Congressional panel moves to block cannabis rescheduling (Newsletter: July 15, 2025)

*Senate report on marijuana, hemp & psychedelics; Feds cancel cannabis
cultivation contract; New PA legalization measure; DE gov weighs local
control*

Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every
weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis
stories are shaping the day.
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

*Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…*

*Before you dig into today’s cannabis news,* I wanted you to know you can
keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana
Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into
the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going.

Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

House Appropriations Committee leaders included provisions to block
marijuana rescheduling in a Justice Department funding bill—while also
continuing a separate rider that protects state medical cannabis law from
federal interference.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a report expressing concerns
about “misleading” marketing of cannabis products and noting the need for
revised hemp rules, while also supporting continued research into
psychedelic medicines.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is declining to renew a longstanding
marijuana cultivation contract with the University of Mississippi through
which the school provided cannabis for federally approved research for over
half a century.

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer (D) discussed the “competing priorities” he is
weighing over a bill on his desk to limit county zoning restrictions on
marijuana businesses, saying “we believe strongly in local control” but
also that the legal cannabis market has “taken too long to get off the
ground.”

Bipartisan Pennsylvania House lawmakers filed a new marijuana legalization
bill—days after separate legislation to legalize cannabis was introduced in
the Senate, where the lead sponsor says “we have a path to get this done.”

The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation’s Shanita Penny
argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that while “no piece of legislation
will satisfy every stakeholder,” incremental reforms like Rep. Dave Joyce’s
(R-OH) STATES 2.0 Act provide a “very much needed foundation to move
federal cannabis policy forward.”

- “Opposing everything that is not your version of perfect is not just
hopeless—it is counterproductive.”

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s marijuana social equity
technical assistance and training program is back on track after a pause—kicking
off in September with the current round of applicants and accepting more
submissions starting on August 1.

*/ FEDERAL*

Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) tweeted, “Our vets deserve the best care.
Psychedelics could be the game changing solution that helps veterans heal
from the invisible wounds they incurred on the battlefield back home. Let’s
keep fighting to deliver mental health care solutions that work.”

The House bill to seal marijuana conviction records got one new cosponsor
for a total of two.

*/ STATES*

A North Carolina representative who owns a hemp company is being sued by
another industry firm over allegations he used his “power and influence” to
coerce payments after a partnership fell apart.

A Nevada assemblymember spoke about the potential for the cannabis and
gaming industries to work together.

Louisiana regulators adopted changes to medical cannabis rules.

California regulators sent a reminder that disaster relief resources are
available for cannabis businesses affected by wildfires.

New York regulators posted a series of public service announcements about
cannabis.

The Maryland Advisory Board on Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis will meet on
Thursday.


*— 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 former Rohnert Park, California police officer was convicted in federal
court on charges of pulling over drivers suspected of possessing
significant amounts of marijuana and extorting the cannabis by falsely
claiming to be an Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent
and threatening arrest if the drivers contested the property seizures.

Taylor, Michigan police said a possible prank led to cannabis photos being
featured in search results for a Google search of the department.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Acting Dominican Prime Minister Irving McIntyre spoke at a cannabis event,
saying the government wants to “explore the vast potential of the cannabis
plant, for public health, economic empowerment, agricultural
revitalization, and social equity.”

Thailand’s public health minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to
new, stricter cannabis laws.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that medical cannabis “treatment initiation was associated
with reductions in pain severity and interference and improvements in
quality of life and sleep quality, but not in illicit opioid use or
cravings in adults with chronic pain receiving buprenorphine/naloxone for”
opioid use disorder.

A review concluded that “validated CBD could offer an innovative [hepatocellular
carcinoma] management option.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The Australian Medical Association is supporting new federal medical
cannabis guidelines.

*/ BUSINESS*

Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced that its Brampton, Ontario, Canada
distribution center received European Union Good Manufacturing Practice
certification.

Michigan retailers sold $261.1 million worth of legal marijuana products in
June.

*/ CULTURE*

Charles Barkley spoke about why he doesn’t like to consume marijuana,
saying it “does nothing for me.”

*Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your
inbox.*
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

The post Congressional panel moves to block cannabis rescheduling
(Newsletter: July 15, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.