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Senior residents at some independent living communities will soon have access to on-site kiosks allowing them to easily buy marijuana products without having to travel to dispensaries. The retailer Life Is Chill and cannabis technology company LoveBud announced on Thursday that the first cannabis kiosk is coming to the Sun Lakes Country Club in Chandler, Arizona, which has 2,000 residents. The device will also be available to more than 12,000 other residents at neighboring sister communities. A spokesperson told Marijuana Moment that the marijuana kiosk will be installed on August 19, allowing seniors to learn about and order marijuana products for delivery. “At Sun Lakes Country Club, our goal is to provide our members with access to trusted resources that support their overall health and well-being,” Joe Rizzo, the facility’s director of food and beverage, said. “By partnering with organizations like Life Is Chill, we’re giving our community another opportunity to learn about all of the options available to them. Whether members ultimately choose to utilize these services or not, we believe having access to reliable information empowers them to make informed decisions about their own health.” Life Is Chill and LoveBud first announced the senior-targeted cannabis kiosk effort in February, but now it is coming to fruition. The companies are touting what they call the device’s “Easy Mode,” which features large navigation elements, a curated menu and streamlined ordering to make the process as easy as possible for seniors who might not want to download a specialized app for cannabis delivery. There will also be a promotional day every week where delivery fees are waived. “This kiosk represents much more than another ordering channel—it removes barriers that have prevented many seniors from comfortably accessing cannabis,” James Watkins, CEO of LoveBud, said. “Adults over 55 continue to be one of the fastest-growing groups embracing cannabis, yet the shopping experience hasn’t always evolved with them. Together with Life Is Chill, we’ve created a platform that’s intuitive, approachable, and designed around the needs of the people using it.” Dr. Dana Lillestol, senior education advocate for Life Is Chill, said that “from the beginning, our goal has been to simplify the cannabis experience for seniors.” “Through our relationship with the Sun Lakes communities, we saw an opportunity to bring together trusted products, personalized guidance, and technology that’s genuinely easy to use,” she said. “Residents shouldn’t have to sort through hundreds of products just to find what works for them. This curated approach helps remove that uncertainty while making cannabis more accessible to an entire community.” Meanwhile in Arizona, the Senate this session passed legislation that would have penalized people who create “excessive” amounts of marijuana smoke or odor—but it failed to be approved by the House of Representatives. — 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. — Separately, marijuana opponents had filed a ballot initiative to roll back legalization in Arizona this year, but that effort was scrapped after the local campaign leader said he has “adjusted my viewpoints on the threat to kids” posed by the legal marijuana industry. Sean Noble, president of the political strategy firm American Encore, told local media that while he launched the campaign due to concerns about marketing of cannabis to children, he has come to realize that marijuana businesses in Arizona have “not done some of the things that I thought they were doing.” “I went into it with a pretty profound belief that it was happening,” Noble said. “I was kind of relying on things that I had seen or read from other people.” “I don’t think that they’re specifically marketing gummies and candies and that kind of thing the way that I was led to believe that they were doing,” he said. “Maybe they’re doing that in other states. But it’s not happening here in Arizona.” A poll from 2024 found ongoing majority support from Arizona likely voters for medical cannabis legalization (86 percent), adult-use legalization (69 percent) and industry banking reform (78 percent). The post Senior Citizens Can Order Marijuana On ‘Easy Mode’ From New Kiosk At Independent Living Community In Arizona appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is moving to develop new marijuana-related standards for pilots and air traffic controllers in light of the “operational risk” created by the Trump administration’s move to reschedule cannabis—which has furthered the “normalization” of the drug. FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine is partnering with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to convene a series of meetings focused on the impact of marijuana consumption on air travel professionals, an effort aimed at informing approaches the agency might take to “evaluate, update, or refine their current policies for cannabis use, particularly for determining when individuals are fit for duty.” Topics to be discussed during the four planned meetings set to take place this year and next year—which will not be open to the public—include drug testing, cognitive functioning monitoring and the length of impairment following cannabis use. Invited participants will include experts on impairment evidence, pharmacokinetics and detectability, operational risk translation and policy framing. There is an “urgent need to establish clear, scientifically defensible, and operationally actionable fitness-for-duty standards for pilots and air traffic control specialists (ATCS) in the context of evolving federal cannabis policy,” NASEM said in a overview of the effort, which FAA is supporting with just over $200,000. Under an order issued by U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in April, marijuana products regulated by a state medical cannabis license immediately moved from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III, as did any marijuana products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An administrative hearing is considering broader marijuana rescheduling, including of recreational products. While Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing and FAA medical certification standards remain unchanged for now, the notice of the upcoming meetings says that the “dual-status regulatory environment” under the scheduling reform has created a policy “misalignment” that poses “significant operational risk”—including by “increasing the likelihood and normalization of cannabis use,” “complicating disclosure and compliance” and “leaving the FAA without validated criteria to determine when individuals are no longer impaired.” “The central policy question is: Following cannabis use, what elapsed time ensures both (1) absence of operational impairment and (2) compliance with DOT drug testing requirements?” NASEM’s Transportation Research Board said in the posting which was noted earlier by Cannabis Wire. “Due to the urgency of near-term policy decisions and the inability to conduct new primary research in the required timeframe, the FAA requires structured, policy-relevant interpretation of existing scientific evidence,” the notice said, specifying that the meetings will take place over a span of about 12 months, which will enable FAA to develop and implement new cannabis policies within 12–18 months. NASEM previously did work on state marijuana legalization law’ impact on airports on behalf of FAA, publishing a briefing on the issue and holding an event. Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently clarified that its “policy on medical marijuana has not changed”—despite numerous news organizations running exaggerated headlines about a supposed change in the federal government’s policy on bringing marijuana into airports and on airplanes. DOT, which houses FAA, clarified in May that truck drivers, airline pilots and other federally regulated safety-sensitive workers still cannot use medical marijuana without being punished despite the federal rescheduling move. Last month, a coalition of transportation and safety organizations sent a letter to federal officials saying they have “serious safety concerns” surrounding the Trump administration’s move to federally reschedule marijuana— asking them to take steps to ensure that safety-sensitive workers will continue to be tested for cannabis. Earlier this month, the House Appropriations Committee adopted a provision directing federal officials to continue requiring government employees and safety-sensitive workers such as truck drivers and airline pilots to be drug tested for marijuana, “regardless of any future changes to the legal status or scheduling.” The followed a press conference organized by prohibitionist groups and a drug testing industry association where two Republican lawmakers joined their call for a “carve-out” to marijuana rescheduling by affirming that safety-sensitive transportation workers could still be penalized for testing positive for THC. The lawmakers and prohibitionist activists argued that moving marijuana to Schedule III would mean a 1986 executive order on the federal workforce that President Ronald Reagan signed defining illegal drugs as Schedule I and II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) would be effectively nullified when it comes to cannabis use by truck drivers, airline pilots and other workers regulated by DOT. Last October, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested President Donald Trump was “getting pressure” to reschedule cannabis—arguing that marijuana is “really addictive” and saying that policy reform around the issue sends a “dangerous” message. “At a time when culture is pushing and celebrating the use of marijuana, we’re not talking about the risk,” Duffy said. Image element courtesy of Steve Fitzgerald. The post FAA Considers New Marijuana Standards For Pilots And Air Traffic Controllers Under Trump’s Rescheduling Move appeared first on Marijuana Moment. 