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Marijuana breeders may be able to design new strains and speed up their growing cycles by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), a new study suggests. Researchers found that by feeding genetic markers, growth measurements, environmental data and chemical assays into AI models, breeders could simulate thousands of potential crosses and stimulate “speed breeding” through machine learning before ever planting a seed. The authors argue this approach could cut traditional breeding cycles, which currently last between six to eight years, down to a fraction of that time, while also improving consistency—a perennial challenge that commercial cannabis growers grapple with. “Machine learning allows for iterative simulations of breeding outcomes…while ensuring chemical consistency,” the authors concluded. “AI-enabled cannabis breeding represents a paradigm shift in strain development, enabling precise control over cannabinoid and terpene profiles while reducing breeding cycle times and resource requirements.” The paper also highlights the role of metabolomics, an emerging field that catalogs the vast array of chemicals produced by living organisms. “AI systems correlate these datasets to predict how specific genetic combinations will influence chemical composition and growth traits, enabling precise selection of parental strains for crossbreeding,” they observed. Techniques like genomic selection, regression analysis and deep learning are already used in major agricultural crops. Applied to cannabis, these tools look for patterns linking genetic variants to chemical traits such as the proportion of THC or the presence of rare cannabinoids like CBG. One of the biggest challenges in cannabis cultivation is the complex interaction between genetics and environment. Light spectrum, humidity, nutrient availability and subtle temperature shifts can reshape a plant’s chemical output. The study, which has not yet been published in a journal but was posted on the science site ResearchGate, describes how AI systems can incorporate these variables to predict performance in different growing environments—a tool that could be particularly valuable as the industry expands into diverse climatic regions. Neural networks can track nonlinear interactions among dozens of genes that influence plant chemistry, in addition to incorporating environmental conditions. “These innovations promise accelerated strain development, improved chemical consistency, and enhanced adaptability to diverse growing environments,” the authors, who are affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan and Renaissance Bioscience, noted. Using instruments like gas chromatography mass spectrometers, researchers can employ AI to measure cannabinoids and terpenes across a plant’s life cycle. Combined with imaging tools that assess traits such as trichome density or stress responses, these data points give AI models the raw material to make increasingly accurate predictions. “This capability allows breeders to design strains not only for chemical profiles but also for resilience and adaptability in diverse growing environments,” the researchers wrote. Highlighting the importance of reproducibility, they noted that “the global cannabis industry demands high-quality, reproducible strains, creating the need for precision breeding technologies that reduce time-to-market while maximizing yield and potency.” The writers cautioned that, for all its advantages, AI-enabled cannabis breeding faces challenges, including data quality constraints that affect the accuracy of genotypic and phenotypic predictions. They also note complications surrounding complex polygenic traits, ethical considerations and regulatory barriers, observing that “legal restrictions on cannabis research may limit data access.” Recent research on cannabis genetics suggests that incentives in the legal marijuana market—such as the desire for plants to mature faster and produce more cannabinoids for extraction—may be leading to a decline in biodiversity of the plant worldwide, prompting a researcher from California State Polytechnic University Humboldt to describe the problem as “the bottlenecking of Cannabis genetics.” And in 2022, the California Department of Cannabis Control funded a $20 million study to, as officials wrote, “identify and preserve the history, value and diversity of California legacy cannabis cultivars and the rich experience of its legacy cultivation community, and enable, enhance and guide the understanding and application of cannabis genetics to the greater body of research and science-based public policy development.” Interest in cannabis genetics is not confined to state level governments. In 2018, a powerful U.S. Senate committee directed agriculture authorities to begin building up the nation’s stockpile of cannabis genetics, setting aside half a million dollars to support the work. The post Marijuana Breeders Can Use AI To Design New Strains, Study Demonstrates appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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As he campaigned for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.–the current head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Trump administration—still used psychedelics like DMT “for fun” and hid his drug use from his wife, according to a book from a journalist who allegedly had a romantic relationship with him. The tell-all book from Olivia Nuzzi, titled “American Canto,” has gained attention for a variety of revelations that she disclosed about the administration and her personal affair with the “Politician”—a term she used in lieu of naming the official widely believed to be Kennedy. The health official has repeatedly denied the affair, but details included in the book leave little room for interpretation about who Nuzzi was describing. That includes a detail about the politician’s long-term sobriety, which Kennedy has spoken about at length, and his openness to psychedelics as an alternative therapy option. “The Politician was hyper-interested in whether I did drugs or took pharmaceuticals or drank alcohol. He loved to discuss drugs, psychedelic trips, all manner of related mind-altered esoterica,” Nuzzi wrote. “He said he was sober now and told me stories about when he was still using, a period that had lasted for more than fifteen years.” Conceding that she liked “uppers” such as Adderall, Nuzzi said Kennedy responded that his children take the prescription stimulant as well, but he “can’t.” “He lived for a summer with John Phillips and Keith Richards above a pharmacy where they were all strung out on amphetamines, he said,” she wrote. “Phillips had purchased the pharmacy in a stroke of junkie entrepreneurial genius.” “I credited psilocybin with saving my life after my mother died. I had not intended to utilize the psychedelic compound for therapeutic reasons; it just happened that way, that the grief I had been running from approached while I was on a moderate dose and I found that in such a state I could sit with it,” Nuzzi said. “He told me one of his sons processed grief with the assistance of ayahuasca.” That anecdote about his son’s experience is consistent with Kennedy’s prior accounting of how he came to embrace psychedelics therapy while he was on the campaign trail in 2023. But Nuzzi’s book included a key detail that the health secretary has not publicly discussed regarding his own experience with the currently controlled substances that his agency plays a critical role in overseeing. “The Politician still did some psychedelics for fun, he said,” the book says. “He described how he waited until his wife was not home to go outside and smoke DMT, just as he waited until she was not home to call, or else he would call while locked in the bathroom. ‘Is that the one with the toad?’ l asked.” “He laughed. ‘No,’ he said. DMT, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine, considered among the most potent hallucinogenic drugs, sends users into the stratosphere of ego death and back to earth in fifteen minutes. Psychedelic toad venom was something else,” Nuzzi wrote. “The DMT was laced in cigarettes a friend had given him. ‘What’s it like?’ I asked. He thought for a moment and flashed a mischievous smile. With a shrug, he said, ‘It’s your classic psychedelic experience.'” Also in the book, Nuzzi said the unnamed politician felt that “all addicts were pathological liars,” which stood out to her because he was “rarely as judgmental as he was about other addicts.” “I did not think to apply his assessment to him or to our relationship. I did not think to apply it even when he referred to me as an intoxicant,” she said. Nuzzi also spoke about the issue on The Bulwark podcast last week, saying that “it was in the public interest” to reveal the politician’s drug use. “This person who says that he’s sober, right? He was telling me privately that, in fact, he was not sober, and he was hiding it not just from the public, but from his own wife, among other things,” she said. The host asked Nuzzi if Kennedy was doing drugs other than DMT, such as ketamine. “I had asked him about another drug I heard that he was doing and he had emphatically denied it,” she replied. “But I can’t say that I make much of his emphatic denial of anything.” .