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Cannabis use is rapidly increasing among older adults, raising concerns among geriatricians and researchers about potential harms, despite perceived benefits for conditions like insomnia and chronic pain. Source < Back As Cannabis Users Age, Health Risks Appear To Grow Jun 10, 2025 Editorial Staff Outlaw Report Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Cannabis use is rapidly increasing among older adults, raising concerns among geriatricians and researchers about potential harms, despite perceived benefits for conditions like insomnia and chronic pain. Source < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

Capitol Hemp filed two lawsuits challenging hemp regulations and the Harris Amendment. < Back Capitol Hemp sues D.C. over hemp laws and challenges congressional ban Jun 10, 2025 LJ Dawson Outlaw Report Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Capitol Hemp, D.C.'s oldest hemp retailer, has filed two lawsuits challenging the District's ambiguous hemp regulations and the federal Harris Amendment, which restricts D.C.'s legislative authority over Schedule I substances. Source < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

This article profiles four leading cannabis photographers: Kristen Angelo, Justin Cannabis, Bruce Wolf, and Sean Moore (Dankshire). These photographers approach their craft differently but all aim to portray cannabis positively, reflecting the evolution of cannabis culture. < Back Click Bait: Compelling Cannabis Photography Apr 10, 2025 Elise McDonough Cannabis Now Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link During the dark ages of cannabis prohibition and especially before the internet, it could prove challenging to simply find a photograph of your favorite plant — particularly if you didn’t want to settle for looking at a stack of bricked-up weed piled in front of the cops who had just confiscated it. Pioneers in the cannabis photography field included the OGs at High Times, which was founded in 1974, and first-generation cannabis cultivation writers like Ed Rosenthal and Jorge Cervantes. But these photos tended to be either instructional, technical shots meant to help underground growers better ply their trade or zoomed-in close-ups meant to reveal every anatomical detail of the world’s most delicious looking botanical specimens. Nowadays, however, as legalization spreads, everyone’s taking pictures of everything and cannabis photography suddenly feels like a crowded field. So, in order to focus in on some of the scene’s emerging trends and reflect on what they show about the rapid evolution of cannabis culture, we decided to profile four of today’s leading cannabis photographers. Each approaches the art and science of their craft a little differently, but all produce striking images that portray the cannabis plant in a properly positive light — paving the way for a new era of social and legal acceptance in a society increasingly willing and able to see cannabis as a beautiful flower. Kristen Angelo @apotfarmersdaughter A native of Washington state’s picturesque Vashon Island, Kristen Angelo proudly refers to herself as the “daughter of a pot farmer.” Raised in an idyllic world of small-scale cannabis home-growers and secretive guerrilla patches out in the woods, Angelo had her world shattered as a teenager in the late 1990s when, in her words, her family “became victims of the drug war, ending with a mandatory minimum federal prison sentence for my father for what detectives considered ‘the most sophisticated growing operation’ they’d seen in nearly a decade.” Twenty years later, Angelo sees her photography as an act of defiance against the drug war. Her goal is to deliver an authentic portrayal of her subjects, by “documenting cannabis and the humanity behind it with an honest and insightful visual narrative,” all in hopes of using her unique eye for documentary-style photography to help “dismantle preconceived notions and mainstream stereotypes lingering around cannabis culture.” Her work has been featured in a wide range of media outlets, including Cannabis Now, and even in the bestselling book “The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medicinal Use.” In 2016, her photos were included in an exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California called Altered State: Marijuana in California, the first-ever major museum exhibition in the U.S. focused on cannabis. Shot at Tahoma Growers. Shot at Cascade Gnome Farms. Roaches in an Altoids tin. Shot at Suspended Brands. Justin Cannabis According to Justin Cannabis, one of the industry’s go-to commercial photographers, the roots of his art began to take hold during his mellow upbringing in Northern California. From a young age, he’d always loved skateboarding — both riding himself and the culture that surrounds it — and so he began by taking photos of his immediate surroundings for fun. Later, combined with his pursuit of technical prowess, this passion lead to a decade of work for Santa Cruz Skateboards, a leading board manufacturer and lifestyle brand. That gig showed him how he could turn a hobby into a career, and he even got to produce a few cannabis-focused images and products that became a hit with herbal-minded skateboarders. From there, Cannabis made the leap to photographing marijuana itself as well as the lifestyle around it, publishing countless covers at High Times, including many iconic images of California’s hottest new strains, long before the rest of the country ever had a taste. Best known for using flash and color filters to create incredibly vibrant studio images, he’s produced centerfold spreads that have graced innumerable walls to be salivated over by those who only wish they could smoke such fine flowers. He has also contributed to books and calendars and even branched out into field work, traveling all over the world to document cannabis gardens and grow ops. Strain: Alien OG Cover of High Times’ hydro issue. Professional skateboarder Dave Gravette. Another High Times cover of a dab rig. Bruce Wolf What happens when a food stylist marries a photographer and they both love cannabis? Well, if you’re Laurie Wolf and Bruce Wolf, you join forces to produce some of the classiest and most mouth-watering edibles photography available on the planet. Dubbed “The Martha Stewart of Weed” by none other than the New Yorker, Laurie has since made a name for herself as the author of four cannabis books — “HERB,” Cooking with Cannabis,” “Marijuana Edibles,” and “The Medical Marijuana Dispensary” — while contributing infused recipes to Cannabis Now and other leading media companies. All of which she’s accomplished while working hand-in-hand with her husband Bruce, who uses his long background in commercial and art photography to capture all of her cannabis-infused culinary creations in a way that makes them look both approachable and awe-inspiring. Edibles have a way of helping cannabis bridge cultural divides and erase social stigmas (after all, *everybody* likes to eat), and Bruce’s loving depictions of his wife’s artfully arranged food actively reinforce the idea that cannabis is a pleasure and a blessing meant to be shared. Cover photo for Cannabis Now issue 14. Straining the oils from cooked cannabis with a cheesecloth during the making of cannabutter. The final product of a cannabis tea recipe. The home kitchen of Laurie & Maryjane. Sean Moore, a.k.a. Dankshire @dankshire_ Master of a niche within a niche, Moore specializes in super close-up photos of cannabis extracts in their most granular detail, capturing the alien landscapes and strange worlds of sugars, shatters, sauces and slabs. Self-taught and shooting with a DSLR and macro lens, Moore came up through the cannabis scene in Washington state, working for extract artists, friendly growers and dispensary operators — first sharing his work on Instagram before catching the eye of larger magazines and media outlets. With an insider’s view of the world’s most cutting-edge concentrates, Moore produces supremely detailed, bright and clear photos of translucent golden and amber extracts, zooming in on mouthwatering globs of errl dripping right off a dabber, or scoops of sugar that look like raw honey. His biggest challenges involve keeping microscopic particles of dust and hair away from these sticky substances, since a tiny speck of dirt or an errant fingerprint can ruin an otherwise lovely shot when viewed through such a magnified perspective. Showcasing the beauty of the cannabis plant and preserving the work of an emerging class of psychedelic alchemists drives Moore to continue to think of innovative new ways to get up close and personal with cannabis. Strain: White Widow from Terp Co. Strain: Nightmare Cookies from Mantis Extracts *Originally published in Issue 31 of Cannabis Now. *LEARN MORE *TELL US*, who is your favorite cannabis photographer? The post Click Bait: Compelling Cannabis Photography appeared first on Cannabis Now. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

