Bill on Trump’s desk could ease cannabis research, congressman says (Newsletter: June 16, 2025)

*Congressional committee clarifies hemp ban; Warren presses Trump to end
marijuana arrests; AGs group’s hemp meeting; IA psilocybin veto*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Congress sent President Donald Trump a bill to permanently ban fentanyl
analogues—including additional provisions that Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
says would remove barriers to research on marijuana and other Schedule I
drugs.

The House Appropriations Committee adopted amended report language to
clarify that a spending bill provision to ban most consumable hemp-derived
products is not meant to affect “industrial or nonintoxicating hemp-derived
cannabinoid products with trace or insignificant amounts of THC.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) sent a
letter urging President Donald Trump to end “costly marijuana arrests” to
help address the “failures” of the Department of Government Efficiency’s
efforts to “identify and eliminate waste.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) vetoed a bill to let doctors prescribe a form of
psilocybin following federal approval, saying it “moves ahead of where our
public health systems, regulatory frameworks, and law enforcement
infrastructure are prepared to go at this time” and “surrenders state
authority to make an informed determination about classification to federal
officials.”

Facebook and Instagram appear to have stopped censoring searches for
marijuana-related content—ending a practice that had blocked users from
easily accessing pages for not only cannabis businesses, media outlets and
advocacy organizations, but also state regulatory agencies.

The Attorney General Alliance hosted an event on state-level regulation of
intoxicating hemp products—with participation by current and former
officials from Oregon, Florida, California and Nevada as well as
representatives of business and advocacy groups.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) played a key role in convincing lawmakers
to pass legislation positioning the state as a leader in psychedelics with
a $50 million investment to establish an ibogaine therapy research
consortium.

Delaware lawmakers are considering a bill to require hemp-derived THC
drinks to move through the state’s three-tier alcohol system and be sold
exclusively in liquor stores.

An Alabama judge will hold a hearing this month on a lawsuit seeking to
force the Medical Cannabis Commission to establish a patient registry after
long delays in the process.

The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp’s Chris Lindsey argues
in a new op-ed that Ohio lawmakers should address the “public health
crisis” of unregulated hemp products by requiring they only be sold in
licensed marijuana dispensaries, subject to “appropriate age restrictions,
testing requirements and consumer safeguards.”

*/ FEDERAL*

The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum posted a video about an
underwater smuggling tube it has in its collection.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) posted a video highlighting alleged drug crimes
committed by undocumented immigrants despite himself having been arrested
for marijuana.

*/ STATES*

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed a bill to amend various cannabis rules.

The Maine legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee
voted to increase the recreational marijuana sales tax from 10 percent to
14 percent while reducing the cannabis excise tax rate by one-third.
Separately, the Senate approved a bill to create a Cannabis Advisory
Council.

Florida House lawmakers are pushing to end regulators’ emergency medical
cannabis rulemaking powers.

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to
incomplete and incorrect regulatory compliance testing, as well as false
and misleading labeling. Separately, regulators are moving to permanently
ban hemp-derived THC products.

Delaware’s new top marijuana regulator said officials will soon announce
when recreational marijuana sales can launch.

New York regulators published guidance on marijuana track and trace issues.

New Jersey regulators threatened to suspend a marijuana business’s license
over alleged labor violations.

The University of Colorado Board of Regents is moving forward with the
process of censuring a member who owns a cannabis dispensary over alleged
attempts to influence Gov. Jared Polis (D) to defund an anti-marijuana
campaign that she felt showed Black people in a negative light.

Kentucky officials are facing questions about how medical cannabis use will
affect child custody issues.

Minnesota regulators sent a newsletter with several cannabis updates.

The Utah Medical Cannabis Policy Advisory Board 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*

New York City mayoral candidates were asked whether they think legal
cannabis dispensaries are “good for the city on balance.”

The San Diego, California City Council Economic Development and
Intergovernmental Relations Committee approved a proposal to extend opening
hours for marijuana dispensaries.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking interim release from
his detention at the International Criminal Court amid a trial for alleged
crimes against humanity during the nation’s bloody ‘war on drugs.”

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study underscored “the potential of CBD-enriched cannabis oil and ω-3 as
a novel therapeutic approach for neuropathic pain management, offering
promising implications for future research and clinical practice.”

A study found that a 3D-printed cannabidiol stent for local treatment of urinary
tract infections “exhibited prolonged antimicrobial activity against both
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

Americans for Ibogaine is a new organization “dedicated to advancing public
education and awareness about ibogaine as a potential therapeutic option
for brain injuries, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health
conditions.”

*/ BUSINESS*

A Canadian court dismissed a dissident proceeding against MediPharm Labs
Corp.

AYR Wellness Inc. announced that it failed to complete the filing of its
interim financial statements.

TerrAscend Corp. is being sued for allegedly spamming customers with
unsolicited text messages.

Metrc announced that its Retail ID product tracked more than 1 million
unique cannabis products in a single week across 21 markets.

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of
$1.90 per share.

*/ CULTURE*

Rosario Dawson narrates “Kiss My Grass,” a new documentary film about
racial injustice and inequity in the cannabis space.

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*Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.*

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says (Newsletter: June 16, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.