Marijuana Moment: White House drug czar says cannabis is “still illegal” after rescheduling (Newsletter: May 11, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

Study: Older adults see marijuana as Rx alternative; MN psilocybin amendment passes; LA psychedelic treatment vote; MA anti-cannabis ballot lawsuit

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Sara Carter Bailey clarified that marijuana is “still illegal” following the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling move.

• “Executive-level Schedule III allows for doctors and research and for medicine, for medicinal purposes.”

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control released guidance warning state medical cannabis businesses that they must register with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in order to avoid sanctions—up to and including revocation of state registrations.

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed an amendment to legalize the regulated therapeutic use of psilocybin for adults 21 and older.

The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a Senate-passed 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, ibogaine and MDMA.

A new federally funded study published by the American Medical Association found that “older adults are increasingly turning to cannabis for symptom management”—with many motivated to try marijuana “as an alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals due to concerns about adverse effects.”

• “As cannabis legalization becomes more widespread, older adults are increasingly turning to it not just for recreational use, but to manage symptoms associated with aging, including pain, sleep disturbances, and mental health concerns.”

Former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission general counsel Christine Baily argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that a legal challenge to a ballot measure to roll back cannabis legalization “has already served a vital public purpose” even if the state Supreme Judicial Court rejects the lawsuit.

• “The legal challenge will hopefully inform Massachusetts voters about what is at stake for the industry.”

Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA) visited a hemp business and pledged to help address farmers’ concerns about the looming federal recriminalization of hemp THC products as well as possible changes at the state level under legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales.

A Pennsylvania senator said his bill to create a new board to regulate medical cannabis and hemp is “laying the foundation” for recreational marijuana legalization, the push for which is bolstered by the Trump administration’s federal rescheduling move.

• “Some of our more conservative members are watching the president kind of wade into this, if you will. And times are changing pretty rapidly.”

Drug policy experts say the White House’s new National Drug Control Strategy reveals contradictions with some of the Trump administration’s actions on marijuana and in other areas of policy, including harm reduction.

NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano argues in a new op-ed that the Trump administration’s marijuana rescheduling move is an “important and welcome step forward” but “falls well short of the comprehensive changes necessary to provide nationwide relief to patients—and it fails to harmonize state and federal marijuana policy.”

• “Let’s hope it doesn’t take federal officials another 50 years to act accordingly.”

/ FEDERAL

Senate and House lawmakers sent letters urging federal officials to reverse Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guidance ending funding for drug harm reduction measures.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) wrote in an op-ed about why he won’t switch parties that he remains “pro-weed.”

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) is pressing the Food and Drug Administration about its support for psychedelics through its National Priority Voucher program.

The House bill to protect people from being evicted from public housing for marijuana got one new cosponsor for a total of one.

/ STATES

California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to failure to list allergens on ingredients lists.

The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet’s Office of the Inspector General issued a report finding that regulators’ medical cannabis business licensing process was “fair and transparent.”

Illinois regulators published guidance on child-resistant cannabis product packaging rules.

Texas regulators issued a correction to previously announced medical cannabis business licensing scores and awards.

California regulators are conducting a survey about how federal marijuana rescheduling will affect the state’s regulated cannabis market.

Arkansas regulators renewed almost all of the state’s medical cannabis business licenses while delaying a few over paperwork issues.

Massachusetts regulators are hosting a cannabis industry career fair on May 20.

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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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL

The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Prince Edward Island, Canada’s health minister wants to increase the minimum legal age for cannabis.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “alternatives to opioids, such as cannabis, are desired by patients and physicians alike.”

A review concluded that “findings suggest a therapeutic potential of psychedelics for some aspects of symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder.”

/ BUSINESS

Cresco Labs Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $151.3 million and a net loss of $17 million.

Litigation accusing Cresco, Verano and Cannabist of mislabeling marijuana products to get around Illinois THC potency limits has been dismissed.

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