FDA head discusses cannabis benefits & concerns (Newsletter: February 13, 2026)

*NY gov signs marijuana biz zoning fix; VA cannabis consumers’ parental
rights; FL medical marijuana expansion; CO cannabis revenue outpaces
alcohol*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said the Trump
administration is “very serious” about advancing medical cannabis access
through rescheduling—but that it is also concerned about “side effects”
like psychosis and “problems with learning and judgment.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed legislation to allow more than 150
marijuana businesses to remain open after regulators’ error in interpreting
zoning rules threatened to force them to close.

The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill to protect the parental
rights of marijuana consumers by making it so a child would not be
considered abused or neglected because of a parent or guardian’s cannabis
use alone.

The Florida Senate Health Policy Committee approved a bill to expand
medical cannabis access by making patient registrations last longer,
increasing smokable marijuana supply limits and slashing registration fees
for military veterans.

A new report from Colorado Legislative Council staff shows that marijuana
revenue is declining as other states legalize and due to the availability
of intoxicating hemp products—but that it still outpaces the state’s
alcohol and cigarette tax haul.

*/ FEDERAL*

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the conviction of
a man for possessing a firearm as a felon due to his record for possession
of marijuana with intent to distribute.

The Senate bill to create a pathway for patients to access Schedule I drugs
got one new cosponsor for a total of two.

The House bill to federally regulate hemp products got two new cosponsors
for a total of five.

The House bill to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct
clinical trials on psychedelics got one new cosponsor for a total of two.

*/ STATES*

Florida’s agriculture commissioner cheered a court ruling upholding total
THC limits for hemp products. Separately, the health care administration
secretary acknowledged that state officials used opioid settlement funds to
campaign against a marijuana legalization ballot initiative in 2024.

The Oklahoma House Committee on Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances
approved bills to extend a medical cannabis business license moratorium and
limit the number of cultivation licenses.

An Illinois senator filed legislation to amend various cannabis rules.

A Washington State representative discussed her legislation to legalize
marijuana home cultivation.

A Minnesota judge overturned regulators’ restrictions on shipping hemp
products directly to consumers.

California regulators are moving to update cannabis pesticide testing rules.

Maryland’s top marijuana regulator said she hopes that as many as 60 new
dispensaries will open by the fall.

Massachusetts cannabis regulators clashed over punishments for a testing
lab.

New Jersey marijuana regulators spoke about efforts to crack down on
unlicensed marijuana sales.

Missouri generated $255 million in marijuana tax revenue in 2025.

Virginia regulators posted a reminder about rules for sharing and gifting
marijuana ahead of Valentine’s Day.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission will meet on Friday.


*— 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*

Colorado Springs, Colorado is using marijuana revenue to fund a firefighter
training academy.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Germany’s Federal Court of Justice is considering restrictions on medical
cannabis advertising.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A case study “highlights the potential benefits of combining cannabis oil
with physiotherapy for managing post-stroke dystonic tremor and”
post-stroke thalamic pain.

A study found “evidence for antinociceptive effects of CBD in a model of incisional
wound-related pain.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The UK Green Party is set to vote on a motion supporting drug legalization
next month.

*/ BUSINESS*

Aurora Cannabis Inc. officials will ring the Nasdaq closing bell on
Wednesday.

*/ CULTURE*

Whoopi Goldberg promoted her cannabis-infused sex lube brand at a
conference.

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The post FDA head discusses cannabis benefits & concerns (Newsletter:
February 13, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.