Marijuana Moment: Cannabis is more morally acceptable than gambling, Americans say in poll (Newsletter: March 17, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

Feds not changing worker drug testing; FDA CBD policy; PA cannabis/hemp regs bill; NM psilocybin therapy funds; Study: Legal marijuana reduces crime

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Food and Drug Administration submitted a CBD products compliance and enforcement policy for review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

The Department of Health and Human Services said in a Federal Register notice that there will be no changes to federal workplace drug testing policies for now, as marijuana rescheduling remains pending.

• “The current authorized drug testing panels and required report nomenclature remain in effect.”

A new poll shows that more Americans say using marijuana is morally acceptable—or not a moral issue at all—than those who say the same about gambling, watching porn, having an abortion or being gay, and that people with lower levels of education have more moral concerns about cannabis.

The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee amended a bill to create a Cannabis Control Board to oversee medical marijuana and intoxicating hemp by adding in a new definition for hemp that mirrors recently approved federal restrictions.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed budget legislation allocating $630,000 to help low-income people access psilocybin therapy, with additional money supporting research on the psychedelic.

A new study on the impact of legalizing marijuana found that “medical legalization reduces property crime, while recreational legalization reduces violent crime.”

• “We also document the interesting phenomenon that effects on crime, when they do occur, manifest themselves powerfully after several years.”

The Missouri legislature’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules approved proposed regulations targeting bad actors in the state’s marijuana microbusiness licensing program—with key changes.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission delayed a decision on how to proceed with a lottery to award new marijuana dispensary licenses.

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic issued a warning about the country’s marijuana laws for U.S. travelers.

Former Drug Enforcement Administration Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Crotty said in a op-ed that “states with strict limits on the number of [marijuana] plants individuals can grow for recreational or medical use often experience fewer regulatory, law enforcement and black-market diversion issues than states with higher or no limits, suggesting that even at the micro-level, supply reduction can have important implications for public health and safety.”

/ STATES

West Virginia lawmakers sent Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) a bill to allow psilocybin-based medicines following federal approval.

The Massachusetts legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions will hold a hearing on a proposed ballot measure to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law on Monday.

Colorado regulators launched an ad campaign about the dangers of driving under the influence of psychedelics.

Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.

Minnesota regulators will begin accepting applications for lower-potency hemp edible retailer, manufacturer and wholesaler business licenses on April 1.

Ohio regulators are urging people to use cannabis and alcohol responsibly on St. Patrick’s Day and during March Madness..

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board will meet on Thursday.

New York officials will host a webinar about cannabis industry careers on March 25.

—
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

San Francisco, California officials are launching a push to allow cannabis cafes.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Colombian President Gustavo Petro suggested that former U.S. President Richard Nxixon “unleashed” marijuana prohibition to “attack his social and generational opposition,” including “the youth movements that opposed the Vietnam War.”

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of rats found that “CBD, which affects early indicators of inflammation, has the potential to become a new and safe, promising supportive drug for hepatic inflammation and steatosis treatment.”

A study found that “the observed increases in [cannabis use disorder] incidence and cohort-specific vulnerabilities in China suggest that prohibition alone may not fully prevent the emergence of cannabis-related disorders.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Boston Globe editorial board weighed in on marijuana companies that don’t pay their bills.

/ BUSINESS

Canopy Growth Corporation completed its acquisition of MTL Cannabis Corp.

Dispensary 33 workers ratified a five-year contract with Teamsters Local 777.

Cannabix Technologies Inc. began the commercial phased rollout of its Marijuana Breath Test system.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of $1.90 per share.

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