7 In 10 US Voters Support Federal Marijuana Reform, And Nearly Half Would View Trump More Favorably If He Took Action, Poll Shows < Back 7 In 10 US Voters Support Federal Marijuana Reform... Jun 23, 2025 Staff Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Seven in 10 American voters want to see the end of federal marijuana prohibition—and nearly half say they’d view the Trump administration more favorably if it took action on the issue—according to a new poll. The survey, commissioned by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) and conducted by the firm Forbes Tate Partners, asked a series of questions to gauge public opinion about cannabis policy issues. It found that 70 percent of respondents said they back “reforming federal cannabis law, thus ending the federal prohibition on cannabis for adult-use,” and 69 percent said they support “allowing individual states to decide whether cannabis will be legal in their state.” The poll also provided additional data on the political advantage for lawmakers and officials who embrace reform. Nearly half of voters (48 percent) said they’d be more likely to vote for a candidate who backs cannabis policy changes at the federal level, while just 15 percent said they’d be less likely and 26 percent said it depends on the politician’s stance on other issues. About 45 percent said they would view the Trump administration “much more” or “somewhat more” favorably if the White House acted on reform. This comes as an administrative marijuana rescheduling process initiated under former President Joe Biden has stalled. Pollsters also collected data on the reasons why people would view the administration agenda more favorably in the case that it backs reform. Respondents gave a variety of responses, including the prevailing sentiment that they’d feel “the Trump administration was actually paying attention to what the states want to do.” *Other reasons include: * - “Because I agree with that policy, whereas I don’t agree with much of anything he is doing currently.” - “It provides more jobs, revenue, and health benefits for Americans.” - “It would be easier for law enforcement officers and governments to do their work.” - “Because he is doing the right thing for the American people. Letting them decide and be in control.” 61% of voters support the STATES 2.0 Act—a bipartisan approach that lets states decide their own cannabis policies without federal interference. Americans want a smarter, state-led path forward: https://t.co/dzSm3AcIoh pic.twitter.com/B81TZnyV2w — Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (@CPEARCoalition) June 20, 2025 The survey also asked about a specific piece of legislation—the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) 2.0 Act—which would end federal marijuana prohibition in states that have legalized it, while providing for a basic federal regulatory framework for cannabis products. It found that 61 percent of Americans are in favor of that specific proposal, with just 27 percent opposed. “This is not about expanding federal power—it’s about limiting it,” Shanita Penny, executive director of CPEAR, said in a press release. “The STATES 2.0 Act respects the will of voters, reinforces states’ rights, and ensures law enforcement can focus on real public safety threats—not outdated cannabis laws. It’s time for Congress and the administration to act on a policy the American people clearly support.” The survey from CPEAR, whose membership includes large tobacco and alcohol companies, concluded by saying the findings “make one thing clear: voters across the political spectrum continue to support commonsense cannabis reforms that respect state decisions, enhance public safety, and reflect evolving attitudes.” “The STATES 2.0 Act offers a pragmatic path forward—balancing individual liberty with responsible regulation,” it said. “As the national conversation around cannabis policy progresses, lawmakers have a clear mandate from the public to modernize federal law in a way that empowers states and protects communities.” The survey involved interviews with 2,051 registered voters aged 21 or older from May 13-19. Last year, CPEAR released a separate poll focused on voters in Missouri, Ohio and Wyoming that found a strong majority—including more than 60 percent of Republicans—support congressional legislation to protect states’ rights to set their own marijuana laws. Relatedly, a poll released this week that Marijuana Moment partnered on with the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD showed that a majority of marijuana consumers disapprove of the Trump administration’s actions on cannabis policy to date, but there’s also a significant willingness among users to shift their position if the federal government opts to reschedule or legalize marijuana. Earlier this year, meanwhile, a firm associated with Trump—Fabrizio, Lee & Associates—also polled Americans on a series of broader marijuana policy issues. Notably, it found that a majority of Republicans back cannabis rescheduling—and, notably, they’re even more supportive of allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average voter. That same firm released a poll this week finding that Texas Democratic and Republican voters are unified in their opposition to a bill on the governor’s desk that would ban consumable hemp products with any trace of THC. Meanwhile, Trump is facing scrutiny from advocates who had hoped to see him complete the cannabis rescheduling process. While Trump endorsed the proposal—as well as industry banking access and a Florida legalization ballot initiative, on the campaign trail last year—he’s since been publicly silent on the issue. As part of his latest budget request, the president also again proposed to remove existing protections for states that have legalized medical marijuana, while maintaining a ban that’s prevented Washington, D.C. from enacting a system of regulated adult-use cannabis sales. Last month, a Senate committee advanced the confirmation of Terrance Cole to become the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) amid the ongoing review of a marijuana rescheduling proposal that he’s refused to commit to enacting. Cole—who has previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana and linked its use to higher suicide risk among youth—said he would “give the matter careful consideration after consulting with appropriate personnel within the Drug Enforcement Administration, familiarizing myself with the current status of the regulatory process, and reviewing all relevant information.” However, during an in-person hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in April, he said examining the rescheduling proposal will be “one of my first priorities” if he was confirmed for the role, saying it’s “time to move forward” on the stalled process—but again without clarifying what end result he would like to see. Separately in April, an activist who received a pardon for a marijuana-related conviction during Trump’s first term paid a visit to the White House, discussing future clemency options with the recently appointed “pardon czar.” A marijuana industry-backed political action committee (PAC) has also released a series of ads over recent months that have attacked Biden’s cannabis policy record as well as the nation of Canada, promoting sometimes misleading claims about the last administration while making the case that Trump can deliver on reform. Its latest ad accused former President Joe Biden and his DEA of waging a “deep state war” against medical cannabis patients—but without mentioning that the former president himself initiated the rescheduling process that marijuana companies want to see completed under Trump. GOP Marijuana Banking Bill Sponsor Says He’s Not Thinking About Advancing It Until The Fall Amid Competing Priorities The post 7 In 10 US Voters Support Federal Marijuana Reform, And Nearly Half Would View Trump More Favorably If He Took Action, Poll Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

