Feds tout hemp roots’ potential in kids’ cancer treatment (Newsletter: January 20, 2026)

*IN House rejects marijuana amendment; Study: Cannabis classification not
aligned with science; Op-Ed: CBD patients need more than fed hemp ban delay*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists published a study that the agency
says “redefined the value of roots in industrial hemp, providing new
opportunities for industrial hemp growers and opening new avenues for
pediatric cancer research.”

The Indiana House of Representatives rejected an amendment that would have
allowed farmers to begin cultivating marijuana seed with new special use
permits—which the sponsor said would help the state “get prepared” for
federal cannabis rescheduling.

A new scientific review concludes that “U.S. drug policy does not align
with experts’ rankings of drug harms”—finding, for example, that “cannabis
was rated as less harmful than its Schedule I status suggests.”

Realm of Caring Executive Director Sasha Kalcheff-Korn argues in a new
Marijuana Moment op-ed that for hemp farmers and patients who rely on CBD,
delaying the federal recriminalization of hemp products is “just a band-aid”
and that “regulatory certainty” is needed.

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation revised guidance to attempt to
clarify whether medical marijuana patients can buy from licensed
dispensaries as adult-use consumers—though purchase limit rules complicate
the situation.

*/ FEDERAL*

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Sara Carter
Bailey said officials are seeing fentanyl “laced in vapes and marijuana.”

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) tweeted, “Rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III
substance will put more money in the pockets of marijuana companies & will
have detrimental effects on the health and safety of Americans, especially
our nation’s youth.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said in a press release about the Senate
Judiciary Committee’s approval of President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S.
attorney for Maine that she’s concerned about “illegal Chinese marijuana
grow houses” in her state.

*/ STATES*

The Maine legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee is considering
a bill to legalize marijuana consumption lounges.

The Ohio legislature’s Ibogaine Treatment Study Committee will meet on
Wednesday.

A Florida judge issued a split ruling on state officials’ decision to toss
signatures for a proposed marijuana legalization ballot initiative.

A spokesperson for a Massachusetts campaign seeking to roll back marijuana
legalization with a proposed ballot initiative addressed accusations of
fraudulent petitioning tactics.

The organizer of an Arizona campaign behind a proposed ballot initiative to
recriminalize recreational marijuana sales discussed the measure.

Michigan regulators published a report on the hemp program.

Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program has seen a decline in patient
enrollment over the past year.

California regulators are launching a compliance education effort on kratom
and 7-OH products ahead of enforcement actions.


*— 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*

Niles Township. Michigan officials are being sued over a local ban on
marijuana businesses.

The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada’s police chief said he doesn’t expect to
see a spike in drug arrests when the province’s decriminalization trial is
concluded at the end of this month.

German lawmakers are considering scaling back some proposed restrictive
changes to medical cannabis policies.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study highlighted “the potential of CBD as an adjunctive therapeutic
agent for cancer treatment versus non-malignant cells.”

A study found that “longer sitting times are associated with a lower
likelihood of marijuana use among U.S. adults.”

A study found that “acute migraine treatment with 6% THC + 11% CBD was
superior to placebo at 2-h post-treatment with sustained benefits at 24 and
48 h.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The New York Post editorial board criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) plan
to create a Center for Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity.

*/ BUSINESS*

Colorado retailers sold $108.2 million worth of legal marijuana products in
October.

*/ CULTURE*

A shuttered marijuana business co-owned by Ice-T is facing a lawsuit over
allegedly unpaid bills.

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

The post Feds tout hemp roots’ potential in kids’ cancer treatment
(Newsletter: January 20, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.