Feds provide anti-cannabis group a platform to bash legalization (Newsletter: September 15, 2025)

*DC marijuana expungement repeal advances in Congress; CA cannabis tax
relief bill to gov; MA psychedelics vote; Study: Bongs don’t filter
effectively*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provided a
federally hosted platform for the prohibitionist organization Smart
Approaches to Marijuana to claim that legalization does not diminish the
illicit market and harms youth, despite data to the contrary.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved a bill to
overturn a Washington, D.C. marijuana expungements law that was enacted by
local officials in the nation’s capital.

The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations &
Accountability has scheduled a hearing about “how China is using marijuana
to build a criminal network across America” for Thursday—though witnesses
are currently unknown.

California lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) a bill to pause a recently
enacted tax hike on marijuana products, with the Assembly unanimously
agreeing to the Senate’s amendments to the legislation.

The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance
Use and Recovery approved a bill to create a psychedelic therapy pilot
program.

A new study comparing marijuana consumption methods found that “bong water
does not seem to significantly filter out any compound from the smoke”—though
the paper has now been withdrawn “because there may be a conflicting
bureaucracy issue due to the location this research was performed.”

- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry “results from both the bong and
joint smoke show similar smoke composition. No compounds between 5 to 350
g/mol were completely filtered by the bong water.”

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission is now accepting applications
for 24 new marijuana dispensary business licenses—with six reserved for
social equity applicants and six reserved for worker-owned cooperatives.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration reported that
dispensaries have sold $193.1 million worth of medical cannabis products so
far this year, putting the state on pace to set a new annual record.

*/ FEDERAL*

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) commended law enforcement officials for taking
action against illegal marijuana grow operations.

The House bill to designate psychedelic therapy centers of excellence got
one new cosponsor for a total of 13.

*/ STATES*

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed revised medical cannabis regulations.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) is considering an executive order to
address intoxicating hemp products.

Texas’s lieutenant governor criticized Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) hemp
executive order.

New Jersey’s Senate president said he supports legalizing limited home
cultivation of marijuana and the creation of a state bank to serve cannabis
businesses.

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to
noncompliant packaging and labeling, and inability to verify they were
manufactured using good manufacturing practices.

Nevada regulators sent a bulletin about marijuana products that failed
microbials testing.

New York regulators reached an agreement with marijuana dispensaries facing
potential closure under a zoning law dispute that will allow the businesses
to continue operating for at least five months.

Delaware regulators launched a social equity financial assistance grant
program for cannabis businesses.

Oregon regulators will hold an advisory meeting about changes to cannabis
rules 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*

New York City’s mayor was filmed in a marijuana dispensary saying, “It
smells good in here.”

The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that if cocaine were legalized
worldwide, “there would be no destruction of the Amazon rainforest.”

A Netherlands court ordered a cannabis cultivation company to address odor
issues.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study of UK doctors found that 87 percent would be open to prescribing
medical cannabis to manage chronic pain.

A study’s results “support the therapeutic potential of liposome-based
co-delivery of CBD and [celecoxib] in [glioblastoma multiforme] therapy.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The chair of the Florida Democratic Party tweeted about an upcoming
congressional hearing on Chinese involvement in illegal marijuana
operations, saying, “Simple solution…legalize and regulate.”

*/ BUSINESS*

RISE Dispensary workers in York, Pennsylvania are on strike.

*/ CULTURE*

Bryan Cranston spoke about microdosing psilocybin for the first time.

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The post Feds provide anti-cannabis group a platform to bash legalization
(Newsletter: September 15, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.