Texas veterans with chronic pain are concerned that a potential ban on hemp-derived THC products could force them to return to opioids or the illicit marijuana market. The ban is part of a bill that would prohibit the possession of consumable hemp products containing any synthetic cannabinoid. Some veterans are concerned about the high cost, dosing inflexibility, and civil rights issues raised by the legal alternative. < Back Texas Military Veterans Say Potential Ban On Hemp-Derived THC Could Drive Them Back To Opioids Or The Illicit Marijuana Market Jun 18, 2025 Staff Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link *“The doctor assured me he could prescribe me enough… I said, ‘Sure, you can, but I can’t afford it.’”* *By Hayden Betts and Stephen Simpson, The Texas Tribune* Wesley Barnes, 55, a Gulf War veteran, has battled chronic pain and PTSD since his exposure to sarin gas overseas. After leaving the Army in 1994, he spent years dependent on prescribed opiates. “There’s really nothing at the VA to help with pain or anxiety that isn’t addictive,” said Barnes from his home in Onalaska, about 30 miles east of Huntsville. “I was a zombie on a couch.” Barnes qualified for Texas’s medical marijuana program, also called the Compassionate Use Program, shortly after its expansion in 2021. He paid $600 in doctor’s visits to sign up, and he paid another $600 to $800 a month to buy legal medical cannabis. “The doctor assured me he could prescribe me enough,” Barnes recalled. “I said, ‘Sure, you can, but I can’t afford it.’” Barnes briefly turned to purchasing cannabis illegally before discovering he could treat his pain with legal hemp products. He could buy for $40 what cost him $220 on the street. “Don’t make me go back to the black market,” Barnes said. Now, as Texas looks to ban hemp products while expanding the state’s medical marijuana program, some chronic pain patients like Barnes say they do not plan to participate in the Compassionate Use Program even if retail THC products become illegal. Their concerns center on the high cost, dosing inflexibility and civil rights issues raised by the legal alternative. Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) veto is the last remaining hurdle for a bill that would ban all products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, likely spelling the end for the state’s short-lived hemp industry. Senate Bill 3, which prohibits the possession of consumable hemp products that contain any synthetic cannabinoid, often known as delta-8, was a priority this legislative session for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), who often denounced the effects of the drug on children. Patrick did not respond to The Texas Tribune’s requests for a comment. Hemp users, retailers, growers and some Republicans have been urging Abbott to axe the bill. Asked whether Abbott would veto SB 3 by the June 22 deadline, his press secretary Andrew Mahaleris said the governor is still reviewing all pending legislation. As a concession of sorts to veterans and THC users with chronic conditions, House Bill 46 also passed this legislative session, expanding the types of products, number of dispensaries and qualifying health conditions for the medical marijuana program, as well as reducing some of the costly regulations on dispensaries. Jervonne Singletary, a spokesperson for Austin medical marijuana company Goodblend, said the new rules should translate into lower prices for customers. “With any limited program at the start, it’s expensive, and then when it slowly expands overtime, and more locations come online, and more operators come online, more cultivation spaces come online, then naturally the prices of the medicine come down,” she said. *Accessibility of hemp-derived THC* William Macbrohn, a 57-year-old Air Force veteran living in San Antonio, worked as a warehouse manager at Habitat for Humanity until psoriatic arthritis prevented him from doing his job. “I’m in pain 24/7. On a good day, I’m at a five or a six. I mow the lawn and I’m done for two days,” Macbrohn said. Macbrohn only uses consumable hemp products at night to help ease his pain enough to fall asleep. He found them after years of searching for a product that he believed was neither physically addictive nor had unpredictable mental effects like Ambien. “Finally, all this time that I’ve been suffering, I found something that’ll help that’s not a synthetic chemical…and they’re going to go and take it away,” he said. Macbrohn qualifies for the state’s Compassionate Use Program but has avoided signing up for it because he regularly carries a concealed gun. He believes carrying a weapon and having a medical marijuana card would be illegal under federal law, though not Texas law. “I don’t want to take that chance,” said Macbrohn, who believes concealed-carrying and using consumable hemp while it’s still legal is permissible. The issue of the federal legality of both using state-level legal marijuana and owning a gun remains a gray area nationwide. The 2021 case of an El Paso woman convicted of federal crimes for both owning firearms and illegally possessing marijuana was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in January as “inconsistent with our history and tradition of firearms regulations.” However, the U.S. Department of Justice has appealed cases with similar facts to the Supreme Court, which has yet to rule on the issue broadly. Macbrohn’s commitment to abiding by the law extends to the potential hemp ban. Possessing consumable hemp products under the bill would be an expungeable Class C misdemeanor punishable with a fine up to $500 and no jail time. “If they ban it, then I guess I’m done,” he said. For the time being, Macbrohn is stockpiling consumable hemp products. Donna Maniscalco, a 62-year-old Navy veteran living in Lometa, served nearly 19 years as a chaplain’s assistant before being discharged for medical reasons in 2009. Stationed for a time in Keflavik, Iceland, where she was repeatedly “picked up by the wind and just literally thrown,” she developed spinal injuries that surgeons have declined to operate on. Maniscalco says that consumable hemp products allow her to maintain a normal lifestyle and to garden, which helps her mental health. Without them, she’d “probably be in bed all day.” Maniscalco, like Macbrohn, is also concerned that putting her name on a list could infringe on her right to carry a firearm. Maniscalco said that if the ban goes into effect she may move in with her parents who live in upstate New York where cannabis and consumable hemp products are widely legal and available. “I don’t want to go,” she said, “I have friends here. I have two sons and a daughter here. I love the long growing season. I love Texas.” Barnes said among the allures of hemp products is that they come in different strains that create an ultra-personalized treatment option. Meanwhile, with the medical marijuana program, doctors are prohibited from prescribing cannabis doses higher than 10 milligrams at a time, forcing “the price higher for someone who has more pain,” Barnes said. *Can medical marijuana expand quickly enough?