Marijuana Moment: Cannabis banking legislation filed in Congress (Newsletter: June 26, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

DEA defends HHC ban; NH lawmakers on overriding marijuana greenhouse veto; MA push to save legalization; VA advocates press gov on cannabis penalties

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Bipartisan groups of Senate and House members filed a marijuana banking bill that’s intended to ease the cannabis industry’s access to financial services.

The Drug Enforcement Administration filed briefs in response to lawsuits that claim the agency is improperly classifying the cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) as an illegal Schedule I substance and not as federally legal hemp—in defiance of Congress.

New Hampshire lawmakers are preparing a push to override Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s (R) veto of a bill to allow medical cannabis companies to cultivate in greenhouses, which they say would make marijuana more affordable and accessible for patients.

A coalition of Massachusetts marijuana business leaders, healthcare professionals and other advocates  launched a campaign to defeat an initiative to roll back that state’s cannabis legalization law that is expected to appear on the November ballot.

Marijuana reform advocates are pressing Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to remove budget provisions that would dramatically increase penalties for public cannabis use—citing new data that shows enforcement is carried out on a racially disproportionate basis.

/ FEDERAL

The Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control held a hearing on “the risks posed by Mexican drug cartels to U.S. national security.”

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) tweeted, “President Trump is standing with Kentucky’s hemp farmers and the hardworking Americans in this industry. This administration is right: Congress must pass a responsible regulatory framework that provides certainty for hemp farmers and protects quality American jobs.”

Nebraska independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn tweeted, “People who consume marijuana should be able to purchase and possess firearms. This is common sense.”

/ STATES

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is calling for a criminal investigation into the Drug Enforcement Administration following reports that the agency allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach the streets while pursuing larger trafficking cases.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced the awarding of $227 million grant funding to support local efforts addressing the public health and safety impacts of cannabis legalization.

Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates discussed marijuana reform at a forum.

The Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on the “societal impacts of THC product consumption” on Tuesday.

A Pennsylvania representative discussed her legislation to restrict hemp THC products.

Illinois regulators published guidance about recently enacted cannabis reform legislation.

New York officials launched a new Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity.

—
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

The Sacramento, California City Council approved a proposal to create a five-year pilot program allowing on-site consumption lounges at licensed marijuana dispensaries.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Ireland’s minister of state at the Department of Health said the government has no plans to decriminalize all drugs in line with a legislative committee’s recommendation.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “after adult-use legalization and commercialization, doctor-recommended use decreased by more than half among past-month cannabis users, even as overall use remained stable,” suggesting that “legalization and commercialization in California may have altered patterns of medical utilization without reducing population-level use.”

A study of mice with an Angelman syndrome model found that “cannabidiol corrects sleep deficits and reduces spontaneous seizures.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Americans for Safe Access, Veterans Initiative-22, U.S. Pain Foundation, Realm of Caring, Montel Williams and other advocates sent a letter asking a Drug Enforcement Administration judge to reverse his decision to not allow livestreaming of the cannabis rescheduling hearing set to begin next week—following a similar request made earlier this week by Marijuana Moment.

/ BUSINESS

Glass House Brands Inc. has been approved to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

Ascend Wellness workers in Barry, Illinois went on strike.

Kansas City Cannabis Company is being sued for allegedly deceiving customers with hidden fees through the use of cashless ATMs.

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