Federal hemp regulation bill filed as alternative to ban Trump signed (Newsletter: December 11, 2025)

*RFK’s psychedelics use; FL medical marijuana expansion bill; Study: AI can
design new cannabis strains; VA legalization op-ed*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) filed a bill to replace a
federal ban on hemp THC products that was signed into law by President
Donald Trump with a regulatory regime limiting them to 5 milligrams of THC
per serving.

The Congressional Research Service said in a new report that the ongoing
marijuana conflict between the federal government and states could provide
“guidance” for answering questions on how a new national ban on hemp THC
products will be enforced.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as recently as
last year still used psychedelics “for fun” and would wait “until his wife
was not home to go outside and smoke DMT,” journalist Olivia Nuzzi, who
allegedly had a romantic relationship with him, suggested in a new book.

A Florida representative introduced a bill to expand medical cannabis
access by letting doctors recommend it to any patient who has a condition
for which they’ve been prescribed opioids, waiving fees for military
veterans and granting reciprocity to out-of-state patients.

A new study suggests that marijuana breeders can use artificial
intelligence for “accelerated strain development, improved chemical
consistency, and enhanced adaptability to diverse growing environments.”

- “AI-enabled cannabis breeding represents a paradigm shift in strain
development, enabling precise control over cannabinoid and terpene profiles
while reducing breeding cycle times and resource requirements.”

Max Jackson of Cannabis Wise Guys argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed
that a Virginia cannabis commission rightly “rejected the monopoly model”
for adult-use sales legalization but that lawmakers still need to pass a
bill that doesn’t let existing big companies corner the market “before
independent operators can even get in the door.”

*/ FEDERAL*

The Drug Enforcement Administration is moving to place a synthetic
cannabinoid in Schedule I.

The House resolution urging equity in the cannabis industry got three new
cosponsors for a total of 10.

*/ STATES*

Ohio’s House minority leader sent a press release criticizing Republicans
for passing legislation to scale back the voter-approved marijuana
legalization law.

Washington, D.C. Council members filed legislation to strengthen oversight
of the medical cannabis program.

A New York senator participated in a psychedelic advocacy group’s meeting.

A Florida senator tweeted, “Medical marijuana patients in Florida deserve
the FREEDOM to home-grow cannabis without government interference— that’s
why I’ve introduced SB 776. With rising prices, we can increase access and
lower costs by supporting this long overdue proposal.”

A California judge ruled that regulators’ use of marijuana tracking
software is out of compliance with the law.

Missouri regulators sent a newsletter with updates on various cannabis
issues.

Massachusetts regulators are expected to approve rules for marijuana social
consumption businesses on Thursday.

New Jersey regulators will host meetings to gather public input on
allocating cannabis social equity funds next month.

Michigan regulators will host an event on sustainable cannabis packaging on
January 15.


*— 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 Compton, California City Council member pleaded guilty to federal
charges of participating in a bribery scheme to secure marijuana business
permits.

The San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors voted to suspend the
local cannabis tax for 10 years.

The Chicago, Illinois City Council delayed a vote on a proposal to ban the
sale of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.

The Glen Cove, New York City Council approved a measure to ban the smoking
of marijuana in public spaces.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

The Madhya Pradesh, India Congress is asking for the resignation of a
government minister after her alleged brother was arrested for smuggling
marijuana.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “legalization of recreational cannabis use in California
does not seem connected with an increase in past 30 day cannabis use among
adults.”

A review concluded that “in several randomized controlled trials,
psilocybin with adjunctive psychotherapy reduced the symptoms of [treatment-resistant
depression] and [major depressive disorder] and was generally well
tolerated, although longer-term data are lacking.

A study found that a cannabis extract “possesses promising analgesic and
anti-inflammatory properties in small laboratory animals.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The Wall Street Journal editorial board claimed that “the ill effects of
THC are increasing.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Curaleaf Holdings’s chairman and CEO said the company will wind down its
hemp product operations before a federal ban takes effect next year.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. has a new managing director for Australia and New
Zealand.

*/ CULTURE*

American basketball player Jarred Shaw avoided the death penalty for
possessing cannabis gummies in Indonesia, getting a sentence of 26 months
in prison instead.

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The post Federal hemp regulation bill filed as alternative to ban Trump
signed (Newsletter: December 11, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.