* HB 46 expands the state’s medical marijuana program by including more popular products such as prescribed inhalers and vaping devices and adding nine dispensers to bring the total to 12. It also adds traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, Crohn’s disease and terminal illnesses to the list of qualifying conditions. But the bill’s biggest change that could lower prices for consumers will be allowing medical marijuana distributors to store their products in various satellite locations instead of having to drive across the state to return the product to the original dispensary every day. This has made products more expensive and limited where the medical marijuana program can reach. Singletary said prices should decline now that medical marijuana companies can stock products overnight in designated locations. But, she clarified she doesn’t expect medical marijuana to be as accessible as hemp immediately. More than 8,000 retailers in Texas now sell hemp-derived THC products. Before starting the expansion process, the medical marijuana industry will need a few months after the law goes into effect on September 1 to clarify some of the technical details of the new legislation, Singletary said. “Hemp exploded overnight,” she said, “but we are going to have measured growth.” While hemp might become illegal in Texas, it still will be federally legal, meaning mail-order hemp products will still be an option for some, but Singletary said she doesn’t feel the need to compete with this industry. “There are millions of Texans who want quality, regulated products in the state and don’t want to trust mail-order hemp, so the folks who feel like that is the option for them, I respect their decision, I truly do, but those who want doctor prescribed cannabis that’s produced in the state that is regulated, tested, and validated, then come to our program,” she said. *Regulation versus a ban* Since the wave of recreational marijuana legalization began with Colorado and Washington in 2012, large scale studies have repeatedly found that marijuana use in general increases when cannabis is legal. Other studies have shown that use decreases when cannabis becomes criminalized, suggesting Texas will likely follow a similar path despite some users saying they plan on circumventing the THC ban. For more than a century, government officials and public health experts have debated the efficacy of cannabis prohibition in achieving a variety of aims. Civil rights attorneys argue that drug criminalization comes with a civil liberties cost. A 2020 ACLU report found that “more than six million [marijuana related] arrests occurred between 2010 and 2018” and that “Black people are 3.64 times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession, notwithstanding comparable usage rates.” Kirsten Budwine, a policy attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project, said, “This is not just bad policy, but a step backward into the failed logic of the war on drugs… What it really does is turn a regulatory issue into a criminal one.” Decades of studies affirm the utility of cannabinoids in treating chronic pain. A 2017 review of over 10,000 studies found “substantial evidence” that cannabinoids are good for treating chronic pain and “moderate evidence” that extensive cannabinoid use impairs memory and attention. Medical experts agree that incidences of cannabis-induced psychosis like the ones Patrick has referenced in press conferences, do occur, especially when exposing high-THC products to a broad population without safeguards. Last year, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine responded to growing concerns about the expansion of cannabis use in the country by calling for unregulated hemp-derived products to be “regulated in the same manner as other intoxicating cannabis products” at the federal level. The report also called for public education campaigns about the risks of cannabis and for states to prevent underaged people from buying the drug, rather than outright policy bans of THC products or the criminalization of cannabis possession. Users and the hemp industry had told Texas lawmakers that they would welcome regulations to the hemp industry to address those concerns, rather than a complete ban. Barnes fears that the new era of illegal hemp could create even more dangers than before. “Do they want me to have to go back to some guy on the street corner and hope it doesn’t have fentanyl in it? Or get shot for 200 bucks or whatever?” he said. *This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/texas-thc-hemp-medical-marijuana-ban-veterans-pain/.* *The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.* Texas Governor Still Won’t Say If He’ll Sign Hemp Ban Bill, But Thinks There Are ‘Meaningful’ Concerns On Both Sides Of The Debate *Photo courtesy of Kimzy Nanney.* The post Texas Military Veterans Say Potential Ban On Hemp-Derived THC Could Drive Them Back To Opioids Or The Illicit Marijuana Market appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

The founder of a medical cannabis dispensary in Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to charges of failing to pay more than $1.2 million in federal income and employment taxes for five years. < Back District of Columbia cannabis dispensary founder pleads guilty to tax evasion May 14, 2025 Margaret Jackson MJ Biz Daily Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The founder of a medical cannabis dispensary in Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to charges of failing to pay more than $1.2 million in federal income and employment taxes for five years. District of Columbia cannabis dispensary founder pleads guilty to tax evasion is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration stated this week that the process to downgrade marijuana's federal status and acknowledge medical cannabis as a valid treatment is still on hold. This news was reported by MJBizDaily. < Back Marijuana rescheduling still paused as Trump loyalists encourage action Jul 10, 2025 Chris Roberts MJbizDaily Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The process to downgrade the status of marijuana under federal law and officially acknowledge medical cannabis as a valid treatment is still on hold, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said in a quarterly update this week. Marijuana rescheduling still paused as Trump loyalists encourage action is a post from: MJBizDaily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

Current and former state officials, advocates and business representatives met last week to discuss the legal landscape around hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The discussion covered the explosion of intoxicating products, potential harms, and how policymakers are moving forward amid the uncertainty. The presentation, “Illicit Hemp-Derived Intoxicants: State Enforcement Mechanisms and Challenges,” was part of a project that seeks to provide dialogue on how cannabis legalization might preserve public health and safety. Since Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, unregulated products containing THC have proliferated. At the state level, policymakers are taking steps to rein in the products. Multiple states have moved to ban intoxicating cannabinoids. As federal lawmakers consider changes, attorneys general can take other steps to limit possible harms. Speakers acknowledged that vagueness in the Farm Bill may have unintentionally created the intoxicating hemp market. The hemp market is in its infancy, and law enforcement is having a difficult time discerning who’s the good actor and who’s the bad actor. Michelle Minton explained model legislation she’d developed for possible use by state officials. Many state-licensed cannabis companies have complained that intoxicating hemp products unfairly compete with marijuana. During a Q\&A portion of the webinar, an audience member asked whether only retailers with liquor licenses should be able to sell intoxicating hemp products. Speakers said they expected Congress to attempt to close the hemp loophole. The latest legislation that would ban intoxicating cannabinoids now proceeds to a full House committee for consideration. The 138-page bill covers a wide range of issues, but for the hemp industry, there’s a section of particular concern that would redefine hemp. Hemp industry stakeholders rallied against that proposal. Alcohol industry representatives urged members of Congress to