clinical setting. The book describes how, in the late 1950s, the late William Newsom was financially struggling and took advantage of an opportunity to Palo Alto Mental Health Facility where they were paying $200 per day “for any brave soul willing to submit to experiments that Dr. Russel Lee was conducting with the drug LSD, which was barely known and still quite legal.” “My father accepted the offer to spend two days under the influence of the psychedelic, during which time he was prompted by the doctors to recite the poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins and other ‘tactile’ verse and to document any relevant insights from the drug on a tape recorder,” Newsom wrote. “It was not long thereafter that my father divined a fork in the road: a career teaching literature to college students or a career practicing the law. Out of no special ardor, he picked the latter.” In his book and in the Politico interview the governor also discussed an incident in which he came home to discover his foster brother and some friends smoking cannabis out of a pipe from an indigenous tribe that his uncle gave to him as a gift. “This was the nearest thing I had to a sacred possession. It was hand carved out of fine wood, inlaid with granite, and decorated with eagle feathers, beads, and bear fur,” he wrote. “Suli had grabbed it off the fireplace mantle, where I had it on display.” “What the hell are you doing?” Newsom asked his foster brother, who responded, “We’re smoking dope, man. Getting high.” “I snatched the pipe out of his hands and ran into the bathroom,” the governor wrote. “I tried cleaning the resin from the bowl, but the stain already had become part of the wood. I must have washed and scrubbed the pipe twenty times before I judged it clean enough to return to the mantle.” Newsom, the term-limited governor who is widely believed to be planning a run as a 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, has continued to defend the state’s marijuana law—and he recently leaned into the issue after President Donald Trump mistakenly called him “president of the United States” during Oval Office remarks in which the incumbent otherwise disparaged the Democrat. Playing into the gaffe, Newsom said legalizing marijuana was among the “many big announcements” his White House was making. The governor similarly called for legalization in a separate post mocking Trump during a federal government shutdown last year, pledging to enact the reform as “leader of the free world.” — 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. — Over his tenure as governor, Newsom has been somewhat selective about the types of drug policy reform bills he’s been willing to sign into law. For example, in October, Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed certain marijuana microbusinesses to ship medical cannabis products directly to patients via common carriers like FedEx and UPS, stating that the proposal “would be burdensome and overly complex to administer.” Newsom did sign a bill earlier that month aimed at streamlining research on marijuana and psychedelics. In September, the governor also signed a measure into law to put a pause on a recently enacted tax hike on marijuana products. Meanwhile, California officials recently awarded nearly $30 million in grants for marijuana-focused academic research projects. Image element courtesy of Gage Skidmore. The post Newsom Takes Credit For Legalizing Marijuana In California And Discusses ‘Complicated’ Experience Smoking It At The Grand Canyon appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Local officials in King County, Washington have approved a resolution calling on police to make enforcement of laws against possession and personal cultivation of psychedelics among the “lowest” priorities and requesting that they not use funds to arrest or prosecute people for using substances such as psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, mescaline and ibogaine. The Metropolitan King County Council on Tuesday voted 6-2 to pass the legislation requesting that “investigation, arrest, and prosecution of any persons twenty-one years old or older engaging in the limited, noncommercial cultivation and possession of naturally occurring entheogens for religious, spiritual or individual personal use be designated as among King County’s lowest criminal enforcement priorities.” The measure, sponsored by Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda and Rod Dembowski, says it “further requests that county funds or resources not be used for investigation, prosecution, or arrest of persons twenty-one years old or older possessing or using entheogenic plants or fungi for religious, spiritual, healing, or personal use practices.” It additionally notes that the council supports “full decriminalization of the limited, personal, noncommercial use and possession of naturally occurring entheogens by persons twenty-one years old or older in nonpublic places at the state and federal level” and that members back “continued research for entheogen-related alternative treatment modalities and structured medical models.” While noting that psychedelics such as psilocybin can benefit people with serious mental health conditions and have been designated as “breakthrough therapies” by the federal Food and Drug Administration, the resolution also makes clear that the council does not encourage driving under the influence of psychedelics, using them in public places, distributing the substances to people under the age of 21 or commercially manufacturing them. “We just want to reaffirm our county’s commitment to helping invest in the health and well-being of all residents,” Mosqueda said ahead of the vote. “Anyone who needs additional medical treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, for anxiety, for addiction issues that they may be facing, for traumatic brain injury, we don’t want to have any additional barriers with potentially seeking medical treatment that could help them,” she said. “We’ve seen a number of studies affirm that depression, anxiety, PTSD, even substance use disorders, have a higher rate of success with the use of entheogens.” The King County council is not the first legislative body in Washington State to have adopted a measure in support of psychedelics reform. Officials in Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, Port Townsend and Jefferson County have also voted to deprioritize enforcement of criminal laws against entheogens. Tatiana Luz of the Psychedelic Medicine Alliance Washington (PMAW) celebrated the measure’s