Alcohol companies lobby Congress on cannabis drinks (Newsletter: October 22, 2025)

*NJ governor candidates on marijuana; OH cannabis & hemp bill advances; PA
cannabis regulatory vote; Non-cannabis CBD developed from kitchen spice*

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.
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

*Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…*

*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*

New House and Senate lobbying reports show that alcohol companies and
industry groups are stepping up lobbying efforts around hemp drinks—also
detailing how major businesses like DoorDash and PayPal are engaged in
cannabis-related congressional advocacy.

As New Jersey voters prepare to elect a new governor, the candidates have
contrasting marijuana views—with Republican Jack Ciattarelli calling
cannabis a “gateway drug” and Democrat Mikie Sherrill voting for and
sponsoring reform legislation in Congress.

The Ohio House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to revise the state’s
voter-approved marijuana legalization law by removing some protections for
consumers and to restrict intoxicating hemp products.

The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee approved a bill to create a
Cannabis Control Board to oversee the existing medical marijuana program
and intoxicating hemp products—and which could also regulate the adult-use
market if broader legalization is enacted.

Researchers behind a new federally funded study developed a new class of
CBD-like compounds using the common kitchen spice caraway seeds—not cannabis—that
“not only prevented seizures and reduced seizure-related deaths but also
promoted healthier brain cell development.”

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission approved a timeline for
issuing new marijuana dispensary licenses, including to social equity
applicants and worker-owned cooperatives.

*/ FEDERAL*

The White House has paused the nomination process for President Donald
Trump’s nomination to be a federal judge in Florida amid his involvement in
an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of Medicaid funds to
campaign against a marijuana legalization initiative on the state’s 2024
ballot.

The U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control held a hearing on
Hezbollah’s ties to drug trafficking.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said that the Trump administration’s military strikes
against alleged drug boats “go against all our tradition.”

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) is calling
for a hearing on the Trump administration’s military attacks on suspected
drug boats.

*/ STATES*

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) announced that the state’s top cannabis
regulator is concluding her tenure.

A caller to Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s (R) radio show was hung up on in the
middle of making a point about medical cannabis legislation.

Ohio’s Senate president and House minority leader discussed the prospects
for passing hemp legislation.

The Maryland House Ways and Means Committee toured a cannabis processing
facility.

A Florida senator hosted a cannabis forum.

A former Delaware judge authored an op-ed about the “risks” of marijuana
legalization.

Louisiana regulators adopted changes to medical cannabis rules.

Illinois regulators held a hearing on proposed changes to cannabis rules.

Oklahoma regulators are delaying the launch of a new medical cannabis
portal.

Vermont regulators sent a reminder about new hemp product labeling
requirements.

Utah regulators sent various updates about the medical cannabis program.

Minnesota regulators will host an information session about cannabis
community restoration grants 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’s mayor said President Donald Trump’s threats to
send the National Guard to the city “will do nothing to get fentanyl off
the streets or make our city safer.”

A former Fall River, Massachusetts mayor was stabbed near the marijuana
dispensary he serves as CEO for.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Brazil’s agrarian development minister pressured Meta to reinstate banned
cannabis-related Instagram accounts.

Ten parties running in Netherlands elections support legalizing cannabis.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A review concluded that “cannabinoids are promising therapeutic targets in
the treatment of sepsis, as they improved survival, and reduced
inflammation and organ injury.”

A study found that “in a state [medical cannabis] program, barriers related
to MC access and cost indicated a significant increase in the likelihood of
[illicit medical cannabis] use.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Organigram Global Inc.s’ outgoing CEO will stay on longer as the company
completes an ongoing search for a replacement.

Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. has a new board of directors member.

*/ CULTURE*

Musician Jelly Roll picked a team in a college football game based on
marijuana, saying that “if this came down to the battle of the growers, I’m
riding in Michigan, baby… My favorite place to partake in recreational
activity in America.”

*Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your
inbox.*
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

The post Alcohol companies lobby Congress on cannabis drinks (Newsletter:
October 22, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.