Pennsylvania governor keeps pushing to legalize cannabis amid GOP opposition (Newsletter: June 20, 2025)

*Congressional hemp ban report; MD marijuana pardons; OH legalization
amendment dispute; NH psilocybin reform advances; NY & CA cannabis grants*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

The Congressional Research Service said a bill advancing through the House
would “effectively” ban hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including CBD—despite
an Appropriations Committee report saying it “does not intend” to prohibit
“non-intoxicating…products with trace or insignificant amounts of THC.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) marked Juneteenth with a new round of pardons
for nearly 7,000 marijuana possession convictions that were inadvertently
left out of an earlier mass cannabis clemency action because they were
coded incorrectly in criminal records.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is continuing to push for marijuana
legalization—saying residents are sending tax money to neighboring states
with legal cannabis—even as the GOP Senate majority leader says there’s no
way the reform can be included in the budget due this month.

An apparent agreement between Ohio House and Senate lawmakers on how to
amend the voter-approved marijuana legalization law fell apart at the last
minute, with key negotiators now saying that passing anything ahead of the
summer recess is unlikely.

A New Hampshire House-Senate conference committee agreed to lower penalties
for first-time possession of psilocybin, while a separate panel decided to
remove provisions to legalize medical cannabis home cultivation from
another bill.

The New York Office of Cannabis Management awarded the first 52 grants
under a program to aid businesses run by people harmed by prior marijuana
criminalization through reimbursements for expenses such as rent,
renovations, inventory tracking and security systems.

The California Department of Cannabis Control is using $30 million in
marijuana revenue to support research projects—prioritizing key focus areas
like consumer preferences, crop yields, environmental sustainability and
enforcement strategies.

FundCanna CEO Adam Stettner argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that
it’s “hypocritical” and “illogical” for Texas lawmakers to spend $50
million to support research on the psychedelic ibogaine while continuing to
criminalize cannabis.

*/ FEDERAL*

Former Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk posted what
appears to be a report from a second drug test showing negative results for
various substances.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) tweeted that a new study purporting to link
cannabis use with heart attacks and stroke is “yet another reason to be
very cautious about recreational marijuana and inflated claims about
medical marijuana.”

*/ STATES*

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) appointed another member to the Liquor Control
Commission who will jointly serve on the Medical Cannabis Commission.

Ultra Health Cannabis CEO Duke Rodriguez is considering running for New
Mexico governor.

Texas’s lieutenant governor is continuing to agitate in favor of a bill to
ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC, including by pushing
back against polling showing that it is unpopular with voters.

A Missouri senator authored an op-ed about the benefits of federal
marijuana rescheduling.

A Washington State representative is urging Lynnwood City Council members
not to allow retail marijuana businesses to operate.

Former staffers for a Massachusetts psychedelics legalization ballot
initiative campaign are alleging that it violated campaign finance laws.

Utah regulators posted information about the availability of new medical
cannabis pharmacy licenses.

New York regulators are accepting applications to speak at the Medical
Cannabis Symposium they are hosting in November.

California regulators will hold a public hearing about proposed cannabis
tax rules 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*

Jamaican officials dropped a case against a Rastafari man after recognizing
his right to grow cannabis as a sacrament.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “medical cannabis pharmacies can provide an effective
adjuvant intervention for pediatric cancer symptoms” and that most patients
“reported that medical cannabis helped ease some distressing symptoms with
minimal side effects, but not all experienced benefits.”

A review concluded that “assisted psilocybin use may have benefits in [traumatic
brain injury] by reducing inflammation, promoting neuroplasticity and
neuroregeneration, and alleviating associated mood disorders.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

Law enforcement and anti-drug groups sent a letter urging Texas Gov. Greg
Abbott (R) to sign a bill banning consumable hemp products with any amount
of THC.

*/ BUSINESS*

Aurora Cannabis Inc. denied reports that it is acquiring MedLeaf
Therapeutics and that it entered into a strategic partnership with
MediPharm GmbH for distribution of medical cannabis in Germany and other EU
markets.

LeadiX GmbH is attempting to patent quantitative drug testing methods over
the objections of harm reduction advocates who say that home use of the
technology can prevent overdoses and save lives.

*/ CULTURE*

Former football player Ricky Williams is calling on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
(R) to veto a bill to ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC.

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The post Pennsylvania governor keeps pushing to legalize cannabis amid GOP
opposition (Newsletter: June 20, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.