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The roots of marijuana plants might be commonly treated as waste, but a new scientific review suggests they may be an underutilized source of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications similar to the flower they help nourish. Researchers at University of Santa Cruz Do Sul and Federal University of Rio Grande conducted the study by searching databases and analyzing results that contained references to cannabis roots through December 2024. The paper, published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, cites multiple examples of roots being linked to a “diverse spectrum of secondary metabolites, including phytosterols, alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds.” “Their rich content of secondary metabolites, including terpenes, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and cannabinoids, positions the roots as a valuable source of pharmacologically active molecules with potential therapeutic applications.” “These bioactive constituents have been reported to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities,” the study authors wrote. “In vivo studies further demonstrate nociceptive and antispasmodic effects, with no evidence of cytotoxicity.” In other words, cannabis roots hold potential in the treatment of inflammation, pain, muscle spasms and more—similar to what’s been established in studies investigating the medical value of marijuana flower and oil extracts. “C. sativa roots represent an underexplored pharmacognostic resource with significant potential for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds,” the authors said. The scientific review didn’t involve independent testing of cannabis root composition or therapeutic use, but it said existing research demonstrates that their “chemical diversity and biological activities provide a strong rationale for renewed scientific attention, supporting future research into this underestimated part of a species of growing medical and economic relevance.” “This review contributes by integrating scattered evidence on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of C. sativa roots, providing a comprehensive overview rather than isolated discussions of extraction techniques or single therapeutic uses,” it continued. “C. sativa roots possess antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, and antispasmodic activities, as well as promising antibacterial and antifungal properties, with no reports of cytotoxicity or genotoxicity.” Future research into cannabis roots should “prioritize detailed phytochemical characterization, mechanistic pharmacological studies, and controlled in vivo and clinical evaluations,” the study concluded. “Ultimately, the roots of C. sativa represent a neglected pharmacognostic resource with considerable potential to contribute to drug discovery and the development of new therapeutic strategies.” While roots may be neglected as far as therapeutic applications are concerned, the historical and contemporary use of marijuana has involved non-flower components of the plant. A study published in 2023 determined that the cannabis plant appeared to have first been used for its fiber, as a material for ropes and other manufactured goods, for example. Use of hemp fiber dates back to approximately 10,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia and to roughly 6,000 and 5,000 years ago in China and Kazakhstan, respectively. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored a project to develop hemp fiber insulation that’s designed to be better for the environment and public health than conventional preparations are. That same year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it was awarding a Washington State-based company a $100,000 grant to support the development of sustainable bricks made from industrial hemp. But as the plant continues to be studied for potential therapeutic uses, the new scientific review suggests it may be a worthwhile venture to look under the surface. The post The Roots Of Marijuana Plants Have ‘Underexplored’ Medical Potential, Scientific Review Finds appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

AOC touts psychedelics’ medical “promise”; Study: Covering medical marijuana with workers’ comp; VA THC & kratom enforcement; TX hemp restrictions Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Get our daily newsletter. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… BREAKING: Journalism is often consumed for free, but costs money to produce! While this newsletter is proudly sent without cost to you, our ability to send it each day depends on the financial support of readers who can afford to give it. So if you’ve got a few dollars to spare each month and believe in the work we do, please consider joining us on Patreon today. https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Bipartisan lawmakers touted the passage of psychedelics amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act—with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) telling Marijuana Moment that psilocybin is “one of the only substances that has shown early promise in treatment-resistant PTSD” and Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) saying “everybody microdoses,” even “professional guys.” California Treasurer Fiona Ma (D) said the state’s current marijuana legalization law is a “complete failure” that was written “by big companies that wanted to take over the smaller farms” and should be replaced with a new ballot initiative that prioritizes consumers and small businesses. A new study conducted by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on covering medical cannabis through workers’ compensation found “clear, measurable reductions in pain alongside significant improvements in physical function, overall mobility, and quality of life”—as well as a reduction in opioid use. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) launched a new Regulated Products Enforcement Unit to oversee actions concerning THC and hemp products, kratom, liquid nicotine vapes and emerging intoxicants. New Texas Department of State Health Services restrictions on hemp THC products take effect on Friday following a series of court rulings that have alternatively halted and resumed sales of various cannabinoid items. / FEDERAL Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) spoke about how marijuana rescheduling can ease barriers to research. / STATES Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, currently an assemblymember, discussed her support for legalizing cannabis during a debate. A New Hampshire Senate candidate discussed his support for legalizing marijuana in an op-ed. A Florida appeals court ruled that employers can fire workers for off-site medical cannabis use. Missouri regulators filed proposed rules on marijuana dispensary curbside pickup. Oregon regulators are accepting comments on a petition to amend rules concerning the psilocybin services training program curriculum approval process. The Delaware Delaware Maternal & Child Death Review Commission warned in its annual report that “even though cannabis is legal, it effects the health of pregnant women and developing babies and can lead to complications during pregnancy and in childhood.” — 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 Manhattan’s borough president said he is “outraged” that the cannabis drinks are being sold in bodegas. / INTERNATIONAL Israeli officials closed an investigation of alleged dumping of Canadian medical cannabis into the country’s market. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “as cannabis becomes legal and commercialized, the likelihood of using it over antidepressants seems to increase, especially among females.” A study found that arginylglycylaspartic acid-functionalized, CBD-loaded lipid nanoparticles “improved cognition and metabolic balance in Alzheimer’s disease rats.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The Washington Post editorial board said the Trump administration’s military attacks on suspected drug boats has “accomplished nothing.” Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America is asking its supporters to send letters urging Congress not to reverse the scheduled recriminalization of hemp THC products this year. / BUSINESS High Tide Inc. closed its acquisition of J. Supply Holdings Inc., operating as Northern Helm. Tesla is being sued by an employee who claims he was improperly discriminated against and denied a job transfer due to medical cannabis use. Canadian retailers sold C$485 million worth of legal marijuana products in May. / CULTURE Rosario Dawson is urging Congress to reverse a planned ban on hemp THC drinks. 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 CA treasurer wants to overhaul cannabis legalization law (Newsletter: July 31, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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California’s marijuana legalization law that voters approved a decade ago has been a “complete failure” and should be replaced with a new ballot initiative that prioritizes consumers and small businesses, the state’s treasurer says. At a hearing she convened on cannabis industry banking challenges on Wednesday, Treasurer Fiona Ma (D) heard from multiple officials, financial services representatives and stakeholders who spoke about the complex marijuana policy landscape at both the state and federal levels. On Prop. 64—the initiative that legalized adult-use cannabis in the state after voters approved it in 2016—Ma said the reform is not “working as intended,” particularly as it concerns excess taxes and regulatory barriers. That’s because the initiative was written “by big companies that wanted to take over the smaller farms and kind of gobble it up and be the big dogs,” she said. There’s limited money among interested stakeholders to put up a grassroots initiative campaign to replace the current law, however, so she said it’s likely up to legislators to pass a bill placing the issue on the ballot. And if they do, the treasurer said she’d be interested in championing it. “That means they have to be educated about it, and they have to see this as a source of ongoing revenues going forward so that we are not having to tax our billionaires every other year,” Ma told State Affairs. The alternative initiative she envisions would involve lower taxes on marijuana distributors, streamlined tax compliance options for licensees and preventing local governments from imposing hefty fees for cannabis businesses to operate in their jurisdiction. The treasurer, who is currently running for lieutenant governor, also discussed federal marijuana rescheduling, as the Trump administration has implemented for state-authorized medical cannabis and is currently considering applying to the plant more broadly. The move represents a step in the right direction, Ma said, but she argued that as long as marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) outside of the current narrow medical exception, California’s marketplace will continue to be stifled. California State Treasurer @fionama, CPA, convened industry