Could Trump “steal” the cannabis issue from Dems? (Newsletter: December 3, 2025)

*VA legal marijuana sales plan; Feds reject psychedelic org’s grant app; TX
medical cannabis licenses; MN lawmakers push cannabis employee stock plans*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The Progressive Turnout Project sent a warning that President Donald Trump
and other Republicans could “steal” the popular issue of cannabis
legalization away from Democrats—saying that “anti-marijuana policies
wrongfully target Black Americans and have cost the U.S. BILLIONS of
dollars.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs rejected a suicide prevention grant
application from No Fallen Heroes, which helps connect veterans to programs
where they can receive psychedelic therapy to treat serious mental health
conditions.

The Virginia legislature’s Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of
the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market unveiled a plan to legalize
recreational marijuana sales in 2026 under Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger
(D), who supports the reform.

The Texas Department of Public Safety conditionally approved nine new
medical marijuana business licenses as part of an expansion of patient
access to cannabis under a new law passed by lawmakers and signed by the
governor this year.

Minnesota Sen. Robert Kupec (D) and Rep. Nolan West (R) argue in a new
op-ed that the state should allow marijuana businesses to offer employee
stock ownership plans, which they say would “create crucial tax benefits
the industry desperately needs.”

*/ FEDERAL*

President Donald Trump pardoned former Honduras President Juan Orlando
Hernández for drug trafficking convictions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited the “fog of war” in defending a second
military strike on an alleged drug boat.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) tweeted, “The hemp industry employs thousands of
Minnesotans. The new federal ban would eliminate jobs & pull the rug out
from businesses operating under MN’s strong safety standards. I am working
NOW across the aisle to ensure states like MN can continue producing hemp &
safe products.”

The House bill to designate psychedelic therapy centers of excellence got
one new cosponsor for a total of 21.

*/ STATES*

The Nebraska Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit seeking to overturn the
voter-approved medical cannabis law on Wednesday.

California generated $283.7 million in marijuana tax revenue during the
third quarter of 2025.

Oregon regulators are accepting public comments on proposed changes to
psilocybin services rules.

Rhode Island’s health director discussed a new program to encourage
responsible cannabis use.

Pennsylvania regulators published updated data on the medical cannabis
program.

New Jersey cannabis regulators sent a reminder that state officials are
prohibited from accepting any gift, favor, service or other thing of value
related in any way to their public duties.

The New Mexico Medical Psilocybin Advisory Board will meet on Friday.

Ohio regulators will hold a hearing about proposed changes to hemp rules on
December 22.


*— 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*

Los Angeles, California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that by not legalizing marijuana,
the country “loses exports and increases its own violence.”

The World Health Organization added cannabis hyperemesis syndrome to its
diagnostic manual.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “cannabis use is not uniformly harmful to cognition in
older adults,” “past use was linked to better performance and slower
decline in some cognitive domains” and “specific usage patterns, such as
longer duration, were associated with poorer outcomes in other domains.”

A study concluded that “the core abuse potential methods that serve U.S.
[Controlled Substances Act] scheduling and global new drug scheduling are
generally reliable for many categories of drugs but need to be modified and
perhaps supplemented with additional outcome measures to more fully and
accurately characterize potential abuse-related risks.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

Finland’s Left Alliance party endorsed cannabis legalization.

*/ BUSINESS*

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire The Cannabist
Company Holdings Inc.’s Virginia assets.

Cheech and Chong’s Cannabis Company is launching a “reverse licensing
model” under which dispensaries can use its branding while maintaining
ownership.

Glass House Brands Inc. settled a lawsuit from hourly agricultural workers
who claimed the company bilked them out of sick pay, minimum wage and lunch
breaks.

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*Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.*

The post Could Trump “steal” the cannabis issue from Dems? (Newsletter:
December 3, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.