Ohio AG rejects cannabis referendum ballot petition (Newsletter: January 15, 2026)

*Rand Paul & Joe Rogan talk hemp; NJ interstate marijuana commerce bill; NH
psilocybin hearing; Poll: Canadian legalization support grows*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) surprised Joe Rogan by telling him that the marijuana
and alcohol industries jointly pushed to enact a recent law federally
recriminalizing hemp THC products.

- “It was a little bit of the alcohol lobby and the cannabis lobby. The
cannabis people hate the hemp people.”

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R) rejected a referendum petition to block
parts of a restrictive marijuana and hemp law from going into effect,
saying its summary is “misleading” and must be revised in order to proceed.

New Jersey’s Senate president filed a bill to legalize interstate cannabis
commerce, subject to certain triggers and restrictions.

The New Hampshire House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Committee held a hearing on two psilocybin bills that would legalize the
regulated use of the psychedelic for medical purposes.

A new poll of Canadian adults shows that support for marijuana being legal
is increasing over time, with two-thirds of respondents now saying they
back the reform—though relatively few respondents back legalizing other
drugs.

*/ FEDERAL*

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) claimed that drug enforcement at the border will
save people from smoking fentanyl-laced marijuana joints.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she is disappointed that a funding
bill advancing in Congress would continue blocking Washington, D.C. from
legalizing recreational marijuana sales.

The Senate bill to regulate hemp products got one new cosponsor for a total
of two.

*/ STATES*

Pennsylvania’s treasurer, who is running for governor, said she doesn’t
believe there is “as much revenue in the legalization of marijuana as you
would think.”

A new member of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission began his
term, and regulators took action on marijuana business licensing.

Massachusetts regulators are recognizing an additional form of ID for
marijuana purchases.

Maryland regulators fined a marijuana business for allegedly violating
tracking and inventory rules.

Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions
taken against marijuana businesses.

California regulators sent updates about various cannabis issues.

The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board will meet on Thursday.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission will meet on Friday.


*— 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 San Diego County, California Board of Supervisors is considering
changes to cannabis business rules.

West Sacramento, California officials are moving to scrap the city’s
cannabis equity program.

The Oakland, California Cannabis Regulatory Commission will meet on
Thursday.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Kenya’s High Court rejected a request to stop marijuana possession arrests
of Rastafarians pending a determination on a petition to decriminalize
spiritual cannabis use.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “CBD protects human skin from [particulate
matter]-induced molecular damage and supports its potential as a functional
bioactive ingredient for anti-pollution applications.”

A study found that”CBG has been demonstrated to exert significant
anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of key inflammatory mediators and
signaling pathways in both in vivo and in vitro models.”

A study found that “an acute dose of CBD (300 mg) taken 2 h before a 2-mile
run may potentially benefit runners in shorter distance competitions by
increasing calm and relaxed feelings and reducing perceived effort at the
halfway point without impairing performance or increasing gastrointestinal
upset.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America is supporting congressional
legislation to delay implementation of the federal recriminalization of
hemp THC products.

*/ BUSINESS*

Circle K is launching hemp THC beverage sales in Texas.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. said it is making “significant progress” in powdery
mildew resistance research.

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The post Ohio AG rejects cannabis referendum ballot petition (Newsletter:
January 15, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.