leaders, financial institutions, regulators and policymakers for Continuing the Conversation: Advancing Safe and Legal Banking for California’s Cannabis Industry. Thank you to our panelists! pic.twitter.com/3O7VZJzaJE — CA State Treasurer (@CalTreasurer) July 29, 2026 While broader federal legalization would represent a long-term solution for many of the state’s ongoing cannabis policy issues, Ma and other panelists also voiced support for a bipartisan marijuana banking bill that was recently reintroduced in Congress. Earlier iterations of the banking legislation have been introduced in past sessions, and while versions have been approved by the House of Representatives on several occasions, the reform has never been enacted into law. “California has invested tremendous resources into creating a safe, transparent and accountable regulatory framework,” Ma said. “Yet, despite these efforts, the conflict between state and federal law continues to create uncertainty for financial institutions. While there has been a movement at the federal level, including discussions surrounding marijuana rescheduling and continued consideration of the SAFER Banking Act, significant barriers still remain.” At the forum on Wednesday, representatives of the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), California Bankers Association and California Tax and Fee Administration also shared their perspectives on cannabis policy issues. For example, according to DCC Director Clint Kellum, about 60 percent of cannabis sold in California still comes from the illicit market. To that point, the department recently released data showing how 97 percent of state cannabis enforcement actions in unincorporated cities have happened in counties that have locally banned licensed growers from operating. Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is term-limited, but the state’s two major party general election gubernatorial candidates both support legalization. Republican Steve Hilton, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump, recently told Marijuana Moment that taxes and regulations on cannabis are “too high.” Not all California Republicans are on board with the reform, however. The vice chair of the state Senate Budget Committee has floated the idea of putting a new initiative on the state ballot to “reverse” Proposition 64, for example, arguing that voters were misled and voicing concerns about the health impacts of marijuana use. “We have seen significant negative consequences of this legalization, both here as well as in other states,” the senator, who was speaking at a hearing at which lawmakers approved a bill to legalize marijuana dispensary drive-thru windows in California, said. Democratic gubernatorial contender Xavier Becerra, who previously served in Congress and as California’s attorney general, meanwhile, facilitated a scientific review process during his time as health and human services secretary under the Biden administration that ultimately resulted in a recommendation to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the CSA. — 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, California regulators recently adopted emergency rules changes for the state’s marijuana licensing process that are intended to make it easier for businesses to qualify for benefits in line with the Trump administration’s recent decision to move ahead with federally rescheduling medical cannabis. They also launched a new AI tool to help businesses identify marijuana product packaging may appeal to kids in violation of state rules. Separately, Newsom recently took credit for helping to lead the push for the state to legalize marijuana and discussed his own limited experience with using cannabis. In October, however, the governor 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. Separately, the state attorney general says Indian tribes cannot independently engage in marijuana commerce with licensed cannabis businesses without first obtaining their own commercial license from state officials. California officials recently awarded nearly $30 million in grants for marijuana-focused academic research projects. The post California Treasurer Calls Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Law A ‘Complete Failure’ That Should Be Replaced With A New Ballot Initiative appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“New intoxicating products and substances enter the market every single day, many of which include dangerous or illegal ingredients.” By Markus Schmidt, Virginia Mercury Virginia is creating an enforcement unit to oversee the rapidly expanding market for vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom, consolidating several regulatory responsibilities within the attorney general’s office. Attorney General Jay Jones (D) announced the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit on Thursday, saying it will handle civil enforcement, retail compliance, product directories and public education as new intoxicating products continue to enter the market. Inspectors assigned to the unit will monitor retailers, conduct compliance checks and coordinate enforcement with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and other state agencies. The office will also be able to pursue civil penalties and other legal action against manufacturers, distributors and retailers accused of violating state law. “New intoxicating products and substances enter the market every single day, many of which include dangerous or illegal ingredients and are deceptively packaged, labeled, and marketed to consumers,” Jones said in a statement. “Many of these products even target children, causing irreparable harm to their lives and their futures.” Thursday’s announcement follows several years of legislative efforts to tighten oversight of products commonly sold in vape shops, convenience stores and other retailers. Virginia’s vapor product law generally prohibits the sale of liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products unless they appear in a directory maintained by the attorney general’s office. Manufacturers must submit certifications and other documentation demonstrating their products comply with state and federal requirements. Responsibility for reviewing those applications will now fall to the new enforcement unit, which will determine whether products will qualify for sale, monitor changes in their federal regulatory status and work with retailers to explain the rules while removing unauthorized products from the market. Lawmakers expanded that framework this year through the Vape Enforcement Act, sponsored by Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, and Sens. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. The measure gave Virginia additional authority and resources to inspect retailers and crack down on unauthorized products and sales to people younger than 21. “For far too long, too many vape shops have been ignoring the law, selling illegal and dangerous products to Virginians, and taking advantage of gaps in the law to sell vapes to kids. That ends now,” VanValkenburg said in a statement. “The General Assembly took action to pass the Vape Enforcement Act, and the AG’s new unit is ready to move against businesses that repeatedly disregard the law.” Another law approved this year imposed new restrictions on kratom, a supplement that is sold as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever and remedy for opioid withdrawal. It prohibits sales to anyone younger than 21, requires ingredient labeling and mandates that products be stored behind a counter or in a locked display case. It also bans synthetic and semisynthetic kratom compounds, products intended for vaping or injection and packaging or marketing deemed attractive to children. In addition, the law limits the amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, that kratom products may contain. Derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia, kratom can produce stimulant-like effects at lower doses and opioid-like effects at higher doses. Concentrated or synthetically produced 7-OH products have drawn increasing scrutiny from state and federal regulators. (2/2) Read more here: https://t.co/dd0CpvkIY7 — Attorney General Jay Jones (@AGJayJones) July 30, 2026 Jones said most businesses want to comply with the law but argued that the growing number of intoxicating products on the market requires a more focused enforcement effort. “We know that most businesses, retailers, manufacturers and distributors want to follow the rules, and Virginians want to know what they are consuming,” Jones said. “This new unit will educate Virginians and ensure strong accountability for bad actors who violate the law and put our communities at risk.” The attorney general’s office has not yet announced staffing levels or a separate operating budget for the new unit. Virginia has struggled at times to enforce existing restrictions on hemp-derived products. In 2024, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found violations at 82 percent of the retailers it inspected. Some THC-infused drinks and other products exceeding Virginia’s potency limits also remained available online and in some stores. Other states have also expanded enforcement in recent years as regulators try to keep up with products that often fall between traditional tobacco, cannabis and controlled-substance laws. Pennsylvania established an electronic nicotine delivery system directory under a 2025 law that is administered by the state’s attorney general’s office. Products not included in the directory may be seized beginning in October. California has combined education, inspections and enforcement in campaigns targeting illegal hemp and kratom products. State officials there said investigators visited more than 4,500 businesses during one kratom enforcement effort and identified 61 violations. An earlier crackdown on hemp products produced a compliance rate of more than 99 percent of businesses licensed by the state’s alcohol regulators. Alabama took a more aggressive approach in June, executing 83 search warrants and seizing nearly 123,000 doses of kratom products during a statewide operation led by the attorney general and state law enforcement officials. Several states have also coordinated enforcement against unauthorized vaping products. Last year, a coalition of 25 attorneys general urged the online marketplace Shopify to stop providing services to websites selling illegal vaping products. Virginia, under then-Attorney General Jason Miyares (R), did not join the effort. At the time, federal regulators