GOP Congressman Says Cannabis Not a Priority for Trump DOJ

The federal landscape for cannabis remains a bit of a rollercoaster. A key GOP congressman recently expressed doubt that the Department of Justice is prioritizing rescheduling, suggesting they are preoccupied with other high-profile investigations. Meanwhile, a new report is questioning the constitutionality of the 280E tax penalty, which has long prevented cannabis businesses from taking standard deductions. On the state level, New Hampshire's Senate hit the brakes on legalization, while advocates in Virginia are fighting against new criminal penalties being tucked into a sales bill. Maryland is also moving forward with discussions on expanding access to psychedelics.

For the everyday toker, these updates are a reminder that the fight for fair access and sensible laws is far from over. Seeing the 280E tax rule challenged is a huge win for the industry's health, which eventually leads to better prices and more local shops. While the lack of movement from the DOJ is a bummer, the continued advocacy in states like Virginia shows that the community is staying loud and focused on progress over punishment.