Trump admin see cannabis as “hazard,”

*State-legal marijuana exception in new fed rule; RFK “still uses
psychedelics”; Roger Stone talks Trump & hemp ban; VA legalization plan*

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*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

President Donald Trump’s administration “thinks that marijuana use is a
public safety hazard,” the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Wyoming said—drawing
criticism from Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Dina Titus
(D-NV).

A new Federal Register filing from the U.S. Department of Education says
that people working in and around the state-legal marijuana industry won’t
be automatically disqualified from a loan forgiveness program under rules
barring employers that have a “substantial illegal purpose.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “still uses
psychedelics,” according to a New York Times report about a forthcoming
book from journalist Olivia Nuzzi, who allegedly had a romantic
relationship with him.

GOP political operative Roger Stone said President Donald Trump is “the
founder of the modern legal hemp industry in America” and was “forced to
sign” new legislation recriminalizing THC products by House and Senate
Republicans who inserted it into a bill to end the government shutdown.

Virginia lawmakers will soon release draft legislation to legalize
recreational marijuana sales that they plan to pass in the 2026 session
under the state’s newly elected governor, who supports the reform.

North Carolina hemp businesses are bracing for the impact of a newly
approved federal ban on THC products, with some saying they plan to fight
to stop it with new legislation before it takes effect in a year.

*/ FEDERAL*

Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) tweeted, “Minnesota has one of the strongest, most
carefully regulated systems in the country to allow the sale of hemp
products like THC beverages. This ban just needlessly screws everything up
while hurting our breweries.”

Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) tweeted, “Texas’s hemp industry is staring down a
crisis because of Trump and Congressional Republicans’ hemp ban. A thriving
sector that supports 8,500 businesses and over 50,000 jobs is now at risk
of being wiped out. They are killing a Texas industry instead of protecting
Texas jobs.”

Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) discussed the prospects for federal marijuana reform.

A former House Rules Committee chief of staff authored an op-ed criticizing
Congress’s “abdication” of its war powers responsibilities regarding the
Trump administration’s military attacks on suspected drug boats.

*/ STATES*

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) tweeted, “Colorado has generated over $3
BILLION in cannabis revenue — paving roads, building schools, rec centers —
all while crushing the illegal sales.”

South Dakota’s health secretary spoke about the growth of the medical
cannabis program.

Oregon lawmakers are reportedly considering cutting medical cannabis
programs to save money.

A Missouri representative said he will make adjustments to planned hemp
legislation in light of a newly enacted federal ban on hemp THC products.

A new member of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission was sworn in.

A New York regulator discussed efforts to expand medical cannabis access.

Nevada regulators will host a workshop on proposed changes to cannabis
rules on Wednesday.

New Jersey regulators will discuss cannabis issues at a conference on
Wednesday.


*— 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*

Richmond, Virginia’s mayor discussed the benefits of legalizing
recreational marijuana sales.

Los Angeles County, California published guidance about kratom and 7-OH
products.

*/ INTERNATIONAL*

The German Bundesrat Health Committee issued medical cannabis
recommendations.

Israel’s medical cannabis program saw its first decline in registered
patients.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A study found that “higher CBD doses may be associated with clinically
meaningful improvements in sleep in cancer patients enrolled in a medical
cannabis program.”

A study found that “psilocybin’s antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and
regenerative properties make it a promising natural compound for reducing skin
aging, particularly under oxidative stress conditions.”

Case studies of children with Tourette syndrome found that treatment with
cannabis-based medicine led to “clinically relevant symptom improvement
without any severe adverse effects or negative impact on cognitive and
academic performance.”

*/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS*

The Washington Examiner editorial board cheered “Trump’s welcome marijuana
crackdown.”

*/ BUSINESS*

Green Thumb Industries Inc. is urging an Illinois court to dismiss a
lawsuit alleging it mislabeled products to evade potency limits.

Licensed Missouri marijuana businesses filed a lawsuit against sellers of
unregulated cannabis products.

AYR Wellness Inc. is initiating Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act
proceedings in Canada as part of its restructuring process.

SHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor launched a comprehensive financial
solutions platform for the cannabis industry.

*/ CULTURE*

The Onion joked about the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products.

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The post Trump admin see cannabis as “hazard,” federal prosecutor says
(Newsletter: November 18, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.