Maryland Cannabis News

Story Cannabis celebrates 420 in Maryland with six days of exclusive deals, product drops, and in-store experiences.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and SAMHSA announced that federal workplace drug testing rules for cannabis will remain unchanged as marijuana's status as a Schedule I drug persists. Despite a presidential directive to expedite rescheduling to Schedule III, the agencies have made no revisions to testing panels or nomenclature for federal workers.

MariMed's InHouse brand awarded $5,000 each to four military veterans in Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Illinois through its second-annual Help on the Homefront campaign. The funds are intended to address housing-related challenges and critical home improvements for the 2025 beneficiaries.

A new academic paper in the journal Cannabis & Cannabinoid Research argues that while rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III is a historic shift that recognizes its medical value and reduces research barriers, it remains a transitional step. The authors emphasize that this move does not legalize marijuana, authorize interstate commerce, or address social equity and criminal justice reforms, all of which require further congressional action.

The provided text is a Marijuana Moment newsletter summarizing key developments in cannabis and psychedelic policy, business, and science. Highlights include the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's rejection of Snoop Dogg’s "Smoke Weed Everyday" trademark, a $30 million federal bill for veteran psychedelic treatment, and legislative progress on medical cannabis access in Delaware and Maryland. Additionally, the report covers Ohio's referendum deadline, various state-level regulatory updates, and quarterly financial reports from major cannabis companies.

Maryland lawmakers are considering HB 797, a bill designed to protect firefighters and emergency medical workers from employment discrimination or retaliation for their legal, off-duty use of medical marijuana. The legislation aims to provide first responders with alternative treatments for chronic pain and PTSD while maintaining strict prohibitions against on-duty impairment.

Nottingham Apothecarium Workers Join UFCW Local 27

*OK gov slams medical marijuana; VA cannabis user parental rights; TN momentum from rescheduling; TX hemp rules; Study: CBD as medication substitute*

Veterans advocates testified to Congress regarding cannabis and psychedelics as alternative treatments, while several states advanced legislation on medical marijuana access, resentencing, and research funding. The newsletter also highlights international policy reforms, scientific studies on cannabis efficacy, and recent industry business developments.

High Tea wraps by Kretek International are tobacco-free, nicotine-free alternatives made from cacao, yerba mate, and tea, designed to complement flower terpenes rather than mask them. These wraps enable dispensaries to bypass tobacco licensing hurdles while capturing high-margin accessory sales and improving customer loyalty.

The National Compassionate Care Council was formed to advocate for federal cannabis policy rooted in scientific evidence and patient experience rather than historical stereotypes. The group seeks to turn current rescheduling momentum into a durable federal framework that supports clinical research, protects patients, and provides healthcare providers with reliable data.

Texas voters in the Democratic primary approved a marijuana legalization and expungement ballot question by an 80-20 margin. Additionally, Virginia and Washington progressed bills for recreational sales and medical cannabis use in hospitals, while Hawaii advanced a psychedelics task force and Florida saw strong polling for legalization.

Trilogy Wellness in Maryland offers the 2025 Leafly Strain of the Year, Hash Burger, alongside a wide selection of premium cannabis products.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding marijuana consumers' gun rights, with justices discussing how potential rescheduling might affect the case. Meanwhile, legislative committees in Virginia and Maryland approved bills for cannabis resentencing and medical marijuana employment protections, respectively, and Missouri regulators proposed rule changes to industry oversight.

A Maryland Senate panel approved SB 439, a bill that would protect firefighters and rescue workers from being penalized for off-duty medical marijuana use. If enacted, the legislation would prohibit employers from discriminating against these workers based on positive THC tests, though zero-tolerance policies for on-duty impairment would remain.

Alcohol industry stakeholders and former Rep. David Trone are pushing for federal regulation of hemp THC products through a three-tier system to avoid a pending ban. While some lawmakers have proposed delays to the recriminalization set for later this year, the FDA has already missed initial deadlines for defining naturally occurring versus synthetic cannabinoids.

