Feds say cannabis is “medicinal” but keep it restricted in Schedule I (Newsletter: July 17, 2025)

*VA head talks psychedelics; MDMA amendment to NDAA; Another PA
legalization bill; Health groups push Congress on medical marijuana*

Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every
weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis
stories are shaping the day.
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

*Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…*

*Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. *Have you thought
about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would
be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming
months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count
on.

Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

A U.S. Department of Agriculture database describes marijuana as having
“medicinal” uses—even as the federal government continues to classify
cannabis in Schedule I, which is supposed to be reserved for substances
with no medical value.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins met with bipartisan members of
Congress to discuss psychedelic therapy access for military veterans,
saying the department is exploring “new avenues to safely and responsibly
help those who have served.”

The House Armed Services Committee approved a National Defense
Authorization Act amendment directing the Pentagon to issue a status report
on a psychedelic treatment program for active duty military service members
and veterans—including “progress, findings, shortfalls, and recommendations
to continue and, if necessary, improve the current programs using MDMA to
treat patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”

Another Pennsylvania lawmaker filed a marijuana legalization bill, saying
the reform “presents an unprecedented economic opportunity” that will
“generate revenue, create thousands of jobs and support new businesses.”

Major health groups—including U.S. Pain Foundation, National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, Epilepsy Foundation of America, AIDS United and Tourette
Association of America—are calling on Congress to continue protecting state
medical cannabis laws from federal interference.

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska’s Tribal Council voted to legalize marijuana
for recreational and medical use, effective immediately—becoming the first
jurisdiction within the state to enact such a far-reaching cannabis reform.

Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin defended the state’s plan
to first launch recreational cannabis sales via existing medical
dispensaries as a “pretty traditional path forward” despite advocates’
concerns that it leaves new and small equity businesses behind.

*/ FEDERAL*

Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said that in
recent raids on Glass House Brands facilities, “we were going after a
marijuana grow facility, which happens to donate to [California Gov. Gavin
Newsom (D)]…with a criminal warrant against an American business that’s
harboring and trafficking in illegal immigration…and the forced labor of
children.”

The House bill to seal marijuana records got one new cosponsor for a total
of three.

*/ STATES*

A Pennsylvania senator authored an op-ed arguing that marijuana
legalization can provide funding for public transit.

California regulators launched “an active investigation” after receiving a
complaint that Glass House Brands, which was recently raided by federal
officials over immigration issues, had employed minors.

The Utah Medical Cannabis Policy Advisory Board is considering a proposal
to increase medical marijuana purchase limits.

New York regulators reached a settlement agreement with two cannabis
businesses that found they engaged in prohibited cross-tier conduct,
including unauthorized branding and promotion of products under a
proprietary dispensary brand.

Minnesota regulators published a list of businesses that are tax delinquent
for cannabis product sales.

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*

New York City officials will host a cannabis festival and resource fair on
Saturday.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Slovenian lawmakers approved medical cannabis legislation.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study of caregivers of children who use medical cannabis to treat neurological
disabilities found that they “reported symptom improvement in their
children and improved quality of life for their child and family.”

A study suggested that “adolescent cannabidiol treatment produces
dose-dependent antidepressant-like effects of moderate magnitude without
compromising long-term cognition in rats.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Flowhub launched a new ecommerce solution for cannabis businesses.

*/ CULTURE*

Theo Von hosted a podcast about ibogaine.

*Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your
inbox.*
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

The post Feds say cannabis is “medicinal” but keep it restricted in
Schedule I (Newsletter: July 17, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.