@Olivianuzzi: "[RFK Jr.] was telling me privately that, in fact, he was not sober and he was hiding it not just from the public, but from his own wife."@Timodc: "You mentioned DMT…Is he doing ketamine?" https://t.co/CsHEdKMZ2w pic.twitter.com/1W6qbK6c0M — The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) December 3, 2025 Marijuana Moment reached out to HHS for comment, but a representative did not respond by the time of publication. While it would likely create controversy if it was the case that Kennedy continues to use psychedelics either medically or recreationally while serving in Trump’s cabinet, given their status as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the official hasn’t been shy about his interest in reforming federal laws and promoting their therapeutic use. As recently as last month, Kennedy, Vice President JD Vance, the Food and Drug Administration (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. The post RFK Hid Psychedelic Trips From His Wife, Journalist Who Allegedly Had Affair With Him Says In New Book appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“Legislators must ensure the launch mechanics don’t inadvertently hand the keys back to the incumbents before independent operators can even get in the door.” By Max Jackson, Cannabis Wise Guys For years, the story of legal cannabis in America has been a rerun of the same bad movie: corporate lobbyists write the rules, “Big Weed” captures the market and independent farmers are regulated into bankruptcy. Last week, Virginia’s Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Retail Cannabis Market decided to change the channel. In October, I warned the Joint Commission in testimony that Virginia faced a choice between two economic models: “Path A,” a limited-license market dominated by incumbent multi-state operators (MSOs), or “Path B,” a competitive market built on independent Virginia businesses. The proposed legislative changes represent a genuine attempt to prevent the monopolization that has plagued legal cannabis markets across the country. The Commission has embraced restorative justice, killed the regulatory barriers that created “cannabis deserts” in other states and built a framework for independent operators to compete. The question is whether the operational timeline will deliver on that promise—or undermine it. The $10 Million “Penalty” Is Actually A Discount The proposal requires incumbent pharmaceutical processors to pay a $10 million fee to enter the adult-use market. To the average Virginian, that sounds like a hefty price tag. But let’s be honest about the math—and the history. Virginia’s medical program launched in 2020 as a limited-license, vertically-integrated market. Five pharmaceutical processors—most of them multi-state operators—were awarded exclusive territories with mandatory vertical integration, a structure designed to favor deep-pocketed incumbents over independent operators. Between July and August 2025 alone, that protected medical market recorded nearly $30 million in sales across more than 256,000 transactions. In 2024, The Cannabist Company sold its Eastern Virginia medical operation to Verano Holdings for $90 million. Just last week, The Cannabist sold its Central Virginia operation to Curaleaf for $110 million. Two territories, $200 million in total value. In exchange for this one-time $10 million conversion fee, these companies are being granted licenses that are larger and more powerful than any other tier available to new entrants. They retain their vertical integration—growing, processing and selling their own product—while new businesses are forced to specialize. They already have completed facilities, trained staff, established supply chains and consumer brand recognition. Against proven territory valuations of $90-110 million and a medical market generating $15 million per month, a $10 million conversion fee is not a penalty; it’s a discount on market dominance. Killing The “Cannabis Desert” The most significant victory for public safety is the removal of the local referendum option. The failure of the opt-out model is well-documented. In New Jersey, nearly 70 percent of municipalities initially opted out of allowing cannabis businesses, creating vast “cannabis deserts.” This didn’t stop consumption; it simply handed those markets directly to illicit operators who don’t check IDs or test their products. By striking the opt-out provision, the Commission has acknowledged a fundamental truth: you cannot regulate a market if you do not allow it to exist. However, access alone doesn’t guarantee competition. The proposal also establishes a one-mile minimum distance between retail dispensaries, intended to prevent the clustering seen in states like New Jersey, where zoning restrictions force retailers to open across the street from one another. In theory, this promotes geographic distribution. In practice, it transforms retail licensing into a real estate race—whoever secures a location first controls a one-mile radius, and well-capitalized operators with real estate teams will always move faster than independent applicants still assembling financing. Removing the opt-out provision helps by opening more geography to competition, but the mile-radius rule still advantages those who can play the property game at speed. Restorative Justice Requires Resources Equally important is the shift in how Virginia defines “impact.” The proposal to include prior felony distribution charges as a qualifier for impact status—rather than a disqualifier—is an absolute victory. It moves beyond performative equity and toward actual restorative justice, acknowledging that the expertise of legacy operators is a feature, not a bug. However, a license is only an opportunity if the resources exist to execute on it. The bill’s commitment to direct 50 percent of the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund into loan capital is a start, but impact licenses are only as helpful as the funding, technical assistance and affordable professional services available to support them. Virginia must ensure these operators can access not just capital, but the legal, accounting and compliance expertise necessary to survive the capital-intensive startup phase—services that incumbents already have in-house. The 120-Day Trap As an operational consultant, I must be direct: the timeline in this proposal threatens to undo everything the policy structure is trying to achieve. Here’s the math. Assuming the bill passes early in 2026, the Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) has until July 1 to stand up regulations and process the first round of licenses. Retail sales begin November 1. That gives a newly licensed independent operator exactly 120 days to go from “license in hand” to “product on shelves.” Let me explain what 120 days actually means in cannabis cultivation. A typical flowering cycle runs 60-65 days. Add 3-4 weeks of vegetation before that. Then, 10-14 days for drying and curing. Then testing, packaging and compliance. You’re looking at 100-120 days minimum from clone to compliant, sellable product—assuming everything goes perfectly, your facility is already built, your systems are dialed in and you started cultivation the moment your license arrived. For a new operator still finishing construction, installing equipment, and training staff? The math doesn’t work. They will have nothing to sell on November 1. The pharmaceutical processors, meanwhile, already have inventory. They have flower curing in their vaults right now. They’ll be ready to sell on day one. Market Readiness, Not Calendar Dates The solution is straightforward: tie market launch to actual competitive readiness, not arbitrary dates. Virginia should establish “Market Readiness” benchmarks where retail sales begin when a minimum threshold of independent licensees—impact operators, microbusinesses and small cultivators—have received licenses, completed buildout and have product ready for sale. When the independents and the incumbents cross the starting line together, consumers get competition, prices reflect a real market and the policy achieves its stated purpose. This isn’t about delaying the market indefinitely. It’s about aligning the incentives of all market participants so that pharmaceutical processors, independent operators and the state all benefit from a stable, competitive launch. One approach would be to make pharmaceutical processor conversion contingent on independent operator readiness—perhaps even on a regional basis—so that cooperation becomes more profitable than obstruction. When incumbents’ adult-use revenue depends on independents getting operational, the market dynamics shift dramatically. The