Bills on cannabis use in hospitals advance in several states

Michigan's implementation of a 24% wholesale cannabis tax has led to immediate sales declines and industry layoffs, reversing its status as a model for legal market growth. The author argues that high taxes drive consumers to the illicit market and urges states to maintain moderate tax rates to ensure economic stability and honor the medical legacy of cannabis.

A new analysis from Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office estimates that Governor Josh Shapiro's marijuana legalization plan could generate $432 million in annual tax revenue by 2030-2031. The proposal includes a 20 percent wholesale excise tax and expects sales to begin in 2027, though it faces ongoing legislative challenges and debate over high licensing fees for existing medical dispensaries.

CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz warned of consequences from shifting alcohol use to marijuana, while Florida officials reset signature counts for a legalization initiative to zero. Other updates include Maryland and Hawaii advancing psychedelics legislation, Connecticut considering medical cannabis for hospital patients, and Canopy Growth's acquisition of MTL Cannabis Corp.

Maryland lawmakers have approved bills to extend the state's psychedelics task force through the end of 2027. This extension allows the panel more time to develop recommendations for therapeutic access and a potential regulatory framework for natural psychedelic substances like psilocybin.

The Department of Justice is defending the federal gun ban for cannabis users regardless of rescheduling, while several states recently approved bills allowing medical marijuana access in hospitals. Additionally, lawmakers are urging a delay in hemp THC recriminalization and Arizona is considering penalties for marijuana smoke odor.

Maryland senators are considering SB 439, a bill to prevent firefighters and rescue workers who are registered medical cannabis patients from being penalized or fired for off-duty marijuana use or positive THC metabolite tests. Supporters argue it provides a safer alternative to opioids for chronic pain and PTSD, while opponents cite the current lack of reliable real-time impairment testing.

The Pittsburgh City Council passed a resolution urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to legalize adult-use marijuana in 2026, citing lost tax revenue and the disproportionate impact of criminalization on marginalized communities. While Governor Josh Shapiro and House Democrats support the reform, the Republican-controlled Senate has yet to advance a legalization plan.

Virginia lawmakers passed bills to legalize recreational marijuana sales and provide resentencing relief, while Oklahoma GOP leaders rejected efforts to roll back legalization. Other developments include a Maryland psychedelics task force extension, Hawaii hearings on legalization, and Massachusetts surpassing $9 billion in total cannabis sales.

Virginia lawmakers passed several marijuana bills, including measures to legalize commercial sales, provide resentencing for prior convictions, and allow medical cannabis access in hospitals for terminally ill patients. The House and Senate passed different versions of the sales legislation, which include details on tax rates, licensing, and a target start date for legal sales between late 2026 and early 2027.

Maryland lawmakers approved a bill to extend the state’s psychedelics task force through 2027. The task force is charged with developing recommendations for a multi-phase regulatory framework to provide therapeutic and supervised adult-use access to substances like psilocybin.

The February 17, 2026, Marijuana Moment newsletter reports on Rep. Andy Harris's comments regarding the delay in cannabis rescheduling and initial approval for marijuana sales legalization in Virginia. Key developments also include a psilocybin medical use bill passing in the New Hampshire House and a Florida campaign's legal challenge to signature invalidation. Additionally, the newsletter covers various state-level regulatory updates, international drug policy shifts in Germany and the Philippines, and scientific reviews on the therapeutic potential of CBD and psychedelics.

The article argues that Pennsylvania's proposed marijuana legalization must avoid over-taxation to successfully compete with neighboring states and the illicit market. Using examples from California and Michigan, the author cautions that high cumulative tax rates and wholesale levies can undermine the legal industry's viability and prevent the state from reaching its $729 million revenue projection.

The Maryland Cannabis Administration terminated enhanced reporting requirements for Seven Points Agro Therapeutics, LLC after the company met compliance benchmarks following a 2023 enforcement action. The early lifting of oversight concludes requirements established in a Consent Order that included a financial penalty and increased inventory reporting.

