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Most marijuana consumers believe that cannabis businesses that are no longer subject to a longstanding tax penalty due to the Trump administration’s federal rescheduling move should pass along the savings in the form of lower product prices, a new poll shows. Under an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code known as 280E, sellers of Schedule I and II substances are not eligible to take tax deductions and credits that are otherwise available to most businesses. As a result, operators in the cannabis industry often have extremely high effective tax rates. But under the Trump administration’s move to transfer marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), compliant cannabis operators will no longer be subject to 280E and will be able to finally deduct business expenses from their taxes. In a new poll, the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD asked consumers, “If cannabis companies get tax relief that comes with federal rescheduling, do you expect them to pass along the savings to you via lower prices?” Seventy-four percent said yes, they do expect marijuana businesses to lower their product prices in line with their new reduced operating expenses—compared to just 26 percent who expect the companies themselves to keep all the savings while maintaining current price levels. “Rising prices, high interest rates and a despondent job market are all squeezing consumers. They’re looking for relief wherever they can find it,” Tyler Elson, director of content at NuggMD, told Marijuana Moment. “And because cannabis banking and 280E have been such hot topics, many are aware of just how much cannabis companies stand to save if federal rescheduling brings tax relief.” The survey was based on interviews with 654 cannabis consumers who live in state-legal markets from October 8-15 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.83 percentage points. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS said in April that they plan to soon issue guidance on tax issues for marijuana businesses stemming from rescheduling, but that hasn’t yet happened. In their announcement about forthcoming guidance, IRS and Treasury said they “expect DOJ’s action to have significant positive tax consequences for businesses in the medical marijuana industry.” “Accordingly, rescheduling generally removes section 280E as a bar to claiming deductions and credits for businesses that as a result of the Final Order no longer traffic in Schedule I or II controlled substances under the CSA,” they said. The agencies did not specify when they expect to issue the forthcoming guidance. In May, a group of congressional Democrats sent a latter asking Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano to issue “prompt guidance” on tax issues for marijuana businesses in light of the Trump administration’s move to federally reschedule cannabis. On the other side of the debate, a pair of Republican lawmakers in June sent a letter to the treasury secretary saying they are “concerned” and “troubled” that marijuana businesses will be eligible for tax relief now that cannabis is being partially rescheduled under federal law. Earlier this year, the Congressional Research Service published a report on the 280E tax penalty’s application to the marijuana industry. The post Three Out Of Four Consumers Expect Marijuana Businesses To Lower Prices As Federal Rescheduling Provides Tax Relief, Poll Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“Becoming a credible healthcare category does not require whole-plant cannabinoid medicine to become indistinguishable from conventional pharmaceuticals.” By Matthew Myro Rothman, EM2P2 and CannaLnx For decades, the medical cannabis movement fought for something that should have been relatively simple: recognition that cannabis can be medicine. Patients fought for access. Physicians put their reputations on the line. Advocates changed state laws. Cultivators, breeders and dispensary operators built an industry while federal policy largely refused to acknowledge what millions of patients already knew. That fight is finally producing something closer to medical legitimacy: In April, the federal government moved qualifying state-regulated medical cannabis products from Schedule I to Schedule III. It’s an extraordinary acknowledgment from Washington that cannabis has accepted medical use. At the same time, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched a separate hearing process over the broader rescheduling of marijuana, proceedings with enormous implications for how federal law will ultimately treat cannabis beyond state medical programs, including the future of state-regulated adult-use markets. But legitimacy creates a new question for our industry, and we should be paying much more attention to it: Who gets to decide what cannabinoid healthcare looks like from here? The next cannabis fight will be less about legalization than about institutional power: who writes the rules, controls the data and builds the systems through which cannabinoid medicine enters American healthcare. Healthcare is made up of far more than medicines and doctors. It runs on standards, reimbursement systems, provider networks, clinical data, documentation, patient records, research protocols and trusted methods for exchanging information. Those systems determine which therapies are recognized, which providers participate, how patients access care and what information is considered credible. As cannabinoid medicine becomes more closely integrated with mainstream healthcare, those systems will have to exist here, too. The question is whether the cannabis industry helps build them—or eventually inherits systems designed by somebody else. Cannabis already has a body of medical knowledge This matters because medical cannabis is not arriving at healthcare’s doorstep empty-handed. Decades of state-regulated programs have produced an enormous body of practical knowledge about cannabinoid medicine. Patients have learned which formulations work for them. Clinicians have accumulated observations about dosing and outcomes. Breeders and cultivators have developed sophisticated knowledge of genetics and chemotypes. Dispensary professionals have spent years helping patients navigate products, delivery methods and cannabinoid ratios. All of this despite the federal government’s archaic rules restricting cannabis research for nearly a century. Much of that knowledge developed outside traditional clinical infrastructure because cannabis had no other choice. The challenge now is organizing and documenting it in ways that insurers, researchers, regulators and healthcare institutions can reliably use. If we fail to do that, a strange thing could happen: Cannabis could finally achieve the legitimacy the industry spent decades pursuing while much of the knowledge that built medical cannabis remains fragmented, underdocumented or pushed aside. That would be a tremendous loss. Healthcare integration should not require pharmaceutical assimilation Medical cannabis should meet healthcare expectations for safety, evidence, accountability and data integrity. Those expectations are appropriate. But becoming a credible healthcare category does not require whole-plant cannabinoid medicine to become indistinguishable from conventional pharmaceuticals. There is room for a parallel model: one that preserves state-regulated medical cannabis, patient choice and the expertise already developed within this industry while allowing secure interoperability with insurers, providers and the wider healthcare system. The goal should be for cannabinoid medicine to become a peer healthcare community: credible enough to stand alongside established medical institutions, capable of producing evidence those institutions can trust and equipped to participate in reimbursement and coordinated care. That requires infrastructure. Infrastructure determines who has a voice This is why the next phase of medical cannabis will be shaped by decisions that may initially sound boring: Who establishes standards? Who structures the data? How are outcomes documented? How are purchases validated for reimbursement? How do physicians, dispensaries, insurers and patients securely interact? Those decisions eventually become the architecture of an industry. In my work with the American Council of Cannabis Medicine (ACCM) and EM2P2 to develop the Next Frontier Pipeline, I have seen how much coordination this transition requires. Connecting cannabinoid medicine with healthcare means solving difficult questions around data standards, patient privacy, reimbursement, clinical evidence and interoperability. No single company or institution should answer those questions alone. The infrastructure connects patients, physicians, dispensaries, laboratories, insurers, employers, health networks and other stakeholders while supporting functions including reimbursement validation, standardized data exchange, real-world evidence and interoperability. I am obviously close to that work. But the larger point extends well beyond our platform. Cannabis needs infrastructure built with the participation of cannabis. The industry has an opportunity to organize its knowledge, establish credible standards and demonstrate that it can interact responsibly with mainstream healthcare without surrendering everything that made medical cannabis a distinct therapeutic community in the first place. Federal legitimacy was never supposed to be the finish line. It’s an invitation—and a warning—to build the systems that will determine how cannabinoid medicine functions for decades to come. The people who carried medical cannabis through prohibition should not be consulted after those systems are built. They should help design them now. The next victory will not simply be recognition that cannabis can be medicine. It will be a healthcare system capable of learning from what patients and practitioners already know—and putting that knowledge to work without erasing where it came from. Matthew Myro Rothman is the chief science officer at EM2P2 and CannaLnx, an intelligent health platform that connects patients, doctors, dispensaries and insurers to make medical