Trump drug czar pushed to back full cannabis legalization (Newsletter: January 8, 2026)

*NH marijuana legalization bill passes; HI proposal for cannabis on ballot;
FL medical marijuana patients’ parental rights; New Year’s resolution poll*

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…*

*Free to read (but not free to produce)!* We’re proud of our newsletter and
the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it
for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen.

- *Kelly Pedrick of Flok:* “At Flok, we believe exceptional regulatory
technology starts with a deep understanding of the legislative environment
shaping cannabis programs nationwide. We pledged our support to Marijuana
Moment because timely, accurate insight into cannabis policy and
legislation is essential for helping regulators navigate an evolving and
complex landscape. By staying closely informed, we are better positioned to
design trusted, adaptable solutions on Salesforce that meet regulators
where they are, and where policy is heading.”

If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can
expand our coverage and more readers can benefit:
https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment

*/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW*

Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) is urging
Sara Carter Bailey, who was confirmed this week as director of the White
House Office of National Drug Control Policy, to back fully legalizing
marijuana—going beyond the rescheduling order that President Donald Trump
signed.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed bills to legalize
marijuana and allow medical cannabis dispensaries to convert to for-profit
businesses.

The chair of the Hawaii House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee said
he plans to file legislation to put marijuana legalization on the ballot
for voters to decide after bills to enact the reform have repeatedly failed
in recent sessions.

A Florida representative filed a bill to protect medical cannabis patients’
parental rights, making it so courts could not “deny or otherwise restrict
a parent’s custody of a child or the parent’s visitation rights or
parenting time with a child based solely on the parent’s status as a
qualified patient.”

A new poll on New Year’s resolutions shows that more Americans intend to
quit or reduce their use of alcohol or tobacco than want to abstain from or
cut down on marijuana consumption in 2026.

*/ FEDERAL*

The House bill to designate psychedelic therapy centers of excellence got
one new cosponsor for a total of 22.

*/ STATES*

Wisconsin lawmakers discussed the prospects for marijuana reform.

A Nebraska senator said a proposed constitutional amendment to make it
harder for lawmakers to amend voter-approved ballot initiatives would make
it very difficult to implement medical cannabis legalization in a way that
advocates support.

A Delaware representative spoke about his bill to decriminalize public
marijuana consumption.

A Colorado House candidate founded a cannabis social equity organization.

Illinois officials are accepting applications for $50 million in marijuana
revenue-funded grants to support projects to aid communities harmed by the
“negative consequences of the war on drugs.”

New Jersey regulators sent a reminder about meetings this month to gather
input on how cannabis social equity revenue should be allocated.

California regulators sent updates on various cannabis issues.


*— 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*

A Czech Republic cannabis legalization law took effect.

Thai officials are planning to enact further restrictions on cannabis
dispensaries.

*/ SCIENCE & HEALTH*

A review concluded that “cannabinoids, especially CBD, may improve anxiety
and sleep disturbances.”

A study found that medical cannabinoids “exert multi-target neuroprotection
in ischemic stroke.”

A study concluded that “mushrooms have learned twice independently how to
make the iconic magic mushroom natural product psilocybin.”

*/ BUSINESS*

TerrAscend workers are accusing the company of unfair labor practices.

*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 Trump drug czar pushed to back full cannabis legalization
(Newsletter: January 8, 2026) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.