Congressional dispute over Biden’s cannabis pardons...

*Poll: Marijuana consumers don’t support hemp ban; USDA rule limits loans
over cannabis services; Medical marijuana patients’ needs op-ed*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is defending its decision to adopt a
rule blocking companies that provide services to marijuana businesses from
utilizing a government loan guarantee program—saying that while “many
states have legalized” cannabis, it is “currently listed as a schedule I
substance under the Controlled Substances Act.”

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is accusing House Oversight and Government
Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) of trying to “invalidate”
marijuana pardons issued by former President Joe Biden as part of an
investigation into the use of an autopen device during his administration.

A new NuggMD poll shows that 82 percent of marijuana consumers in
state-legal markets oppose the federal recriminalization of hemp THC
products that President Donald Trump signed into law.

Jordan Tishler, MD of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists argues in
a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that states should “make it feasible—and
attractive—for dispensaries to prioritize medical cannabis patients instead
of treating them as an afterthought in a recreational market.”

*/ FEDERAL*

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration posted a
toolkit for January’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month.

A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent authored an
op-ed urging North Carolina lawmakers to legalize marijuana.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a press release about her efforts to change
the recently approved federal recriminalization of hemp THC products.

*/ STATES*

Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore tweeted that “Retail Cannabis
Markets” is one of her New Year’s resolutions.

A Maine marijuana tax increase went into effect.

A new Oklahoma law requiring doctors to register with the state in order to
be able to recommend medical cannabis took effect.

A new Washington State state law easing marijuana advertising restrictions
took effect.

Colorado regulators issued a health and safety bulletin about marijuana
products with pesticides above acceptable limits.

Illinois state agencies released annual cannabis reports.

Missouri regulators published a report on cannabis microbusiness activity.

Washington, D.C. officials shuttered more unlicensed cannabis businesses.

California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.


*— 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. —*

* / SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A review concluded that “industrial hemp flower oil emerges as a promising
natural anti-inflammatory nutraceutical for acne management.”

A study suggested that “microwave-assisted synthesis provides an efficient
route to CBN production and that CBN may serve as a promising candidate for
the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The chair of the Florida Democratic Party tweeted about state officials
moving to invalidate signatures for a marijuana legalization initiative,
saying, “First [Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)] and his friends stole your money,
now they literally want to steal your voice. This isn’t just about
legalizing weed, these corrupt politicians who don’t give a f**k about you,
all need to just go.”

*/ BUSINESS*

FLUENT Corp. completed the sale of its Pennsylvania operations to HIVE
Holdings, Inc.

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The post Congressional dispute over Biden’s cannabis pardons (Newsletter:
January 2, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.