Congressional hearing on cannabis & organized crime sparks debate (Newsletter: September 19, 2025)

*GOP senator: hemp products could be banned in 2 weeks; Marijuana industry
wants tax reform; Edible Arrangements hemp delivery; Study: Cannabis odors*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, &
Accountability held a hearing on Chinese-linked marijuana grows—with
witnesses blaming legalization for creating an opportunity for organized
crime and one Democratic lawmaker calling for federal rescheduling.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said he’s worried Congress could pass legislation
banning many consumable hemp products “within the next two weeks” as the
debate on cannabis policy has “swung hard on the prohibitionist side.”

- “If it relaxes you, calms you [and] allows you to have less anxiety
and to sleep at night, I’d much rather be having people take a hemp product
than Oxycontin.”

The National Cannabis Industry Association published a report calling on
Congress to treat marijuana businesses like other lawful industries by
allowing them to take federal tax deductions—and also to apply the reform
to the 280E penalty retroactively to provide relief for past payments.

The company behind Edible Arrangements is expanding its cannabis product
delivery service to 30 U.S. states—including same-day delivery of
hemp-derived THC drinks and chews in several major cities.

A new study provides the “first comprehensive sensory-guided investigation
into the composition of the odor-active compounds” in cannabis—”revealing
the intricate interplay between terpenes, esters, sulfur compounds, and
previously underexplored odorants such as phenolic compounds, volatile
acids, and furanones.”

- “By deepening the knowledge of cannabis secondary metabolism, targeted
breeding efforts could optimize the production of desirable odorant
compounds, catering to distinct market preferences in food, fragrance, and
cannabis-based consumer products.”

*/ FEDERAL*

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published an
overview of data on marijuana and opioid use.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted, “The Trump Admin is once again using the
failed war on drugs to justify their egregious violation of international
law. There is NO legal justification. It risks spiraling into the exact
type of endless, pointless conflict that Trump supposedly opposes. I have a
War Powers resolution to fight back.”

Rep. Tom Kean (R-NJ) tweeted, “Join me in applauding the @NJSP, who seized
over $48M in illegal marijuana & THC products during a Warren County
traffic stop. Thank you for your incredible work protecting our community &
state!”

*/ STATES*

Tennessee regulators are facing a federal lawsuit over the state’s hemp
product restrictions.

Alabama administrative law hearings are underway concerning regulators’
medical cannabis business license award processes.

Minnesota’s top marijuana regulator spoke about efforts to license
additional testing labs.

Vermont regulators discussed the process of awarding medical use
endorsements for marijuana businesses.

The Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board met.

The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board met.


*— 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*

A German Health Ministry proposal to restrict medical cannabis access was
withdrawn.

Colombian lawmakers have varied reactions to the U.S.’s move to decertify
the country as a partner in the “war on drugs.”

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study suggested that “nanoencapsulated CBD holds promise as an effective
treatment for anxiety disorders, potentially mitigating adverse effects
associated with cannabinoid therapy.”

A review concluded that “both psilocybin and ketamine demonstrate rapid
antidepressant effects with acceptable safety in” treatment-resistant
depression.

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

Emancipate NC’s strategic director authored an op-ed arguing that North
Carolina police should not be able to conduct searches based on the smell
of cannabis.

*/ BUSINESS*

Cresco Labs Inc. shareholders elected board of directors members.

Missouri retailers sold $130.5 million worth of legal marijuana products in
August.

*/ CULTURE*

Willie Nelson spoke about the time he smoked marijuana on the roof of the
White House.

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The post Congressional hearing on cannabis & organized crime sparks debate
(Newsletter: September 19, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.