Marijuana Moment: Senators step up push for hemp THC ban in November (Newsletter: August 7, 2026)

[Tokeativity]

Groups on both sides push Congress over hemp; NY gov signs marijuana farmers’ market bill; Study: CBD for athlete recovery

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) took to the Senate floor to urge colleagues not to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products—raising alarm about kids access’ and alleged harms to the workforce and military readiness.

Groups on both sides of the hemp debate—Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, National Association of Convenience Stores and the National Sheriffs’ Association—sent letters pressing Congress about whether or not to delay a scheduled ban on hemp THC products.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed a bill allowing marijuana microbusinesses to fully participate in cannabis farmers’ markets and pop-up events—giving them “a real chance to succeed in New York’s legal cannabis market.”

A new scientific review concluded that “CBD appears to have beneficial properties for sports recovery” as well as “potentially performance-enhancing properties in athletes.”

• “CBD has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and analgesic properties, which are potentially beneficial for athlete recovery.”

Aaron Edelheit of Mindset Capital argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that cannabis companies that are joining forces with prohibitionists to convince lawmakers to ban hemp THC products are engaged in a “self-defeating campaign” that is “helping those who have been at war with cannabis for decades.”

• “By aligning themselves with the prohibitionists they are now fighting the president of the United States.”

/ FEDERAL

Vice President JD Vance was reportedly expected to discuss issues around federally recriminalizing hemp THC products with Republican senators.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tweeted, “Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to a baby’s health and cause many serious problems. Find out why avoiding marijuana during pregnancy and breastfeeding can give your baby a healthier start in life.”

The Congressional Research Service included an analysis of hemp provisions in a report about the Farm Bill.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) tweeted, “We have to stop poisoning our children for the profit of intoxicating hemp merchants.”

/ STATES

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) touted enforcement efforts that have seized more than $168 million in illicit cannabis and tobacco products since 2019

A former advisor to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) was implicated by a co-defendant of allegedly helping out-of-state clients circumvent state rules on medical cannabis business ownership.

Pennsylvania’s attorney general sent a press release about a letter he signed asking Congress not to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products.

Colorado regulators adopted changes to marijuana tax rules.

Delaware’s top marijuana regulator provided an overview of the state’s first year of legal recreational sales.

A Massachusetts marijuana regulator discussed next steps for social consumption businesses.

U.S. Virgin Islands regulators approved marijuana manufacturing business license applicants to advance to the next stage of the process.

New Jersey regulators published tips for doctors about how to discuss cannabis with their patients.

Montana regulators sent a newsletter with various cannabis updates.

—
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

Newton, Massachusetts is being ordered by a state court to repay $2.4 million in “community impact fees” paid by marijuana businesses.

Los Angeles, California regulators sent a monthly cannabis newsletter.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Uruguayan officials are increasing legal marijuana prices.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of mice provided “novel in vivo evidence supporting the potential of cannabinoid-based formulations as adjunctive therapeutic approaches for [estrogen receptor]-positive breast cancer.”

A study found that “chronic oral cannabidiol delays seizure onset and reduces seizure burden in a mouse model of” late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Concerned Women for America tweeted, “Congress voted in November 2025 to ban dangerous hemp-derived THC products like Delta 8 from the market, yet now they may vote to delay that ban via an unrelated government funding bill. Thank you to @SenTedBuddNC and @SenatorRicketts for fighting to remove that provision from the continuing resolution. Congress should vote on their amendment and CWALAC will score in favor of it.”

/ BUSINESS

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $340.1 million.

Cresco Labs Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $173.3 million.

Cronos Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $53 million.

Native Roots is closing a Denver, Colorado facility and laying off 141 employees.

High Tide Inc. closed senior secured credit facilities in the aggregate principal amount of C$40 million.

/ CULTURE

The Shambhala music festival features on-site testing of drugs for contaminants.

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