Former Trump officials’ contrasting cannabis rescheduling advocacy (Newsletter: September 5, 2025)

*DOT changes marijuana terminology; KY medical cannabis launch; Study:
Delta-8 sales higher in marijuana prohibition states; TX hemp ban stalls
again*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Kellyanne Conway, a former senior counselor to President Donald Trump, is
the “biggest champion” of marijuana rescheduling within the president’s
“inner circle,” Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Brian Mast
(R-FL) told Marijuana Moment.

Former Trump administration Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben
Carson authored an op-ed arguing that the marijuana rescheduling proposal
the president is currently considering would undermine his push to end “the
crime epidemic destroying American cities.”

- “Negative consequences follow liberalized drug policies like night
follows day. It makes sense that order and civil society suffer the more
you give license for individuals to engage in antisocial behavior such as
abusing drugs.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to change
marijuana-related terms in federal drug testing programs to reflect a more
nuanced understanding of cannabinoids like delta-8 and THCA and to be
“consistent with current scientific nomenclature”—a move intended to
“harmonize” with cannabis terminology already adopted by the Department of
Health and Human Services.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) predicted that medical cannabis should be
available to patients in dispensaries by the end of this year, saying that
“everybody is working as hard and as fast as they can, but they’re wanting
to make sure they do it right as well.”

A new federally funded study found that “delta-8-THC use was highest among
states that prohibit marijuana use,” suggesting that the hemp-derived
cannabinoid “might be fulfilling the demand for marijuana in areas where
marijuana use is prohibited.”

Texas legislation to ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC
has died—again—after lawmakers failed to reach a deal ahead of the end of a
second special session.

*/ FEDERAL*

The Food and Drug Administration published more detailed information on its
rejection of MDMA-assisted therapy.

The Drug Enforcement Administration posted resources about how to talk
about drugs with young adults.

The House bill to federally legalize marijuana got three new cosponsors for
a total of 46.

*/ STATES*

Illinois regulators are being sued over ban on outdoor marijuana
cultivation.

Vermont regulators issued a warning about “misleading” medical cannabis
recommendation websites.

Iowa regulators posted guidance on consumption of hemp-derived THC
beverages in public places.

Washington State regulators are providing training sessions for cannabis
business retail staff.

Virginia regulators launched a new medical cannabis online portal.

Oklahoma regulators sent a reminder of a requirement for medical cannabis
businesses to designate a “managing owner.”

Colorado regulators will hold a cannabis rulemaking stakeholder meeting 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. —*

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Caye Caulker, Belize voters will decide on a marijuana legalization
referendum on October 8.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study suggested that “CBD, especially in combination with
[metronidazole], may represent a novel therapeutic option for rosacea and
offer a scientific basis for its clinical application in managing
inflammatory skin conditions.”

A study found that “differences between legal and illegal cannabis prices
have narrowed considerably, likely due to declines in the price of cannabis
from legal stores since the opening of legal markets in Canada.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association published a report on the
growth of the state’s medical cannabis program.

*/ BUSINESS*

Green Check launched a managed services program to help financial
institutions scale their cannabis banking programs faster.

Arcana Collective, LLC is a new collaboration of cannabis breeders and
cultivators.

*/ CULTURE*

Whoopi Goldberg and a former Paterson, New Jersey mayor are engaged in
litigation over a stalled effort to open a marijuana dispensary.

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

The post Former Trump officials’ contrasting cannabis rescheduling advocacy
(Newsletter: September 5, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.