create a federal regulatory framework. A report called cannabis a “significant threat” to the alcohol industry. < Back Attorneys General Group Hosts Meeting On State-Level Regulation Of Intoxicating Hemp Products Jun 13, 2025 Ben Adlin Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Current and former state officials, advocates and business representatives met last week to discuss the legal landscape around hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including what led to the explosion of intoxicating products across the country, potential harms posed by the largely unregulated market and how policymakers are moving forward amid the uncertainty. Hosted by the Attorney General Alliance (AGA), a nonprofit that represents state attorneys general, the June 4 webinar featured current and former officials from Oregon, Florida, California and Nevada as well as representatives of business and advocacy groups. The presentation, “Illicit Hemp-Derived Intoxicants: State Enforcement Mechanisms and Challenges,” was part of AGA’s Cannabis Project, which the group says “seeks to provide interested parties an opportunity to dialogue on how cannabis legalization might preserve public health and safety, protect consumers and ensure the rule of law, while also respecting the role of states to innovate and experiment as laboratories of democracy.” Since Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp nationwide, largely unregulated products containing not only CBD but also psychoactive THC—which the Farm Bill sought to limit in hemp products—have proliferated online and at storefronts across the country. That, speakers said, has allowed broad access by minors to intoxicating products, caused confusion among law enforcement—who often struggle to tell legal hemp products apart from federally illegal marijuana—and undercut state-regulated medical and adult-use cannabis markets. At the state level, policymakers are now taking steps of their own to rein in the products, though often with different approaches. In 2023, said Chris Lindsey, director of state advocacy and public policy at the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH), only about eight or nine states had laws on the books around hemp-derived cannabinoids. Since then, he explained, “we’ve seen states rush in to this space.” “Around 41 [states] actually have laws on the books now that try to address it,” Lindsey noted. “Of course, those laws are inconsistent. They’re all over the board. They’re taking different approaches. But it speaks to the fact that lawmakers and regulators are now a much more attenuated to the challenges, the terminology, the different loopholes that have occurred.” Multiple states—from California to Florida—have moved to ban intoxicating cannabinoids in recent months. In Texas, the legislature recently delivered a bill to the governor that would outlaw all consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing any detectable THC. Erin Williams, an assistant attorney general in Oregon’s Department of Justice who was not speaking on behalf of the agency, said AGs’ offices can also “rely on their credibility as the top legal agency in their state to seek federal change,” referencing a 2024 letter sent by 21 state AGs calling on federal lawmakers to amend the federal definition of hemp. “As Congress prepares to embark on a new five-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill,” that letter said, “we strongly urge your committees to address the glaring vagueness created in the 2018 Farm Bill that has led to the proliferation of intoxicating hemp products across the nation and challenges to the ability for states and localities to respond to the resulting health and safety crisis.” As federal lawmakers consider changes—a congressional committee earlier this month approved a bill that would ban all hemp products containing THC—Williams said attorneys general can also take other steps to limit possible harms, for example by issuing advisory opinions, offering guidance to lawmakers and targeting false claims under their consumer protection authority. One ongoing obstacle, she pointed out, is that it’s typically easier for state regulators to enforce laws against in-state companies compared to manufacturers of products sold online. Other speakers acknowledged that vagueness in the Farm Bill may have unintentionally created the intoxicating hemp market but said that getting a handle on the products required more than merely taking enforcement actions against hemp products, as some jurisdictions have sought to do. “I see some of the same mistakes being made in the hemp environment across the states and at the federal level, because we have either either under-regulated the product or over-regulated hemp products,” said Diane Goldstein, a retired police lieutenant and chair of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), likening the approach to the early days of marijuana in California, which she described as the Wild West. The hemp market is now similarly in its infancy, Goldstein said, “and law enforcement is having a really difficult time discerning who’s the good actor and who’s the bad actor.” “We need some clear directions so we don’t sweep people up into the criminal justice system for products that are potentially technically legal,” she urged, encouraging policymakers to seek out best practices and craft thoughtful policy. Michelle Minton, senior policy analyst at libertarian think tank the Reason Foundation, explained model legislation she’d developed for possible use by state officials. Much of the current situation around hemp products, she contended, stems from broader bans on marijuana. “The root cause, as far as I see it, as we see in my organization, is actually marijuana prohibition that still exists at the federal level,” Minton said. “Most of the consumers who are pursuing these products don’t want a ‘marijuana-like product,'” she said. “They want marijuana, but for whatever reasons, they don’t have adequate access to those legal marijuana products.” Among the policy recommendations in the model legislation are to allow most forms of cannabis products—including flower, vape products and edibles and beverages, Minton said. Products would be tested, labeled and available only to consumers 21 and older. “Most hemp cannabinoids should remain legal as well, including the ones that are sometimes called synthetic or synthesized,” she continued. “But then we kind of left leeway for the states to prohibit truly artificial cannabinoids, the ones that do not naturally occur in in cannabis plants.” The goal, she said, was to close loopholes that allow a lot of unregulated products to be flowing through the market.” “If a model like this were implemented,” Minton concluded, “this should come with similar reforms on the marijuana industry, so that they can feel slightly more lightly regulated [and] have fewer costs.” Many state-licensed cannabis companies have complained that intoxicating hemp products unfairly compete with marijuana because they aren’t subject to the same degree of regulation and typically are taxed at lower rates. Another speaker, Kelly Vance, assistant director of the Division of Food Safety at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, noted the difficulty of drawing a hard line between naturally occurring and synthesized cannabinoid products. “You can look at the molecular structure of delta 8 [THC] and heroin, they’re not terribly different,” he said. “So if you make the argument—and successfully—so that you can take CBD, convert it to delta 8, and it’s legal under the Farm Bill. You take it three, four, five, 10 more steps in a laboratory and create heroin. Did you just legalize heroin under the same argument?” During a short Q&A portion of the webinar, an audience member asked whether only retailers with liquor licenses should be able to sell intoxicating hemp products—a position some alcohol trade groups have endorsed. “I would say that any retailer that is permitted or licensed to sell age gated adult products, and is that has shown to do that effectively, should be able to sell a another type of adult intoxicating product,” Minton at the Reason Foundation replied, “and then you still have the control of, if they’re failing to appropriately age gate, you can strip them of their permit or license.” Asked to look into the future, speakers said they expected Congress to attempt to close the hemp loophole. “I’m lobbying Congress on that issue, so I am confident that Congress will close the loophole,” said Lindsey at ATACH, “if for no other reason [than] that there are no other products in the United States that run free.” Even water is regulated once it falls from the sky, Lindsey added. “They are going to regulate intoxicants from hemp. It’s a matter of when.” With recent sign-off from a congressional subcommittee, the latest legislation that would ban intoxicating cannabinoids now proceeds to a full House committee for consideration. The 138-page bill covers a wide range of issues, but for the hemp industry, there’s a section of particular concern that would redefine hemp under federal statute in a way that would prohibit cannabis products containing any “quantifiable” amount of THC or “any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals” as THC. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), chair of the subcommittee, said in opening remarks that the legislation “closes the hemp loophole from the 2018 Farm Bill that has resulted in the proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoid products, including delta-8 and hemp flower being sold online and in gas stations nationwide under the false guise of being ‘USDA approved.’” “As many states have stepped in to curb these dangerous products from reaching consumers, particularly children, it’s time for Congress to act to close this loophole, while protecting the legitimate industrial hemp industry,” he said. That would effectively eliminate the most commonly marketed hemp products within the industry, as even non-intoxicating CBD items that are sold across the country typically contain trace amounts of THC. Under current law, those products are allowed if they contain no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. The hemp language is largely consistent with appropriations and agriculture legislation that was introduced, but not ultimately enacted, under the last Congress. Hemp industry stakeholders rallied against that proposal, an earlier version of which was also included in the base bill from the subcommittee last year. It’s virtually identical to a provision of the 2024 Farm Bill that was attached by a separate committee last May via an amendment from Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), which was also not enacted into law. “If this amendment becomes law, it will destroy the entire American hemp industry and set back a decade’s worth of progress to fully legalize cannabis,” Jim Higdon, co-founder of the Kentucky-based company Cornbread Hemp, told Marijuana Moment. “Democrats and Republicans who believe in freedom should oppose Rep. Harris’s attack on American hemp farmers.” Meanwhile, alcohol industry representatives descended on Washington, D.C. in April to urge members of Congress to create a federal regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp-derived products such as cannabinoid-infused beverages—a market segment that’s ballooned since the legalization of hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill. A report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) last year called cannabis a “significant threat” to the alcohol industry, citing survey data that suggests more people are using cannabis as a substitute for alcoholic beverages such a beer and wine. Last November, meanwhile, a beer industry trade group put out a statement of guiding principles to address what it called “the proliferation of largely unregulated intoxicating hemp and cannabis products,” warning of risks to consumers and communities resulting from THC consumption. Fentanyl Criminalization Bill Headed To Trump’s Desk Also Makes It Easier To Study Marijuana, Congressman Says *Photo courtesy of Pixabay.* The post Attorneys General Group Hosts Meeting On State-Level Regulation Of Intoxicating Hemp Products appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

A GOP-led House committee approved a spending bill that could devastate the hemp industry by prohibiting most consumable cannabinoid products. The bill redefines hemp, potentially banning products with any "quantifiable" THC. Industry stakeholders and the alcohol industry have expressed concerns, and the bill is scheduled for further review. < Back Congressional Committee Approves Bill To Ban All Hemp Products With THC Jun 5, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link A GOP-led House committee has approved a spending bill containing provisions that hemp stakeholders say would devastate the industry, prohibiting most consumable cannabinoid products that were federally legalized during the first Trump administration. Just one day after releasing the text of the legislation, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies advanced the proposal covering fiscal year 2026 in a 9-7 vote, sending it to the full committee for consideration. The 138-page bill covers a wide range of issues, but for the hemp industry, there’s a section of particular concern that would redefine hemp under federal statute in a way that would prohibit cannabis products containing any “quantifiable” amount of THC or “any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals” as THC. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), chair of the subcommittee, said in opening remarks that the legislation “closes the hemp loophole from the 2018 Farm Bill that has resulted in the proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoid products, including delta-8 and hemp flower being sold online and in gas stations nationwide under the false guise of being ‘USDA approved.'” “As many states have stepped in to curb these dangerous products from reaching consumers, particularly children, it’s time for Congress to act to close this loophole, while protecting the legitimate industrial hemp industry,” he said. That would effectively eliminate the most commonly marketed hemp products within the industry, as even non-intoxicating CBD items that are sold across the country typically contain trace amounts of THC. Under current law, those products are allowed if they contain no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. But the proposed policy being taken up by the subcommittee helmed by Harris, a vociferous opponent of marijuana reform, would drastically change that. It would instead maintain the legal status of “industrial hemp” under a revised definition that allows for the cultivation and sale of hemp grown for fiber, whole grain, oil, cake, nut, hull, microgreens or “other edible hemp leaf products intended for human consumption.” A press release from Harris’s committee says the legislation “supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by…closing the hemp loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products, including Delta-8 and hemp flower, being sold online and in gas stations across the country.” The bill is scheduled for a markup before the full House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, June 11. The hemp language is largely consistent with appropriations and agriculture legislation that was introduced, but not ultimately enacted, under the last Congress. Hemp industry stakeholders rallied against that proposal, an earlier version of which was also included in the base bill from the subcommittee last year. It’s virtually identical to a provision of the 2024 Farm Bill that was attached by a separate committee last May via an amendment from Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), which was also not enacted into law. “If this amendment becomes law, it will destroy the entire American hemp industry and set back a decade’s worth of progress to fully legalize cannabis,” Jim Higdon, co-founder of the Kentucky-based company Cornbread Hemp, told Marijuana Moment. “Democrats and Republicans who believe in freedom should oppose Rep. Harris’s attack on American hemp farmers.” There are