ready-together framework prevents the first-mover revenue trap that has cemented MSO dominance in state after state. Arizona launched sales roughly 80 days after licensing—but only incumbents with existing inventory could participate, giving them a 6-12 month head start that new operators never recovered from. Virginia has built the right policy framework to avoid that outcome. Now it must build the right launch mechanics. The Commission should amend the current timeline provisions to establish clear market readiness criteria: retail sales commence when the Cannabis Control Authority certifies that licensed independent operators have compliant product available for distribution, ensuring market launch reflects genuine competition rather than incumbent inventory advantage. This preserves the urgency of launching a regulated market while ensuring the Commission’s equity and competition goals aren’t undermined by a calendar date that only pharmaceutical processors can meet. “Operational” Must Mean Progress, Not Perfection The proposal includes a 24-month “use it or lose it” rule to prevent license speculation. That’s good policy—if “operational” is defined correctly. In Virginia’s current construction environment, the electrical transformers required for a commercial cannabis facility can face lead times of 12-18 months. Add permitting delays, zoning appeals and on-site construction, and the 24-month window becomes dangerously tight. The standard for retaining a license must be “demonstrable progress”—breaking ground, passing inspections, installing equipment, securing financing—not “open for business.” Without this clarity, the 24-month rule becomes another tool that advantages incumbents with completed facilities while punishing independents for delays entirely outside their control. Shell Company Scrutiny Needs Speed Limits The proposal includes provisions requiring the Cannabis Control Authority to scrutinize ownership agreements, management contracts and financing arrangements to prevent MSOs from using shell companies to control nominally “independent” licensees. This is vital—without it, every anti-consolidation provision in the bill becomes meaningless. However, regulatory scrutiny without statutory time limits can be as dangerous as no scrutiny at all. If CCA takes six months to review a management agreement or a financing deal, that delay alone can kill a small business burning through cash while waiting for approval. Virginia must establish clear timelines—30 to 60 days for standard reviews, with defined criteria for what triggers extended review—so that legitimate operators aren’t inadvertently strangled by bureaucratic pace. Virginia Can Lead—If It Finishes The Blueprint Virginia has rejected the monopoly model that has failed consumers and small businesses in state after state. The Commission has embraced restorative justice by making felony distribution convictions a qualifier, not a disqualifier. It has eliminated the local opt-out provisions that created “cannabis deserts” in New Jersey and elsewhere. It has built a framework for microbusinesses, shared processing hubs, and impact licensees to compete on a level playing field. But a blueprint is not a building. By establishing clear market readiness criteria that tie launch to competitive preparedness, defining “operational readiness” to protect legitimate businesses from bureaucratic delays and establishing time limits for regulatory review, Virginia can deliver on the promise of a truly competitive market. The Commonwealth has drawn the blueprint for what legal cannabis could look like. Now legislators must ensure the launch mechanics don’t inadvertently hand the keys back to the incumbents before independent operators can even get in the door. Max Jackson is the founder of Cannabis Wise Guys and specializes in translating between cannabis operations, investment, and public policy. He has provided expert testimony to the Virginia Legislature on preventing market consolidation in emerging cannabis markets. Photo courtesy of Max Jackson. The post Virginia Rejected A Monopoly Model For Marijuana, But Lawmakers Need To Finish The Job (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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There’s significant uncertainty around how a pending federal hemp ban will ultimately be enforced, but “divergent federal and state marijuana laws may provide some guidance,” according to congressional researchers. With the recriminalization of most consumable hemp products set to take effect next November after President Donald Trump signed a spending bill containing the cannabis prohibition, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released a report outlining the policy’s potential impacts. And much of the analysis and considerations for lawmakers turn to existing marijuana policies. “In recent decades, a number of states have enacted laws relaxing state controls on marijuana and regulating the use of the substance for medical or recreational purposes,” it says. “Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance subject to stringent controls under federal law, and, notwithstanding changes to state laws, most activities involving medical and recreational marijuana violate” the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). “There are two key reasons why the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) does not comprehensively enforce the CSA with respect to marijuana,” the report—which includes a comprehensive analysis of the legislative history around hemp, a version of the cannabis crop that was federally legalized under the first Trump administration—says. As was detailed in a separate recent CRS report, DOJ “lacks the resources to prosecute all violations of the CSA and generally has not prioritized enforcement against small-scale violations or activities that comply with state law,” the researchers said in the new document. “It remains to be seen to what extent DOJ will prioritize CSA enforcement against products containing psychoactive cannabinoids other than delta-9 THC.” “If Congress wishes to affect DOJ enforcement priorities, it has the legal authority to increase or decrease funding or dictate how the agency may use appropriated funds,” the report says. Another reason that for the limited enforcement action against state marijuana laws is the fact that, since 2014, Congress has approved annual appropriations legislation with a rider preventing the Justice Department from using its funds to interfere in states’ medical cannabis programs. While those same protections don’t apply to recreational marijuana laws, CRS said that, in theory, if states were to reclassify consumable THC products that no long longer meet the federal definition of legal hemp as medical cannabis products instead, “the appropriations rider would apply to those products to the extent they are used for medical purposes in compliance with state law.” “If Congress wanted to alter the scope of the appropriations rider, including modifying how it applies to hemp-derived cannabinoid products, it could do so by legislation,” it says. “Another consideration for Congress is that, to the extent hemp-derived cannabinoid products are classified as marijuana, any change to CSA regulation of marijuana would also apply to those products.” The report also takes into consideration the potential impact of a federal marijuana rescheduling proposal that was initiated under the Biden administration and is now pending action by Trump, who said in August that a decision on moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the CSA would come within weeks. “As of the date of publication of this Legal Sidebar, DOJ has not taken final action on the rescheduling proposal,” it says. “Congress has broad authority to change the status of a controlled substance through legislation and could change the status of marijuana before or after DEA makes any final scheduling decision. Congress could choose to act with respect to marijuana generally or with respect to hemp-derived cannabinoid products in particular.” “Finally, the change to the federal definition of hemp may also affect state cannabis regulation,” the report continues. “Federal and state cannabis laws generally operate independently, and both may apply simultaneously if there is no positive conflict between the two.” “However, the 2018 farm bill contains a provision that expressly prohibits states from regulating ‘the transportation or shipment of hemp or hemp products … through the State.’ As discussed in a CRS report, there has been significant litigation over whether federal law preempts certain state hemp regulations. It remains to be seen whether and how narrowing the federal definition of hemp will affect that litigation. If Congress enacted legislation to change how hemp-derived cannabinoid products are regulated, that could also affect the pending litigation. If Congress wishes to preempt or not preempt certain state regulations of hemp, it also has the authority to amend the preemption provision.” Hemp was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that Trump signed during his first term, with then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) leading the push to end criminalization of the crop at the time. But the senator has insisted that the policy change wasn’t intended to allow consumable products with THC, so he’s been determined to close what he describes as a “loophole” in the law. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) attempted to remove the hemp ban language from the spending bill Trump signed last month, but a majority of members voted to table his amendment. Industry stakeholders, advocates and lawmakers are stressing the urgency of the situation. While the hemp ban won’t take effect until one year after enactment, that still leaves little time in the congressional calendar to reverse course or create an alternative regulatory framework for products set to be banned. Paul, meanwhile, said last month that he’ll soon file a bill to protect the hemp industry from the impending hemp ban. And he also called out alcohol and marijuana interests for allegedly “join[ing] forces” to lobby in favor of the prohibitionist policy change, which will restrict access to a plant and its derivatives that are often used therapeutically. The senator said the forthcoming legislation would make it so state policy regulating hemp cannabinoid products—with basic safeguards in place to prevent youth access, for example—”supersedes the federal law.” On the other end of the debate, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), who helped secure the hemp re-criminalization language, said last month that he’s not concerned about attempts to undercut the enacted law, brushing off arguments about the possible consequences of the policy change as “desperate mistruths from an industry that stands to lose billions of dollars by selling intoxicants to children.” Overall, there’s been widespread outcry over the pending hemp re-criminalization law, drawing criticism from parents of cannabis patients, veterinarians and influencers like Joe Rogan, for example. In response to the hemp ban, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) filed a bill that would strike the contested provisions of the appropriations legislation. But some stakeholders worry that approach could backfire, and they’re hoping to see bipartisan bills introduced in he near future that would provide a robust regulatory model for intoxicating hemp products as a viable alternative to blanket prohibition. Meanwhile, GOP political operative Roger Stone said last month that Trump was effectively “forced” by Republican lawmakers to sign the spending bill with the hemp THC ban language. However, a White House spokesperson said prior to the bill signing that Trump specifically supported the prohibition language. The Democratic governor of Kentucky said last month that the hemp industry is an “important” part of the economy that deserves to be regulated at the state level—rather than federally prohibited, as Congress has moved to do. Also, a leading veterans organization is warning congressional leaders that the newly approved blanket ban on consumable hemp products could inadvertently “slam the door shut” on critical research. While many hemp stakeholders say the ban would effectively eradicate the industry–even applying to nonintoxicating CBD products that people use for medical reasons—there’s latent hope that they can strike a compromise deal with lawmakers before the prohibition is implemented this time next year. Lawmakers such as Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) also say that window could provide an opportunity to advance legislation to create an alternative regulatory model for consumable hemp products. — 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. — Since 2018, cannabis products have been considered legal hemp if they contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. The new legislation specifies that, within one year of enactment, the weight will apply to total THC—including delta-8 and other isomers. It will also include “any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as a tetrahydrocannabinol (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).” The new definition of legal hemp will additionally ban “any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products which are marketed or sold as a final product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use” as well as products containing cannabinoids that are synthesized or manufactured outside of the cannabis plant or not capable of being naturally produced by it. Legal hemp products will be limited to a total of 0.4 milligrams per container of total THC or any other cannabinoids with similar effects. Within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies will need to publish list of “all cannabinoids known to FDA to be capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, as reflected in peer reviewed literature,” “all tetrahydrocannabinol class cannabinoids known to the agency to be naturally occurring in the plant” and “all other known cannabinoids with similar effects to, or marketed to have similar effects to, tetrahyrocannabinol class cannabinoids.” The language slightly differs from provisions included in legislation that had previously advanced out of the House and Senate Appropriations panels, which would have banned products containing any “quantifiable” amount of THC, to be determined by the HHS secretary and secretary of agriculture. The post Ongoing Marijuana Conflict Between States And Feds Could Provide ‘Guidance’ On How New Hemp Ban Will Be Enforced, Congressional Report Says appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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PA lawmakers on legalization chances; ME recriminalization initiative; TX hemp rules; OR marijuana labor lawsuit; VA consumer workplace protections Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going. Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Ohio lawmakers sent Gov. Mike DeWine (R) a bill to scale back the voter-approved marijuana legalization law by recriminalizing some cannabis activity and removing anti-discrimination protections for consumers while also also enacting new restrictions on hemp products The chairs of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Appropriations Committees discussed the prospects for legalizing marijuana—with the Republican chair of the Senate panel saying cannabis’s ongoing federal Schedule I status is one reason the state shouldn’t act yet. The Maine secretary of state’s office cleared anti-marijuana activists to begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative to recriminalize recreational sales and home cultivation while instituting new product testing requirements for medical cannabis. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission filed proposed rules banning the sale of consumable hemp products to people under the age of 21—with new scaled-back penalties from an earlier version allowing the suspension of licenses, rather than their outright cancellation, for initial violations. Oregon cannabis businesses are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold a judge’s ruling blocking a voter-approved law to require marijuana companies to enter into labor peace agreements with workers. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry published guidance on marijuana consumers’ workplace protection rights under a recently enacted state law—noting that “cannabinoids may help treat the symptoms of cancer or the side effects of cancer treatment.” Since Minnesota legalized marijuana, thousands of people have been prosecuted for transporting small amounts of cannabis in their cars without storing it in the trunk or keeping it sealed in an original, labeled packaging from a dispensary. / FEDERAL Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) tweeted, “Freedom and prosperity are what this country is all about. This amendment to the federal budget bill banning hemp would hurt consumer freedom and kill jobs in Western Pennsylvania—I’m opposed.” / STATES The New Jersey Senate Budget Committee approved a bill to crack down on unlicensed marijuana sales and restructure the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The Ohio legislature’s Ibogaine Treatment Study Committee will meet on Wednesday. New York’s acting top marijuana regulator resigned at the request of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) following the withdrawal of an administration case against a cannabis company. A Kentucky Department of Corrections parole officer forced a man to quit his job at a hemp company due to potential exposure to THC. Vermont regulators sent guidance about marijuana business third-party advertising offers. California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues. Minnesota regulators will host a webinar about a grants program that invests communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition 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. — / LOCAL The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday. / INTERNATIONAL Ontario, Canada launched a new effort to combat underage marijuana and alcohol sales. The Fiji Court of Appeal quashed a marijuana cultivation conviction. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study indicated that “chronic CBD supplementation leads to [blood pressure] reduction.” A review concluded that “CBD shows promising antimicrobial properties against a range of oral bacteria and fungi, suggesting its potential application in managing oral health conditions.” A study found that “psilocybin reduces depressive-like behavior and improves cognition in healthy aging mice.” / BUSINESS Stiiizy acquired 12 retail stores from Gold Flora. Cronos Group Inc. is acquiring CanAdelaar B.V. Trulieve Cannabis Corp. received commitments for a private placement of senior secured notes due 2030 for aggregate gross proceeds of $100 million. Cannabix Technologies Inc. passed Federal Communications Commission testing for its cannabis breath testing device. Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images. The post Ohio bill to roll back cannabis legalization passes (Newsletter: December 10, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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Maine officials have cleared prohibitionist activists to begin collecting signatures for a proposed ballot initiative that would roll back the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law. The measure, if approved, would also revise the regulatory structure of the medical cannabis program by imposing product testing requirements. The proposal—titled “An Act to Amend the Cannabis Legalization Act and the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act”—is a revised version of a marijuana initiative filed in September that was backed by a Republican state senator and a former top staffer to then-Gov. Paul LePage (R), a staunch prohibitionist. The latest proposal, petitions for which were approved by the secretary of state’s office on Monday, would remove and amend multiple sections of current state statute—aimed at effectively repealing the legalization of recreational marijuana sales that voters approved in 2016. Possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis by adults 21 and older would remain legal under the proposal, but a section of the law permitting home cultivation would be repealed. Medical marijuana sales and home cultivation would remain legal. Madison Carey, who was listed as the chief petitioner of the original version of the repeal initiative and remains involved in the current campaign, told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday that “there needs to be regulations on marijuana,” arguing that her experience recovering from an opioid misuse disorder speaks to the insufficiency of current law. “My hope is to just bring awareness to the reality of the potential dangers of not having regulations,” she said. “I think people are fed up with the constant use—the constant [retail businesses] coming up where people can now legally purchase marijuana.” Of course, repealing the voter-approved law that enacted a system of licensed adult-use sales would eliminate the current regulatory infrastructure that’s in place, which reform advocates argue helps mitigate the public health and safety risks associated with the illicit market. Rep. David Boyer (R), who led the fight to pass the cannabis legalization initiative on Maine’s ballot in 2016 when he was a staffer for the Marijuana Policy Project, said voters should refuse to sign petitions for the new initiative. “Don’t sign away Maine’s progress—decline to sign this misguided repeal initiative,” he told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday. “Repealing cannabis legalization would shutter an industry bigger than lobsters, potatoes and blueberries put together, costing jobs, revenue and economic growth for our state.” Under the new measure, the director of the Office of Cannabis Policy would face a mandate to “promote the health and well-being of the people of the state and advance policies that protect public health and safety, emphasizing the health and well-being of minors, as priority considerations in performing all duties.” They would also have to “ensure that qualifying patients maintain access to high-quality, effective and affordable cannabis for medical use under this Act.” Under the proposal, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services would be required to create a testing program for cannabis products, requiring dispensaries and caregivers to submit such products to a licensed facility for a safety assessment before they’re distributed to qualified patients. The testing facility would need to “ensure that the cannabis or cannabis product does not exceed the maximum level of allowable contamination for any contaminant that is injurious to health and for which testing is required and to ensure correct labeling.” “The department shall adopt rules establishing a testing program pursuant to this section, rules identifying the types of contaminants that are injurious to health for which cannabis and cannabis products must be tested under this chapter and rules regarding the maximum level of allowable contamination for each contaminant,” the ballot initiative text states. Further, regulators would need to administer a system for tracking cannabis plants from seedings to the point of retail sale or disposal. That system would have to “allow for cannabis plants at the stage of cultivation and upon transfer from the stage of cultivation to another registrant to be tracked by group.” Activists must submit at least 67,682 valid voter signatures by February 2, 2026 in order to qualify for next year’s ballot. If approved by voters, the initiative would take effect beginning on January 1, 2028. — 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. — Maine legislators in June rejected a bill to legalize possession of up to one ounce of psilocybin by adults 21 and older. That followed a separate effort in the state last year to legalize psilocybin and allow adults to access the psychedelic at state-licensed facilities. But lawmakers watered down that bill—amending it to create a commission to further explore the reform instead—and it ultimately did not pass. Meanwhile, Maine lawmakers in February voted to investigate possible conflicts of interest by a top marijuana official. And last year, a law took effect allowing people to apply to have records of now-legal marijuana crimes sealed. The post Maine Officials Approve 2026 Ballot Initiative To Largely Repeal Marijuana Legalization Law For Signature Collection appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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The Ohio Senate has voted to concur with a House-amended bill to scale back the state’s voter-approved marijuana law and ban the sale of hemp products that fall outside of a recently revised federal definition for the crop unless they’re sold at licensed cannabis dispensaries. The measure from Sen. Stephen Huffman (R) was substantively revised in the House last month, but the originating chamber voted 22-7 on Tuesday to accept those changes and send the legislation to Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) desk. The legislation now pending the governor’s signature would recriminalize certain marijuana activity that was legalized under a ballot initiative that passed in 2023 as well as remove anti-discrimination protections for cannabis consumers that were enacted under that law. After the House revised the initial Senate-passed legislation, removing certain controversial provisions, the Senate quickly rejected those changes in October. That led to the appointment of a bicameral conference committee to resolve outstanding differences between the chambers. That panel then approved a negotiated form of the bill, which passed the House last month and has now cleared the Senate. To advocates’ disappointment, the final version of the measure now heading to the governor’s desk would eliminate language in current statute providing anti-discrimination protections for people who lawfully use cannabis. That includes protections meant to prevent adverse actions in the context of child custody rights, the ability to qualify for organ transplants and professional licensing. It would also recriminalize possessing marijuana from any source that isn’t a state-licensed dispensary in Ohio or from a legal homegrow. As such, people could be charged with a crime for carrying cannabis they bought at a legal retailer in neighboring Michigan. Additionally, it would ban smoking cannabis at outdoor public locations such as bar patios—and it would allow landlords to prohibit vaping marijuana at rented homes. Violating that latter policy, even if it involves vaping in a person’s own backyard at a rental home, would constitute