Marijuana Moment: Cannabis is safer than McDonald’s, senator says (Newsletter: April 20, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

Trump on psychedelics & marijuana rescheduling; New hemp bill lets states opt out of ban; TX cannabis poll; Study: Marijuana as sub for Rx drugs

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at boosting research on and expanding legal access to psychedelics such as psilocybin, ibogaine and MDMA for people struggling with mental health conditions.

• It will “facilitate fast rescheduling of any psychedelic drugs that become FDA approved,” he said.

President Donald Trump complained that the Department of Justice is “slow-walking” following through on rescheduling marijuana under an executive order he issued four months ago.

• “Will you get the rescheduling done, please?”

A wide range of lawmakers, officials and celebrities—from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to rapper Nicki Minaj—are praising President Donald Trump’s psychedelics executive order.

Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) filed a bill to let states and Indian tribes opt out of the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products that’s set to take effect in November.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) joked that cannabis is safer than McDonald’s french fries—saying that “I am the leader in the Senate for descheduling marijuana, but we should schedule McDonald’s french fries.”

• “I don’t know what they put on them. I think it is an illegal substance.”

The Louisiana Senate passed a bill to create a psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program, using opioid settlement dollars to fund clinical trials aimed at developing alternative treatments such as psilocybin and ibogaine.

A new poll shows that 75 percent of Texas voters support legal medical marijuana—including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents—but that they are largely unaware of the state’s existing program that provides limited access to cannabis for certain patients.

A new study of more than 3,500 patients found that “through the use of medical cannabis, patients were able to reduce the use of other prescription medications by an average of 84.5% across all categories”—including opioids, sleeping aids and antidepressants.

• “60.7% of patients report no longer experiencing medication-associated side effects due to the use of medical cannabis.”

An Ohio judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the enforcement of the state’s new intoxicating hemp THC product ban against two specific businesses.

A New Jersey law restricting the availability of intoxicating hemp THC products to licensed marijuana dispensaries took effect.

The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division announced a crackdown on companies that illegally sell cheaper and potentially hazardous hemp products as marijuana—citing “serious risks to public safety, market integrity and the tax revenue framework that supports Colorado’s regulated cannabis industry.”

/ FEDERAL

The Drug Enforcement Administration is promoting the inaugural Cannabis Use Disorder Prevention and Awareness Week.

Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) sent a letter asking President Donad Trump to “pursue avenues to expand access to ibogaine for our nation’s veterans” days before he issued an executive order on the issue.

/ STATES

Colorado lawmakers filed legislation to put a measure on the November ballot asking voters to overhaul marijuana taxation, testing and other rules.

A Virginia senator discussed strategy for addressing Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) amendments to her marijuana sales legalization bill.

A Pennsylvania senator said some of his colleagues “in conservative districts that are cautious to support something like adult-use cannabis.”

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products that contain the synthetic cannabinoids THC-O and THCP. Separately, they sent tips about celebrating 4/20 responsibly.

Colorado regulators sent a notice about avoiding driving under the influence on 4/20.

Illinois regulators adopted changes to medical cannabis rules.

Massachusetts regulators voted to freeze the issuance of cannabis cultivation licenses.

South Dakota’s medical cannabis patient count increased 62 percent over the past year.

New York regulators will host a listening session on marijuana 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

Former Chicago, Illinois Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) sought to pivot away from a marijuana question in an appearance on Bill Maher’s HBO show.

The Colorado Springs, Colorado deputy fire chief said revenue from legal marijuana sales “allows us to maintain our staffing levels and ultimately provide a safer community.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

Jamaican regulators launched a revised medical cannabis business licensing system.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study suggested that “CBD combined with etoposide represents a promising strategy to enhance treatment efficacy in [non-small cell lung cancer]—particularly in tumors retaining p53 function—by concurrently engaging autophagic/lysosomal cell death programs and suppressing oncogenic signaling beyond canonical cannabinoid pathways.”

A study found that “a single administration of psilocybin in an open-label context may produce short-term improvements in alcohol use and core predictors of clinical change.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s executive vice president of government affairs appeared on a cannabis podcast.

/ BUSINESS

WM Technology, Inc. reported preliminary quarterly revenue in the expected range of approximately $42 million to $44 million.

Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$28.7 million and a net loss and comprehensive loss of C$1.3 million.

SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor Financial reported quarterly revenue of $2.1 million and a net loss of $0.6 million.

Missouri retailers sold $131.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in March.

/ CULTURE

Snoop Dogg and Xzibit are opening additional marijuana dispensary locations in California.

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