had authorized only 39 e-cigarette products even as unauthorized disposable services continued to dominate much of the market. Beyond enforcement, Virginia’s new unit will also work with advocates, medical professionals and public health organizations to identify emerging products and develop prevention strategies. “The Regulated Products Enforcement Unit is a critical component of Attorney General Jones’ commitment to keeping Virginians safe,” said Helen Hardiman, deputy attorney general of public advocacy. “Through investigation, enforcement, and programmatic work, this unit will ensure that consumers are well informed and protected from harmful products and that bad actors will be held accountable,” she said. This story was first published by Virginia Mercury. The post Virginia Attorney General Launches Enforcement Effort On Hemp THC Products, Kratom And ‘Emerging Intoxicants’ appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“It’s a pretty big blow, and it’s recriminalizing a lot of cannabis products that have been completely legal and allowable in the state for many years, so we’re taking steps backwards toward prohibition.” By Katlyn Ma, The Texas Tribune Texans’ access to a variety of hemp-derived THC products will significantly narrow on Friday. Texas will ban several hemp-derived THC cannabis products, including those containing delta-8 and delta-10 THC variants, punishing people in possession of them with jail time and fines. However, delta-9 THC, the most commonly sold THC product in Texas, will remain legal. This is the latest blow to the state’s hemp industry, which has been consumed with uncertainty over the last several months as flurries of court actions have ripped products off shelves and then put them back on. The recent change stems from a Texas Supreme Court decision in May that allowed the Texas Department of State Health Services to reclassify all hemp-derived THC, except for low-dose delta-9 THC, as a schedule I drug, prohibiting its possession and sale in the state. The ruling ended a 2021 injunction that paused DSHS from enforcing the new classification, which effectively allowed stores to stock different kinds of THC for the past five years. Cannabis experts say Friday’s ban could remove more than half of the THC products off some stores’ shelves. “It’s a pretty big blow, and it’s recriminalizing a lot of cannabis products that have been completely legal and allowable in the state for many years, so we’re taking steps backwards toward prohibition,” said Sarah Todd, media representative at Texas Cannabis Policy Center. Here’s what to know about the THC ban. What is banned? The ban applies to all synthetically created THC forms, including delta-8, delta-10, THCP and THCA flower. The one exception will be delta-9 products with less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. Delta-8 and delta-10 give a weaker high, which is why some consumers might choose these options, said Joao Mitchell, manager of ATX Organics and legislative director of Texas Cannabis Collective. Delta-9, which naturally occurs in cannabis and is not typically synthetically derived, will remain the only THC option for Texas consumers because the federal 2018 Farm Bill legally defines hemp as cannabis containing no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC and it does not list other cannabinoids. Can Texans still find intoxicating THC? Yes, consumers can still buy intoxicating products as long as they contain legal amounts of delta-9. This includes continued access to delta-9 edibles, drinks, and tinctures. A statewide ban on the sale of smokeable hemp, such as flower buds and rolled joints, was supposed to go into effect on March 31, but a court ruling has paused it, so delta-9 smokeable hemp will also still be available to consumers. Texas banned the sale of vape pens containing THC in the last legislative session. Why is this happening? The July 31 ban follows a Texas Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for the state to enforce a 2021 Department of State Health Services rule classifying delta-8 THC and other synthetic hemp-derived THC variants as schedule I controlled substances. In 2021, Austin-based hemp retailer Hometown Hero and other hemp businesses sued DSHS, arguing that the state had overstepped its authority and contradicted the 2019 Texas Farm Bill which excluded hemp from the definition of marijuana and prevented THC in hemp from being a schedule I drug. DSHS argued that hemp-derived THC products should be treated as controlled substances because they are psychoactive drugs. For years, some lawmakers have tried to ban all THC products over concerns that they harm children. Data provided from the Texas Poison Center Network confirms a sharp increase in cannabis-related poisoning calls starting in 2019, a year after hemp-derived THC was legalized by the federal government, from 923 to 2,669 last year. The majority of these calls involve suspected poisoning of children under the age of five and teenagers. In Texas, customers must be at least 21 years old to purchase THC products. “This is a major development for Texas families,” said Aubree Adams, director of Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Texas, about the latest restrictions. “It’s about time, Texans need to know that this industry does not sell safe products.” A temporary injunction blocked enforcement of DSHS’ 2021 rule while the case played out, allowing businesses to expand beyond delta-9 products and build a market around delta-8 and other intoxicating hemp variants. After the Supreme Court reversed that injunction, DSHS reinstated the old definitions which are set to take effect July 31. “This is not a good thing for the industry. It’s difficult to understand and lacks clarity,” said Cynthia Cabrera, chief strategy officer at Hometown Hero. While Hometown Hero does not have plans to challenge the state Supreme Court’s decision, Cabrera said two businesses are preparing lawsuits. Adams said she also wants to see delta-9 ultimately banned. “We want the sale of these products out of our Texas neighborhoods.” What will happen to Texans caught with illegal THC products? Once THC variants are classified as a schedule I drug, possession of illegal THC products will be treated as a state jail felony, which carries a punishment of 180 days to two years in prison and fines of up to $10,000, say cannabis experts. “Now that we’re criminalizing these substances that have been federally legal for the past five or six years, we’re now creating a new pipeline for people to go to prison and spend millions of dollars within the legal system, and just further disenfranchise a lot of people,” said Mitchell. Industry advocates say that criminalizing THC products will only push consumers toward unregulated and more expensive options. “Recriminalizing cannabis products only empowers the illicit market and puts these licensed and regulated companies out of business,” said Todd with the Texas Cannabis Policy Center. What does the reclassification mean for the hemp industry? The July 31 ban will reshape Texas’s hemp industry, Todd said. Cannabis experts estimate the reclassification could take 60 percent to 90 percent of THC products out of circulation. Todd says some businesses will have to pull most of their THC products off shelves, causing them to shut down. “It is going to do irreparable harm,” said Mark Bordas, executive director of Texas Hemp Business Council. In anticipation of this ban, some businesses have already begun transitioning away from delta-8 and THCA, like he has, said AJ Vazquez, owner of Dooby’s Smoking Depot in Austin. But, he still anticipates that his sales will take a 25 percent hit. If they are caught selling the banned substances, businesses could lose their consumable hemp licenses, face fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and be criminally charged with manufacturing or distributing a schedule I substance, said Mitchell with ATX Organics. He said about 50 percent of his store’s products will be removed from their shelves and he predicts that stores that don’t focus on natural THC will probably have to remove somewhere between 75 percent to 90 percent of their product. There are about 14,000 retail stores statewide that are licensed to sell consumable hemp, according to the Department of State Health Services. This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune. The post New Texas Hemp THC Product Restrictions Take Effect On Friday—But What Will Stay Legal? appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Bipartisan members of Congress are celebrating the House’s passage last week of amendments to extend a psychedelics research effort at the Department of Defense (DOD) for an additional six years and to codify provisions of a psychedelics executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) told Marijuana Moment that “one of the things that’s so important about the promise of psilocybin specifically is that it is one of the only substances that has shown early promise in treatment-resistant PTSD.” “There are so many people that have tried every single path available to them in order to get the healthcare that they need and they have not been able to access that,” she said. The newly approved psychedelics amendments are now attached to the House-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027, though it’s not yet clear how the Senate will address the issue or if the reforms will be enacted into law. Ocasio-Cortez has long pushed for psychedelics and broader drug policy reform, saying she has been “introducing and supportive of these psilocybin measures—everything from allowing the study to descheduling in the NDAA for my entire time in Congress.” To that point, she twice filed amendments designed to free up research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics that were defeated on the House floor. In 2022, Ocasio-Cortez led a separate NDAA amendment to require DOD to study the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and MDMA for military service members. Earlier this year, the congresswoman argued during a hearing that placing substances like marijuana and LSD in Schedule I runs counter to evidence showing their medical potential, hinders research and is associated with criminal penalties that haven’t effectively prevented harms from substance misuse. Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), meanwhile, told Marijuana Moment last week that he is “hearing a lot about psychedelics.” “Everybody’s using them. Professional guys, you know,” he said. “Everywhere I talk about psychedelics, it’s like, ‘Yeah, we microdose.’ Everybody microdoses. Professionals. Not kids from the hood, but professionals.” Correa, who leads the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus said he faced an internal “conflict” on last week’s vote on the NDAA. Despite supporting the psychedelics provisions that are now attached to the bill, “I had to vote against the NDAA because it’s $1.2 trillion” for war-related efforts he does not support. “My God.” “In general, anything that’s for common sense war on drugs reform is good,” the congressman said. “Anything that goes the other way, which is going back to the war on drugs from the 70s, in my opinion is a big mistake.” Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), who co-leads the psychedelics caucus with Correa, told Marijuana Moment that the NDAA amendments represent incremental progress on the issue that will help build momentum toward broader reform. “Let’s put it this way: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it didn’t fall in that day,” he said. “So every little step you can advance forward, if you take down one obstacle—which are natural—a time, you’re going to get a cascade effect.” One of the approved measures, sponsored by Bergman and Correa, along with Reps. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Troy Carter (D-LA), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Sarah Elfreth (D MD) and Michael Rulli (R-OH), added language to the bill expanding DOD studies on psychedelics that were first authorized under the earlier 2024 NDAA. That program, signed into law by then-President Joe Biden, directed DOD to establish a process by which active duty service members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury could participate in clinical trials involving psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT and “qualified plant-based alternative therapies.” As enacted, it only required the secretary of defense to issue updated reports on progress within one year of the law passing and then annually for three years after that. The new amendment would replace “three years” in the law with “nine years.” It also specifies that DOD would have to “extend the performance of research conducted using funding awarded under this section to September 30, 2033.” The previously enacted legislation set aside $10 million to fund the military psychedelic studies. Last month, the House Armed Services Committee approved its version of NDAA and an attached report that calls on military officials to pay greater attention to potential “access pathways” to psychedelic therapies for servicemembers. Citing a psychedelics executive order signed by Trump in April, the panel urged DOD leaders to “remain informed of lawful research and access pathways relevant to post-traumatic stress disorder and other serious mental health conditions affecting servicemembers during post-deployment and transition periods, and members of the Reserve Components and National Guard who also serve as first responders.” That includes studies on “psilocybin-containing investigational products, including naturally derived whole-mushroom formulations administered in structured therapeutic settings,” the report that the panel approved to be attached to NDAA says. The panel is directing the secretary of defense to issue a report by February 1, 2027 that assesses data on such trials, along with an assessment of “legal and regulatory requirements for expanded access,” including under Trump’s psychedelics executive order as well as a Right to Try law the president signed during his first term in office. The secretary’s report would also need to include a “proposed timeline for potential pilot activities or expanded clinical research beginning in fiscal year 2027, and for any broader implementation thereafter.” The second psychedelics amendment approved on the House floor last week, sponsored by Luttrell, Correa and Rulli, along with Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), would codify info federal law parts of the executive order Trump signed in April. It would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate an official within 90 days of passage to oversee activities related to “emerging therapeutic interventions” such as ibogaine and other psychedelics, and to coordinate with other federal agencies to do so. VA would also be directed to submit a report to Congress within 60 days, and then again every two years, on activities related to “emerging therapeutic interventions, including psychedelic-assisted therapies.” It would separately need to work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to issue a report within 180 days on progress toward implementing Trump’s psychedelics executive order. The amendment also directs the department to create a workforce implementation-readiness plan for psychedelics and other emerging therapeutic interventions. The LCB contributed reporting from Washington, D.C. The post AOC Touts The ‘Promise’ Of Psychedelics To Treat Mental Health Conditions As Reform Amendments Advance In Congress appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Covering the costs of medical marijuana through workers’ compensation could be a “viable” option that improves health outcomes and leads to voluntary reductions in opioid use, according to a study led by Colorado state officials. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC) conducted the first-of-its-kind experiment as part of its Alternative Pain Management Program, following a rigorously screened chronic pain patient for a year to assess the potential impact of medical cannabis reimbursements. The study, published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, resulted in “meaningful life improvements,” no adverse events and voluntary reductions in opioid use. The patient who received compensation for non-inhalable cannabis reported lower pain levels, as well as improved physical functioning, quality of life and psychosocial stability. The reduction in opioid use, which did not involve any tapering requirements, was initially “modest.” “Due to improved symptom control under clinical supervision, the participant voluntarily reduced monthly opioid intake by 17%,” Colorado officials said. “Since the final compilation of the study’s data, the participant successfully transitioned off both opioids and THC completely, relying only on less psychoactive cannabinoids.” “This program evaluation suggests that medical cannabis reimbursement may be a viable option for very select workers’ compensation patients,” the study says. “Data revealed clear, measurable reductions in pain alongside significant improvements in physical function, overall mobility, and quality of life.” While the “primary goal” of the study wasn’t related to opioid use, the researchers said the “improved symptom control under clinical supervision” was associated with a 17 percent voluntary reduction in opioid intake. What’s more, since the 12-month study was completed, the patient “successfully transitioned off both opioids and THC completely, relying only on less psychoactive cannabinoids,” DOWC said. Ethan Moses, medical director of DOWC, told local media outlet Westword that “the medical literature is really quite mixed on the efficacy of cannabis for lots of health conditions,” in large part because marijuana has long been classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). That’s changed under the Trump administration for medical marijuana authorized for patients as part of state programs, which is now Schedule III—though cannabis remains in Schedule I for recreational use, pending the outcome of an administrative hearing. Still, while the Colorado study established potential viability for medical marijuana coverage through workers’ compensation programs, there’s “no way in which we can require insurance companies to do this,” Moses said. “That’s why having this program be voluntary was key for the patient, insurance company and primary caring physician,” he said. “When compared to opioids, I think some insurance companies would be interested in medical cannabis. They may want to consider medical cannabis in order to offset the costs of settlements.” “The program demonstrated the feasibility of reimbursing medical cannabis under a coordinated care model.” Last month, a congressional committee voted to prevent federal employees from having medical marijuana covered under their workers’ compensation programs—regardless of the administration’s move to reschedule cannabis. Colorado’s agency-led study might have been a first of its kind in design, but past research has supported the idea that medical cannabis access could come with unique benefits in the workplace. For example, legalizing medical marijuana appears to be associated with reduced rates of employees missing work—particularly in trades like manufacturing and agriculture where workers are more likely to experience symptoms such as pain that cannabis can help treat—according to a recent study. — 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. — Research published last year on marijuana legalization’s effect on workers’ compensation also found that while the policy change was associated with a “gradual increase” in workers’ comp claims, the average cost per claim in fact fell after the policy change—as did patient use of prescription drugs, especially opioids and other painkillers. In 2021, a separate study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that adult-use cannabis legalization was associated with an increase in workforce productivity and decrease in workplace injuries. Those researchers looked at the impact of recreational cannabis legalization on workers’ compensation claims among older adults, observing declines in such filings “both in terms of the propensity to receive benefits and benefit amount” in states that have enacted the policy change. They further identified “complementary declines in non-traumatic workplace injury rates and the incidence of work-limiting disabilities” in legal states. “We offer evidence that the primary driver of these reductions [in workers’ compensation] is an improvement in work capacity, likely due to access to an additional form of pain management therapy,” says the earlier study, which received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). A 2020 study, meanwhile, found that legalizing medical marijuana led to fewer and cheaper workers’ compensation claims. