Congressional Cannabis Caucus still hasn’t met this year (Newsletter: July 2, 2025)

*VA marijuana commission to shape legal sales; FL gov signs cannabis
patient punishments; PA cannabis bill filed; DE legal sales launch date*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus,
told Marijuana Moment that the group still hasn’t held a meeting during the
current legislative session—with one-quarter of the 119th Congress now
already elapsed.

The new Virginia Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the
Commonwealth into a Retail Cannabis Market will hold its first meeting next
week to begin work preparing the state to legalize recreational marijuana
sales after this year’s gubernatorial election.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill to revoke medical cannabis
patient and caregiver registrations from anyone convicted of certain drug
crimes.

Bipartisan Pennsylvania senators filed a new bill to create a Cannabis
Control Board to oversee the existing medical marijuana program and that
could also oversee the adult-use market if broader legalization is enacted.

The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner announced that
recreational cannabis sales will begin on August 1, with Gov. Matt Meyer
(D) saying the “new industry will generate critical revenue to strengthen
our schools, infrastructure and public health systems, while creating real
opportunities for entrepreneurs.”

Americans for Safe Access’s Steph Sherer argues in a new Marijuana Moment
op-ed that President Donald Trump’s proposal to delete a federal medical
cannabis rider from spending legislation “reveals not only the fragility of
patient protections but also exposes Congress’s failure to fulfill its
promise” to patients.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) approved emergency medical cannabis rules
allowing regulators to begin accepting license applications but blocking
patients from accessing marijuana flower, infused food or drinks and any
products administered by smoking or vaping.

The New Mexico legislature’s Interim Courts and Criminal Justice Committee
held a hearing on cannabis regulators’ efforts to step up enforcement
against illicit operations.

*/ FEDERAL*

Former Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Derek Maltz tweeted
about the “dangerous truth about marijuana advocates don’t want you to
know,” pointing to research about its alleged harms and saying that
“Chinese criminal networks that are running grow operations all over the
country and spraying Chinese pesticides on the plants.”

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) said that Health and Human Services Secretary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s support for psychedelics therapy is “helping to
mainstream what could be a groundbreaking shift in mental health.”

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) published a blog post about legislation to increase
military veterans’ access to medical cannabis.

Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) tweeted, “Great news! → The House passed
legislation this week to support our military and veteran community,
including critical funding I fought and secure for:… ✅ Breakthrough PTSD
psychedelic treatment… We stand with those who served. 🇺🇸”

The House bill to designate psychedelic innovative therapies centers of
excellence got one new cosponsor for a total of nine.

*/ STATES*

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) used a line-item veto to reject budget provisions
to change the marijuana tax structure.

Colorado’s attorney general announced a settlement that permanently bars a
company that allegedly marketed marijuana products as federally legal
industrial hemp from participating in the state’s cannabis industry.

The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a man who was carrying both
marijuana and a pistol in his car.

An Alabama judge rejected a request for a temporary restraining order
against certain parts of the state’s hemp product restriction law.

A new Idaho mandatory minimum fine for marijuana possession took effect
this week.

A California marijuana tax increase took effect on Tuesday.

A Minnesota law to increase in marijuana taxes took effect on Tuesday.

Utah regulators are accepting applications for a new medical cannabis
pharmacy license.

Massachusetts regulators issued an order shutting down a cannabis testing
lab over alleged violations.

Vermont regulators said errors with a cannabis inventory tracking form have
been fixed.


*— 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 declined Waterbury, Connecticut officials’ request to issue a
contempt citation against a former firefighter who is contesting his firing
over medical cannabis use.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

The UK solicitor general said in response to a lawmaker’s question that the
government has no plans to pursue opening safe drug consumption facilities.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “CBD promotes antitumor activity by modulating tumor
immune microenvironment in HPV associated head and neck squamous cell
carcinoma.”

A review concluded that “the evidence supports psychedelic-assisted therapy
as a viable option for PTSD treatment, particularly MDMA.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. filed a shelf registration statement to register a
base shelf prospectus, but said it has no immediate plans to offer or sell
any securities under this shelf registration.

TerrAscend Corp. is exiting the Michigan market.

atai Life Sciences and Beckley Psytech Limited announced positive topline
results from a Phase 2b clinical trial on efficacy and safety of a single
dose of 5-MeO-DMT benzoate in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

*/ CULTURE*

Mike Tyson discussed his push to get the Trump administration to embrace
marijuana reform.

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The post Congressional Cannabis Caucus still hasn’t met this year
(Newsletter: July 2, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.