a misdemeanor offense. The legislation would also replace what had been a proposed regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp that the House had approved with a broad prohibition on sales outside marijuana dispensaries following a recent federal move to recriminalize such products. “In short, this bill leaves the crux of Issue 2 and marijuana access intact, while providing for several important public safety concerns and also regulations that protect Ohio children,” Huffman argued on the Senate floor ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Sen. Bill DeMora (D), however, said the legislation undermines the will of voters. “I want to take a step back to November 7 of 2023, when 2,226,399 Ohioans voted yes on a measure titled, ‘the regulate marijuana like alcohol initiative.'” “That’s 57.4 percent of all Ohioans coming to say loud and clear that they know that marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol, that the thousands of Ohioans that were arrested for smoking a joint should never been arrested, that they want to grow weed at their residence, that they wanted three levels of cultivator dispensary licenses, and they wanted money going to local communities,” he said. “In those two years this body has done everything in its power to give Ohio voters the finger.” “It’s a spit in the face to the voters,” DeMora said. Last month, Huffman defended the upheaval of the state’s marijuana law, saying voters approved an initiative that amended the state’s revised code, not its Constitution, so they “knew that the General Assembly could come at any time” and “pass a bill to get rid of the entire thing.” “But we’re not,” he said. “I think overall, for the average person that does recreational or medical marijuana, this bill will make it better… It’s going to be reasonable for most Ohioans.” Under the bill, hemp items with more than 0.4 mg of total THC per container, or those containing synthetic cannabinoids, could no longer be sold outside of a licensed marijuana dispensary setting. That would align with a newly enacted federal hemp law included in an appropriations package signed by President Donald Trump last month. The federal law imposing a ban on most consumable hemp products has a one-year implementation window, however, and it appears the Ohio legislation would take effect sooner. For cannabinoid beverages specifically, however, a temporary regulatory program for those products would stay in place in Ohio until December 31, 2026. The bill also includes language stipulating that, if the federal government moves to legalize hemp with higher THC content, it’s the intent of the Ohio legislature to review that policy change and consider potential state-level reforms to regulate such products. “This bill has undergone a robust, thorough and collaborative legislative process, and I believe we have landed on a good faith compromise between interested parties while reinforcing guardrails for the protection of Ohio’s children,” House Speaker Matt Huffman (R) said last month, adding that he commends Finance Committee Chairman Brian Stewart (R) and other key proponents “for their committed work on this.” In its final form, SB 56 would also allow distribution of a portion of marijuana tax revenue to localities where cannabis businesses operate. The latest action comes months after the governor issued emergency rules prohibiting the sale of intoxicating hemp products for 90 days, with instructions to the legislature to consider permanent regulations. A county judge has enjoined the state from enforcing that policy in response to a legal challenge. — 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 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. The proposal came weeks after Ohio medical and adult-use marijuana sales officially crossed $3 billion, data from the state Department of Commerce (DOC) shows. The state sold about $703 million in recreational cannabis in the law’s first year of implementation, according to DCC data. In 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 governor in March separately announced his desire to reallocate marijuana tax revenue to support police training, local jails and behavioral health services. He said funding police training was a top priority, even if that wasn’t included in what voters passed in 2023. Ohio’s Senate president has also pushed back against criticism of the Senate bill, claiming the legislation does not disrespect the will of the electorate and would have little impact on products available in stores. Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer. The post Ohio Lawmakers Pass Bill To Roll Back Voter-Approved Marijuana Law And Impose Hemp Restrictions, Sending It To Governor appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“We’re just switching how we’re criminalizing the same exact plant. And it’s going to hit the same communities that the criminalization of marijuana did.” By Max Nesterak, Minnesota Reformer When Minnesota lawmakers legalized recreational marijuana in 2023, Democrats hailed it as the state’s most sweeping shift in drug policy in half a century and long-overdue relief for tens of thousands whose records were marred by low-level marijuana offenses. What had been a felony—having two ounces of cannabis flower in a car, enough for about 100 joints—became legal overnight when the law took effect on August 1. But legalization hasn’t ended marijuana prosecutions. Minnesota prosecutors have brought more than 3,500 charges and won more than 1,200 misdemeanor convictions against people with cannabis in their cars since legalization, according to a Minnesota Reformer analysis. Additionally, prosecutors have filed nearly 500 charges against people for consuming cannabis in vehicles, either as passengers or drivers. That’s due to an important but unadvertised caveat: all cannabis products—including flower, vape pens, wax and edibles—must be in the trunk (or trunk area in the case of SUVs) unless they’re sealed in their original, labeled packaging from a dispensary. The police stops and prosecutions have defense lawyers concerned about the threat of racial profiling and warrantless vehicle searches. “Now there’s this whole entry point to all of these cars—officers are going to take it every time they get,” Amanda Brodhag, a Hennepin County public defender, said. Law enforcement leaders and prosecutors say there’s an obvious public safety rationale for the law: driving under the influence of cannabis or any intoxicating substance is dangerous and they shouldn’t be easily accessible to the driver. The packaging law has caught many consumers and even cannabis attorneys unawares. “I’m surprised,” said Elliot Ginsburg, an attorney who helps marijuana growers, manufacturers and retailers comply with the new regulatory regime. “I suspect a lot of people don’t know that.” The law prohibiting improperly packaged marijuana in vehicles isn’t mentioned on the state’s “need to know” page about adult-use cannabis, nor is it referenced anywhere in the chapter of laws governing recreational cannabis, including the lengthy section detailing limits on cannabis possession and the many things people may not do with it, like use it in a vehicle. The rules are found in the lengthy chapter of traffic laws, next to the nearly identical section on open alcohol containers. Violating the cannabis open package law is a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum penalty of $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail, although many people end up paying a few hundred dollars or less, according to the Reformer’s review of convictions. In dozens of convictions reviewed by the Reformer, some cases included evidence that the driver had recently consumed, like a burnt roach in the ashtray or a vape pen tucked under the driver’s leg. In those cases, there were often additional charges such as driving under the influence, speeding or driving without a license. In many other cases, however, the driver is not even suspected of being under the influence but simply had a jar of marijuana in the passenger area or in the center console. In those cases, drivers often freely showed officers their bag of weed, seemingly unaware they had done anything wrong. Brodhag, the Hennepin County public defender, said the people she’s represented charged with marijuana packaging violations have been surprised to learn they did anything wrong. She and other criminal defense attorneys have also seen officers use it to search vehicles without a warrant or the driver’s consent, which they say is a troubling trend. They worry police may use the ban on improperly packaged cannabis as part of a strategy that targets people of color and people in low-income neighborhoods in hopes of turning up illegal guns, drugs or other contraband. In 2023, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the odor of marijuana alone did not give police officers enough probable cause to search a vehicle without a warrant or the owner’s consent. But if drivers admit to having marijuana in the passenger area or a police officer sees it, that could justify a warrantless search. There are apparent racial disparities in some counties, according to data obtained by the Reformer through a public records request. In the state’s most populous Hennepin County, for instance, around 42 percent of people charged with having open cannabis packages or using in their vehicles were Black despite making up roughly 13 percent of the population. In Ramsey and Dakota counties, roughly a third of people charged since legalization were Black. “We’re just switching how we’re criminalizing the same exact plant,” Brodhag said. “And it’s going to hit the same communities that the criminalization of marijuana did.” Brodhag serves on the state’s Cannabis Expungement Board, which was created by the Legislature to review more than 100,000 past marijuana-related cases. Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Minneapolis, a lead author of the bill said the aim is to “undo that harm” of cannabis prohibition. Brodhag finds it hard to reconcile her work on that board expunging low-level cannabis offenses with defending people who continue to be charged with the low-level cannabis offense of having an improperly sealed bag or vape pen in the car. “These cases are not going to be up for expungement in the same way, and these people are going to have convictions that could still impact their future,” Brodhag said. How often people are charged for improperly stored marijuana varies widely across the state. For instance, there were more charges brought in McLeod County, population 36,771, since legalization than Ramsey County, population 552,352—128 to 120. Since misdemeanor charges are usually brought by city attorneys, charging rates can differ greatly across city lines. Prosecutors in Edina, population 53,494, have brought 93 charges since legalization compared to 87 brought in Minneapolis, population 429,954. Ginsburg, the cannabis business attorney, says it doesn’t make sense to treat a resealed jar of marijuana in the glove compartment the same as an open beer can in the driver’s cupholder. “If you have a can of beer open, it’s in the process of being consumed. But a broken seal on a package means you maybe used some two weeks ago,” Ginsburg said. “I don’t see why that should be a crime.” A resealed jar of marijuana seems akin to a case of beer with a few cans missing, which is not a crime to have in the passenger area of a car in Minnesota. (At least, prosecutors and members of the Minnesota Supreme Court agreed it was not a crime in 2021 case.) Law enforcement leaders counter it’s also like having a half-full handle of vodka or bottle of wine, which is a crime. Another important distinction is that virtually all beer, wine and other spirits that people have in their cars came sealed from a store, whereas the vast majority of cannabis, at least for now, is either purchased on the black market or grown at home. Until recently there were only a handful of dispensaries in Minnesota where people could buy cannabis in the required “child-resistant, tamper-evident and opaque” packages. Ginsburg also pointed out that consumers could face misdemeanor charges if manufacturers don’t package their product according to strict state standards and they happen to have it in the passenger area of their cars. “The vast, vast, vast majority are doing their best to comply…but during this awkward transition period, there is confusion in the market,” Ginsburg said. McLeod County Attorney Ryan Hansch, whose office has brought 72 charges since legalization, said open cannabis package violations are hardly a priority for his office compared with more serious crimes. But when law enforcement brings him a case, his job is fairly straightforward. “If the evidence supports criminal charges—absent some other considerations—it is typically going to be charged,” Hansch said. Law enforcement officers have broad discretion over whether to refer charges, and Hansch said he’s confident officers are choosing to educate people about the law and let them go with a warning in a fair number of cases. Edina Police Sgt. Mike Sussman said he isn’t surprised by his city’s relatively high charging rate and doesn’t think it’s a particularly enlightening statistic. Edina has major highways crossing through their jurisdiction connecting Minneapolis to outer-ring suburbs. Plus, the Minneapolis Police Department is short hundreds of officers and likely busier answering 911 calls. (Minneapolis police are also barred from pulling people over for equipment violations like broken taillights and tinted windows following federal and state investigations that found they had a pattern of racial discrimination.) “We are heavily traffic-focused,” Sussman said. He said they’re not interested in “nitpicking” small amounts of cannabis, but they try to follow the letter of the law. “The citation is what changes the driving behavior,” Sussman said. “And consistency is usually the key when it comes to some of these enforcements because otherwise you could be accused of favoritism.” This story was first published by Minnesota Reformer. The post Minnesota Legalized Marijuana, But Thousands Of People Are Still Being Prosecuted For Carrying Cannabis In Their Cars appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Pennsylvania is losing out on critical revenue by not legalizing marijuana, a key Democratic lawmaker says, but it’s up to the GOP-controlled Senate to make the next move. And one top Republican senator says there are “some significant concerns” to address before that happens—including the current federal classification of cannabis that’s under review by the Trump administration. In interviews with PoliticsPA last week, the bicameral and bipartisan legislators were each asked about the prospects of adult-use legalization in the Commonwealth. Rep. Jordan Harris (D), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, pointed out that his chamber has previously passed a version of the reform, consistent with what the governor has proposed as part of his recent budget requests. “For me, I think we should have done it a while ago. I think most Pennsylvanians agree—most Americans agree that we should legalize cannabis—and many of the states around us have already done so,” he said, adding that he has friends in neighboring New Jersey who are “very happy that Pennsylvania has not legalized adult-use cannabis because they get to literally reap the benefits.” “They get to reap the benefits of us not passing adult-use cannabis when so many people from the southeastern part of the state cross right over the border into New Jersey get legalized cannabis, and so we need to do it,” he said. “We’re literally leaving money on the table by not legalizing adult-use cannabis.” Harris said the House continues to support the reform, which is among “many of these things have been priorities for us for a while,” but in order to enact legalization, “we’re waiting the Senate to either move on our bill or send us their own bill or something around it. I think we definitely need to talk about revenue.” On the Senate side, Sen. Scott Martin (R), who chairs the chamber’s Appropriations Committee, gave a decidedly pessimistic overview of the cannabis issue, saying he “didn’t see [legalization legislation] going much of anywhere” this session because “there’s some significant concern over learning lessons of some other states.” “Like, how about you build a regulatory framework first and tout the protections? Like, how are you going to keep it out of the youth hands? How are you going to get the technology that when someone’s pulled over on the side of the road, that you can test for it right away? Or for insurance purposes—for businesses and others—how much does the THC period of time need to be out of your system before you drive that school bus full of little kids, or before you operate a forklift in a warehouse?” “Unfortunately, often in life, you see governments that want to jump in right away, fully into the pool, and then deal with the consequences after,” he said. “There’s Second Amendment considerations that come to this as well. There’s other things that people need. How about we sort this out?” “Does the federal government change the classification from being a Schedule I narcotic to one that’s Schedule II that can be researched?” Martin said. “There’s so many things in the pipeline now.” Despite those apparent outstanding concern—and despite the omission of legalization from a final budget deal the chambers agreed to last month—several House and Senate lawmakers separately told Marijuana Moment that they do see a path forward to end criminalization in the fast-approaching 2026 session. For example, House Health Committee Chairman Dan Frankel (D) said that it “would’ve been a welcome surprise to see recreational cannabis legalization pass as part of the budget, but we weren’t counting on it.” “So far, there’s no sign the Pennsylvania Senate has the votes to end prohibition—and