Congress moves to keep blocking cannabis sales in DC (Newsletter: January 13, 2026)

*ME anti-marijuana campaign accused of “lying” to voters; New states could
legalize in 2026; Study on rap music videos and cannabis*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

House and Senate leaders released a funding bill that will continue to
block Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational marijuana sales and
warning local officials about approving cannabis dispensaries near schools.

A Maine Republican representative and cannabis industry advocates are
accusing signature gatherers for a proposed ballot initiative to roll back
recreational marijuana legalization of “lying” to voters and using
“deceptive” tactics to get them to sign petitions.

Several new states could legalize recreational or medical marijuana in
2026—including ones where Republican lawmakers may be emboldened by
President Donald Trump’s federal rescheduling order—but prohibitionists are
also pursuing measures to roll back legalization in several states.

A new study shows that more than a third of popular rap music videos in the
U.S. depict marijuana, with the researchers saying “cannabis has been
firmly anchored in the US hip-hop scene since the 1990s.”

- “Rappers such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and The Game in particular are
inextricably associated with cannabis and convey a ‘chilled’ lifestyle.”

A Nebraska senator filed legislation to let voters elect Medical Cannabis
Commission members instead of having them appointed by the governor and to
provide legal protections to doctors who recommend medical marijuana.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that the number of registered
medical cannabis patients grew by about 32 percent last year amid
officials’ move to license new dispensaries across the state where people
can buy legal THC products.

*/ FEDERAL*

The U.S. Sentencing Commission published a data briefing video on proposed
amendments to drug sentencing guidelines.

Rep., Lou Correa (D-CA) coauthored an op-ed arguing that moving marijuana
to Schedule III isn’t a “political breakthrough” and is “better understood
as an enforcement concession—a plea bargain with reality.”

*/ STATES*

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) appointed a new Cannabis Compliance Board
member.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “Team Kentucky has approved the
state’s first medical cannabis processer with Bison Infused in Dayton. Now,
more products will be available for eligible Kentuckians at open
dispensaries, with more opening up in the coming weeks.”

The chair of the Hawaii House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee
discussed his plan to put marijuana legalization on the ballot for voters
to decide.

An Ohio senator announced that marijuana revenue has been distributed to
municipalities.

California regulators published guidance about cannabis products intended
for use on or consumption by animals.

Mississippi generated more than $11 million in medical cannabis tax revenue
in 2025.

Oklahoma regulators sent a reminder about medical cannabis education and
registration requirements for physicians.

Massachusetts regulators authored an op-ed about the benefits of
establishing a proposed Center for Cannabis Research and Policy.

Virginia’s top cannabis regulator spoke about the need to train police
officers to detect impaired driving.


*— 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*

A judge granted motions to intervene in litigation concerning Menominee,
Michigan’s marijuana business licensing policies.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Canadian officials removed a proposal to regulate CBD products that
wouldn’t require practitioner oversight from a regulatory plan.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that medical cannabis “may be associated with improvements in
subjective sleep quality, though its impact did not vary as a function of
administration route or primary referring condition.”

A review concluded that “psilocybin-assisted therapy consistently
demonstrated efficacy and safety in the reduction of depressive and anxiety
symptoms.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

A poll of Canadians found that 65 percent support cannabis being legal.

*/ BUSINESS*

Sunderstorm is acquiring Lime.

Compass Pathways plc announced that the Food and Drug Administration
accepted its investigational new drug application for its synthetic
psilocybin treatment for late-stage clinical trials in patients with PTSD.

Missouri retailers sold $132.6 million worth of legal marijuana products in
December.

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The post Congress moves to keep blocking cannabis sales in DC (Newsletter:
January 13, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.