passage but noted in a social media post that the King County and Seattle policies “DO NOT cover the gray areas of people looking to sell psychedelics for any reason.” “That is a separate issue that will need to be handled thoughtfully at the state level – but our scope is for protecting personal use: ie the right for adults to gift, gather and grow responsibly,” she said. “I hope the legislature moves toward supporting this at a community level by reclassifying psychedelic medicines so they can be used responsibly for personal, therapeutic, and medical purposes.” State lawmakers in Washington have filed a number of proposals to allow psilocybin therapy in recent sessions, including this year, but only a limited measure to study the issue with a pilot program has been enacted. Image courtesy of CostaPPR. The post Local Officials In Washington Approve Measure To Deprioritize Psychedelics Enforcement appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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A top congressional Democrat is warning that a committee-passed bill meant to expedite the deportation of immigrants who’ve committed certain crimes is so broad that even “high school students who regularly gather to smoke marijuana” could be defined as a “criminal gang” under its provisions. About four months after the House Judiciary Committee passed the “Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act,” the panel released its report that lays out the majority and minority opinions about the legislation that’s now up for floor action. Rep. Jaime Raskin (D-MD), ranking member of the committee, authored the “dissenting views” section of the report, sounding the alarm about potential enforcement overreach. “This Administration has demonstrated it cannot be trusted to identify gang members and terrorists. But this bill would give them even more power to do that and strip people of their due process rights,” he said. “And unfortunately, the few guardrails this bill tries to insert are woefully inadequate. The definition of a ‘criminal gang’ in this bill is extremely broad and allows the Administration to label all sorts of people as gang members without requiring much, or even any, evidence at all.” “For example, the bill states a criminal gang is an ongoing group, club, organization, or association of five or more persons that has as one of its primary purposes the commission of: a felony drug offense, including felony simple possession of marijuana,” Raskin said. “This could mean a group high school kids who regularly gather to smoke marijuana, even in a state where it is lawful, could be deemed a ‘criminal gang’ under this bill.” Of course, while young people routinely engaging in smoke sessions aren’t treated like criminal gangs in states that have enacted legalization, adult-use marijuana laws that have been enacted at the state level still prohibit the sale, possession and use of cannabis for those under 21. In any case, the congressman said H.R. 5713, the immigration enforcement proposal that’s before the House, “is a dangerous bill that has the potential to act as a blunt instrument to conduct mass deportations and strip individuals of their rights to due process under the Constitution and even this Supreme Court’s most recent rulings.” A noncitizen would be subject to expedited removal proceedings under the legislation if they are convicted of certain violent or sexual crimes or if the homeland security secretary designates them as terrorists or gang members. Raskin previously pressed the former head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during Trump’s first term over criteria used to separate immigrants from their children, pressing the then-secretary in 2019 on whether a prior arrest over simple possession of marijuana could be used to justify the parent’s removal. In 2022 under the Biden administration, a House spending bill for DHS included a section that would have prevented the agency from using any federal funding to deny admission to, or deport, immigrants who’ve used or possessed marijuana. Similar language also advanced through the appropriations process in 2021, but it was not included in the final package following bicameral negotiations. Nor was the 2022 version. Meanwhile, a study published in 2024 found that states that legalize marijuana see a “moderate relative decrease” in immigrant deportation rates compared to states where the drug remains illegal, as well as a slight decrease in overall cannabis-related arrests. The post People Who ‘Regularly Gather To Smoke Marijuana’ Could Be Deemed A ‘Criminal Gang’ And Deported Under House Bill, Congressman Warns appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

this is such an exciting development for the cannabis and travel industries! i've been following the growth of cannabis tourism for a while now, and it's amazing to see organizations like ctai creating dedicated events to bring together professionals from both sectors. a virtual format makes perfect sense for reaching a global audience, especially with the current state of international travel. i'm particularly interested in seeing what trends emerge from this fair - cbd wellness retreats, cannabis-friendly accommodations, and the legal landscape across different destinations are all topics i hope get covered. looking forward tovirtually attending and learning more about where this niche travel sector is headed! also, if anyone needs a fun break between sessions, check out cookie clicker 2 for some lighthearted entertainment during the event breaks. thanks for sharing this update, lisa!

wow, what an awesome concept! i love how utokia farms has managed to blend the gaming world with craft cannabis cultivation. as someone who's both into quality cannabis and gaming, this really resonates with me. the woman-owned aspect makes it even better - we need more representation in this industry! the adventure quest idea is genius marketing. it turns what could be a simple purchase into an experience, which is exactly what the cannabis community is looking for these days. i appreciate that they're keeping it family-oriented too - the 2nd generation family farm aspect shows real dedication and roots in the community. i recently discovered some scritchy scratchy accessories that actually pair really nicely with my cannabis sessions, so i'm all about these creative partnerships between cannabis and other lifestyle brands. it really elevates the whole experience! thanks for spotlighting these innovative growers. can't wait to see what the next quest brings!