cannabis care safe, data-driven, and reimbursable. The post Who Gets To Define the Future Of Cannabis Medicine? (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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A Massachusetts bill containing provisions aimed at increasing military veterans’ access to medical marijuana and adding new qualifying conditions to the state’s medical cannabis program is advancing in the legislature. The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved the House-passed measure last week, setting it up for expected floor consideration on Thursday. The large-scale supplemental budget bill that touches on a number of issues, including one section that would potentially allow veterans to receive a state medical cannabis card without having to get a recommendation from a doctor. The initial version of the legislation was filed by Gov. Maura Healey (D), though some provisions of her initial proposal were amended or removed by the House of Representatives last month. If the measure passes the Senate this week, and the House signs off on recent changes, it would then go to the governor to be signed into law. Because the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to prohibit its providers from filling out medical marijuana recommendation forms, many of their veteran patients are forced to either seek outside, often expensive physician consultations or go without legal access to medical cannabis. But under the legislation that is now advancing, veterans in Massachusetts would be able to become registered medical marijuana patients by providing state officials with “official documentation” from the federal Veterans Administration “indicating a diagnosis of a debilitating medical condition; provided, that the [Cannabis Control Commission (CCC)] shall not require a written or electronic certification from a healthcare professional.” In other words, VA doctors wouldn’t have to specifically recommend medical cannabis in order to help their patients get legal access and could instead just diagnose them with a qualifying condition under the state’s law. That latter clause of the provision in its current form is a change from Healey’s initial proposal, which had more simply read that veterans under statute could use VA diagnosis documentation to get medical marijuana “without the need for a written or electronic certification from a healthcare professional”—without any reference to CCC. The bill as approved by the House and the Senate committee also adds post-traumatic stress disorder, opioid use disorder and “a medical condition that produces chronic pain” to the definition of a “debilitating medical condition” that could qualify patents for medical cannabis. The version that was filed by the governor did not include opioid use disorder. While veterans and other adults over the age of 21 are already able to buy recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, medical cannabis purchases are exempt from sales, excise and municipal taxes that apply in the adult-use market. Medical patients also have higher purchase limits than adult-use consumers, and have access to higher potency products than are allowed in the recreational 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. — The governor’s measure, if enacted into law, will also help to ensure veterans’ continued access to cannabis if voters approve an initiative on Tuesday’s ballot to roll back recreational marijuana legalization. The measure would repeal laws allowing the regulated commercial sales of recreational cannabis and home cultivation while maintaining legal possession and continuing the medical marijuana system. Despite the anti-marijuana measure qualifying for the ballot, recent polls show that a majority of Massachusetts voters oppose Question 8. In April, Healey signed legislation to double the legal marijuana possession limit for adults and revise the regulatory framework for the state’s adult-use cannabis market. In 2024, the governor approved a military veterans-focused bill that includes provisions to create a psychedelics working group to study and make recommendations about the potential therapeutic benefits of substances like psilocybin and MDMA. The post Massachusetts Lawmakers Advance Bill To Let Military Veterans Get Medical Marijuana Without A Doctor’s Recommendation appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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Ted Cruz’s marijuana & voting joke; NH gov & challenger debate cannabis; Police groups oppose MA legalization rollback; Federal registration op-ed 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… Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there. Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) joked that Republicans can stave off a Democratic blue wave in this week’s midterm elections by tricking liberal voters with an offer of free marijuana edibles on Tuesday and pretending they don’t need to head to the polls until Wednesday. “All day Tuesday, they have free marijuana brownies at the YMCA.” New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) and Democratic opponent Cinde Warmington clashed on cannabis legalization at a debate, with the prohibitionist governor saying she is “not surprised that an opioid lobbyist would want to legalize recreation marijuana in this state, but I care deeply about our children.” The American Medical Association sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration raising concerns about scientific standards in the development of marijuana, kratom and other botanical drugs—while also supporting creation of a new “special schedule” to advance research on cannabis’s “potential medical utility.” The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers is urging Massachusetts voters to reject a ballot initiative to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law—and a group of more than 50 current and former law enforcement officials also signed a letter opposing the anti-cannabis measure. Americans for Safe Access’s Steph Sherer explains in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed what the federal government’s registration of more than 900 medical cannabis dispensaries means for patients, states and businesses. “For the first time, the federal government is recognizing and registering the medical cannabis dispensaries that patients fought to establish. This is a tremendous victory for patient access and an opportunity to build on 30 years of progress.” / FEDERAL The U.S. Sentencing Commission published an updated sentencing guidelines manual. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tweeted, “Marijuana use while breastfeeding may expose babies to THC and other chemicals through breast milk. These substances may increase the risk of problems with brain development.” / STATES Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) touted his mass cannabis pardon. Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher, currently a state senator, discussed her support for legalizing marijuana. The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic caucus tweeted, “Senate Republicans have blocked our efforts to address issues that will help Pennsylvanians. Including:… Adult-use cannabis.” A Nebraska judge upheld official misconduct convictions against a notary who worked on medical cannabis legalization initiative ballot petitions. California regulators are moving to adopt changes to rules on marijuana business license modifications. Illinois regulators published guidance on cannabis bundles and variety packs. Oklahoma’s departing top medical cannabis regulator discussed her thoughts on the state’s program after overseeing it for the past five years. Michigan regulators are accepting applications for a cannabis social equity grant program. Washington State regulators will consider changes to cannabis business rules on Wednesday. Colorado regulators will hold a hearing on proposed changes to psychedelics rules on Wednesday. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — / LOCAL Voters in several Oregon cities will decide on local ballot measures to tax or ban the sale of marijuana or psilocybin. / INTERNATIONAL Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered the government to establish a regulatory framework for cultivation and production of cannabis for medicinal, scientific, agricultural, horticultural and industrial purposes within three months. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “cannabis use among cancer patients is common” and that “most patients believe cannabis improves cancer-related symptoms, yet many do not discuss its use with healthcare providers.” A review concluded that “psilocybin has relatively low acute physiological toxicity and potential therapeutic value when administered in controlled settings with psychological support, and professional training and clear clinical governance is required.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The Houston Chronicle editorial board is urging Texas voters to support candidates who back marijuana legalization. / BUSINESS Cresco Labs Inc. shareholders approved creation of a new parent company and elected board of directors members. Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. acquired an equity stake and certain operating rights in Boone Town Provisions. 