Marijuana Moment: Former Trump official pushes hemp THC ban (Newsletter: July 13, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

GOP congressman: Marijuana makes you a “loser in life”; MA anti-cannabis measure faces challenge; Study: Medical marijuana for restless legs syndrome

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf sent a letter urging Congress not to reverse the scheduled recriminalization of hemp THC products, saying it would “embolden foreign criminal actors” linked to China and would “undermine public health.”

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) claimed that marijuana “hurts your DNA,” will “make you a loser in life” and leads to young women being “taken advantage of.”

• “There is not one positive effect of this marijuana.”

The Massachusetts State Ballot Law Commission is considering a new challenge to signatures for an initiative to roll back the state’s marijuana legalization law that other state officials certified to appear on the November ballot this week.

A study found that medical cannabis is “effective” in reducing the severity of restless legs syndrome.

• “Improvements were observed after 1 and 3 months of treatment and were maintained after 1 year among patients who continued therapy.”

A federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a concurring opinion in a gun case saying that the presumed link between cannabis and firearms “can no longer hold water in this era of widespread marijuana legalization.”

Minnesota Psychedelic Medicine Task Force Chair Jessica Nielson describes in a new op-ed how the state is on the verge of making psilocybin therapy available to patients who need it.

• “The question of whether to create a psilocybin therapeutic access program is not about if, but how it will be implemented.”

/ FEDERAL

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) discussed his support for legalizing marijuana and psychedelics.

/ STATES

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) signed budget legislation that allocates about $82 million in marijuana revenue to various programs.

Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidates agreed on opposing marijuana legalization during a debate.

Virginia current and former lawmakers continued to clash over accusations that budget legislation with provisions to legalize recreational marijuana sales inadvertently removed all cannabis penalties for a period of a year—though commonwealth’s attorneys who had initially expressed concerns about the issue say that actions taken by the Code Commission solved the problem.

Ohio lawmakers are considering legislation to allow single-license marijuana processors to apply for cultivator and dispensary permits.

Maryland regulators launched an initiative to connect social equity cannabis businesses with certified minority-owned suppliers.

Massachusetts regulators approved a stipulated agreement with a marijuana business over alleged violations.

Colorado marijuana regulators published a new dashboard that tracks open records requests.

New York’s health commissioner spoke on a panel about recent trends in emergency department visits related to cannabis use.

The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission will meet 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.
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/ LOCAL

Osseo, Minnesota hosted a town hall meeting about plans to open a municipal-owned marijuana dispensary.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Gandaki, Nepal lawmakers approved a bill to legalize cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial use.

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada’s mayor sent a letter to provincial officials in support of a cannabis club.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “cannabidiol alleviates traumatic brain injury-induced neuronal damage and cognitive deficits.”

A study of rats highlighted the “preventive effects of CBD- and THC-containing [cannabis oil] against early liver alterations associated with” metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Wall Street Journal editorial board noted California’s ongoing struggles to combat the illicit cannabis market under legalization.

The Niskasen Center published a report with recommendations on “building and fixing adult-use cannabis markets.”

/ BUSINESS

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. announced that exchange-traded options on its subordinate voting shares will commence trading on the Montréal Exchange on Monday.

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. was included on TIME’s list of America’s Best Companies 2026.

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