some differences between the prior spending bill and this latest version for 2026, including a redefining of what constitutes a “quantifiable” amount of THC that’d be prohibited for hemp products. It now says that a quantifiable amount is “based on substance, form, manufacture, or article (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture),” whereas it was previously defined as an amount simply “determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.” The proposed legislation also now specifies that the term hemp does not include “a drug that is the subject of an application approved under subsection (c) or (j) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355),” which seems to carve out an exception for Food and Drug Administration- (FDA) approved drugs such Epidiolex, which is synthesized from CBD. While certain text has been revised, the legislation “has the same desired effect, which would ban the vast majority of hemp products in the marketplace,” Jonathan Miller, general counsel to the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told Marijuana Moment on Wednesday ahead of the vote. Miller said stakeholders are generally skeptical about the prospect of the appropriations legislation advancing in its current form given unrelated controversies over various provisions, but they are still operating under the impression that it’s “a dire emergency, because this would have such a devastating impact on farmers and on consumers that really take these products for granted to helping their health and wellness.” Aaron Smith, CEO of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), stressed that hemp-derived THC products “are already widely available across the country.” “Despite legislators’ intent, this budget provision won’t change that fact, but it will ensure these products are made and sold without oversight, delivering a big win to the drug cartels at the expense of public health and safety,” he said. “Congress should empower federal agencies to regulate these products responsibly, not double down on prohibitionist policies that have already proven to be failures both in practice and in the court of public opinion.” Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) called the provision “troublesome” and “overly broad” in an email update to supporters, saying it will “undermine states across the country who have enacted critical regulations that govern intoxicating hemp products.” The alcohol industry group said that Congress should act on the issue of intoxicating hemp, but only by targeting synthetic derivatives while explicitly giving states the authority to regulate products. “In the absence of a robust federal regulatory system, states have been filling the void by passing comprehensive legislation to regulate intoxicating hemp and protect public health and safety within their borders,” WSWA said. “This has led to the development of a vibrant, innovative new industry that is creating thousands of American-made jobs and generating state tax revenue. Adoption of the current language contained in this bill would undermine those state actions and do nothing to eliminate bad actors who irresponsibly market potentially harmful products.” *— 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. —* Separately, Miller told congressional lawmakers in April that the market is “begging” for federal regulations around cannabis products. At the hearing, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) also inquired about FDA inaction around regulations, sarcastically asking if it’d require “a gazillion bureaucrats that work from home” to regulate cannabinoids such as CBD. The consumable hemp product crackdown isn’t exclusive to the federal government, as multiple states—from California to Florida—have moved to ban intoxicating cannabinoids in recent months. In Texas, the legislature recently delivered a bill to the governor that would outlaw all consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing any detectable THC. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has declined to say how he will act on the measure. Meanwhile, alcohol industry representatives descended on Washington, D.C. in April to urge members of Congress to create a federal regulatory framework for intoxicating hemp-derived products such as cannabinoid-infused beverages—a market segment that’s ballooned since the legalization of hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill. A report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) last year called cannabis a “significant threat” to the alcohol industry, citing survey data that suggests more people are using cannabis as a substitute for alcoholic beverages such a beer and wine. Last November, meanwhile, a beer industry trade group put out a statement of guiding principles to address what it called “the proliferation of largely unregulated intoxicating hemp and cannabis products,” warning of risks to consumers and communities resulting from THC consumption. North Carolina Governor Backs Marijuana Legalization And Forms A Bipartisan Commission To Craft A Plan *Photo courtesy of Kimzy Nanney.* The post Congressional Committee Approves Bill To Ban All Hemp Products With THC appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

With over 25 years of brand-building and consumer marketing experience serving American Express, MasterCard, PepsiCo and Microsoft — and over eight years in the legal cannabis industry as VP, Licensing & Brand Partnerships at Dope Magazine; Chief Brand Officer at Evergreen Herbal and Chief Brand Architect at The Matters Group — David Paleschuck has played a part in creating many of today’s well-known cannabis brands. In his new book, Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis he examines the commercialization of cannabis and offers best practices in branding and marketing. Here Paleschuck applies his expertise towards understanding brand archetypes... < Back THE 14 CANNABIS BRAND ARCHETYPES By David Paleschuck, MBA, CLS Jun 4, 2021 Ed Rosenthal Ed Rosenthal Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link With over 25 years of brand-building and consumer marketing experience serving American Express, MasterCard, PepsiCo and Microsoft — and over eight years in the legal cannabis industry as VP, Licensing & Brand Partnerships at Dope Magazine; Chief Brand Officer at Evergreen Herbal and Chief Brand Architect at The Matters Group — David Paleschuck has played a part in creating many of today’s well-known cannabis brands. In his new book, Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis he examines the commercialization of cannabis and offers best practices in branding and marketing. Here Paleschuck applies his expertise towards understanding brand archetypes. [image: 14-CANNA-BRAND-ARCHETYPES.png] *The 14 Cannabis Brand Archetypes* Brand archetypes categorize universal patterns we intuitively know; helping us to quickly understand a brand’s point of view. And as such, they are an effective marketing “short-cut” embodying common elements. Applying these elements to a brand, helps potential customers identify and understand it – instantly. While all brands are bound to play within the rules and regulations of their respective states and municipalities, they must seek creative ways to make the laws work best for their businesses and more effectively than their competitors in order to succeed. The number one critical success factor is consistency. A readily available product with a consistent look, feel, dose and flavor is crucial. While consistency might sound inflexible, it is not meant to be. Through consistency, one can better chart a brand roadmap that’s in line and suits the customer’s needs. The cannabis sector is forever shifting. The fewer moving parts in the equation, the easier it is to contain and control the variables. Calling out specific attributes is difficult as canna-products cross a wide range of form factors, demographics and usage scenarios. Why do we expect to see cannabis-infused edibles packaged like other baked goods and candies? Or cannabis-infused transdermal patches packaged like Band Aids®? Or cannabis-infused sublingual slips