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 AMA voices cannabis concerns to federal officials (Newsletter: November 3, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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A national group representing Black police officers is joining with Massachusetts law enforcement officials in urging voters in the state to reject a ballot measure that would roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law. The National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) on Monday announced its endorsement for the No On 8 campaign as a group of more than 50 current and former law enforcement officials separately signed an open letter opposing the anti-cannabis initiative on Tuesday’s ballot. “A return to the prohibition and criminalizing of cannabis commerce will only increase demands on already over-burdened law enforcement resources and raise serious questions regarding enforcement priorities, consumer safety and the effective use of public resources,” NABLEO Chairman Lieutenant Charles Wilson (Ret.) said. Meanwhile, current and former police officials from Massachusetts and other states signed a letter arguing that “repealing legal, regulated sales would not eliminate demand for marijuana or meaningfully reduce its consumption” and would instead “only strip the market of the licensing, testing and accountability the current regulatory system provides, pushing transactions toward sellers with no age checks, no product standards, and no legal responsibility to consumers or the state.” “Many of us spent our careers enforcing marijuana laws,” the letter, signed by former Massachusetts State Trooper Karen Hawkes, former Assistant Attorney General John Amabile, former Massachusetts Juvenile Court First Justice Jay D. Blitzman and former Brockton Police Department Detective Kenneth Williams, among others, said. “We know firsthand what that system cost: resources diverted away from violent crime and toward low-level cannabis offenses, lack of visibility into an unregulated market, and no tools to hold sellers accountable when something went wrong.” “The 2016 vote to legalize and regulate marijuana changed that. A decade later, the evidence shows the current system is working. There is no good reason to go back… Recriminalizing nonmedical cannabis sales would pull police, prosecutors, courts and correctional resources back into enforcement against activity that licensed businesses in Massachusetts have been conducting safely and legally for years. These resources are better spent on issues like violence, impaired driving, illegal sales to minors and organized drug trafficking.” Two retired police officers with the group Law Enforcement Action Partnership separately authored an op-ed urging Massachusetts voters to reject the anti-marijuana ballot measure, arguing that “police already face considerable demands on their time and resources, and renewed cannabis enforcement would add to that burden.” Stop the Repeal Chairperson Ryan Dominguez said in a press release on Monday that Massachusetts has “one of the most strict enforcement laws in the country that keep cannabis sales within a regulated and age-gated system with product testing from seed to sale.” “We should not be pushing consumers toward sellers with no age checks, product standards or oversight,” he said. “We are grateful to have the support of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers in helping us to defeat this damaging ballot question that threatens public safety.” The law enforcement officials’ opposition to Question 8—which would repeal laws allowing the regulated commercial sales of recreational cannabis and home cultivation while maintaining legal possession and continuing the medical marijuana system—comes as a number of prominent elected officials are also speaking out against the measure. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) and GOP challenger Mike Minogue both recently said they support keeping marijuana sales legal, for example. Last month, more than 50 state lawmakers said they will be voting against the anti-marijuana ballot measure. That includes the House speaker and Senate president. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) both recently told Marijuana Moment that they will be voting against the anti-cannabis measure. “We could make improvements in the operations but legalizing cannabis is better than continuing an unregulated, underground market,” Warren said. “So I’m opposed to the repeal. I’m voting no on the ballot to repeal.” Markey, for his part, said the state’s marijuana legalization law that voters approved in 2016 continues to enjoy “overwhelming support.” “We’ve had debate,” he said. “The voters are satisfied at this moment with the experience that the state has had with it… I support keeping it on the books and overwhelmingly so do the people of Massachusetts.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) also recently urged voters to reject the measure, saying that “keeping marijuana legal in Massachusetts is both economic justice and racial justice policy.” Boston’s mayor also said she is voting against the initiative to roll back marijuana legalization. The City Council in Worcester—the state’s second-most populous municipality—passed a resolution urging voters to reject the anti-cannabis initiative. Broken Lizard, the comedy troupe behind films such as Super Troopers and Beerfest, recently launched a video ad that explains how Massachusetts residents who want to keep cannabis sales legal should vote on the measure given its confusing wording and path to the ballot. The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently passed a bill to increase military veterans’ access to medical marijuana by allowing them to receive patient cards without having to get a doctor’s recommendation and adding additional qualifying conditions. The post Police Groups Urge Massachusetts Voters To Keep Cannabis Sales Legal By Rejecting Ballot Measure appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

The American Medical Association (AMA) is urging federal officials to uphold “known and widely accepted scientific and clinical standards for testing safety and efficacy” of botanical drug products—including cannabis, kratom and other plant-derived substances—warning that political and commercial interests should not circumvent the standard approval process. It also says a “special schedule” should be developed to support research on marijuana’s “potential medical utility.” The physicians’ group sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week, arguing that “social and economic concerns and disputes should not be permitted to play a part” in the agency’s decision-making process on regulations for botanical drugs. “The AMA believes that political considerations or conflicts of interest should not be allowed to overrule scientific evidence in making policy decisions,” the letter to Grace R. Graham, FDA’s deputy commissioner for policy, legislation and international affairs, said. “These principles are particularly important in light of the growing use and public health harms related to a wide range of botanicals, including kratom, cannabis, kava, kanna, and other botanicals that are increasingly used by consumers for specious health claims made by their manufacturers or influencers.” AMA said in the letter, which was sent in response to a request for information about botanical drug products that FDA launched in September, that it was “pleased” to see recent moves by federal agencies to use emergency powers to schedule kratom-related compounds. When it comes to marijuana, AMA said it supports “adequate and well-controlled studies” of cannabinoids “in patients who have serious conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or animal model evidence suggests possible efficacy and the application of such results to the understanding and treatment of disease.” High-quality clinical trials and postmarket safety monitoring are essential. The AMA is urging the FDA to uphold rigorous, evidence-based standards and resist political considerations, conflicts of interest and commercial pressure that could put patients and the public at risk.… — AMA (@AmerMedicalAssn) October 30, 2026 While the doctors’ organization said in the letter that “cannabis is a dangerous drug and as such is a serious public health concern,” it also believes “there is a clear role for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the DEA, and the FDA to develop a special schedule and implement administrative procedures to facilitate grant applications and the conduct of well-designed clinical research involving cannabis and its potential medical utility.” In particular, the letter said AMA supports: Disseminating specific information for researchers on the development of safeguards for cannabis clinical research protocols and the development of a model informed consent form for institutional review board evaluation; Sufficient funding to support such clinical research and access for qualified investigators to adequate supplies of cannabis for clinical research purposes; and Confirming that cannabis of various and consistent strengths and/or placebo will be supplied by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to investigators registered with the DEA who are conducting bona fide clinical research studies that receive FDA approval, regardless of whether or not the NIH is the primary source of grant support. “The FDA approval process for drugs containing cannabis or other botanicals should not be short-circuited or circumvented merely because of anecdotal support or growing public use,” AMA cautioned. “Manufacturers increasingly tout their products as ‘botanical’ while—as the DEA emergency scheduling action demonstrates—their products are incredibly dangerous, synthesized drugs that pose imminent public health threats to consumers.” “While the AMA supports innovation in drug design and development, we also urge extreme caution about deviating from known and widely accepted scientific and clinical standards for testing safety and efficacy. In a time where social influencers, rogue telehealth companies, and ‘botanical health’ companies ply consumers with promises of cures from ‘natural’ products, the AMA urges FDA to continue to rely on time-tested quality and research standards that have protected American consumers for decades. The lack of standardization by manufacturers for consumer products has resulted in a dangerous, buyer-beware marketplace. Whether it is a product containing kratom, cannabis, or other botanicals, the AMA strongly recommends that the substance—and its derivatives—be regulated by the FDA, and that its safety and efficacy be determined through clinical trials before it can be marketed or prescribed as treatment for any condition.” AMA President Willie Underwood III said in a press release about the letter to FDA that “as botanical manufacturers develop increasingly potent products in everything from gummies and powders to oils and injections, consumers are becoming the real-world