Federal news includes Republican senators filing an amendment to block the Department of Justice from rescheduling marijuana, and the House voting to continue blocking D.C. recreational cannabis sales. A key House committee chairman is supporting a bill to delay the recriminalization of hemp-derived THC products. On the state level, a Virginia delegate filed a bill to legalize and regulate recreational sales, Kentucky opened new medical cannabis businesses, and numerous states like Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Oklahoma are moving forward with regulatory and enforcement actions related to licensing, taxes, and program oversight. International updates note British Columbia will not seek to extend its drug decriminalization trial.

GOP Senators Attempt to Block Trump’s Cannabis Rescheduling

Jan 16, 2026

Source:

Tom Angell

Marijuana Moment

It’s a busy start to 2026 for cannabis policy, with plenty of back-and-forth on Capitol Hill. Republican Senators Ted Budd and James Lankford are pushing an amendment to halt the federal rescheduling process, potentially throwing a wrench into President Trump’s plans for a quicker transition. Meanwhile, the House voted to maintain the long-standing block on recreational sales in D.C., though that could become irrelevant if rescheduling actually happens. On a brighter note, there’s a federal push to delay a hemp ban to protect farmers, and Virginia has officially filed a bill to finally launch regulated adult-use sales.

For everyday tokers, this political tug-of-war is a reminder that while the community is winning the culture war, the legal battle is far from over. Seeing Virginia move toward a real market and hearing federal leaders defend hemp is awesome, but the D.C. sales block remains a frustrating hurdle for local accessibility. Staying informed on these developments is the best way to ensure the community continues to push for a fair, open, and safe industry for everyone.

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