Cannabis banking will move “hopefully sooner than later,” senator says (Newsletter: July 7, 2025)

*Czech Republic marijuana & psilocybin bill passes; VA secretary:
Psychedelics are “phenomenal” in treating veterans; Study on cannabis and
sex*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) told Marijuana Moment that a cannabis banking bill
will be taken up “hopefully sooner than later” but that “other things like
war and reconciliation” have prevented key lawmakers from prioritizing the
legislation.

- “We’ve tried to schedule several meetings. We keep trying to do it.”

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said he’s “particularly proud” of
efforts to expand research on the benefits of psychedelics, which he said
“have been phenomenal” in helping people with PTSD and traumatic brain
injuries.

The Czech Republic Senate passed a bill to legalize possession and home
cultivation of marijuana and allow medical use of psilocybin, sending it to
the desk of President Petr Pavel to be signed into law.

A new study shows that “more frequent cannabis use was linked with greater
daily sexual desire.”

- “Participants reported significantly higher sexual desire and lower
sexual distress on days they used cannabis compared to non-use days.”

California’s Senate president pro tem defended his resistance to proposals
to prevent a marijuana tax increase, saying, “any freeze will create a
budget shortfall which would impact critical community programs funded by
cannabis tax dollars.”

Texas medical cannabis companies are pushing lawmakers to ban synthetic
delta-8 THC and restrict consumable hemp products to adults over the age of
21 in an upcoming special session this month.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission is proceeding with the
application process for a medical marijuana dispensary license with
previously qualified applicants from an earlier selection round.

All seven of Delaware’s medical cannabis operators have converted to
adult-use marijuana sales and will be able to begin selling recreational
products on August 1.

A new survey shows that marijuana consumers in the Des Moines, Iowa area
are generally employed, own a home, vote regularly, pay their taxes and are
involved in their communities—smashing “lazy stoner” stereotypes.

*/ FEDERAL*

The Bureau of Land Management announced its intent to award a contract
concerning “reclamation activities from public land cannabis cultivation
complexes.”

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield
authored an op-ed detailing concerns about a “potent synthetic opioid
masquerading as natural kratom.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) filed an amendment to require online platforms
to take steps to prevent minors’ access to potentially sensitive
content—including advertisements for cannabis products and certain other
drugs and services.

*/ STATES*

The vice chair of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee said
lawmakers will “unquestionably come back and remedy” any errors in an
expungements law that may have omitted certain marijuana convictions
pardoned by Gov. Wes Moore (D).

The Georgia House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Georgia’s Medical
Marijuana and Hemp Policies announced its meeting dates and locations.

An Arizona judge denied a preliminary injunction against the attorney
general’s move to crack down on intoxicating hemp products.

California regulators announced recalls of marijuana products due to
various issues.

Minnesota regulators issued a consumer advisory about cannabis gummies due
to product mislabeling and THC content above the legal limit.

Colorado regulators published a bulletin reminding marijuana business
licenses of the upcoming second annual payment for the two-year license
term.

Michigan officials are distributing free locking bags for marijuana in
order to help prevent accidental ingestion by children.

Missouri regulators are accepting applications to participate in the
Missouri Cannabis Regulation Collaborative.


*— 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*

Dallas, Texas officials are asking a judge to issue a temporary injunction
against the city’s voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

An Israeli Ministry of Justice official issued an opinion upholding the
minister of finance’s rejection of tariffs on Canadian medical cannabis
imports.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study “illustrates the potential of phytocannabinoids as antifungal
treatments and opens up new routes towards development of novel antifungal
drugs.”

A review concluded that “evidence from case studies, preclinical research,
and early phase clinical trials suggests that psychedelics may alleviate
pain in conditions such as cluster headaches, migraines, fibromyalgia, and
chronic pain syndromes.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Blum Holdings, Inc. is acquiring another dispensary in Northern California.

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

The post Cannabis banking will move “hopefully sooner than later,” senator
says (Newsletter: July 7, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.