guinea pigs—and suffering tragic consequences, including dependence, substance use disorders, overdose, and death.” “Calling something ‘natural’ doesn’t make it safe,” he said. “We need science, not social media hype, to determine what belongs in our medicine cabinets.” Earlier this year, the AMA’ House of Delegates adopted two marijuana-related resolutions—one that advocates for a ban on flavored cannabis vaping products and another that recognizes the risks and potential therapeutic benefits of use among older adults. Those measures were the latest in a line of drug policy-related resolutions the body has advanced in recent years that oppose commercial marijuana legalization while backing expungement of cannabis records and supporting broad drug decriminalization, among stances on other issues. In 2024, for example, AMA delegates adopted a resolution endorsing broad drug decriminalization. The group’s delegates in 2022 voted to amend its policy position on marijuana—which continues to oppose legalization—to support the expungement of past cannabis convictions in states that have legalized the plant. In 2023, AMA members adopted resolutions advocating for psychedelics research, opposing the criminalization of kratom, calling for an end to the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine and supporting the continued inclusion of marijuana metabolites in employment-based drug tests. The post AMA Raises Concerns About Marijuana, Kratom And Other Botanical Drugs While Pushing ‘Special Schedule’ To Support Research appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

New Hampshire’s Republican governor and her Democratic opponent clashed over the issue of marijuana legalization at a debate, with the incumbent citing the challenger’s previous work as a lobbyist for a pharmaceutical company that manufactured opioids. Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) has made her opposition to legalizing marijuana clear in several recent interviews and speeches. Cinde Warmington, the Democrat running against her in Tuesday’s election, supports cannabis legalization. The two were asked about the issue at a debate on Thursday. Warmington said New Hampshire is the “Live Free Or Die” state, arguing that its residents “have made it perfectly clear that they want access to this product, which they can drive over state lines and purchase—and which they are doing, and they are paying enormous amounts of taxes in those states to access this product.” “This is a product that they should be able to purchase here in our state, properly regulated and taxed,” the Democrat who previously served on the New Hampshire Executive Council said. “Other states are doing this, and they’re doing it safely. And we can do it here in our state as well.” Ayotte replied that she is “not surprised that an opioid lobbyist would want to legalize recreation marijuana in this state, but I care deeply about our children.” Over two decades ago, Warmington worked on behalf of Purdue Pharma to oppose New Hampshire state legislation to place restrictions on the prescribing of OxyContin. “If you look at the research that has been done, the clinical data, unfortunately, the marijuana, the recreation marijuana, the commercial marijuana, the big marijuana—if you think about your parents or the marijuana when you were young, it’s so much higher in strength, and it’s causing addiction, especially in our young people and our young adults,” the governor said at the debate. “I’m concerned about the mental health of our young people in this state,” she said. “In fact, the scientific research that has been done on this is showing that is increasing mental illness, including schizophrenia and psychosis.” “So when we think about our quality of life here in New Hampshire, I do not think it’s the right direction,” the governor argued. “Go to a state where they’ve legalized marijuana. You walk down the street, and that’s all you smell is marijuana. It’s not good for our quality of life. It’s not good for our children or their mental health.” Warmington then said Ayotte is “just making this up.” “We’re not talking about selling cannabis products in our state to children. We’re talking about about adult use, and adults in our state—in the Live Free Or Die State—have made this decision,” she said. “Even the last governor had to acknowledge that the people of New Hampshire have made this decision,” Warmington said, referring to former Gov. Chris Sununu (R) who after opposing marijuana legalization for years proposed legislation to replace prohibition with state-controlled dispensaries that did not ultimately pass. “They want this product. They’re traveling across state lines in order to access it. We should be offering this product in our state,” the Democratic gubernatorial candidate said. “It should be properly taxed and regulated. There’s also a safety issue with people buying a product on the street as well.” The governor chimed in again, saying that “when you legalize a product, you send a very, very different message to our young people—and that’s a huge problem if we want to impact mental health in this state, and we want to protect our quality of life.” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley told Marijuana Moment after the debate that “while every other New England state has moved forward with marijuana legalization, Kelly Ayotte is still stuck giving Granite Staters a bizarre lecture about peer pressure.” The debate “made it clear that Ayotte would rather invent a boogeyman she calls ‘the BIG marijuana’ than explain why New Hampshire continues to leave millions in potential revenue on the table,” he said. Count how many times Kelly says "the" marijuana #NHPolitics pic.twitter.com/quIDWrzrFB — NH Democratic Party (@NHDems) October 30, 2026 Ayotte separately said at a recent forum that the issue of cannabis represents a “big difference'” between her and Warmington. “I don’t think that legalizing cannabis improves our quality of life,” she said. “I know often the argument is made, ‘well, there’s all of our neighbors are that way. Why shouldn’t we take this revenue?,'” she said. “I never say, ‘Oh, our neighbors are doing it, so we should do it.’ I think about my own children. I tell them, ‘Your friends are doing it, you’re doing it.'” “That’s not really a good standard,” Ayotte said. “We need to make sure we’re looking at our own quality of life and what is the right thing to do for New Hampshire. And when you legalize something, it does send a different message to our young people. So I worry about that and our quality of life. So this is just something we differ on, and I do not think that that revenue is one that comes without a deep cost for New Hampshire.” The governor also discussed her opposition to legalizing marijuana at an earlier debate with Warmington last month, arguing that cannabis revenue “comes at a huge cost.” “It comes at the cost of the mental health of our young people. It comes at the cost of our quality of life,” she said. “I don’t think following because our neighbors do something, we should do it. We have the same discussion with our kids, right? If if Johnny jumps off the bridge, are you going to jump off the bridge with it?” Warmington, on the other hand, said during the debate that “I support the the sale and legalization of cannabis as an additional revenue source in our state.” “I think it is really odd that we are sending our citizenry over state lines and paying millions and millions—tens of millions—of dollars to our neighboring state in taxes when that revenue should be here in our state,” she said. Warmington has previously discussed her support for legalizing marijuana, including at a town hall event last month when she said that “there is no reason why the citizens of New Hampshire should be driving across state borders to pay taxes to Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine to purchase a product that they obviously have stated that they want to have access to in our state.” Ayotte, for her part, recently vetoed legislation to allow businesses in the state’s existing medical cannabis program to cultivate in greenhouses. Her veto was overridden by lawmakers, however, and now the medical marijuana cultivation measure has become law despite her objections. In June, Warmington criticized Ayotte’s veto of the medical marijuana proposal. “Come on, Kelly. Shouldn’t we be trying to make health care more affordable for Granite Staters, not less?” said in a video posted to social media. “This bill would have made medical cannabis more affordable and more accessible to Granite Staters who really need it, and she vetoed it,” Warmington said. “But honestly, this is what we’ve come to expect from Kelly Ayotte. Look what she did to the Medicaid premiums. She increased them by up to $270 a month on the most vulnerable Granite Staters. She increased prescription co-pays when other costs are already going through the roof.” “New Hampshire deserves a governor who will fight to make sure we have lower health care costs and that health care is more accessible,” the Democratic candidate, who previously served as a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council, said. “That’s the bottom line.” In a veto statement on the medical marijuana greenhouse bill, the governor simply said, “I do not support expanding the cultivation of marijuana in our state.” — 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. — Ayotte has separately threatened to veto any marijuana legalization bill that reaches her desk. The governor said last year that her position on the reform would not change even as the federal government moved forward with rescheduling the plant. Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan. The post New Hampshire GOP Governor Bashes Democratic Challenger’s Marijuana Legalization Support, Calling Her An ‘Opioid Lobbyist’ appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is apparently so worried about a Democratic blue wave in this week’s midterm elections that he is suggesting tricking liberal voters into not showing up at the polls with a ruse about free marijuana brownies. While the GOP senator said Republicans should call their like-minded friends and relatives to encourage them to vote on Tuesday, they might want to take a different approach with certain liberal family members. “Your crazy Uncle Louis, who has a tattoo of Chairman Mao on his left buttocks, call him and say, ‘Louis, be sure to vote next Wednesday,” Cruz joked. “And all day Tuesday, they have free marijuana brownies at the YMCA.” Of course, Election Day is on Tuesday—so Cruz appears to be suggesting that Republican voters can trick their Democratic-leaning relatives into not voting by pretending they don’t need to show up to the polls until the next day and can instead indulge in free cannabis edibles on the day they in fact need to be casting their ballots. The comments, made on Friday at an event in support of Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), come as polling continues to show Democrats poised to retake a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and potentially the Senate as well. Cruz, for his part, has made a number of cannabis-related comments in the past. In a 2018 debate, he said that he thinks marijuana legalization “ought to be up to the states.” “I think Colorado can decide one way,” he said. “I think Texas can decide another.” In 2024, however, he suggested that the marijuana rescheduling proposal that was initiated by the then-Biden administration could lead to more people dying in car crashes from impaired driving. At the same time, Cruz has also been critical of recommended federal guidance on alcohol consumption. During an interview with Newsmax late last year, the senator drank a beer on camera and said federal health officials “can kiss my ass” if they decided to move forward with a plan to reduce the recommended maximum consumption of alcohol to two drinks per week. “What is it with liberals and wanting to control every damn aspect of your life?” said Cruz, who himself supports government bans on abortion and trans-affirming healthcare. “If they want us to drink two beers a week, frankly they can kiss my ass.” Cruz laid into a Biden judicial nominee during a 2022 Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, asserting that the judge had been a “partisan advocate for causes,” including “legalizing potent strains of marijuana.” Last year, Cruz was one of just two Republicans who joined about two dozen Democrats in a failed attempt to keep alive a spending bill amendment to prevent a ban on hemp products containing THC. “I have long believed that the regulation of hemp and marijuana products should rest with each individual state,” the senator said following the vote. “Reasonable minds can disagree, and a blanket federal prohibition disempowers the voters in each of the fifty States.” “A one-size-fits-all federal standard will undoubtedly create unintended consequences that harm consumers,” he said. “There is a vital need to protect children by, at a minimum, requiring that purchasers be 21 and prohibiting synthetics and dangerous foreign imports marketed to kids.” The post Ted Cruz Jokes About Tricking Democrats Into Not Voting By Offering Them Free Marijuana Brownies appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“For the first time, the federal government is recognizing and registering the medical cannabis dispensaries that patients fought to establish. This is a tremendous victory for patient access and an opportunity to build on 30 years of progress.” By Steph Sherer, Americans for Safe Access On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is moving forward with federal registrations for more than 900 state-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries across seven states. This marks a major implementation milestone under the attorney general’s order establishing a federal regulatory pathway for qualifying state medical cannabis activities under Schedule III. For medical cannabis patients, this is a historic achievement as we approach the 30th anniversary of California’s Proposition 215, the nation’s first statewide medical cannabis law. The federal government is now formally recognizing and registering the dispensaries that patients fought to establish, bringing decades of patient advocacy and state medical cannabis programs into a new era of federal recognition. Here are 10 things patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, cannabis providers and policymakers should know about this announcement. 1. This Is A Historic Victory For Medical Cannabis Patients. For the first time, DEA is registering state-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries under a federal framework that recognizes qualifying medical cannabis activity. Thirty years ago, patients turned to state governments to establish access to cannabis medicines because federal policy would not recognize their medical use. Today, the federal government is beginning to regulate those same state-established access systems. This progress builds on decades of patient advocacy, state policy development and efforts to establish standards for safe medical cannabis access. 2. More Than 900 Dispensaries Are Included In The First Round Of Federal Registrations. The initial registrations cover dispensaries in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The announcement’s scale is especially encouraging. Based on available state data, these seven states collectively have roughly 1,100 medical cannabis dispensing locations, although licensing structures and reporting methods differ. Florida alone has nearly 800 dispensing locations, and Mississippi has approximately 175 to 200 licensed or operating dispensaries. We do not yet know how many dispensaries applied, how many applications remain pending or how federal registrations correspond to individual state locations. Nevertheless, the announcement suggests substantial participation in the new federal framework. An important distinction is that six of the seven states have medical-only cannabis programs. Virginia permits adult-use possession but has not yet implemented adult-use retail sales. This means the initial registrations do not yet tell us how DEA will handle dispensaries in states with established dual medical and adult-use licensing systems. These registrations do not represent 900 newly opened dispensaries. They represent federal recognition of qualifying dispensaries operating under state medical cannabis systems. 3. Qualifying Medical Cannabis Is Now Being Regulated Under Schedule III. The attorney general’s order established Schedule III controls for certain qualifying medical cannabis products and activities, creating a federal pathway for state-licensed medical cannabis businesses to register with DEA. This represents a major change from the federal framework that historically treated state medical cannabis activity as Schedule I activity. However, the order does not move all cannabis into Schedule III. Cannabis activities outside its scope remain subject to Schedule I controls, and the broader federal rescheduling proceeding remains separate. Federal registration also does not authorize adult-use cannabis sales. 4. State Medical Cannabis Programs Are Becoming Part Of The Federal Regulatory System. One of the most significant aspects of this development is that federal regulators are building on existing state medical cannabis programs rather than requiring patients and states to abandon the systems they have established. Dispensaries must meet federal registration requirements in addition to applicable state requirements, including DEA’s pre-registration investigation and federal security, inventory and recordkeeping controls. Federal regulators are also reviewing applications from medical cannabis manufacturers and distributors, which are essential to maintaining the supply chains patients depend on. The continued recognition of state medical cannabis systems provides an opportunity to strengthen oversight while preserving established patient access. 5. Patients Should Maintain Their Medical Cannabis Documentation And Enrollment. The federal registration announcement does not eliminate state medical cannabis requirements or automatically enroll patients in a federal program. Patients should continue following the requirements of their state’s medical cannabis program, including maintaining applicable patient identification cards, healthcare provider certifications and other documentation. Patients who currently obtain their medicines through adult-use dispensaries should pay particular attention to whether their state offers a separate medical cannabis pathway. Maintaining medical documentation may become increasingly important as states distinguish federally qualifying medical cannabis activity from adult-use activity. 6. Federal Recognition Strengthens Opportunities To Advance Patients’ Rights. For decades, patients have faced discrimination involving employment, housing, healthcare and other essential services because they use cannabis medicines recommended by their healthcare providers. The new federal framework creates opportunities to challenge outdated policies and seek clarification of federal patient protections. However, federal registration does not automatically guarantee workplace accommodations, hospital access, housing protections or other rights. Americans for Safe Access has expanded its Patients’ Rights Campaign to the federal level to help patients understand changing laws, assert applicable protections, request individualized consideration, and document discrimination. 7. Important Barriers To Patient Access Remain. Federal dispensary registration is a significant achievement, but it does not automatically establish a nationwide medical cannabis program. Patients may still face different eligibility requirements, product availability, costs and legal protections depending on where they live. The announcement does not automatically authorize interstate transportation of cannabis, require insurance coverage or resolve restrictions affecting patients in federal housing, workplaces or healthcare facilities. These issues require additional federal guidance, state implementation, and, in some cases, congressional action. 