there’s unfortunately no path forward without support from both GOP leadership and a majority of Senate members,” the chairman, who championed legalization legislation that passed the House earlier this year, said. Rep. Rick Krajewski (D), who joined Frankel in leading the push to advance cannabis reform, said that it’s while it’s “disappointing that the Senate was unable to come to an agreement on legalization for this budget, we continue to be eager to work on a bipartisan path to adult-use cannabis.” That could be achieved through the legislation he’s sponsored such as HB 1200, the House-passed bill that would have legalized marijuana for sale through state-run-stores, or an “alternative proposal sent forward by the Senate,” he told Marijuana Moment. Another lawmaker who’s helped lead the push for legalization in the Commonwealth, Rep. Emily Kinkead (D), told Marijuana Moment that she wasn’t especially surprised that legalization didn’t make it in the budget. That train seemed to leave the station months ago, she said, adding that those she’s worked with on the issue have been “pivoting to trying to target passage in 2026.” Sen. Sharif Street (D), who has also sponsored adult-use legalization legislation, emphasized public support for the reform. “I fully expect that cannabis legalization will be at the top of the discussion for next year,” he told Marijuana Moment.
”There’s an outcry from members. And there’s an outcry from the public to get it done.” The budget deal came weeks after Pennsylvania senators approved a bipartisan bill that would create a new regulatory body to oversee the state’s existing medical cannabis program and intoxicating hemp products, while preparing to eventually handle the adult-use cannabis market as well. — 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 top aide to Pennsylvania’s governor said in September that lawmakers should stop introducing new competing legalization bills and instead focus on building consensus on the issue—while emphasizing that any measure that advances needs to contain equity provisions if the governor is going to sign it into law. Sen. Dan Laughlin (R), for his part, said in August that the House “needs to pass the language in my bill and send it to my committee” after which point he “can negotiate with the Senate and the governor.” Laughlin separately said recently that supporters are “picking up votes” to enact the reform this session. Meanwhile, bipartisan Pennsylvania senators in October introduced a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to use of medical marijuana in hospitals. Separately, the leading Republican candidate in the race to become the next governor of Pennsylvania dodged a question about her stance on legalizing marijuana—saying she doesn’t have a “policy position” on the issue and arguing that the sitting governor’s proposal for reform “way, way overstated” potential revenue. The candidate, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R), pointed to neighboring Ohio, which launched its own adult-use cannabis market this year, saying “they generated about $115 million in revenue.” And while the populations of both states are relatively comparable, Shapiro’s budget projected $536.5 million in cannabis revenue in the first fiscal year of implementation. She did, however, say that if Pennsylvania moves forward on enacting the reform, she’ll “make sure that it’s banked appropriately.” Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania Democratic senator recently said that federal marijuana rescheduling would be “very influential” in advancing legalization in his state, giving “political cover” to GOP members on the fence about reform. Polls have shown bipartisan support for legalization among voters, but the reform has consistently stalled in the legislature, due largely to GOP opposition. But not all Republican members are against the policy change—and one recently said she felt her party should seize the “opportunity to snatch” the issue from Democrats. Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images. The post Marijuana’s Federally Banned Status Is One Reason Pennsylvania Hasn’t Legalized It, Top GOP Senator Says appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Oregon-based marijuana companies are asking a federal court to uphold a lower judge’s ruling that struck down a voter-approved law to require licensed cannabis businesses to enter into labor peace agreements with workers and mandate that employers remain neutral in discussions around unionization. In a brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday, attorneys for two marijuana businesses—Bubble’s Hash and Ascend Dispensary—said the prior district court ruling was accurately decided, as the labor peace agreement requirement unconstitutionally infringed upon their freedom of speech. This comes about two months after the defendants—Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D), Attorney General Dan Rayfield (D) and Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s (OLCC) Dennis Doherty and Craig Prins—urged the appeals court to review the constitutional challenge to the state law following their lower court defeat. The plaintiffs initially filed a lawsuit in the district court challenging the implementation of Measure 119, and a federal judge sided with the plaintiffs, finding that the law unconstitutionally restricts free speech and violates the federal National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). “Although Defendants and Plaintiffs do not dispute that the NLRA applies to the cannabis industry, and do not dispute the Lower Court’s opinion regarding the same, Plaintiffs acknowledge this Court may extend discretion to review without any such party challenge,” the latest filing, first reported by Law360, states. Under the currently paused law, a marijuana businesses that was unable to provide proof of a labor peace agreement could have been subject a denial or revocation of their license. In an order in May, the district court judge walked through various components of the legal arguments from both sides and ultimately agreed that the Oregon law is preempted by the NLRA, which is meant to provide protections for workers who want to unionize—but specifically preserves the right for “uninhibited, robust, and wide-open debate in labor disputes.” By mandating neutrality from employers in labor discussions, the Oregon law constitutes a violation of the NLRA, the judge ruled. The new filing from the cannabis businesses says that while the federal government has generally “declined to prosecute state marijuana laws that conflict with the” Controlled Substances Act (CSA), that “does not mean other constitutional limits on states’ regulatory powers also take a back seat.” “The CSA does not grant states the power to burden interstate commerce that would otherwise be impermissible, simply because the CSA prohibits cannabis,” it said. “Finding that the NLRA applied to cannabis employers for which the [National Labor Relations Board] maintains jurisdiction, the District Court correctly concluded M119 was preempted under the NLRA principle of preemption.” “For the reasons as set forth above, the Court should affirm the District Court, which held that the NLRA preempts M119…and that M119 violates the First Amendment speech protections,” it says. The state, for its part, has argued that the federal circuit court “should reverse the district court’s judgment, and it should remand the case with instructions to enter judgment for defendants on the preemption and First Amendment claims.” — 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. — On the question of whether the law violates First Amendment protections under the U.S. Constitution, the cannabis companies argued that “Measure 119 is a content-based restriction on speech that is subject to strict scrutiny, and that Defendants fail to provide a compelling government interest requiring this restriction.” Measure 119 passed with about 57 percent of the vote last November. A regional chapter of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW)—UFCW Local 555—had submitted more than 160,000 signatures to qualify the measure for ballot placement last year. During the Oregon legislature’s 2023 session, lawmakers declined to enact a bill containing similar provisions. UFCW lobbied for that legislation, and it decided to mount a campaign to let voters decide on the issue this year after that effort failed. UFCW pressed legislators to enact a bill to codify the labor protections in 2023. And after it was effectively killed by a top House Democrat, it announced that it would be leading a recall effort to oust him. Read the filing in the Oregon cannabis industry labor law case below: Photo elements courtesy of rawpixel and Philip Steffan. The post Oregon Marijuana Businesses Urge Federal Court To Uphold Ruling Blocking Industry Labor Law Approved By Voters appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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