DEA promotes ad warning of cannabis laced with fentanyl (Newsletter: October 31, 2025)

*OH Senate rejects changes to marijuana & hemp bill; ME recriminalization
ballot measure; Mike Tyson talks cannabis with PA leaders*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The Drug Enforcement Administration is promoting an ad campaign from a
Trump-linked nonprofit that blames marijuana laced with fentanyl for
overdose deaths.

- “Best birthday party ever. Well, except for the weed. Turns out it was
laced with fentanyl.”

The Ohio Senate rejected the House’s changes to a bill to amend the state’s
voter-approved marijuana legalization law and add new restrictions on hemp
products—setting the stage for a conference committee to potentially
resolve differences.

Maine prohibitionist activists filed a proposed ballot initiative to repeal
key aspects of the state’s marijuana legalization law—recriminalizing sales
and home cultivation but leaving legal possession and medical cannabis
intact.

Joanne Caceres and Hannah King of Dentons argue in a new Marijuana Moment
op-ed that the cannabis industry “can’t afford” to sit back while
prohibitionists work to qualify ballot initiatives to repeal legalization
in Maine and Massachusetts.

- “National trade groups, operators and investors should help fund and
coordinate local opposition now.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) and legislative leaders met with Mike
Tyson to discuss marijuana as the push for legalization in the state heats
up.

A new study found that nearly one in five young adults in the U.S. use
marijuana to help them fall asleep.

*/ FEDERAL*

The U.S. military carried out another deadly strike on a boat suspected of
carrying illegal drugs.

*/ STATES*

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) touted law enforcement against alleged
criminal activity associated with vape and electronic cigarette retail
establishments, including sales of marijuana and THC products.

Georgia’s attorney general sent a press release about a letter he signed
calling on Congress to recriminalize intoxicating hemp products.

A Missouri representative said a new hemp report from a cannabis industry
association is “a coordinated propaganda effort by the marijuana lobby to
crush lawful federally regulated competition.”

A Pennsylvania judge is blocking regulators from enforcing a rule to
require medical cannabis dispensaries to employ a pharmacist, doctor or
nurse practitioner to consult with patients while a legal challenge to the
policy proceeds. Separately, a grand jury published a report on allegedly
illegal hemp and marijuana-related activity at smoke shops.

A Michigan court is considering a motion to institute a preliminary
injunction against a marijuana tax increase.

Kentucky regulators are being sued over their medical cannabis business
licensing process.

Arizona regulators expanded a recall of marijuana products due to potential
aspergillus contamination.

Oklahoma regulators published guidance about a new medical cannabis
licensing portal.

Massachusetts regulators are seeking feedback on identifying areas that
were disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.

Rhode Island regulators will host a workshop on the marijuana dispensary
license application process on Tuesday.


*— 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*

Chicago, Illinois’s mayor is proposing a plan to tax and regulate
intoxicating hemp products.

The Sonoma County, California Board of Supervisors gave initial approval to
new proposed cannabis industry rules.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

A Colombian lawmaker said the government’s move to allow medical cannabis
flower is “good progress” but “does not replace the need to regulate adult
cannabis use.”

A Victoria, Australia lawmaker criticized the government for rejecting
cannabis reform recommendations.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found “an inverse, associative relationship between cannabis use
and sinonasal disease.”

A study found that medical cannabis “can improve mental health, sleep,
appetite, and pain in cancer patients and decrease nausea, vomiting, and
the use of other medications, such as opioids.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

A poll of U.S. voters found that decriminalizing drug possession has net
support of −17 percent.

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is seeking public feedback on
cannabis regulations.

*/ BUSINESS*

Cybin Inc. announced an offering of common shares for aggregate gross
proceeds of $175 million.

Washington, D.C. businesses sold $7.8 million worth of medical cannabis in
September.

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

The post DEA promotes ad warning of cannabis laced with fentanyl
(Newsletter: October 31, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.