Marijuana Moment: Trump drug czar pushed to back full cannabis legalization (Newsletter: January 8, 2026)

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NH marijuana legalization bill passes; HI proposal for cannabis on ballot; FL medical marijuana patients’ parental rights; New Year’s resolution poll

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) is urging Sara Carter Bailey, who was confirmed this week as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, to back fully legalizing marijuana—going beyond the rescheduling order that President Donald Trump signed.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed bills to legalize marijuana and allow medical cannabis dispensaries to convert to for-profit businesses.

The chair of the Hawaii House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee said he plans to file legislation to put marijuana legalization on the ballot for voters to decide after bills to enact the reform have repeatedly failed in recent sessions.

A Florida representative filed a bill to protect medical cannabis patients’ parental rights, making it so courts could not “deny or otherwise restrict a parent’s custody of a child or the parent’s visitation rights or parenting time with a child based solely on the parent’s status as a qualified patient.”

A new poll on New Year’s resolutions shows that more Americans intend to quit or reduce their use of alcohol or tobacco than want to abstain from or cut down on marijuana consumption in 2026.

/ FEDERAL

The House bill to designate psychedelic therapy centers of excellence got one new cosponsor for a total of 22.

/ STATES

Wisconsin lawmakers discussed the prospects for marijuana reform.

A Nebraska senator said a proposed constitutional amendment to make it harder for lawmakers to amend voter-approved ballot initiatives would make it very difficult to implement medical cannabis legalization in a way that advocates support.

A Delaware representative spoke about his bill to decriminalize public marijuana consumption.

A Colorado House candidate founded a cannabis social equity organization.

Illinois officials are accepting applications for $50 million in marijuana revenue-funded grants to support projects to aid communities harmed by the “negative consequences of the war on drugs.”

New Jersey regulators sent a reminder about meetings this month to gather input on how cannabis social equity revenue should be allocated.

California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.

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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.

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/ INTERNATIONAL

A Czech Republic cannabis legalization law took effect.

Thai officials are planning to enact further restrictions on cannabis dispensaries.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “cannabinoids, especially CBD, may improve anxiety and sleep disturbances.”

A study found that medical cannabinoids “exert multi-target neuroprotection in ischemic stroke.”

A study concluded that “mushrooms have learned twice independently how to make the iconic magic mushroom natural product psilocybin.”

/ BUSINESS

TerrAscend workers are accusing the company of unfair labor practices.

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