Cannabis rescheduling testimony in Congress (Newsletter: April 7, 2026)

MA marijuana overhaul bill nears passage; ME cannabis lounge proposal defeated; How to handle high-THC marijuana?; MO psychedelics

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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 The House Small Business Committee heard testimony from a father of a child with a terminal illness about how marijuana rescheduling could “unlock research and healing, especially for rare diseases.” A Massachusetts legislature conference committee approved a bicameral deal on a bill to double the amount of marijuana a person can legally possess and to overhaul the Cannabis Control Commission. The Maine House of Representatives voted to kill a bill that would have allowed marijuana consumption lounges to operate in the state, subject to local approval. The pro-legalization Drug Policy Alliance published a report on how to address the potential risks of high-THC marijuana products without reverting to recriminalization policies favored by prohibitionist groups. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) vetoed a bill to allocate medical cannabis revenue that has gone unspent over concerns about federal law, but the state treasurer is now releasing the funds to support substance misuse treatment and law enforcement programs. The Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill to support research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine for military veterans and first responders. / FEDERAL The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy issued a health advisory about increasing reports detecting medetomidine in the illegal drug supply. / STATES West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) vetoed legislation to support ibogaine research. A former Indiana attorney general authored an op-ed criticizing Gov. Mike Braun’s (R) openness to legalizing medical cannabis. A Virginia senator expressed concerns about legalizing recreational marijuana sales. Maine lawmakers discussed a bill to establish medical cannabis testing and tracking requirements. An Ohio judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of new hemp product restrictions. Colorado regulators published guidance about marijuana businesses failing to pay the second annual payment for their two-year licenses or permits. Oklahoma regulators sent guidance about medical cannabis business compliance inspections. Minnesota’s top marijuana regulator discussed the first sixth months of legal recreational sales. California regulators published a list of authorized industrial hemp firms. The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska is seeking a development partner for its medical cannabis business. New York regulators took action against unlicensed cannabis businesses. Washington, D.C. officials shuttered more unlicensed cannabis businesses. The Alaska Marijuana Control Board Laboratory Testing Working Group 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. — / INTERNATIONAL Japanese police arrested a record-high number of people for marijuana last year. / SCIENCE & HEALTH A study “did not detect a statistically significant overall association between state nonmedical cannabis legalization and adolescent [cannabis use disorder]-coded inpatient discharges.” A study indicated that “CBD, at non-bactericidal levels, effectively suppresses multiple virulence mechanisms in [Listeria monocytogenes], highlighting its potential as a novel anti-virulence agent for food safety and therapeutic applications.” / BUSINESS Curaleaf violated federal law by refusing to bargain with a union, the National Labor Relations Board ruled. Missouri retailers sold $119.8 million worth of legal marijuana products in February.

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