Maryland senators are considering a bill to extend the state’s psychedelics task force through 2027 to further develop a regulatory framework for therapeutic access and potential legalization of natural substances like psilocybin. The task force’s proposed multi-phase plan includes establishing safety parameters, implementing deprioritization measures, and eventually creating a commercial sales program for licensed adults.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary discussed the potential for medical cannabis rescheduling while expressing concerns about side effects, alongside legislative updates regarding business zoning in New York and parental rights in Virginia. Other reports highlight medical cannabis expansion in Florida and the continued strength of marijuana tax revenue in Colorado compared to alcohol and tobacco.

The Virginia House of Delegates passed HB 942, a bill to protect parents who legally use marijuana from being deemed neglectful unless harm to the child is established.

The newsletter highlights a new Congressional Research Service report analyzing the constitutionality of the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses, alongside a GOP congressman's doubt that cannabis rescheduling is a current Department of Justice priority. It also reports on the New Hampshire Senate rejecting a marijuana legalization bill, advocacy pushback on penalty amendments in a Virginia cannabis sales bill, a Maryland hearing on psychedelic access, and a study showing AI models can approximate psychedelic narratives.

Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill to extend the state's psychedelics task force through the end of 2027 to develop a clear legislative plan for regulated therapeutic access and potential broader legalization of natural psychedelic substances, focusing initially on psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT. The task force, which previously recommended a multi-phase framework encompassing medical/therapeutic use, supervised adult use, deprioritization, and eventual commercial sales, is required to submit an updated report with its final recommendations by October 31 of this year.

Cannabis operators face major changes this year due to evolving federal tax rules under Section 280E and state policy shifts. Virginia lawmakers are advancing restorative penalties for youth use and cracking down on unlicensed activity as businesses prepare for the adult-use market, while Maryland is moving to protect gun rights for registered medical cannabis patients.

DEA is promoting an anti-marijuana PSA contest, while Colorado's governor criticized his state's attorney general for supporting the federal gun ban for cannabis consumers. Kentucky introduced medical cannabis gummies, and bills were approved in Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Florida regarding medical cannabis. Studies show no negative difference in well child care for cannabis-exposed infants and promising results for psilocybin therapy in cancer patients with anxiety and depression.

Maryland lawmakers are debating House Bill 365, which seeks to prevent authorized medical cannabis patients from being denied the right to purchase, own, possess, or carry a firearm solely based on their patient status, addressing a current loophole in state law. This state-level reform would not affect the similar federal prohibition, which is currently facing scrutiny by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Virginia senators have approved two key bills: one to legalize recreational marijuana sales and another to provide resentencing relief for people with prior cannabis convictions. The sales legislation passed with controversial amendments that align penalties for illegal marijuana sale and underage possession with those for alcohol, drawing criticism from advocates concerned about recriminalization. The resentencing measure mandates automatic hearings for individuals with certain felony convictions for marijuana offenses that occurred before July 1, 2021, to consider sentence modification.

Virginia lawmakers approved a bill allowing medical marijuana access for qualifying patients in hospitals and expanding protections for hospital workers, provided the federal government moves forward with rescheduling cannabis. Separately, the legislature is advancing bills to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis sales and provide resentencing relief for past convictions.

Trump Signs Bill Continuing To Block D.C. From Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Sales As Advocates Await Rescheduling Action

Republican Rep. Andy Harris, a strong opponent of marijuana reform and the author of the "Harris rider" that blocks D.C. from regulating recreational cannabis sales, is vulnerable to losing his congressional seat due to a new Maryland redistricting plan approved by the state's House of Delegates that favors Democrats. Political observers believe that if he is unseated, it could be a significant step forward for cannabis reform advocates, particularly concerning D.C.'s ability to legalize sales.

Maryland extended its psychedelics task force through 2027 to study decriminalization and regulation of substances like psilocybin, while Virginia lawmakers rejected a bill to bar police from stopping drivers based solely on cannabis odor.