U.S. Army recruits will no longer need to obtain a waiver to enlist if they have a single conviction for possessing marijuana or drug paraphernalia on their records, according to newly released guidelines that go into effect on April 20 (or 4/20, as it’s fondly known among cannabis enthusiasts). The updated regulations, which will also raise the maximum age for recruits from 35 to 42, are generally meant to expand eligibility opportunities for service in the military. And removing the marijuana waiver requirement for single possession offenses could significantly widen the candidate pool as laws around cannabis continue to evolve at the state and federal level. “As the states continue to legalize marijuana versus those that don’t, and the federal government not yet legalizing—at what point are we hindering ourselves by holding people to this type of conviction that in some states is okay and some states isn’t?” Col. Angela Chipman, who serves as chief of the Army’s military personnel accessions and retention division, told Task & Purpose. Under current Army policy, a would-be recruit with a simple cannabis possession conviction must apply for a waiver to clear them for service. For a waiver to be granted, they’d need to wait at least two years after applying and then pass a drug test at a Military Entrance Processing Stations facility. The marijuana policy change eliminating the waiver requirement is one of multiple updates in a broader package of regulations. None of the other changes are directly tied to cannabis, so it’s likely a coincidence that the effective date of April 20 happens to be a day celebrated in marijuana culture. “Eliminates requirement of a waiver for a single conviction of possession of marijuana or a single conviction of possession of drug paraphernalia,” a summary of the change says. The full document also notes, however, that “the Army does not tolerate the use of marijuana or harmful or habit-forming chemicals or drugs” and that “in-service use may be punished under the” Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Army enlistees who test positive for marijuana during their physical examinations would still need to wait 90 days before they can be retested and cleared with a negative test result. Failure to pass the second test would also still permanently disqualify them from enlisting in the future. In 2024, meanwhile, Army separately updated its drug policy to clarify that soldiers are prohibited from using intoxicating hemp cannabinoid products like delta-8 THC. It is further cautioned servicemembers against eating foods containing poppyseeds, which can produce false positives when testing for opioids. The military branch’s prior policy enacted in 2020 made clear that the “use of products made or derived from hemp,” even if it’s legal for civilians, is prohibited for soldiers. But that guidance came before delta-8 and other intoxicating cannabinoids became a mainstream feature of the largely unregulated cannabis market. Instead, the Army at the time focused on non-intoxicating CBD, which servicemembers are also barred from using. It remains the rule that prohibited cannabis products include those that are “injected, inhaled, or otherwise introduced into the human body; food products; transdermal patches, topical lotions and oils; soaps and shampoos; and other cosmetic products that are applied directly to the skin.” “This provision is punitive, and violations may be subject to punishment,” it says. The language of the earlier Army guidance seemed to apply to delta-8, even if it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, but the branch has since put the policy more clearly into writing. Meanwhile, in a notice distributed in 2024, the Army reminded military members that President Joe Biden’s pardons for federal marijuana possession offenses don’t apply to violations of military drug policies. — 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. — Ever-shifting marijuana policies have prompted multiple military branches to clarify or adjust their own drug policies. For example, amid the military’s ongoing recruiting crisis, the Navy in 2024 announced that it was expanding authority to grant waivers to recruits who arrive at boot camp and initially test positive for marijuana, instead of simply sending them home. The change came shortly after a similar one was enacted at the Air Force, which reported in 2023 that it granted more than three times as many enlistment waivers to recruits who tested positive for THC as officials anticipated when they first expanded the waiver program in 2022. For the Air Force in particular, this waiver program represented a notable development, as the branch instituted a policy in 2019 barring service members from using even non-intoxicating CBD, even if its derived from hemp and is therefore federally legal under the 2018 farm bill. The Navy issued an initial notice in 2018 informing ranks that they’re barred from using CBD and hemp products no matter their legality. Then in 2020 it released an update explaining why it enacted the rule change. In 2022, the Naval War College warned sailors and marines about new hemp products on the market, issuing a notice that said members may test positive for marijuana if they drank a Rockstar energy drink that contained hemp seed oil. A Massachusetts base of the Air Force, meanwhile, released a notice in 2021 stating that service members can’t even bring hemp-infused products like shampoos, lotions and lip balms to the base. “Even if it’s for your pet, it’s still illegal,” the notice said. Officials with the division also said in 2018 that it wants its members to be extra careful around “grandma’s miracle sticky buns” that might contain marijuana. The Coast Guard has said sailors can’t use marijuana or visit state-legal dispensaries. In 2023, the Department of Defense (DOD) said that marijuana’s active ingredient delta-9 THC is the most common substance that appears on positive drug tests for active duty military service members. The second most common is delta-8 THC, which is found in a growing number of hemp-derived products that are being made available, including in states where marijuana itself remains illegal. One of the first attempts by the U.S. military to communicate its cannabis ban came in the form of a fake press conference in 2019, where officials took scripted questions that touched on hypotheticals like the eating cannabis-infused burritos and washing cats with CBD shampoos. That was staged around the time that DOD codified its rules around the non-intoxicating cannabinoid. In 2024, a study found that 6 in 10 military veterans support marijuana legalization generally, while an earlier survey found more than 72 percent support among veterans for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors being able to legally recommend marijuana. The post New Army Rule Allows Recruits With A Marijuana Conviction To Enlist Without Needing A Waiver, Starting On 4/20 appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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