Can the feds actually enforce the new hemp THC product ban? (Newsletter: December 8, 2025)

*DOJ memo on guns & marijuana users; Senator blocks Trump’s drug czar pick;
KY gov: Medical cannabis sales “very close”; OH marijuana recriminalization*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

A newly disclosed Department of Justice guidance memo obtained by Marijuana
Moment shows that officials knew the federal law denying gun rights to
cannabis consumers is vulnerable to “potential litigation risk”—a
revelation that comes as the Supreme Court is taking up a case on the issue.

The Congressional Research Service published a report on a newly approved
federal ban on hemp THC products—saying it “remains unclear if and how” the
prohibition will be applied and that Drug Enforcement Administration and
Food and Drug Administration officials “may lack the resources to broadly
enforce” it.

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) blocked Republican leaders’ move to confirm Sara
Carter Bailey as director of the White House Office of National Drug
Control Policy on an expedited basis as part of a group of other nominees
from President Donald Trump.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said the first medical cannabis products
should be on dispensary shelves “within the next couple of weeks” and that
the launch of sales is “very, very close”—pointing out that marijuana is an
alternative for “people that might have otherwise been taking opioids.”

The Ohio Senate is expected to vote this week on a bill to scale back the
voter-approved marijuana legalization law by recriminalizing possession of
cannabis purchased in another state and removing anti-discrimination
protections for consumers in parental rights, organ transplants and
professional licensing.

The World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence
rejected a proposal to ease a global ban on coca leaf—even as a review
showed the plant does not have any “clinically meaningful public health
harms” but that its prohibition creates “substantial public health harms.”

*/ FEDERAL*

A former Drug Enforcement Administration agent was indicted on federal
charges of conspiring to traffic drugs and launder millions of dollars for
a Mexican cartel.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will speak at a cannabis event on January 29.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “The cannabis industry is thriving but the
communities harmed most by the War on Drugs are being left out. Today, I
joined @RepTroyCarter, @RepLSimon, and @repdinatitus to introduce the
RESPECT Resolution to ensure that the economic benefits are shared by those
who were harmed by failed policies.”

*/ STATES*

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. David Apatang (I) issued
an executive order transferring marijuana regulation authority from the
Commonwealth Cannabis Commission to the Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco
Control Division.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) touted a grant to a hemp company.

Wisconsin’s Assembly minority leader discussed public support for marijuana
reform.

California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to the
presence of aspergillus and due to lack of good manufacturing practices.
Separately, the Cannabis Authority Board of Directors will meet on Monday.

Colorado regulators published health and safety advisories about marijuana
products that exceed acceptable limits of total yeast, mold and elemental
impurities.

Illinois regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.

Arkansas regulators delayed action on a proposed rule to limit out-of-state
companies from controlling medical cannabis businesses.

Washington State regulators denied a petition to revise marijuana social
equity rules.

Tennessee regulators published a notice about the transition of hemp
product regulation to a new agency.


*— 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*

Kansas City, Missouri’s mayor is proposing to ban the sale of intoxicating
cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, nitrous oxide, bath salts, K2 and
kratom.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Canadian officials published updated data on medical cannabis use.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study’s results “support the role of cannabis terpenes as partial
agonists at CB1R and CB2R and provide the basis for selecting terpenes or
terpene mixture for affecting physiological functions involving these
receptors.”

A study provided “initial evidence that [psilocybin-assisted therapy] can
be feasibly and safely integrated into hospice care for terminally ill
patients.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The Dallas Morning News editorial board said a new scientific review
suggests Texas lawmakers should be cautious about further expanding medical
cannabis access.

*/ BUSINESS*

Heirloom Remedies is being ordered by a judge to pay the federal government
$312,651 in damages and penalties for allegedly making misrepresentations
to secure COVID-related loans.

*/ CULTURE*

Jeff Bridges said his favorite odor, before he lost his sense of smell from
COVID, was “some fresh weed.”

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

The post Can the feds actually enforce the new hemp THC product ban?
(Newsletter: December 8, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.