Marijuana Moment: DOJ cannabis enforcement guidance revealed (Newsletter: December 4, 2025)

[Tokeativity]

TX medical marijuana expansion; Cannabis biz owner runs for Congress; Marijuana prisoner letter campaign; Study: Cannabis regs vs alcohol agencies

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Marijuana Moment obtained previously unpublished Biden-era cannabis enforcement guidance that was recently rescinded by the Trump administration—showing that the former president’s pardons had more far-reaching criminal justice impacts than was known, including a directive for prosecutors to be “extremely cautious” about pursuing further marijuana cases. 

• The document, surfaced via a Freedom of Information Act request, also has implications for medical marijuana patient protections and the federal law criminalizing gun possession by cannabis consumers.

Cannabis business owner Wanda James, who is running for Congress, said full federal legalization is the “only way to move forward with federal safety standards, interstate commerce, banking access, and national market stability.”

The Texas Department of State Health Services posted a new form for doctors to recommend adding medical marijuana qualifying conditions and for dispensaries to propose authorization of specific inhalation devices for low-THC cannabis.

The Last Prisoner Project is leading a holiday letter drive encouraging people to send messages of hope and support to those still behind bars for marijuana offenses—with one formerly incarcerated person saying that “the hardest moments were the ones when I felt cut off from the world.”

• “A single letter could break through that isolation. It reminded me that I still had value, that people on the outside hadn’t forgotten me.”

A new study funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control found that “cannabis regulatory agencies largely outperform alcohol regulatory agencies in terms of their articulated public health goals, activities, and policies.”

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), who is running for a Senate seat, argues in a new op-ed that the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products pushed by congressional Republicans is a “step backward” and that “farmers and small businesses need more guidance and regulatory certainty—not blanket bans.”

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration posted an op-ed written by a mom who says her son’s suicide “was caused by” marijuana dabbing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded grant funding to a research project on powdery mildew resistance in hemp.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tweeted, “Labeling people ‘narco-terrorists’ without proof just to justify killing them is not the law. It’s lunacy. This policy risks dragging America into another foreign war. We need transparency, oversight, and respect for the Constitution.” He also posted a document he said indicates that “Coast Guard records show that prior to the reign of ‘blow-them-to-smithereens’ 21 percent of boats stopped off the coast of Venezuela possessed NO drugs!”

Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) sent a letter that urged President Donald Trump not to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández for drug trafficking charges.

/ STATES

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering several bills to regulate intoxicating hemp products.

The Nebraska Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the voter-approved medical cannabis law. Separately, regulators voted to extend emergency medical marijuana rules for another 90 days.

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office is projecting the state will generate $631 million in cannabis tax revenues for fiscal year 2025-26.

A Massachusetts appeals court is allowing evidence to be dismissed from a case on alleged illegal marijuana sales, ruling that police conducted an unconstitutional search.

Oklahoma regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.

New Jersey regulators published a pamphlet about medical cannabis patient rights and protections.

The Maryland Department of Legislative Services published a briefing on cannabis and hemp issues for the 2026 session..

Arizona regulators published a list of certified medical cannabis testing laboratories.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Cannabis Advisory Board will meet on December 11.

—
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.
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/ INTERNATIONAL

Victoria, Australia lawmakers discussed ongoing efforts to legalize cannabis.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “all C. sativa extracts showed protective biological activity against toxicity caused by alpha-synuclein production, both in yeast cells and H4 cells.”

A study found that “microdosing psilocybin increased quality of original ideas.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Young Republicans of Texas adopted a resolution calling on officials to “classify all substances containing THC as illegal with appropriate exceptions for medical purposes.”

/ BUSINESS

Eaze laid off dozens of workers.

High Times is partnering with Hoodie Analytics on a cannabis e-commerce platform.

Washington, D.C. businesses sold $9 million worth of medical cannabis products in October.

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