Marijuana Moment: Senators push to delay federal hemp THC ban (Newsletter: January 19, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

Medical marijuana protections head to Trump’s desk; SC medical cannabis push boosted by federal rescheduling; NJ homegrow bills

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Senate voted to send President Donald Trump a bill to continue protecting state medical cannabis laws from federal interference and without a separate rider that would have blocked the administration from rescheduling marijuana.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) filed a bill to delay the enactment of a law federally recriminalizing hemp THC products for another two years while lawmakers consider regulatory alternatives to prohibition.

A South Carolina Republican senator said federal marijuana rescheduling as directed by President Donald Trump could boost efforts to legalize medical cannabis at the state level.

New Jersey lawmakers filed bills to legalize home cultivation of marijuana by recreational consumers and medical cannabis patients.

The Indiana Senate Commerce and Technology Committee approved a bill to restrict and regulate hemp THC products.

The Missouri House Crime and Public Safety Committee held a hearing on legislation to align state hemp policy with recently approved federal restrictions.

The Michigan House Rules Committee held a hearing on a bill to establish a statewide cannabis reference laboratory to standardize and audit other testing facilities.

The Montana Department of Revenue reported that retailers have sold more than $1 billion worth of recreational marijuana products since legalization took effect in 2022.

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration filed a rule defining “cannabimimetic agents,” identifying 18 additional substances that meet the definition and consolidating existing administration controlled substances code numbers into a number for substances meeting the definition.

A spokesperson for Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said he’s “concerned that youth use has increased since medical marijuana was legalized in Oklahoma, and that reclassification sends the wrong message before the health impacts are fully understood.”

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a press release expressing disappointment that the House passed a funding bill containing a provision to continue blocking Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational marijuana sales.

Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) is being sued by the ex-wife of a former bodyguard who she has credited with  inspiring her work on psychedelics reform.

The House bill to delay the enactment of the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products got two new cosponsors for a total of 17.

/ STATES

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said in his State of the State address that he’s been “called many things—Colorado’s education governor, marijuana governor, tech bro governor, gay governor, socialist, fascist, communist, capitalist, libertarian.”

Tennessee’s lieutenant governor said he doesn’t support legalizing medical cannabis.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania held a hearing on hemp issues.

Massachusetts House and Senate lawmakers expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations to reconcile legislation to restructure the Cannabis Control Commission.

New Jersey’s Senate president introduced legislation to criminalize purchasing marijuana from a  seller that is not a licensed dispensary.

Delaware lawmakers filed a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in health care facilities.

An Oklahoma representative introduced a bill to protect medical cannabis patients from DUI charges when they are not actually impaired.

The Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security is auditing petitions for a proposed marijuana legalization ballot initiative.

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to packaging and labeling that is attractive to children.

Minnesota regulators published required reports to the legislature about various cannabis issues.

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/ LOCAL

The Virginia Beach, Virginia City Council received recommendations from a cannabis task force about preparing for potential statewide legalization of recreational marijuana sales.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has been labeled as a “priority target” by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

A Jersey lawmaker discussed the benefits of pending cannabis decriminalization legislation.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study provided “compelling evidence for the therapeutic potential of CBD oil in mitigating motor and cognitive deficits and neuropathological changes associated with” Alzheimer’s disease.

A study found that “about 10 % of Germans report to having cultivated cannabis at home.”

A study found that cannabis strains with THC and CBD “exhibit significant anticancer activity against [urothelial carcinoma] cell lines and ex vivo models.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Florida voters funded by the state Chamber of Commerce found that 51 percent support legalizing marijuana.

The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation changed its name to the Coalition for Cannabinoid Policy, Education, and Regulation.

/ BUSINESS

Verano Holdings Corp. announced that its revolving credit facility commitment was increased from $75 million to $100 million and that the maturity date was extended from September 29, 2028 to February 28, 2029.

/ CULTURE

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck spoke about ibogaine and other psychedelics with Joe Rogan.

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