Marijuana Moment: White House backs bill to keep hemp THC products legal, GOP sponsor says (Newsletter: July 23, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

Marijuana & insurance coverage bill filed in Senate; KY medical cannabis in hospitals; Study: Marijuana reduces opioid use

Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day.

Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…

Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.

If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Angie Craig (D-MN) filed a new bill to keep hemp THC products legal and replace the broad ban that’s currently set to take effect in November with a new system of federal regulations and taxes.

• The White House supports it, a press release from Barr’s office says.

Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) filed a bill to protect insurance companies from being punished for covering marijuana businesses.

The Kentucky legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Health Services held a hearing on a proposal to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals—a reform that is being adopted in a growing number of other states.

A new study found that “cannabis use for opioid withdrawal was significantly associated with self-reported reductions in opioid use.”

• “Immediate efforts to improve access to legal cannabis—especially for structurally-marginalized [people who use drugs] at highest risk of overdose—may offer a step towards reducing the health and social harms of opioid use.”

The Alabama State Committee of Public Health held a hearing on whether to reschedule marijuana under state law in line with the Trump administration’s federal move—hearing testimony from conservative activists who oppose the reform.

/ FEDERAL

Customs and Border Protection included marijuana in a list of “dangerous narcotics” as part of “drug interdictions that save lives.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum posted a video about heroin bottles in its collection from when the drug was used as a cough remedy.

Kansas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Noah Taylor discussed his support for marijuana legalization.

/ STATES

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) signed an ibogaine research bill.

Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidates agreed on supporting marijuana legalization during a debate.

Arizona regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to possible contamination with aspergillus.

Virginia regulators are facing an expected lawsuit over new hemp product restrictions.

Florida regulators withdrew proposed changes to medical cannabis business application rules.

Oklahoma regulators published guidance about the medical cannabis recall process.

A report from Maryland officials recommends broadening the cannabis-focused Office of Social Equity’s mandate.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission will meet on Friday.

The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board will meet on Friday.

—
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 Killeen, Texas City Council received an annual report on enforcement of the voter-approved local marijuana decriminalization law.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of people in recovery from substance use disorders found that “all participants believed cannabis was less addictive than alcohol, cigarettes, and cocaine, but Current-[cannabis users] believed cannabis was significantly less addictive than Former- and Never-CU.”

A study of cannabis cultivation found that “licensed farms consistently predict lower nearby unlicensed cultivation” and that “bans and enforcement shift cultivation rather than suppress it.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Nebraska adults found that 47 percent support legalizing recreational and medical marijuana, 37 percent back medical cannabis legalization only and 17 percent don’t want any form of legalization.

/ BUSINESS

Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. announced a 14:1 share consolidation.

/ CULTURE

Bill Maher spoke about how he uses marijuana as part of his creative process.

Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your inbox.

Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

The post White House backs bill to keep hemp THC products legal, GOP sponsor says (Newsletter: July 23, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.

View the live link on MarijuanaMoment.net