District regulators in D.C. closed another illegal cannabis shop, marking the 101st closure since July 2024. In Maryland, the Cannabis Administration issued 2026 guidance for registering agents and conducting background checks, and the Department of Labor awarded $217,000 to expand workforce training for the regulated cannabis sector.

Developments include an Arizona Republican congressman supporting a rollback of cannabis legalization, a Minnesota city opening a government-run marijuana dispensary, and the Virginia House approving a bill for recreational sales. A Hawaii report projects up to $90 million in monthly sales from legalization, Utah introduced a decriminalization bill, and Maryland lawmakers proposed extending a psychedelics task force. The United Center in Chicago will begin selling THC beverages, and new research indicates cannabis-based medicinal products may improve depression and anxiety, while psilocybin shows promise for end-of-life anxiety relief.

Maryland lawmakers have filed bills to extend the state's psychedelic task force through December 31, 2027, to develop updated recommendations for expanding therapeutic access to novel drugs and potentially creating a regulatory framework for broader legalization, with an initial focus on psilocybin. The task force previously recommended a multi-pathway framework for safe, broad, and equitable access, involving the phased implementation of medical/therapeutic use, supervised adult use, deprioritization measures, and eventual commercial sales.

State Treasurer Larry Pack has not spent $34 million collected from the state's medical marijuana program due to federal concerns about marijuana's classification as a Schedule I narcotic, which puts the legal status of the funds in limbo. The Treasurer's Office is working on a resolution, which may be influenced by a potential federal reclassification of marijuana to a Schedule III drug, though the timeline for any decision remains uncertain.

Virginia bills to legalize recreational marijuana sales advanced in the state legislature, while a bipartisan bill was filed in Congress to federally regulate consumable hemp products as an alternative to a potential THC ban. Additionally, a marijuana legalization petitioner was arrested in Florida on voter fraud charges, and the campaign is currently short of the required signatures needed by the deadline.

The Maryland Cannabis Administration released guidance clarifying agent registration and criminal history check procedures for cannabis businesses, detailing OneStop registration steps, fingerprint submission processes, and compliance with background check requirements, including exemptions for licensed security personnel.

Senate Sends Trump Bill That Would Continue Protecting Medical Marijuana States, Without Anti-Rescheduling Provisions

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a spending bill that includes a provision continuing to block Washington, D.C. from legalizing recreational marijuana sales while also warning local officials about cannabis dispensaries near schools. A report attached to the legislation directs federal officials to submit a report on Chinese-linked drug syndicates operating illicit cannabis grows in the United States. The block on D.C. sales could be nullified if the administration reschedules cannabis to Schedule III, though a complication remains due to the rider's use of the undefined term "tetrahydrocannabinols derivative."

Senator Rand Paul revealed that the marijuana and alcohol industries jointly pushed to federally recriminalize hemp THC, while Ohio's Attorney General rejected a cannabis referendum petition and New Jersey's Senate president filed a bill to legalize interstate cannabis commerce. Other key developments include a New Hampshire psilocybin hearing, growing support for legalization in Canada, and new studies highlighting the anti-inflammatory and skin protection benefits of CBD and CBG.

Maryland regulators issued a consent order against the SweetBuds dispensary for seed tracking discrepancies, improper storage and labeling, and selling medical cannabis to adult-use customers, resulting in a $15,000 fine and six months of enhanced compliance reporting and training.

- Federal bill proposes a two-year delay for recriminalizing hemp THC products
- NIDA official reported reduced teen access to and increased disapproval of marijuana use despite legalization spreading
- New Jersey lawmakers sent the governor a bill to create a $6 million psilocybin therapy pilot program
- Indiana poll shows strong support for legalizing medical and recreational cannabis
- Warnings were issued about a coordinated effort to roll back marijuana legalization through ballot initiatives in Arizona, Maine, and Massachusetts
- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation restricting hemp and expanding medical cannabis and labor rights for industry workers

D.C. regulators achieved a major enforcement milestone while Maryland’s Storehouse dispensary received penalties for inventory violations; Virginia is considering bills for adult-use and terminally ill patient access, and federal rescheduling could allow D.C. recreational sales.

MM Brands Inc., funded by KEY Investment Partners, acquired BellRock Brands Inc. out of receivership to revitalize its portfolio of cannabis and hemp brands, which includes Dixie Elixirs and Mary’s Medicinals. Former Curaleaf CEO Joe Bayern was named CEO of the newly formed company, which plans to operate under an asset-lite model.

Congressional leaders agreed on a spending bill that continues to block Washington D.C. from legalizing recreational marijuana sales and reminds local officials of enhanced federal penalties for marijuana distribution near schools. The legislation also directs federal officials to submit a report on PRC-linked criminal drug syndicates involved in illegal drug and money laundering operations in the U.S., which appears intended to target illicit Chinese cannabis growers in states including Maine, California, and Oregon.

Maryland regulators fined Storehouse $10,000 for failing to track cannabis inventory and conduct audits after video evidence showed a dispensary manager diverting products and mislabeling them as green waste. Storehouse responded by terminating the employee, reporting the conduct to law enforcement, and implementing corrective measures.

US House Passes Bill Protecting State Medical Marijuana Laws And Rejecting Attempt To Block Trump’s Rescheduling Move

Moving marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act could enable Washington, D.C. to finally legalize and regulate recreational cannabis sales, bypassing a congressional spending bill rider that currently prohibits the District from using its local funds to establish an adult-use market for Schedule I substances. The only remaining complication is the rider's unclear prohibition on legalizing "any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative."

Curio Wellness appointed Matt O’Neal as regional president, Midwest, where he will oversee commercial performance and wholesale partnerships and report to Chief Operating Officer Brad Friedlander. The company is also seeking a regional president for the Mid-Atlantic.

Cannabis law enforcement by ABCA and MPD has resulted in the closure of WVC Wellness, the fifth licensed dispensary in a year, alongside liquor store license suspensions, a Maryland union filing federal labor charges, and a Virginia car dealership's connection to a multi-state cannabis trafficking ring.

Congressional Leaders Drop Attempt To Block Marijuana Rescheduling, While Preserving State Medical Cannabis Protections

UFCW Local 27 filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against TerrAscend USA Services LLC's Salisbury, Maryland facility, alleging violations concerning union representation and employee rights; the claims are currently pending NLRB review.

Nineteen state attorneys general and Washington, D.C. filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold the federal law that bans marijuana users from possessing firearms in the case *U.S. v. Hemani*, arguing that the combination of drug use and guns poses a public safety risk and is consistent with historical tradition. This stance counters a lower court ruling that the federal ban violates the Second Amendment, with the article noting a growing number of federal courts are finding constitutional problems with the prohibition.

Cannabis retailers in high-volume states such as Maryland could save an average of $805,000 annually per store if the Section 280E tax burden is removed.

Will cannabis rescheduling affect drug testing for safety-sensitive workers? (Newsletter: December 23, 2025)

Trump lied about cannabis rescheduling opposition, GOP senator says (Newsletter: December 22, 2025)

Trump Dismisses GOP Lawmakers’ Opposition To His Marijuana Rescheduling Action, Pointing To Polling And Medical Benefits

The Maryland Cannabis Administration fined Green Leaf Medical, LLC, d/b/a The Cannabist Company $33,000 for cannabis sampling and recordkeeping violations, including improper METRC tracking and providing samples to non-registered attendees, resulting in a consent order that mandates staff training, updated procedures, and a one-year ban on sampling events.

GOP Lawmakers Urge Trump Not To Reschedule Marijuana In Last-Ditch Effort To Block Historic Reform

White House Confirms Trump Will ‘Address Marijuana Rescheduling’ Thursday, But Reported Details On Final Decision Are ‘Speculation’

Most Americans Back Legalizing Marijuana, But Trump Voters Not On Board, Conservative Group’s Poll Shows Amid Rescheduling Rumors

Trump’s Marijuana Rescheduling Order Could Include Industry Banking And CBD Medicare Coverage Provisions, Sources Say

GOP Congressman Says Trump ‘Technically’ Can’t Reschedule Marijuana On His Own, But Reversing It In Congress Would Be A ‘Heavy Lift’

Key developments include the Senate debating financial access issues for cannabis businesses and the House approving a bill targeting online marijuana ads. Sen. Rand Paul is working to reverse federal recriminalization of hemp THC products, while prohibitionist groups asked the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on gun possession for cannabis users. Additionally, studies showed positive findings on CBD's use among athletes and its therapeutic potential for various health conditions, and Michigan reported high monthly marijuana sales.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) previewed legislation to counter a forthcoming federal ban on consumable hemp products, which he warns could devastate the $25 billion industry; his proposed bill would allow state-level regulation with basic safeguards to supersede the new federal restrictions.

- The NZMCC Industry Day focused on connection and collaboration among patients, clinicians, cultivators, and policymakers in the medicinal cannabis sector.
- The program featured a Leaders’ Roundtable and regulatory briefings, followed by specialized afternoon pathways addressing clinical practice (terpene tailoring, prescribing challenges) and industry topics (cultivation innovation, export readiness, and sustainability).
- NZMCC plans to establish working groups in 2026 focused on priority areas including export markets and patient access.

Only Six Percent Of Marijuana Consumers Approve Of Trump’s Reform Actions, But Most Would Shift Opinion If He Reschedules, Poll Finds

YANA Wellness, a women-owned and operated cannabis brand led by CEO Ariana Fleishman, made history as the first hemp-derived THC beverage line sold in all Total Wine retail locations across Virginia. Fleishman established the brand to advocate for plant-based wellness alternatives over normalized alcohol and prescription drugs, developing a variety of compliant blends to navigate federal prohibition and expand nationwide access. YANA emphasizes social responsibility, research (collaborating with universities on the psychological effects of cannabis and mushrooms), and stimulating the local economy through strategic partnerships with family-owned Virginia businesses for manufacturing and distribution.

A major drug testing organization, the National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA), is opposing the rumored proposal to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, warning that without a "Safety Carve Out," it would create dangerous loopholes allowing transportation employees like pilots and truck drivers to use cannabis without mandatory testing. Proponents, including cannabis industry stakeholders, are hopeful for the reform, which would recognize marijuana's medical value and represent a significant change in federal policy, though a final decision has not yet been announced by the White House.

Democratic Senators Wyden and Merkley introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act to establish a federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoids, creating an alternative to the impending broad ban set to take effect next November. The bill would empower the FDA to set safety standards, require businesses selling consumable products to register, enforce federal labeling rules, and limit total THC content in products (e.g., 5 milligrams per serving and 50 milligrams per package for most items).

A pending federal ban on most consumable hemp products, set for November implementation, has prompted a Congressional Research Service report suggesting that enforcement may be guided by existing federal non-enforcement policies toward state marijuana laws. The new legislation drastically redefines legal hemp by limiting "total THC" and banning most synthesized cannabinoids, causing widespread industry outcry and spurring lawmakers to seek an alternative regulatory model or outright repeal before the prohibition takes effect.

Congressional researchers warn it remains unclear how the FDA and DEA will enforce the newly enacted federal law banning certain hemp THC products next year, citing a potential lack of agency resources. The legislation alters the definition of legal hemp by applying weight limits to total THC (including isomers like delta-8) and banning synthetic cannabinoids, prompting stakeholders and lawmakers to seek an alternative regulatory framework before the prohibition takes effect.

Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the "Freedom to Heal Act" to allow doctors to administer Schedule I psychedelics, such as MDMA and psilocybin, to patients with life-threatening or severe mental health conditions under the country’s "right to try" law. The legislation would amend the Controlled Substances Act to create a pathway for the DEA to authorize physicians to use these FDA-designated breakthrough therapies for patients who have exhausted approved treatments.

A GOP congressman questioned federal financial regulators about the difficulties state-legal marijuana businesses face in accessing banking services due to federal prohibition. Many banks resist accepting cannabis businesses as clients because marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Although the House has passed versions of the SAFER Banking Act seven times, key lawmakers believe its prospects are currently doubtful, as it has taken a back seat to other legislative priorities, though rescheduling cannabis might help advance the measure.

DOJ cannabis enforcement guidance revealed

A government-funded study found that state agencies regulating marijuana largely outperform alcohol regulatory agencies concerning public health goals, activities, and policies. The analysis showed 68 percent of cannabis regulators referenced public health goals in their mission statements, compared to only 35 percent of alcohol regulators, suggesting marijuana is currently regulated more robustly than alcohol regarding key public health measures.

Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and members of Congress, are actively seeking ways to counteract an impending federal ban on hemp-derived THC products set for next November, fearing it will disrupt the state's thriving industry. Lawmakers are pushing for an alternative regulatory framework, similar to Minnesota's current state-level rules, to replace the prohibition and prevent the re-criminalization of consumable hemp products.

A federal lawsuit challenges D.C.’s cannabis enforcement, which continues with the shutdown of Snackz DC and raids on Virginia vape shops; meanwhile, Maryland dispensaries reported record sales, and a task force recommended decriminalizing psychedelics. ABCA also announced upcoming board meetings, leadership updates, and an HR manager opening.

GOP Congressional Leader Is ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ Trump Will Reschedule Marijuana—Which He Says Is ‘An Alternative To Highly Addictive Opioids’

A proposed policy change slipped into a budget deal aims to eradicate the legal hemp industry, which would wipe out a $28+ billion market and 300,000 jobs while driving production to the black market. The author argues that Congress should choose regulation—with testing, potency limits, and age gating—over prohibition to address public safety concerns properly.

Minnesota congressional Democrats are urging Congress to quickly fix a recently enacted federal spending bill provision that bans most consumable THC products, which they warn will devastate the state's growing and regulated hemp industry. They are advocating for a new federal regulatory framework, modeled after Minnesota's successful state rules that include age restrictions and safety standards, and are seeking bipartisan support to reverse the ban before it takes effect next year.

GOP members of the Senate Appropriations Committee released a spending bill and a report reminding D.C. that marijuana remains federally illegal, emphasizing enhanced penalties for sales near schools. The legislation continues to include a rider that bans D.C. from using local funds to create a regulated recreational cannabis market, despite voters approving possession and cultivation years ago.

The summary covers several topics in cannabis and drug policy: a judge grilling a DEA lawyer over a psychedelic petition delay; lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, preparing to push for an exemption to the hemp-derived THC ban for regulated states; Joe Rogan criticizing the recriminalization of hemp products and blaming the alcohol lobby; a study finding cannabis reduces alcohol consumption; Texas advancing hemp age restriction rules; and updates on federal, state, local, and international cannabis policy developments, as well as new science and business reports.

Congressional Lawmakers Want Exemption From Federal Hemp THC Ban For States With Regulations

New federal THC limits threaten small hemp operations and thousands of jobs in Maryland. In Virginia, AYR Wellness' foreclosure could delay medical cannabis permits ahead of a planned adult-use market launch in fall 2026. West Virginia’s medical cannabis program is experiencing slow growth and high prices, leading patients to look for more affordable options out of state.

West Virginia's medical cannabis patients are struggling with high prices and limited product access, leading many to illegally cross state lines to purchase cheaper recreational cannabis and edibles in neighboring states like Ohio and Maryland. The state's medical cannabis program has high overhead costs due to factors like no outdoor growing, a 10% sales tax on dispensaries, and lack of insurance coverage or tax exemptions due to federal illegality. Patients and advocates are pushing for an expansion of the program, potentially to a recreational market, to lower costs and broaden access, but state officials have not implemented price caps or changed the Medical Cannabis Act since 2021.

Trump admin declines to file cannabis brief at SCOTUS (Newsletter: November 19, 2025)

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