GOP congressman celebrates cannabis’s ongoing Schedule I status (Newsletter: February 17, 2026)

*VA marijuana sales legalization votes; NH psilocybin bill passes;
Congressional candidates take cannabis pledge; PA marijuana tax op-ed*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) gloated to Marijuana Moment that cannabis has not
yet been rescheduled, saying that the Department of Justice “should take
about 20 years” to complete the process.

- “All I know is every day that goes by and it’s not rescheduled is
another good day.”

The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates gave initial approval to bills
to legalize recreational marijuana sales—teeing up final votes this week
and setting the stage for the two chambers to negotiate differences in the
measures as cannabis resentencing legislation also advanced.

A Florida marijuana campaign is asking the state Supreme Court to overturn
officials’ decision to invalidate tens of thousands of signatures for a
legalization initiative it wants to place on the November ballot.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives approved a bill to legalize the
regulated use of psilocybin for medical purposes, allowing patients with
certain diagnoses to access the psychedelic.

U.S. Senate and House candidates from Nebraska are pledging to do more to
protect the state’s medical cannabis law than the current congressional
delegation—including by fixing the fact that it was left out of a rider
preventing federal interference in state medical marijuana programs.

Max Jackson of Cannabis Wise Guys argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed
that Pennsylvania lawmakers must avoid over-taxing cannabis if it is
legalized—saying other states’ experiences show it “kills cannabis markets’
ability to displace illicit sales and generate sustainable revenue.”

A West Virginia delegate filed a bill to allocate medical cannabis revenue
that is currently being unused as state officials voice concerns about
federal law.

*/ FEDERAL*

The Drug Enforcement Administration posted a profile of one of its
community outreach specialists focused on reducing drug demand.

The House bill to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products
got two new cosponsors for a total of 30.

*/ STATES*

The California legislature’s Joint Committee on Legislative Audit and
Assembly Business and Professions Committee will hold a hearing about
cannabis packaging that is attractive to children on Tuesday.

A North Carolina representative discussed his marijuana legalization bill.

A West Virginia delegate said the state is losing out on tax dollars to its
neighbors that have legalized marijuana.

Ohio regulators filed proposed changes to marijuana and hemp rules.

Alabama regulators are accepting public comments on proposed changes to
medical cannabis business rules.

Massachusetts regulators are considering a marijuana business licensing
freeze.

U.S. Virgin Islands regulators are still trying to figure out how to
license hemp product sales as a deadline approaches.

Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions
against marijuana businesses.

Minnesota regulators announced a statewide cannabis policy listening tour.

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board will meet on Thursday.

Nevada regulators will host workshops about proposed changes to marijuana
rules on March 3 and 4.

The New Hampshire Therapeutic Cannabis Medical Oversight Board will meet on
March 4.


*— 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 court upheld Highland Park, Michigan’s ban on marijuana businesses.

A Cincinnati, Ohio City Council member authored an op-ed about his plan to
use marijuana revenue to fund programs to aid communities impacted by
prohibition.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

German lawmakers are pushing for expansion of the country’s marijuana
legalization law.

The International Criminal Court named Philippine senators and other
officials as co-conspirators in the trial of former President Rodrigo
Duterte over the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A review highlighted “the impact of cannabidiol on glial cell activity in
ischemic stroke, proposing it as a multi-target agent with therapeutic
potential in post-stroke recovery and neuroprotection.”

A review concluded that “some [traumatic brain injury] patients are
experimenting with psychedelic use with the intention of managing their
symptoms” and that “most respondents indicated some self-reported
improvements to their TBI-related symptoms and that most users reported
psilocybin as the effective substance in managing their symptoms.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Innovia Consulting acquired 365Vertical and 365 Cannabis.

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The post GOP congressman celebrates cannabis’s ongoing Schedule I status
(Newsletter: February 17, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.