AG misses cannabis & psychedelics research rule deadline (Newsletter: January 21, 2026)

*Congress wants CBP report on state-legal marijuana seizures; Book on
Trump’s rescheduling move; FL cannabis public smoking ban; SC hemp op-ed*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Attorney General Pam Bondi missed a congressionally mandated deadline to
issue guidelines for easing barriers to research on Schedule I substances
such as marijuana and psychedelics.

House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders released a funding bill
and attached reports that would require Customs and Border Protection to
provide a briefing on seizures of marijuana products from state-legal
businesses, direct a health agency to publish information about cannabinoid
hyperemesis syndrome and block transportation officials from encouraging
illegal drug or alcohol use in impaired driving PSAs.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) told Marijuana Moment that while there are “things
that look promising” about the Trump administration’s cannabis rescheduling
move, he is “very concerned about where the DOJ will land.”

- Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH), meanwhile said that marijuana banking
legislation remains “stacked ranked very low” as a priority “because we
just have a lot of irons in the fire right now.”

The Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved a bill to ban
smoking or vaping marijuana in public places, a development that comes as
an industry-funded campaign is seeking to place a recreational cannabis
legalization initiative on the November ballot.

David Spang of Coastal Green Wellness authored an op-ed calling on South
Carolina lawmakers to pass an amendment to create “a framework for
responsible regulations for hemp-derived consumable products.”

*/ FEDERAL*

The National Institute on Drug Abuse said in its newsletter that federal
marijuana rescheduling will “facilitate cannabis research.”

The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee removed mention of
marijuana and other substances from a bill requiring the Department of
Health and Human Services to study how frequently hospital emergency
departments test for fentanyl.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) spoke on the House floor about how hemp is “an
alternative crop to tobacco for Kentucky farmers.”

*/ STATES*

Florida’s attorney general announced 46 new criminal investigations related
to petitioning for a marijuana legalization initiative as well as the
issuance of four criminal subpoenas seeking records from the campaign and
its contractors and subcontractors. Separately, the campaign is urging the
state Supreme Court to allow its initiative to appear on the November
ballot.

A Pennsylvania representative said he is working to build support for a
bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare
facilities.

Tennessee lawmakers discussed pending marijuana legislation.

The officially listed proponent of a Maine initiative to roll back
marijuana legalization said he did not write it and was unaware it would
end legal recreational cannabis sales.

Massachusetts’s top marijuana regulator discussed efforts to reduce red
tape faced by cannabis businesses.

Utah regulators sent updates about the medical cannabis program.

Minnesota regulators sent a newsletter with various cannabis updates.

New Jersey regulators published a podcast episode about an official who
provides support to cannabis businesses.

The Alaska Marijuana Control Board Laboratory Testing Working Group will
meet on 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*

San Francisco, California regulators posted information about cannabis
grants.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to a lawmaker’s question about
pediatric medical cannabis access.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “legalization of medical marijuana is associated with lower
loan spreads, particularly for firms that are more dependent on labor,”
suggesting that “improved labor conditions serve as a key channel through
which the policy affects financing costs.”

A review concluded that “current evidence supports the short-term efficacy
and safety of psychedelic-assisted therapy for selected psychiatric
disorders, particularly depression and PTSD.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

A poll of U.S. adults found that 28 percent have positive attitudes toward
psychedelic therapy, 28 percent have negative attitudes and 44 percent have
neutral or mixed opinions.

*/ BUSINESS*

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is projecting unaudited quarterly net revenue of at
least $330 million.

Glass House Brands Inc. announced it is accelerating its 2026 expansion
plans.

Kazmira Therapeutics is launching what it calls “a first-of-its-kind,
prescription-only cannabinoid (CBD) pharmacy.”

*/ CULTURE*

Former basketball player Lamar Odom smelled of marijuana before he was
arrested for DUI, according to Nevada Highway Patrol officers.

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The post AG misses cannabis & psychedelics research rule deadline
(Newsletter: January 21, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.