Medical cannabis reduces opioid prescriptions, study shows (Newsletter: December 9, 2025)

*FL medical marijuana homegrow bill; NH proposal to put cannabis on ballot;
Hemp farmers & carbon credits’ MI marijuana tax ruling; NM psilocybin*

Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every
weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis
stories are shaping the day.
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

*Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible…*

*Before you dig into today’s cannabis news,* I wanted you to know you can
keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana
Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into
the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going.

Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

A Florida senator introduced a bill to legalize home cultivation of medical
cannabis, allowing patients to grow up to six plants for themselves and to
purchase marijuana seeds and clones from dispensaries.

New Hampshire lawmakers prefiled several marijuana and hemp bills for the
2026 session—including legislation to put legalization on the ballot,
protect gun rights of medical cannabis patients and allow dispensaries to
convert to for-profit businesses.

A new federally funded study published by the American Medical Association
found that patient participation in New York’s medical marijuana program
“was associated with significantly reduced prescription opioid receipt.”

- “Medical cannabis is increasingly considered a substitute for
prescription opioid medications for chronic pain, driven by the urgent need
for opioid alternatives to combat the ongoing epidemic.”

Amy Rubenstein of Dentons argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that hemp
growers should consider the largely “untapped opportunity to access carbon
credit markets”, which brings tax incentives and can be “appealing to
eco-conscious investors and consumers.”

A Michigan judge denied cannabis industry groups’ request to impose a
preliminary injunction against a newly approved marijuana tax increase
while a lawsuit challenging the policy proceeds.

The New Mexico Department of Health is aiming to launch the state’s
psilocybin therapy program a year earlier than expected—with the senator
who sponsored the bill that created it saying “we are experiencing a new
renaissance…of psychedelic medicine.”

*/ FEDERAL*

Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) said recent U.S. actions against drug traffickers
are stopping “cocaine and marijuana”—not fentanyl.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted, “I called out the hypocrisy of the
Trump admin’s so-called’“war on drugs’ in the Caribbean while pardoning
Juan Orlando Hernández, a convicted trafficker tied to 400 tons of cocaine.
Trump’s escalation is clearly not about drugs, and we must stop this march
toward war.”

*/ STATES*

A Minnesota senator said the newly approved federal ban on hemp THC
products will boost the illegal market.

Hawaii regulators published guidance on hemp packaging and labeling
requirements.

Colorado regulators published guidance on recordkeeping best practices for
marijuana businesses.

Minnesota regulators are accepting applications for a grants program that
invests in communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition.


*— 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*

Local officials in several Ohio municipalities discussed efforts to obtain
a share of marijuana revenue.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Germany’s federal drug and addiction commissioner expressed concerns about
the country’s marijuana legalization law.

The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety published
an opinion about CBD use in cosmetic products.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study of fibromyalgia syndrome patients found that “THC significantly
reduced spontaneous pain ratings on the McGill scale compared to both
baseline and placebo” and “also significantly enhanced [offset analgesia]
relative to baseline and placebo, while no effect was observed on”
conditioned pain modulation.

A review’s findings “support the potential of MDMA-[assisted therapy] as a
viable treatment option for the symptoms of PTSD.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. completed the redemption of all the $368 million
principal amount of its outstanding senior secured notes due 2026.

cbdMD, Inc. regained compliance with New York Stock Exchange listing
standards.

*Make sure to subscribe to get Marijuana Moment’s daily dispatch in your
inbox.*
Get our daily newsletter.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

The post Medical cannabis reduces opioid prescriptions, study shows
(Newsletter: December 9, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.