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati Ash Blue College and Temple University concluded that permitting medical cannabis “can allow workers to better manage symptoms associated with workplace injuries and illnesses and, in turn, reduce need for [workers’ compensation].” Also that year, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a pair of cases concerning workers’ compensation for medical marijuana. Other research from 2023 into employee marijuana use found that workers who used the drug off the clock were no more likely to experience workplace injuries compared to those who didn’t consume cannabis at all. However, people who indulged during work hours are nearly twice as likely to be involved in a workplace incident than both non-users and off-duty users. Separately, a 2024 analysis of five years’ worth of federal health survey data by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that employees in the food service and hospitality industries were some of the most common consumers of marijuana among U.S. workers. People in arts, design, entertainment, sports and media occupations also reported comparatively high rates of past-month cannabis use, as did workers in construction and extraction. Among those least likely to report marijuana use, meanwhile, were law enforcement, health care providers and workers in libraries and education. The post Covering Medical Marijuana Through Workers’ Compensation Can Improve Health And Reduce Opioid Use, Government Study Suggests appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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GOP congressman circulates new hemp bill; DE gov signs cannabis beverage legislation; Marijuana businesses want NY gov to veto labor bill 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 Former Attorney General William Barr argues in a new op-ed co-authored with Smart Approaches to Marijuana’s CEO that “there is no credible evidence that marijuana is effective treatment for any medical condition” and that cannabis “poses horrific health risks.” “Rescheduling marijuana would create the false impression that it is safe, would reduce penalties for peddling the drug illegally and would give those who purvey it legally a huge tax windfall.” Rep. James Comer (R-KY) is circulating another new draft bill to keep hemp THC products federally legal and institute some regulations—including packaging requirements, testing rules and age limits. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer (D) signed a bill to regulate and tax hemp-derived THC beverages—including with an age limit and subjecting the products to state packaging, labeling, advertising and testing rules. The Cannabis Association of New York is pressing Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) to veto legislation that would create a new Cannabis Wage Board charged with recommending minimum hourly wages for marijuana industry workers. / FEDERAL The Drug Enforcement Administration posted updated “Drug Fact Cards.” The Senate marijuana banking bill got four new cosponsors for a total of seven. / STATES Kentucky regulators published guidance about renewing medical cannabis cards. The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development will begin accepting applications for the cannabis revenue-funded Community Reinvestment Grants program on August 3. Michigan regulators established a new item category for dual chamber vape carts in the state’s marijuana tracking system. Minnesota regulators sent a newsletter with updates about various cannabis issues. The U.S. Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on Thursday. Utah regulators will begin accepting applications for an additional independent medical cannabis pharmacy license on Monday. — 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 Charlotte, North Carolina police are facing a federal lawsuit from a man who claims he was unlawfully arrested while smoking legal hemp. / INTERNATIONAL Canada’s Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer clarified the government’s estimate of cost savings from reforms to medical cannabis compensation policies for military veterans. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “the legalization of cannabis did not appear to increase the number of cannabis-related hospitalizations among children and youth in Manitoba” Canada. A review concluded that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy “may have applicability beyond PTSD, with potential benefits for [complex] PTSD” and borderline personality disorder. / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The National Craft Cannabis Coalition is surveying marijuana businesses about their experiences registering with the Drug Enforcement Administration under rescheduling. An American Enterprise Institute senior fellow authored an op-ed criticizing New York’s marijuana legalization law. / BUSINESS FLUENT Corp. shareholders approved the company’s acquisition by Vireo Growth Inc. Tilray Brands, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $281.7 million and a net loss of $37.9 million. SNDL Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$235.8 million and a net loss of C$7.8 million. Jushi Holdings Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $71.3 million and a net loss of $7.3 million. Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. shares began trading following a 14:1 consolidation. / CULTURE A cannabis-themed Jay and Silent Bob video game is being developed. 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 Former Trump AG warns against cannabis rescheduling (Newsletter: July 30, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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A former U.S. attorney general who served during President Donald Trump’s first term says marijuana “poses horrific health risks,” has no medical value and should not be rescheduled under federal law. “Rescheduling marijuana would create the false impression that it is safe, would reduce penalties for peddling the drug illegally and would give those who purvey it legally a huge tax windfall,” William Barr wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post on Wednesday that was coauthored by Kevin Sabet, CEO of the prohibitionist organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “That would be a disaster.” The op-ed comes as the Trump administration is moving ahead with cannabis rescheduling. Under an order issued by U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in April, marijuana products regulated by a state medical cannabis license immediately moved from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III, as did any marijuana products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An administrative hearing is considering broader marijuana rescheduling, with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) charged with defending the cannabis reform highlighting testimony on marijuana’s medical benefits and its relative safety compared to other substances such as alcohol and opioids. That included appearances from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientist and a medical doctor from New Hampshire who detailed how medical marijuana provides relief to pain patients and can serve as an alternative to opioids. But Sabet and Barr, who was attorney general under Trump from 2019-2020, argued that “evidence presented at the hearing utterly failed to support rescheduling marijuana” and instead “confirmed what decades of data have shown: Raw marijuana has no scientifically established medical value and carries a high risk of abuse.” After parties in the hearing filed their closing briefs, the DEA administrative law judge overseeing the proceedings will issue a recommendation on rescheduling, and the agency’s administrator will then make a final determination. DEA Administrator Terrance Cole invited only organizations and people who oppose marijuana reform to join the hearing as designated participants—telling supporters that they do not meet the definition of an “interested person” to participate because they are not “adversely affected or aggrieved by any rule or proposed rule issuable.” — 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 new op-ed from the former attorney general says the “stakes couldn’t be higher,” arguing that “today’s marijuana is more dangerous than ever before” and is “addictive,” rattling off a list of alleged harms to mental and physical health. “These health consequences are the predictable result of a highly potent, addictive drug being normalized, commercialized and marketed as medicine,” Barr and Sabet claim. “It would be one thing if marijuana had medical value. But there is no credible evidence that marijuana is effective treatment for any medical condition, notwithstanding the millions of dollars spent trying to prove otherwise.” The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2023 published a 252-analysis concluding that marijuana does have accepted medical value and should be rescheduled. The new opposition piece also says that “rescheduling would unlock enormous revenue for the corporate marijuana industry by putting the drug into a category not covered by a long-standing restriction on federal tax deductions,” referring to a law known as 280E that blocks sellers of Schedule I and II substances from writing business expenses off their taxes. “That would, in turn, allow the industry to spend even more on advertising and marketing to young people,” Barr and Sabet wrote, arguing that “those who would loose this dragon on society are laying the groundwork for another Big Tobacco.” Sabet’s organization, SAM, is one of several parties challenging the marijuana rescheduling process with several lawsuits that have been consolidated by a federal appeals court. Those separate pieces of litigation against the cannabis reform have been filed by state attorneys general, marijuana legalization opponents and a cannabis-focused biopharmaceutical corporation. The suit from SAM was signed by attorneys at Torridon Law PLLC, where Barr is a partner. The group had announced in January that it was hiring Barr’s firm to legally combat cannabis rescheduling after Tump signed an executive order directing officials to complete the process expeditiously. During his time in office under the first Trump administration, Barr was accused by a Justice Department official of directing improper antitrust investigations into multiple cannabis company mergers—accounting for nearly one-third of the division’s cases in 2019. Several Democratic members of Congress filed a resolution the following calling for an inquiry into Barr’s possible impeachment, saying he “abused the power of his office” to improperly investigate marijuana