8. The Next Challenge Is Implementing Federal Registration In States With Both Medical And Adult-Use Cannabis Programs. Six of the seven states included in the initial announcement have medical-only cannabis programs. Virginia has legalized adult-use possession, but retail sales have not yet begun. The next major test will be how federal registration works in states where medical and adult-use cannabis are regulated together or where patients rely on dispensaries holding both types of licenses. These states may need additional procedures to identify qualifying medical cannabis transactions, verify patient status and distinguish medical activity from adult-use activity. DOJ and DEA cannot directly change state licensing laws, but they can provide federal guidance and work with state regulators to identify compliant pathways for existing medical cannabis operators. States may also need to modify their licensing systems or regulations to accommodate federal requirements. ASA has already provided states with recommendations for preparing medical cannabis programs for federal regulation, preserving medical cannabis supply chains, supporting DEA registration and protecting patients during the transition. 9. Federal Registration Is Progress, But Congress Still Needs To Establish A National Medical Cannabis Program. DEA registration creates an important regulatory pathway, but it does not resolve every issue involved in integrating medical cannabis into the U.S. healthcare system. Americans for Safe Access has proposed the Medical Cannabis & Cannabinoid Act (MCCA) to build on this progress through a comprehensive national medical cannabis framework. The MCCA would establish a new Schedule VI for cannabis and cannabinoids and create an Office of Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Control within the Department of Health and Human Services. This framework would address patient access, product safety, research, healthcare integration, and patient protections, building on lessons learned from state medical cannabis programs. 10. The Next Congress Will Play A Critical Role In What Happens Next. With the midterm elections on Tuesday, DOJ’s announcement underscores the significance of federal medical cannabis policy for the next Congress. Federal agencies have begun implementing a new regulatory framework, but Congress will have opportunities to address outstanding questions involving patient protections, national access, healthcare integration and oversight of federal implementation. Through ASA’s Compassionate Candidate Campaign, candidates from every political party are invited to publicly commit to supporting comprehensive medical cannabis legislation and using congressional oversight to advance meaningful patient protections. The actions of the next Congress will determine how the progress achieved through rescheduling and registration translates into long-term healthcare policy. 30 Years Of Patient Progress And A New Era Of Federal Recognition For the first time, the federal government is recognizing and registering the medical cannabis dispensaries that patients fought to establish. This is a tremendous victory for patient access and an opportunity to build on 30 years of progress. Today’s announcement marks a historic achievement in the effort to bring medical cannabis into federal policy. It demonstrates that a federal regulatory framework can build on the program’s patients, healthcare professionals and states have spent decades creating. As we approach the 30th anniversary of California’s Proposition 215, there is reason for optimism about the future of medical cannabis in America. Federal recognition is advancing, new opportunities for patient protections are emerging and a foundation exists for building a comprehensive national medical cannabis program. The next phase is about building on this progress, protecting the access patients have established and making the benefits of federal recognition available to more patients across the country. Steph Sherer is the founder and executive director of Americans for Safe Access. The post What Does The Federal Government’s Registration Of 900+ Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Mean For Patients? (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

DEA rescheduling hearing brief; Hemp tariff bill in Congress; Alcohol lobbyists’ anti-hemp work; NH & KS candidates on marijuana 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 Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration has granted federal registration and protections to more than 900 medical cannabis dispensaries across the U.S. in line with the Trump administration’s rescheduling move. The Drug Enforcement Administration said it cannot grant federal registration and protections to medical cannabis businesses in states with dual-use licenses that also allow recreational marijuana or in states that let patients access medical cannabis with self-certifications. The Drug Enforcement Administration issued guidance saying that medical marijuana businesses that want to receive federal registration and protections have until late November to begin sourcing cannabis only from and to other companies that have also been granted or applied for registration in a timely fashion. The Drug Enforcement Administration filed a brief arguing that the Trump administration’s proposal to reschedule marijuana is not undermined by a recently published federal watchdog agency report that found “gaps” in the government’s process for evaluating controlled substances. “The Government respectfully requests that the Court give the GAO Report no weight.” The Drug Enforcement Administration posted a list showing that nearly 7,000 medical cannabis businesses have applied for federal protections under the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling move. Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR) filed a new bill to impose a substantial tariff on hemp being imported into the U.S. from China while also adding new testing requirements for cannabinoid products that are coming into the country. Lobbyists for major alcohol companies encouraged attorneys general from states across the country to press Congress to keep the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products on track, according to a new report based on emails obtained via public records requests. New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) reiterated her opposition to marijuana legalization ahead of Election Day—saying that “I don’t think that legalizing cannabis improves our quality of life” and that the revenue it generates comes at a “deep cost.” Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher said the Trump administration’s federal marijuana rescheduling move boosts efforts to legalize medical cannabis in the state. “I think there’s some things that look a little differently now with the federal-level rescheduling. That does create a little bit of a difference of attitude among some of my peers.” A Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation podcast highlighted marijuana businesses’ confusion about taking advantage of tax relief that comes with federal rescheduling while agencies still haven’t published guidance on the issue. Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission officials announced that two more medical marijuana dispensaries are set to open this week, and that regulators are stepping up efforts to educate doctors about the program. Former police officers Diane Goldstein and Karen Hawkes argue in a new op-ed that Massachusetts voters should reject a measure to roll back marijuana legalization on the November ballot. “Police already face considerable demands on their time and resources, and renewed cannabis enforcement would add to that burden.” / FEDERAL The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a report on oral fluid drug testing program case studies. New Hampshire U.S. Senate candidates Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and former Sen. John E. Sununu (R-NH) discussed their views on marijuana during a debate. / STATES Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, “a Halloween safety reminder: Keep cannabis gummies and suckers far away from Halloween candy. Not every gummy is for goblins!” California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton appeared on a cannabis podcast. South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jermaine Johnson discussed his support for legalizing medical cannabis. Texas Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin, currently a state representative, said Republicans’ moves to crack down on cannabis “didn’t seem like a very good political move when so many people are buying these products.” Pennsylvania’s attorney general touted enforcement actions against allegedly illegal sales of cannabis products at gas stations and convenience stores. A Virginia senator is asking the Committee on Privileges and Elections to investigate federal marijuana-related criminal allegations against the Senate president pro tempore. A Wisconsin senator authored an op-ed arguing that it’s time for the state to legalize marijuana. A former New Hampshire representative authored an op-ed criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington’s support for legalizing marijuana. A New York appeals court rejected a challenge to the state’s marijuana social equity business program. Several Oklahoma marijuana laws took effect, including measures classifying THC as a Schedule I substance, changing medical cannabis patient employment protections and enacting new labeling requirements. Tennessee regulators said an email appearing to announce that they lifted restrictions on hemp products was “fraudulent.” New Jersey regulators delayed an annual review of a cannabis social equity tax and took action on marijuana business issues. The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis met. Georgia regulators will consider medical cannabis business licensing on Wednesday. — Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments. Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access. — / LOCAL Portsmouth, Virginia’s police chief said he is the unnamed senior law enforcement official mentioned in a federal indictment of the state Senate president pro tempore who warned her to stop allegedly illegally selling marijuana. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study of rats found that “acute ingestion of CBD has prosexual effects, mainly manifested in sexual motivation, which were particularly evident in the sexually inhibited male rats.” A review concluded that “reductions in anhedonia…were consistently observed following psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy wherein two randomized clinical trials reported greater improvements in anhedonia relative to control or comparator groups.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS The National Sheriffs Association, National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and other groups sent a letter asking the Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration to permanently place the entire kratom plant and its preparations and analogues in Schedule I. / BUSINESS MariMed Inc. shareholders approved a proposed reverse stock split. Illinois retailers sold $118.6 million worth of legal recreational marijuana products in September. / CULTURE Bill Maher reacted to President Donald Trump calling him a “major pothead.” 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 Carlos Gracia. The post Feds grant protections to 900+ cannabis businesses—with major exceptions (Newsletter: November 2, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“Police already face considerable demands on their time and resources, and renewed cannabis enforcement would add to that burden.” by Diane Goldstein and Karen Hawkes, Law Enforcement Action Partnership via CommonWealth Beacon Ten years ago, Massachusetts voters made a clear choice about how the state should approach marijuana. After decades of policy defined by prohibition, their 2016 vote on a ballot question created a legal, regulated retail market for cannabis. For those of us in law enforcement, the vote prompted serious reflection. Many of us had spent our careers enforcing cannabis laws. But to what end? The question was not simply whether marijuana carried risks, but whether prohibition was an effective or appropriate response to those risks. We also had to consider the consequences of criminalizing conduct involving consenting adults. A hard look at the evidence and our own experience pointed toward a different approach. Legalization provided an alternative to prohibition, allowing adults to obtain cannabis through lawful businesses while reducing the need for criminal enforcement. With fewer resources devoted to low-level cannabis offenses, police could concentrate on more serious threats to public safety. In the decade since, Massachusetts has established a regulated market that provides adults with legal access to cannabis, subject to testing and consumer safeguards. But now voters are being asked to revisit that decision through Question 8, a ballot measure that would repeal the state’s adult-use cannabis retail system and move policy back toward prohibition. There appears to be little appetite among many in law enforcement for returning to the enforcement practices of the past. In conversations with current and former officers, we’ve heard a consistent concern: Police already face considerable demands on their time and resources, and renewed cannabis enforcement would add to that burden. That isn’t to say law enforcement has no concerns about cannabis use or the current market. Impaired driving, sales to minors, and unsafe products are legitimate public safety issues. But criminalizing cannabis commerce is not the same as addressing those harms. Renewed enforcement of cannabis prohibition could divert already limited law-enforcement resources from investigating violent crime, combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable members of our communities. A regulated retail market provides consumers with information and safeguards that can be difficult to ensure when transactions occur outside an established oversight system. According to figures cited by the campaign, 84 percent of Massachusetts cannabis consumers obtained their cannabis through legal channels in 2023, compared with approximately 61 percent in 2019. This shift suggests that many consumers have chosen the regulated market when given the opportunity. Three issues deserve particular attention in this debate: youth use, impaired driving and product safety. Each presents genuine challenges, and each calls for thoughtful public policy rather than a return to blanket prohibition. When it comes to protecting young people, Massachusetts has seen a substantial decline in reported cannabis use among public high school students. According to figures attributed to the state’s Youth Health Survey, past-30-day use fell from 30.2 percent in 2019 to 13 percent in 2025. Although this decline cannot necessarily be attributed to legalization, it challenges the assumption that a legal adult-use market inevitably leads to increased adolescent consumption. Licensed retailers are required to verify government-issued identification, providing one means of limiting sales to minors. Education, prevention and treatment remain essential, and revenue from legal cannabis sales helps support public health initiatives. Eliminating that revenue would create additional funding challenges. Impaired driving is also a serious concern. Cannabis can impair judgment and driving ability, and operating a vehicle while impaired remains illegal regardless of how marijuana is obtained. Repealing legal retail sales would not eliminate consumption or the possibility of impaired driving. Regulation currently provides opportunities for consumer warnings, public awareness campaigns, and law enforcement training. Massachusetts has dedicated nearly $5 million to campaigns addressing responsible consumption, impaired driving and related safety concerns. Product safety offers another reason to preserve effective consumer protections. Licensed cannabis products are subject to testing, potency and ingredient labeling, child-resistant packaging and tracking requirements. When a problem arises, regulators can trace products, investigate concerns and take corrective action. These protections help consumers make informed choices and provide mechanisms for responding to unsafe products. The challenge is to maintain appropriate standards without relying unnecessarily on criminal penalties. The work isn’t finished. We can continue improving consumer protections, public education, and efforts to prevent impaired driving. But criminalizing cannabis commerce is not the same as protecting the public. Law enforcement resources are better directed toward conduct that causes genuine harm rather than consensual transactions between adults. A decade ago, Massachusetts voters chose a different approach to cannabis policy. Whatever improvements may still be needed, returning to prohibition would raise serious questions about enforcement priorities, consumer safety, and the effective use of public resources. Those are questions voters deserve to consider carefully as they approach Question 8. Dianne Goldstein is a retired California police lieutenant and executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership. Karen Hawkes is a retired Massachusetts state trooper. This article first appeared on CommonWealth Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. The post Massachusetts Voters Should Keep Marijuana Sales Legal, Retired Cops Say (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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“We’ve also been doing some other educational work with the physicians…making sure that they’re comfortable with the patient registry and the different requirements under the law.” By Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector Two medical cannabis dispensaries are expected to open next week, bringing the total to five statewide, Alabama officials announced Thursday. Justin Aday, general counsel for the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, said one of the dispensaries will open in Bessemer and will be the third location of Callie’s Apothecary, the first medical cannabis dispensary to open in the state. It has operating locations in Montgomery and Talladega. Aday said the other dispensary is expected to open in Birmingham next week, the second location of Bama Bloom. It has an operating location in Athens and a third planned in Etowah County. “Altogether we have those two dispensary licensees that are operating. We have five cultivators who are operating, two processors are operating, two secure transporters and then of course the one state testing lab that we have,” Aday said. He projected the three open dispensaries would generate $130,000 to $140,000 in revenue in October. “The past two months, we’ve had a little over $120,000 monthly revenue, which is pretty good for a new market,” Sam Blakemore, chair of the commission said. The commission has awarded dispensary licenses to three companies, who can have three locations each. One license has yet to be awarded due to litigation, but there will be twelve dispensaries across the state under that license once all are awarded and operational. The third dispensary licensee, RJK Holdings, has locations planned in Oxford, Mobile and Daphne. “It’s been fully briefed. It’s before the court of civil appeals, and the court could issue a ruling on merits at any time,” said Mark Wilkerson, an attorney with the commission. At the program’s full capacity, it can also award five integrated facility licenses—businesses that can cultivate, process and dispense medical cannabis—which will bring the dispensary count up to 37. Litigation is still pending for those licensees, and the commission is far from awarding those licenses, Wilkerson said. The Alabama medical cannabis law, enacted in 2021, allows registered physicians to recommend cannabis for about 15 medical conditions, including cancer, depression, Parkinson’s Disease, PTSD, sickle-cell anemia, chronic pain and terminal diseases. People who suffer from the qualifying conditions must get approval from their physician and enter the patient registry in order to buy products at a dispensary. The approved product forms are restricted to tablets, tinctures, patches, oils and gel cubes (only peach flavor), with raw plant material and smokable forms remaining prohibited. As of Thursday, there are 83 physicians certified to recommend medical cannabis to patients in Alabama, according to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. Aday said 62 are registered with the AMCC, and the commission is “making contact” with the remaining physicians to ensure they get registered. “We’ve also been doing some other educational work with the physicians, and we will have another webinar next week for the physicians that the Board of Medical Examiners has approved, going through just the process, making sure that they’re comfortable with the patient registry and the different requirements under the law,” Aday said. He said more than 2,300 medical cannabis cards have been issued. John McMillan, director of the commission, also announced his intent to retire. Blakemore appointed several commissioners, and himself, to a transition committee to search for a replacement. “I think we’re going to open it up to all resumes from wherever we can find them, and we’re going to work with the personnel department to narrow it down,” Blakemore said. The transition committee will report its progress at the commission’s December meeting. This story was first published by Alabama Reflector. The post More Alabama Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Are Set To Open This Week, Officials Announce appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

