GOP senator pushes federal cannabis “regulatory construct” (Newsletter: October 15, 2025)

*SCOTUS acts on marijuana & guns case; CA gov vetoes cannabis shipping
bill; NC psychedelics; Study: Blunt smoking on the rise; OH hemp THC
product ban*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) told Marijuana Moment that it’s time to create a
federal “regulatory construct” for cannabis “where you have excise taxes,
you have money flowing to law enforcement and other agencies and then have
Congress have a simple up or down vote on it.”

The U.S. Supreme Court narrowed its list of pending cases concerning the
federal ban on gun ownership by marijuana consumers as the justices
declined to take up one of about a half dozen—with the others now set to be
discussed at a meeting on Friday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed a bill that would have allowed
certain marijuana microbusinesses to ship medical cannabis products
directly to patients via common carriers like FedEx and UPS.

Bipartisan North Carolina lawmakers spoke about the therapeutic benefits of
psychedelics for military veterans—with a Republican senator saying the
state could “lead the nation” on the issue.

A new study found that marijuana “blunt smoking increased substantially
from 2015 to 2022” in the U.S.—with much of the rise from “groups with
historically lower use rates” such as women, older people and those who do
not drink alcohol.

As an executive order from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) temporarily banning
intoxicating hemp products takes effect, business owners are worried the
policy will negatively impact their employees and customers.

*/ FEDERAL*

The U.S. government reportedly revoked visas of at least 50 Mexican
politicians and government officials amid the Trump administration’s
crackdown on drug cartels and their suspected political allies.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) said there are “a lot of folks who own firearms
and smoke marijuana.”

*/ STATES*

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said she is “sympathetic” to the
cannabis industry’s concerns about a new wholesale tax.

Arkansas’s finance secretary told lawmakers that regulators are in no rush
to award final medical cannabis dispensary licenses.

A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “Two things I think @realDonaldTrump will
do before the midterms, reschedule cannabis, and fix our broken health
insurance system.”

Washington, D.C.’s top medical cannabis regulator discussed efforts to
enforce laws against unregulated businesses selling marijuana, psychedelics
and other drugs.

California regulators adopted changes to cannabis tax rules.

Missouri regulators published draft changes to rules on marijuana
dispensary licenses.

The New York Cannabis Advisory Board an initial round of grants to
organizations serving communities impacted by marijuana arrests.

Vermont regulators suspended the license of a cannabis business.

Oregon regulators will consider changes to marijuana and hemp rules on
Thursday.

Nevada regulators will consider cannabis business issues on Thursday.


*— 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*

The Boston, Massachusetts Cannabis Board will meet on October 22.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study of mice suggested that “cannabinoid administration has the
potential to be an effective alternate therapeutic option for [ulcerative
colitis] management.”

A study examined “factors influencing nonprofit responses to cannabis
industry philanthropy.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The leader of the Scottish Labour Party discussed his opposition to
decriminalizing drugs.

*/ BUSINESS*

Glass House Brands Inc. began trading on the Robinhood platform.

Tilray Medical is expanding its medical cannabis operations into Panama.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. entered into an amended and restated agreement with
Needham Bank to expand the borrowing capacity of its revolving credit
facility from $40 million to $100 million and extend the maturity to up to
five years.

Missouri retailers sold $118.9 million worth of legal marijuana products in
September.

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

The post GOP senator pushes federal cannabis “regulatory construct”
(Newsletter: October 15, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.