businesses while allegedly engaging in other unlawful conduct. The post Marijuana Has ‘Horrific Health Risks’ And No Medical Value, Former Trump Attorney General Claims appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Delaware’s governor has signed a bill that seeks to regulate hemp-derived THC beverages—including with an age limit, potency restrictions and taxes. Gov. Matt Meyer (D) signed HB 373 from Rep. Debra Heffernan (D) into law last week and announced the action on Tuesday. The legislation as enacted restricts sales of hemp THC drinks to people aged 21 and older. Beverages would be limited to 10 milligrams of delta-9 THC per single-serving container and a maximum of 60 milligrams per package containing multiple single-serving drinks. Large-sized 750 milliliter bottles could have up to 170 milligrams of delta-9 THC. Single-serving THC drinks would be taxed at 50 cents each, while 750 milliliter bottles would receive an $8.50 tax. Hemp THC drinks could only be sold to consumers at licensed liquor stores or marijuana dispensaries. Products would also need to meet state packaging, labeling, advertising, testing, sampling and safety standards. An amendment that was added to the bill by the Senate before its final passage clarifies that the legislation does not “prohibit or restrict the manufacture, distribution, or sale of hemp products or cannabinoid products that are not infused beverages, provided that such products are produced and sold in compliance with applicable federal and State hemp laws or regulations and any other applicable State or federal food, drug, consumer safety, or other regulations.” — 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 bill as signed contains a sunset clause, however, that says legal hemp beverage sales will terminate in the state if federal restrictions take effect that would make it so any “beverage authorized or regulated under this Act would be classified as a controlled substance under Federal law.” Hemp derivatives with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed during his first term in office. But late last year, the president signed new legislation containing provisions that will redefine hemp to make it so only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12. Several members of Congress have filed bills to delay or alter the planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, and the Trump administration has called for similar action, but those efforts have not yet gained traction with House or Senate leadership. Meanwhile, in Delaware, the state’s top marijuana regulator recently touted changes to cannabis policies that lawmakers passed this session—including the hemp beverage bill—saying they will “further strengthen” the state’s regulatory framework. In May, Meyer signed a bill to let terminally ill patients use medical cannabis in hospitals. Under the reform, patients and their caregivers will be responsible for acquiring and administering medical marijuana, and it will need to be stored securely at all times in a locked container. Smoking or vaping of medical cannabis will be prohibited, so patients will need to consume it via other methods. Facilities will 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 will 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.” Earlier this month, lawmakers voted to override the governor’s veto of a separate bill that would prevent local governments from imposing onerous zoning restrictions on marijuana businesses that make it more challenging for them 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. But when it comes to local control, Meyer aligned himself with county governments in a way that some lawmakers say is kneecapping the industry with zoning restrictions that limit the expansion of the commercial market. An additional piece of zoning-related legislation enacted this session clarifies that marijuana business spacing requirements apply only to retail dispensaries, letting non-retail operations like cultivation, manufacturing and testing facilities operate without additional spacing restrictions. — 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. — Separately, a House committee this session approved a bill to decriminalize public consumption of marijuana, but it didn’t advance further. 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. Last year, Meyer detailed a conversation he had with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) about regulating the marijuana industry—drawing a contrast between their respective responsibilities given the fact that Colorado is much larger with more local jurisdictions to interact with compared to Delaware, which has just three counties. 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 current 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. Regulators initially projected that recreational sales would start by last March, but complications related to securing an FBI fingerprint background check service code delayed the implementation. Lawmakers passed a bill to resolve the issue, and the FBI subsequently issued the code that the stat’s marijuana law requires. The post Delaware Governor Signs Bill To Regulate And Tax Hemp THC Drinks appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

A coalition of New York marijuana businesses are asking the state’s governor to veto legislation that would create a new Cannabis Wage Board charged with recommending minimum hourly wages for industry workers. The proposal would “create significant uncertainty for operators at a time when many are finally beginning to find their footing after years of regulatory delays, capital constraints, and continued competition from the illicit market,” an action alert sent by the Cannabis Association of New York (CANY) on Tuesday. “It poses particular risk to the small, equity businesses that are the backbone of our industry,” the group warned. The legislation, S10643 from Sen. Jessica Ramos (D) and A11562 from Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D), was passed by both chambers of the legislation in June and is on the way to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D). The proposal would create a three-member Cannabis Wage Board, with one member being a representative of the state’s licensed marijuana industry, one representing the New York State AFL-CIO and another being a member of the general public who is selected by the state labor commissioner to serve as chair of the new body. The board would issue a report to the governor and legislature with recommendations on minimum hourly wages for cannabis industry workers. “The report shall include specific recommendations for workers in each of the following areas: cultivation; processing and packaging; distribution; and retail and delivery,” the legislation says. “The board shall have the discretion to include specific recommendations for additional classifications of cannabis industry worker, and an industry-wide minimum wage for workers not captured within any specific classification, and shall have the discretion to determine that wages in the industry are adequate.” Before issuing its report, the board would be required to hold at least three public hearings and could “consult with cannabis employers, cannabis workers, and their respective representatives, in the occupation or occupations involved, and with such other persons, as it shall determine,” the legislation says. The legislation would also eliminate provisions from current law concerning labor peace agreements that marijuana businesses have been required to enter into with unions representing workers. Another section of the bill would require marijuana business license applicants to provide details on their “full ownership structure” and any management service agreements they are party to, as well as information on compensation and scheduled hours for each paid position. A justification memo attached to the bill says its provisions are aimed at “helping to ensure workers in the industry are treated fairly.” But CANY has concerns. “Legal sales are growing. Enforcement against illegal operators is gaining momentum. The Office of Cannabis Management is finally stabilized,” the action alert from the group says. “This is not the time to introduce another layer of uncertainty that could increase costs, make it harder for businesses to compete, and ultimately push consumers back toward the illicit 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 March, the governor marked the five-year anniversary of adult-use marijuana legalization in New York, highlighting $3.3 billion in retail sales, the opening of more than 600 licensed cannabis shops and achievements in promoting social equity in the industry while taking steps to mitigate the illicit market. In May, New York marijuana officials began accepting applications from licensed dispensaries that want to host temporary cannabis farmers’ markets and pop-up events, known as “Cannabis Showcase Events.” In January, meanwhile, New York regulators released a set of reports providing a 2025 end-of-year status update on the evolution of the state’s medical and adult-use marijuana markets—touting record sales, revenue hauls for state coffers, licensing approvals, equity initiatives and more. The OCM annual report also notes that Hochul signed legislation into law that expands the state’s medical cannabis program by improving patient access and “updating the program framework to better meet patient needs statewide.” Also this year, New York senators approved a bill related to reciprocity for out-of-state medical marijuana patients and the availability of pre-rolled joints in the medical cannabis market—even though the state has already enacted those reforms separately. In February, the sponsor of the bill separately introduced legislation that would allow New York liquor and wine stores to obtain a permit to sell low-dose cannabis-infused drinks at their businesses. Also, the governor in February signed legislation into law that revises zoning requirements for licensed marijuana businesses, granting more flexibility to retailers located within certain distances of schools and places of worship. The post Marijuana Businesses Ask New York Governor To Veto Bill On Minimum Wage For Industry Workers appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Another Republican congressman is circulating legislation that would delay a planned federal ban on hemp THC products and institute some regulations—including packaging requirements, testing rules and age limits. Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has not yet formally filed the proposal, but Marijuana Moment obtained a draft version of the bill. Hemp derivatives with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed during his first term in office. But late last year, the president signed new legislation containing provisions that will redefine hemp to make it so only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12. The draft measure from Comer says that the restrictions on hemp products could not take effect until a year after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) complies with a requirement of that law to publish a list of known cannabinoids in cannabis and provide guidance on the term “container.” The agency was supposed to provide those items by February of this year, but has not done so. Comer’s legislation would also explicitly ban sales of consumable hemp cannabinoid products to people under the age of 21, and would further require that legal products be derived “exclusively from hemp cultivated and processed within the United States.” Consumable hemp products could also only contain cannabinoids that are capable of being naturally produced by cannabis plants. Hemp products that have labeling that imitates trademarked brands or that is marketed toward appealing to children would also be prohibited. The secretary of health and human services would be directed to establish, within 180 days of the bill’s passage, uniform manufacturing and testing rules for hemp foods—including mandatory third-party laboratory testing and good manufacturing practice requirements. The secretary would also set requirements for child-resistant packaging and QR codes linking to laboratory test results. Another provision of Comer’s seven-page bill would codify coverage of hemp products covered under Medicare in line with an initiative launched by the Trump administration earlier this year. Comer’s office did not reply to Marijuana Moment’s request for comment for this story. Last week, another Kentucky Republican, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), filed a lengthier proposal to prevent the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products and put in place a number of regulations for manufacturing, labeling, sales and taxation of hemp-derived products, including an age limit of 21. A press release from the congressman’s office claimed that the White House supports the legislation, which is cosponsored by Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), but the administration has not specifically endorsed it despite generally calling for hemp regulations and backing a prior similar amendment filed by Barr. Trump and White House officials have in recent weeks repeatedly pressed Congress to delay, alter or reverse the ban. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) last month, for example, White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought said the Trump administration wants lawmakers to “ensure the fair treatment of hemp products”—specifically citing Barr’s earlier amendment to keep many hemp products legal while adding regulations and taxes. The administration “welcomes the opportunity to work with the Congress to, at a minimum, update the statutory definition of final hemp-derived cannabinoid products to allow Americans to benefit from access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products,” OMB separately said last month, “while preserving the Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose serious health risks.” Also in April, the president himself urged congressional lawmakers to again redefine hemp to avoid recriminalization of full-spectrum CBD products. “I am calling on Congress to update the Law to ensure that Americans can continue to access the full-spectrum CBD products they have come to rely on, and that help them, while preserving Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose Health risks,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “We must get this done RIGHT and FAST, especially for those who saw that CBD helps them,” he said. “Plus, I am told it will also help our GREAT FARMERS, who we love, and will always be there for.” Industry advocates say that the law as enacted last year not only threatens to prohibit intoxicating and synthetic cannabinoid products but also stands to remove popular full-spectrum CBD products that many Americans use therapeutically from the market. “ONE in FIVE adults used it in the past year, and many say it improved their chronic pain enormously,” the president said in his social media post, adding that hemp-derived CBD “has made a HUGE difference for so many people.” He also referenced a new initiative the administration launched in April to cover up to $500 worth of hemp-derived products each year for eligible Medicare patients. The program being implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) focuses largely on CBD but also allows products to have up to 3 milligrams of total THC per serving. A federal judge granted the government’s motion to dismiss marijuana legalization opponents’ lawsuit challenging the initiative, but that is being appealed. “In December, I signed a very important Executive Order calling for Research and Innovation for Hemp-derived CBD,” Trump said. “Our wonderful Dr. Mehmet Oz moved fast to follow the directive in the Executive Order, and launched a model for some Seniors earlier this month. But more must be done!” “Please get it done, and SOON,” the president said in reference to a congressional fix for the broad recriminalization set to take effect in November. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!” The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), an alcohol industry trade association issued praise for Barr’s bipartisan hemp regulation bill, but said the measure’s tax provisions require “continued discussion.” Hemp policy observers expect to see a Senate companion bill to Barr’s proposal filed as soon as this week, likely from Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Sheehy recently cited hemp legislation as an area where Republicans and Democrats can work together in an otherwise “hyperpartisan time.” — 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, a new poll from NuggMD found that most cannabis consumers say that state-level hemp product bans that lawmakers are enacting in line with the planned federal recriminalization move are causing them to shift their purchases toward licensed marijuana businesses. The National Restaurant Association recently sent a letter urging congressional leaders to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC beverages and replace it with a regulatory framework that “ensures consumer safety while meeting growing market demand” for the products as an alternative to alcohol. Major retailer Target, meanwhile, recently moved to expand its sales of hemp THC drinks into more states. Read the full text of the draft hemp bill below: The post GOP Lawmaker Circulates Another New Bill To Keep Hemp THC Products Federally Legal appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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ID medical marijuana campaign won’t challenge ballot denial; Poll: Hemp bans drive consumers to license cannabis biz; Marijuana taxes study 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 A new federal report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that more Americans now use marijuana on a near-daily basis than drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes every day or almost every day. An Idaho medical cannabis campaign that failed to qualify its legalization measure for the November ballot is pushing back against the secretary of state’s claims about its petitions—but says it won’t file a legal challenge. A new poll of marijuana consumers shows that most say state-level hemp product bans are causing them to shift purchases toward licensed cannabis businesses—but that nearly one in ten now have trouble accessing cannabinoid products. A new federally funded study found that setting marijuana taxes too high leads to reduced sales, and that “given the sizable illegal market, a large portion of the consumption reduction due to taxes may be offset by switching to illegal products.” / FEDERAL Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft cited presidents’ suspended enforcement of marijuana policies as a threat to the rule of law. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) sent a press release about his cosponsorship of a bill to federally legalize marijuana. / STATES Texas’s lieutenant governor and House speaker sent a letter supporting further steps to advance ibogaine research. A spokesperson for North Carolina’s House speaker said the fate of a hemp product restriction bill rests with the chamber’s Republican caucus. A Wisconsin representative discussed his support for medical cannabis but said he’s reluctant to support recreational marijuana legalization. Virginia’s cannabis violation tip line received more than four dozen complaints in its first few weeks. Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions against marijuana businesses. California regulators sent 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. — / INTERNATIONAL Canadian officials revised guidance on cannabis imports, odor mitigation and hemp policies. A Jersey lawmaker said cannabis prohibition “doesn’t necessarily work.” / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “marijuana can be helpful for symptom control and reducing the reliance on pharmaceuticals and may improve quality of life in patients with” inflammatory bowel disease. Case studies demonstrated “improvements in psychological and somatic symptoms following participation in” a psilocybin treatment protocol. / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. hosted a panel on psychedelics at its conference. / BUSINESS SNDL Inc. completed its acquisition of certain assets of Surterra Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates. Trulieve gave $250,000 to the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund. A federal judge denied Flower Shop’s motion to freeze National Labor Relations Board proceedings concerning allegedly unfair labor practices. / CULTURE ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said marijuana is a “performance-enhancing drug” and should be banned again by the National Basketball Association. 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 Daily cannabis use surpasses alcohol & cigarettes (Newsletter: July 29, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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