Congress votes to let VA docs recommend medical cannabis for veterans (Newsletter: June 26, 2025)

*GOP senator: Regulate marijuana like alcohol; Bill to increase hemp THC
limit; Survey: Cannabis industry workers happy; OH legalization change
delay*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The U.S. House of Representatives approved amendments to let Department of
Veterans Affairs doctors recommend medical cannabis and to support research
on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said marijuana legalization opponents “have lost”
the debate and that “it’s time” to create a regulatory framework treating
cannabis “the same way that we do with alcohol and tobacco” so states can
set their own policies without federal intervention.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) filed a bill to triple the amount of THC that can
legally be in hemp and to make other changes to federal rules for the crop
to address industry concerns.

The Department of Homeland Security is denying claims a Norwegian tourist
was denied U.S. entry over a meme about Vice President J.D. Vance on his
phone, instead pointing to “admitted drug use”—which the man says was two
instances of cannabis consumption in places where it is legal.

Hourly workers in the marijuana industry rank at the top of the list of
“happiest” employees across multiple sectors, according to a new survey
from Deputy—with more than 9 in 10 reporting a “positive sentiment” in
their job.

The Ohio House Judiciary Committee canceled another hearing on a bill to
revise the voter-approved marijuana legalization law amid Republican
disagreements, with a key lawmaker saying no changes will be made until at
least the fall.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit upheld an Arkansas hemp
product restriction law, appearing to contradict arguments that Texas Gov.
Greg Abbott (R) made days earlier to justify his veto of hemp ban
legislation in his state.

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is expected to consider a proposed
memorandum of agreement with other agencies that advocates say is an
“intentional step” to “absolutely destroy patient access” on Thursday.

*/ FEDERAL*

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is proposing to continue
including marijuana related businesses in its Bank Secrecy Act/Money
Laundering Risk Assessment data collection program amid other changes.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission published a fact sheet on prison contraband,
including marijuana and other drugs.

*/ STATES*

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) used his line-item veto to cancel certain
funding for the Cannabis Control Division.

Florida’s agriculture commissioner said officials seized nearly 11,000 hemp
products for alleged violations of child-protection standards for
packaging, labeling and marketing.

The chairman of the North Carolina House Rules Committee, which is playing
a key role in legislation to restrict hemp products, is also the president
of a hemp manufacturing and distribution company.

An Alabama senator filed a bill to ban all hemp-derived THC products.

The Nebraska campaign behind medical cannabis ballot initiatives approved
by voters last year is asking the state Supreme Court not to revive a
lawsuit seeking to overturn the measures.

Virginia regulators published the results of a medical cannabis
practitioner survey.

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office published a report on tax
exemptions for donations of medical cannabis.

Massachusetts’s acting top marijuana regulator toured a dispensary.

Rhode Island regulators are proceeding with the application process for a
medical cannabis dispensary license with previously qualified applicants
from an earlier selection round.

The California Cannabis Authority Board of Directors will meet on Friday.


*— 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. —*

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Thailand’s public health minister signed an order requiring people to have
doctors’ prescriptions and medical certificates mandatory in order to buy
cannabis.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “since 2012, there has been considerable growth in
patents and publications related to cannabis drug delivery systems, driven
by the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.”

A review concluded that psilocybin “may have therapeutic properties in depression
and alcohol-use disorder.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

A poll found that Australians support legalizing marijuana, 48 percent to
41 percent.

*/ BUSINESS*

Verano Holdings Corp. is opening a bodega-style dispensary in Phoenix,
Arizona.

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The post Congress votes to let VA docs recommend medical cannabis for
veterans (Newsletter: June 26, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.