Trump’s drug czar says medical cannabis is “fantastic” for cancer patients (Newsletter: April 1, 2025)

NH gov on legalization; House committees talk marijuana-impaired driving; NC psychedelics; Study: CBD pillows aid sleep

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.

Email address:

Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…

Your good deed for the day: donate to an independent publisher like Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there. Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOW Sara Carter, President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, has called medical marijuana a “fantastic” treatment option for seriously ill patients and said she doesn’t have a “problem” with legalization. Two congressional committees discussed issues related to marijuana-impaired driving, with a representative of the trucking industry pushing for the use of hair follicle testing to detect cannabis consumption for longer periods of time. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said Oklahoma voters didn’t understand “what the consequences” would be of their decision to legalize medical cannabis, claiming it has led to “rising crime, human trafficking [and] illegal migration.”

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) reiterated her opposition to marijuana legalization, saying it could affect “quality of life” and “safety on our roadways”—but signaled she may be open to considering a separate bill to allow medical cannabis patients to grow their own medicine. Bipartisan North Carolina senators filed a bill to create a Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicine Task Force to study the “potential use of psychedelic medicine in addressing the State’s ongoing mental health crisis” and the “legal and regulatory pathways to the legalization of psychedelic medicines.” A study involving nurses who have trouble sleeping found that using CBD-coated pillowcases led to “improvements in sleep quality, mood and anxiety, highlighting its potential as a non-invasive intervention for shift workers.” / FEDERAL The Food and Drug Administration released a hold on a clinical trial on the use of whole psilocybin mushrooms to treat patients with PTSD, chronic pain and opioid addiction. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) discussed his support for cannabis banking legislation. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted, “Reschedule Cannabis!” / STATES Pennsylvania Gov, Josh Shapiro (D) tweeted, “It’s time to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge the records of people who’ve been convicted for nonviolent possession of small amounts of marijuana.” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) defended the state’s medical cannabis business licensing system from criticism. An Oklahoma bill to allow medical cannabis deliveries stalled, but other pieces of marijuana legislation are still alive for the session. A Florida appeals court dismissed a drug trafficking conviction in light of police dogs’ inability to differentiate between marijuana and hemp. Rhode Island’s top marijuana regulator said she expects to begin accepting applications for additional marijuana business licenses this year. Alaska regulators are proposing changes to rules on marijuana business license renewal fees. Missouri regulators issued guidance about online marijuana advertising. Illinois regulators published a bulletin on cannabis transportation and security issues. Oregon regulators published a bulletin about an armed burglary at a wholesale marijuana business. California regulators sent a reminder that marijuana products and advertising that could be attractive to children are prohibited. New York regulators posted a video about the four-year anniversary of marijuana legalization being signed into law. The Connecticut cannabis Social Equity Council will meet on Tuesday. — 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 Oakland, California’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on Thursday. / INTERNATIONAL The Korean National Assembly approved legislation to increase penalties for enticing or soliciting people to use illegal drugs. Bavaria, Germany’s interior minister is pushing to repeal the country’s marijuana legalization law. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study suggested that “medical cannabis may be beneficial for palliative cancer patients.” A study found that “the use of classical psychedelics leads to an increase in subjective well-being for the majority of the participants.” / BUSINESS MediPharm Labs Corp. reported quarterly revenue of C$12 million and a net operating loss of C$1.8 million. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. declared some of its tenants in default for failure to pay contractual rent in full. Lykos Therapeutics’s interim CEO is reportedly planning to step down.

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

Email address: