Could DOJ ignore Trump’s cannabis rescheduling order?...

*VA gov-elect talks marijuana legislation; Poll: Bipartisan legalization
support; AZ anti-cannabis ballot measure; Nurses groups cheer rescheduling*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

A new Congressional Research Service report suggests that the Department of
Justice could ignore President Donald Trump’s marijuana rescheduling
directive or slow the process by filing a new proposed rule on the issue
instead of enacting one left over from the Biden administration.

- “At the time the executive order was issued, the agencies had not
taken final action on the proposed rescheduling, and it remains to be seen
whether and when they will do so.”

Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) spoke about what she wants to
see in a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales if she’s going to
sign it—including “strong labeling” provisions and directing revenue toward
education.

A newly filed Arizona ballot initiative would reverse the legalization of
recreational marijuana sales while continuing to allow personal possession
and home cultivation.

A new poll shows that 53 percent of American voters support legalizing
marijuana—including majorities in every political, age, race and gender
demographic.

The American Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse
Anesthesiology are praising President Donald Trump’s marijuana rescheduling
move, saying it will open doors to expanded research on the potential
health benefits of cannabis.

*/ FEDERAL*

President Donald Trump reportedly planned to announce on social media that
he would move to reschedule marijuana shortly after an Oval Office meeting
on the topic earlier this month but White House aides urged him not to.

The Congressional Research Service noted a U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Fifth Circuit ruling on marijuana consumers’ gun rights.

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) tweeted, “We cannot reindustrialize America while
encouraging marijuana use. We should not be handing tax breaks to bad
actors and foreign drug cartels to advertise a drug that will harm
Americans.”

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) tweeted, “As we face the dual mental health and
addiction crises, we must expand options for care. The Freedom to Heal Act
would reduce barriers for physicians to use innovative and potentially
lifesaving treatments, like MDMA and psilocybin. Recovery should be
possible for everyone.”

*/ STATES*

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, “Colorado’s world-class marijuana
industry drives out criminals and cartels and is supporting Colorado
businesses and jobs while driving revenue for school construction. This
important milestone is one that our state can continue to build on.”

Maine regulators said they don’t anticipate any changes to state marijuana
laws in response to federal rescheduling.

New Jersey regulators posted an update on cannabis social equity businesses.

Washington State marijuana regulators launched a rules tracking tool.

U.S. Virgin Islands regulators are accepting cannabis research and
development applications.

Missouri marijuana regulators published the latest episode of their podcast.


*— 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 study found that “patients with cannabis use demonstrated significantly
reduced risks in new-onset diagnoses of [chronic rhinosinusitis] and
[functional endoscopic sinus surgery] compared to non-users.”

A study’s results “support the idea that [medical marijuana] substitutes
for prescription painkillers.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

An American Enterprise Institute senior fellow authored an op-ed arguing
that federal marijuana rescheduling should come with a requirement to put
warning labels on cannabis products.

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies completed a
therapy training initiative supporting clinicians participating in a
Department of Defense-funded study on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in
active-duty military personnel.

The Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board criticized Gov. Jared Polis’s
(D) support for marijuana reform.

*/ BUSINESS*

Headset projected that moving marijuana to Schedule III will generate
$268,000 per year in 280E tax penalty savings per year for the typical
median cannabis retailer.

*/ CULTURE*

The New York Yankees is seeking to block a cannabis apparel company’s
trademark registration for products that allegedly copy the team’s logo.

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The post Could DOJ ignore Trump’s cannabis rescheduling order? (Newsletter:
December 30, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.