“They’re all very anxious to see if relief is on the way and if we’re going to see that guidance from the IRS that basically directs what they can do.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent Missouri marijuana businesses had reason to celebrate in April when the federal officials moved medical marijuana into a less restrictive category of controlled substances. The federal order could also set marijuana companies on a path to substantial federal tax savings. For years, federal law has prevented many cannabis businesses from deducting ordinary expenses—including employee salaries, rent and other costs—when calculating their federal taxes. But months after the change, Missouri businesses still don’t know exactly how to claim those savings, especially if they sell both medical and recreational marijuana. That uncertainty was a key topic this month on the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation’s DCR OutLoud podcast, where leaders of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association said they’re waiting for federal tax officials to explain how the new rules will work. “Not only is the cannabis industry here in Missouri one of the most regulated industries, but it’s also one of the most taxed,” said Andrew Mullins, executive director of the association. The federal tax rule at the center of the debate is known as Section 280E. It generally prevents businesses that sell certain federally prohibited drugs from deducting everyday business expenses. This prohibition results in an effective income tax rate on marijuana businesses of as high as 80 percent, compared to the standard federal corporate rate of 21 percent. Missouri already allows licensed marijuana businesses to deduct those expenses on their state income tax returns, but the federal restriction has remained in place. The April order moved marijuana regulated under state medical licenses into Schedule III but left recreational marijuana in Schedule I. That leaves businesses that sell both types of cannabis with a difficult question: How much of their spending can they deduct? “Certainly they’re all very anxious to see if relief is on the way and if we’re going to see that guidance from the IRS that basically directs what they can do…” Mullins said. In late September, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service listed Section 280E guidance among their priorities for the coming fiscal year, which runs through September 2027. But the list includes more than 100 other tasks. Amy Moore, director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, said the federal order creates a particular challenge for states such as Missouri, where many businesses handle medical and recreational sales under the same license. “In our state, the difference between medical and just adult-use consumer product really only comes into play at that moment of sale when a particular tax rate is applied,” Moore said on the podcast. “But that [Department of Justice] order seems to be really organized around medical marijuana.” Drew Lammert, chair of the trade association’s government affairs committee, said businesses may have to make their own decisions about how to divide expenses between medical and recreational sales while they wait for federal guidance. Lammert is also the co-founder of High Fidelity Brands, where he says medical marijuana sales make up only 10 percent of the company’s business. “We are excited, but there’s also those questions of the unknowns,” he said, “and what does that mean for the 90 percent of adult use sales out there.” Separating the weed Missouri issues what it calls “comprehensive licenses,” allowing businesses to serve both medical marijuana patients and recreational customers. At cultivation facilities, plants also aren’t separated into medical and recreational categories as they grow. “That is the beauty of the comprehensive license,” Lammert said. “There’s a lot of burden taken away with trying to track two separate systems, medical versus adult use.” That arrangement makes operating a business simpler. But it could make the new federal tax rules harder to apply. If a company grows the same plants, uses the same staff and operates out of the same buildings to supply both medical patients and recreational customers, it must determine which costs belong to its medical business—the part that may qualify for federal tax deductions. “At retail, it’s simple,” Lammert said. “The person is either purchasing as a medical patient or purchasing as an adult-use consumer. But it gets a little more complicated when you go upstream to manufacturers and cultivators.” Lammert said his team has considered using the percentage of dispensary sales made to medical patients to estimate how much of the company’s growing and manufacturing costs should count toward its medical business. “These are just some of the things that I think we’re going to have to figure out if we don’t get any further distinction or guidance as to how comprehensive licenses are going to be handled under this new rescheduling order,” he said. Moore said she had heard another possible approach: using the medical share of sales across Missouri’s entire cannabis market to determine how much of each company’s expenses qualify. “I imagine that some licensees that have a higher percentage of medical would not be particularly satisfied with that,” she said. “I certainly don’t have any answers on how this is going to go.” The financial stakes could be substantial, Lammert said. “If all of a sudden our businesses are allowed to take those standard business deductions,” he said, “I can write off the 30 people we have at our corporate headquarters and all those salaries. The lease on our corporate office, all that now becomes deductible.” Preparing for tax season without answers The Treasury Department and IRS said in April that they expect the rescheduling order to have “significant positive tax consequences” for medical marijuana businesses. But Kevin Jednachowski, chief value officer of the Denver-based Mindtrix Accounting firm, told The Independent this month that companies need more than the federal order to file their tax returns—and it’s unclear when the IRS will get to the items on its to-do list. “Items slip,” Jednachowski wrote in a blog post on his website. “Some never get issued. The guidance, when it comes, may be narrower than the statements that preceded it.” Until federal officials explain how the new rules work, cannabis companies must decide how to plan for their tax bills. “Here is where the uncertainty turns into dollars,” he said. “If you are a C corporation, your last 2026 estimated payment is due Dec. 15.” If companies underpay, they’ll owe penalties and interest on top of the tax. But if they overpay, they might not see that money back from the IRS for a while. “There is no clean answer, and we are not going to pretend there is one,” Jednachowski said. “The position most operators can defend is to pay estimates on a basis you can support today, and document why.” Jednachowski recommends that businesses prepare three estimates of what they might owe in 2026. The first would assume nothing has changed and that the business receives no tax relief. The second would estimate the savings from medical marijuana sales, using a reasonable method to divide costs between medical and recreational operations. The third would calculate the largest tax savings the company could reasonably justify. Comparing those estimates would help companies understand how much money they might owe under different outcomes. “For many operators that gap is large enough to affect payroll, vendor terms, or a planned build-out,” he said. “Know how big the gap is today. Do not discover it in March.” He also recommends that companies start keeping detailed records of the costs tied to their medical operations, including employee time, facilities, inventory and fees. They should document how they divide shared expenses and keep the information supporting those decisions. That way, if federal officials eventually set different rules, businesses can adjust their calculations and explain how they arrived at their original figures. “If new guidance prescribes a different approach, you can adjust and show why,” he said. “If it doesn’t, you already have a documented position. Almost every scenario depends on being able to say which dollars belong to which side of the business.” This story was first published by Missouri Independent. Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images. The post Marijuana Businesses Face Tax Uncertainty While Awaiting Federal Rescheduling Guidance appeared first on Marijuana Moment. View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net

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