Hemp dispute threatens bill to end federal shutdown (Newsletter: October 30, 2025)

*ID medical marijuana initiative; Poll: Canadians say cannabis industry
“important” to economy; AZ psilocybin trials; Cannabis smells study*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said he’s willing to block legislation to end the
government shutdown if it contains provisions to recriminalize hemp
products with a quantifiable amount of THC, as some lawmakers are pushing
for.

Idaho medical cannabis activists launched a signature gathering drive for a
legalization initiative that they hope to qualify for the state’s 2026
ballot.

A new poll of Canadians shows that six out of ten believe the cannabis
industry is an “important contributor” to the nation’s economy and that
marijuana use rates are now virtually identical to those for nicotine.

Arizona officials have approved and funded a first-in-the-nation clinical
trial using whole mushroom psilocybin to treat PTSD in first responders and
military veterans—with authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration.

Researchers “generated and evaluated a descriptive aroma lexicon” for
marijuana flower—finding that, contrary to popular belief, terpenes “poorly
predicted sensory character.”

- “This is crucial given the overreliance on terpene content in current
Cannabis industry marketing and labeling practices.”

*/ FEDERAL*

Former Trump administration Department of Justice spokesperson Sarah Isgur
said she “did not like” the Obama administration’s move to reduce marijuana
prosecutions.

*/ STATES*

Connecticut’s attorney general sent a press release about a letter he
co-led calling on Congress to recriminalize intoxicating hemp products.

California’s treasurer said the state’s marijuana program is a “failure.”

The Michigan Senate Education Committee held a hearing on a bill to require
state officials to provide guidance on the dangers of marijuana products,
tobacco and vaping to the parents of students on an annual basis.

New Hampshire representatives discussed the prospects of marijuana
legalization legislation.

A Pennsylvania senator tweeted, “Like it or not, cannabis is here. It’s
time to regulate the wild wild west.”

New York regulators are facing a potential lawsuit over a marijuana product
recall.

A Colorado judge is considering a request to block regulators from
enforcing a bulletin claiming a cannabis company is operating without a
license.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission rejected a motion to reaffirm
votes they previously took when the now-reinstated chair was suspended.

Maryland regulators awarded a grant to support cannabis job training
expansion.

Minnesota regulators sent a reminder about Friday’s deadline to apply for a
lower-potency hemp edible license.

Rhode Island regulators will host an event about cannabis business banking
access on Monday.


*— 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*

Lebanon legalized medical cannabis cultivation.

Colombian officials approved the use of medical cannabis flower.

New South Wales, Australia’s government said it supports “in principle” a
recommendation to provide a legal defense to DUI charges for medical
cannabis patients.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study highlighted “the potential of C. sativa stem by-products as
sustainable sources of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory
properties, promoting their revaluation within circular economy models.”

A study found “a significant, though inconsistent, negative association
between legal cannabis prices and current cannabis use among adolescents.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

A poll of Texas voters found that 39 percent have heard “some” about Gov.
Greg Abbott’s (R) regulations for hemp-derived cannabis products, 24
percent have heard “a lot,” 23 percent have heard “not very much” and 15
percent have heard “nothing at all.”

An Oklahoma Republican Party district vice chairman authored an op-ed
urging people not to sign a petition to put a marijuana legalization
initiative on the ballot.

*/ BUSINESS*

Vireo Growth Inc. and Verano Holdings Corp. reached a comprehensive
settlement dismissing all outstanding litigation matters between the
companies.

Verano Holdings Corp. reported quarterly net revenue of $202.8 million and
a net loss of $43.8 million.

MariMed Inc. is exiting the Missouri market.

Curaleaf is seeking an expedited hearing in its lawsuit challenging New
Jersey cannabis industry labor rules.

*/ CULTURE*

Basketball player Brandon Williams was arrested for possession of marijuana
at an airport.

Mike Tyson visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol to lobby for marijuana
legalization.

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The post Hemp dispute threatens bill to end federal shutdown (Newsletter:
October 30, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.