Ohio bill to scale back cannabis legalization passed by House (Newsletter: October 23, 2025)

*WI medical marijuana hearing; FDA petition on cannabis testing device; MA
recriminalization initiative “on track”; NH 2026 cannabis/psychedelics
bills*

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…*

*Your good deed for the day:* donate to an independent publisher like
Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to
the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.

Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The Food and Drug Administration is considering a citizen petition raising
concerns about the “significant harm” a drug testing device for marijuana
metabolites in hair could cause if employers or law enforcement administer
it under the mistaken impression it proves a person actually used cannabis
rather than was exposed to secondhand smoke from someone else.

The Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill to revise the state’s
voter-approved marijuana legalization law by removing some protections for
consumers and adding new restrictions on intoxicating hemp products.

The Wisconsin Senate Health Committee held a hearing on a medical cannabis
legalization bill sponsored by the Senate president and other Republican
lawmakers—taking testimony from patients and other advocates.

A Massachusetts initiative to repeal key parts of the state’s marijuana
legalization law is “on track” to qualify for the 2026 ballot—though some
in the cannabis community are raising concerns about alleged instances
where voters were approached by signature gatherers with misleading
information before signing petitions.

Bipartisan New Hampshire lawmakers have filed requests for several
marijuana, psychedelics and hemp bills they plan to introduce in the 2026
session—including measures to put legalization on the ballot, protect gun
rights of medical cannabis patients and allow the therapeutic use of
psilocybin.

The chair of the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission stepped down from
the job ahead of launching a possible campaign for state attorney general.

*/ FEDERAL*

The U.S. Tax Court is considering a New Mexico medical cannabis company’s
claim that the 280E tax penalty does not apply to it.

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) tweeted that new reports showing that alcohol
industry companies are lobbying on hemp issues are “very telling.”

The House bill to seal federal marijuana conviction records got two new
cosponsors for a total of five.

*/ STATES*

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced that enforcement efforts led to
the seizure and destruction of more than $222 million worth of illegal
cannabis from July to September 2025.

The Georgia House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Georgia’s Medical
Marijuana and Hemp Policies will meet on Friday.

A Pennsylvania senator tweeted about the U.S. Supreme Court taking up a
case on cannabis consumers’ gun rights, saying, “You’re either on the side
of freedom or you’re not. Time to pick.”

A Florida judge began a monthslong hearing on a medical cannabis business
licensing dispute.

Louisiana regulators filed changes to rules on who can issue medical
cannabis recommendations.

Rhode Island regulators published a report on diversity in the cannabis
industry.

Nevada regulators are asking marijuana businesses to complete a survey.


*— 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*

A cannabis company operations manager is running for a Glassboro Borough,
New Jersey Council seat.

A Traverse City, Michigan advisory committee is considering a proposal to
use marijuana revenue to fund improvements to a city-owned ski area.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

Germany’s drug and addiction policy commissioner discussed his support for
enacting new medical cannabis restrictions.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “all phytocannabinoids reduced voluntary alcohol
consumption in rats” but that “compounds differed in their effectiveness in
reducing alcohol consumption and the side-effect profile.”

A study found that marijuana “decriminalization narrowed racial disparities
in arrests in Chicago by reducing small quantity possession arrests for
Black individuals and in Los Angeles by reducing large quantity possession
arrests for both Black and Hispanic residents.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The Last Prisoner Project has a new acting executive director.

*/ BUSINESS*

Curio Wellness acquired four marijuana dispensaries in Missouri operating
under the Greenlight brand.

*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:

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

The post Ohio bill to scale back cannabis legalization passed by House
(Newsletter: October 23, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.