GOP amendment targets cannabis rescheduling process (Newsletter: February 4, 2025)

Marijuana biz donated to Trump inaug.; DeSantis: Cannabis won’t be on FL 2026 ballot; VA psychedelics; Study: Beer drinkers open to cannabis beverages

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By starting a $10 per month pledge on Patreon—or about 45 cents per issue of this newsletter—you can help us rely less on ads to cover our expenses, hire more journalists and bring you even more marijuana news. https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) is sponsoring an amendment to undermine marijuana rescheduling by mandating that the Drug Enforcement Administration, and not the attorney general, sign scheduling rulemaking and requiring that an older test of “currently accepted medical value” be used. Curaleaf made a $250,000 donation to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee via the U.S. Cannabis Council, records show—and executives from other marijuana companies also attended events around the inauguration that had high prices of entry. Former Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal predicted the Trump administration will take a “bold stance” on psychedelics medicine for military veterans—adding that legal access to the substances could be available within a “couple of years.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is predicting that the state Supreme Court will not allow voters to decide on marijuana legalization on the ballot again—and he dodged a question about whether he would support a simple cannabis decriminalization plan. The Virginia Senate passed a bill to pave the way for psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans, and the House of Delegates advanced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales. New York senators filed a bill to decriminalize possession of all drugs, saying the aim is to “save lives and to help transform New York’s approach to drug use from one based on criminalization and stigma to one based on science and compassion.” Nevada lawmakers said they are hopeful they can pass legislation to legalize psychedelic therapy in 2025—with one assemblymember discussing how ketamine-assisted therapy helped him deal with his own mental health challenges. A study found that more than half of beer drinkers are willing to try marijuana-infused drinks—offering “novel insights into the target audience and market potential for cannabis-infused beverages that manufacturers and entrepreneurs can use in their business strategies.” Colorado Springs, Colorado officials are facing a lawsuit over an effort to overturn the voter-approved legalization of recreational marijuana sales by putting the issue back on the ballot months after it was decided. / FEDERAL President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico, ostensibly as a way to pressure the nations to take steps to stop the flow of illegal drugs. The tariffs on Mexico were paused after President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to place 10,000 soldiers on the border. The Canadian tariffs were paused after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to appoint a fentanyl czar and list cartels as terrorists. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) retweeted an AI-generated video depicting him smoking marijuana. / STATES New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) is supporting legislation to create a cannabis enforcement bureau. The Montana Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee approved a bill to slow licensing of new marijuana businesses. The Arizona Health & Human Services Committee advanced legislation to ban marijuana advertisements that could appeal to children. The South Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to lower the penalty for ingesting illegal drugs. Pennsylvania lawmakers discussed their views of how marijuana legalization legislation should be shaped. Hawaii lawmakers talked about the prospects of marijuana legalization legislation. Massachusetts regulators sent an alert about marijuana products with yeast and mold above acceptable limits. Colorado regulators issued a health and safety bulletin about potentially contaminated cannabis products. California regulators approved changes to cannabis tax rules. Maine regulators published guidance about various cannabis issues. Alaska regulators will hold a hearing on proposed changes to rules on testing marijuana for pesticides and heavy metals on Wednesday and Thursday. — 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 Several Minnesota cities are considering opening municipal marijuana dispensaries. The DuPage County, Illinois state’s attorney is dismissing charges affected by incorrect detection and quantification of THC testing. / INTERNATIONAL The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs is considering a proposal to place hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study found that “orthopedic patients are aware of THC- and CBD-based products, and the majority are willing to receive these products to help manage their musculoskeletal pain and orthopedic-related issues.” A study concluded that a drug compassion club in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada “appears to be a novel and promising approach to reducing overdose morbidity in high needs communities” and that “by promoting participant autonomy, regulating an unstable drug supply, and creating community, this intervention has reduced self-reported overdose risk and improved the health and social wellbeing of members.” / ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS A poll found that Maryland voters support Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) proposal to increase marijuana taxes, 60 percent to 34 percent. The Colorado Springs, Colorado editorial board is urging state lawmakers to pass a bill to restrict marijuana and psychedelics. / BUSINESS AYR Wellness Inc.’s chief financial officer is stepping down. TILT Holdings Inc. is divesting two dispensaries in Massachusetts. A federal court jury ruled that Curaleaf owes $32 million to Hello Farms over an allegedly breached purchase agreement. Cannabis companies like Acreage Holdings, The Cannabist Co., Cresco Labs, Verano and others are being sued for allegedly violating Illinois’s limits on THC content per package. MCR Labs is suing competitors over allegedly deceptive business practices.

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