packaged like Listerine® breath strips? [image: kinslips.jpg] The answer is: We have pre-conceived notions about brands and their products; how they’re packaged and under what circumstances we use them. A child-resistant cap or tamper-proof package immediately puts us at ease and makes us feel assured about our safety and consumption. Brands and color are inextricably linked because color offers an instantaneous method for conveying meaning and message without words. Color is the visual component people remember most about a brand followed closely by shapes, symbols, numbers, and finally words. In a world where appropriation and mash-ups abound, it’s no surprise that brand archetypes often overlap and are not mutually exclusive. Meaning, many brands span one or more archetype categories. [image: Blaze.jpg] *THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS THE FOURTEEN MOST PROMINENT CANNABIS BRAND ARCHETYPES:* *1. COUNTER-CULTURE* Counter-culture brands are those brands that serve consumers who often define themselves and their activities through rebellion (i.e. not belonging to a certain group) counter cultures simply ‘feed the flames’ of consumer culture by creating a whole new set of goods for ‘rebel consumers’. *2. NOSTALGIC* Research shows that nostalgia gives our lives a sense of continuity and meaning as we get older. As we age, we all develop fond memories of our younger days, from the food we ate, to the games we played, to the music we listened to. It’s no surprise many cannabis brands use nostalgia as a brand pillar. [image: properchocolate.jpg] *3. NOVELTY* When a consumer encounters a novel image tied to a brand, they are driven to learn more about it. They compare it to existing information: is it new and how does it fit into what they already know? Novelty is a powerful tool; but, it’s also a dangerous one. The key to using novelty to attract interest, is to make sure it’s a new expression of something the brand always stood for. A great example of a novelty brand is “Impeachmints” manufactured by Evergreen Herbal. *4. FOODIE* Understanding how farm and food relate is essential for marketing to this sought-after demographic. Marketing to Foodies requires staying up to date on the latest trends across the food world. Given the increased importance everyone is placing on food, marketers would be wise to stay current. With the interconnectedness of food culture to almost everything, the relationship with cannabis is clear. [image: salted.jpg] *5. REGIONAL* A regional brand reflects the culture and qualities of a particular appellation or terroir. Examples of cannabis strains boasting their geographic origin include Maui Wowie, Durban Poison, Acapulco Gold and Humboldt OG, to name a few. That said, it’s no surprise that many brands seek to capture and leverage these nuanced, regional, and cultural qualities into their brands. *6. HEALTH & WELLNESS* Health and wellness brands have honed their messages putting customer’s well-being front and center. They typically focus on product quality, efficacy, benefits, and an overall balanced lifestyle. Successful brands in the health and wellness space do best when they provide their customers with aspirational content, as well as easy access to information and tools that allow them to embrace a healthy lifestyle. *7. CELEBRITY* Celebrity branding is a marketing strategy used by leveraging the celebrity’s social status or fame to help promote a product or service. Brands use celebrities in hopes that the persona and image of the celebrity will be passed on to the product(s) and/or the brand associated with the celebrity. *8. PROHIBITION * Prohibition refers to the banning of the manufacture, storage (whether in barrels or in bottles), transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The word is also used to refer to a period of time during which such bans are enforced. Today, many cannabis brands are connecting the concept of alcohol prohibition to cannabis legalization. Examples of these prohibition brands include Zoots and Lowell Herb Co. among others. *9. ART & DESIGN* The relationship between art and commerce has always been filled with anxiety. The diminishing impact of traditional advertising has caused brands to seek new ways to capture the attention of consumers. Artists and the art market have taught us how valuable a brand can become by leveraging art and artists. Seattle-based Saints Joints is a perfect example of a cannabis brand working with artists to create collectible, limited edition box packaging. [image: saint_joints.jpg] *10. GENDER FOCUSED * While statistics tell us the majority of cannabis consumers are male, the female and LGBTQ segments are an under-developed opportunity — possibly the number one opportunity for those who understand how sexuality, gender, and political perspective resonate in this segment. While many have tried to “pink it & shrink it”, we certainly know that strategy hasn’t worked for brands outside of the cannabis industry. *11. VALUE* A "budget brand" is a brand whose major selling point is its low price and/or value offering. Often, but not always; that may mean lower quality. Since COVID-19, there has been an increase in larger, pre-packaged product offerings, such as pre-ground flower in pouches – rolling papers included. *12. CANNABIS CULTIVATOR * Cultivator brands have taken off with the interest and development in strains, terpenes, and cannabinoids. Cookies is a perfect example of how a brand can grow from strain genetics. Well-known cultivators and cultivator brands include Sherbinskis, Cookies, Exotics, and Ed Rosenthal, among others. *13. LUXURY* Luxury cannabis brands are those that comprise associations of high price, high quality, beauty, rarity, and perhaps, even a degree of non-functionality. One of the best examples of a cannabis luxury brand is the Leira Cannagar, called out by Forbes Magazine as a “gourmet ultra-luxury cannagar.” [image: schoko.jpg] *14. CHARITY | SOCIAL JUSTICE* People’s willingness to devote their loyalty and money to a cause is directly influenced by the positive connection they have with a brand. The right image, personality, and tone of voice create an identity that your customers (and donors) can relate to, which leads to more sales and better fundraising. A great example of a cannabis charity brand is California’s GIVE. *SUMMARY * How consumers attach themselves to a brand is based on the brand’s ability to tell its story to its customer. A health and wellness brand should not brand and market its product in the same way a recreational brand focused on rebellion would. Different customer segments demand different products, whether real or perceived. It behooves brands to creatively leverage the most recognizable brand archetype elements in order to effectively and efficiently convey who they are and what they stand for. It’s those brands that best differentiate and communicate, that will be recognized and rewarded. *To learn more about the commercialization of cannabis visit * *brandingbud.com* [image: Outlook-wr0z2rdh.jpg] “The first book of its kind to offer solid best practices in branding and marketing to an industry in dire need of them…. A fascinating overview of an estimated multibillion-dollar sector whose long and complicated history dates back to when forefathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp.” *—Iris Dorbian, **Forbes.com* < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

Congressional Subcommittee Votes To Keep Blocking Marijuana Sales In D.C. As Trump Requested In Budget < Back Congressional Subcommittee Votes To Keep Blocking... Jul 22, 2025 Kyle Jaeger Marijuana Moment Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link House lawmakers have advanced a spending bill that would maintain a controversial provision preventing Washington, D.C. from using its own tax dollars to create a regulated marijuana market. On Monday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) approved the legislation, retaining the rider championed by anti-cannabis Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD). To the disappointment of stakeholders and advocates, the FSGG legislation did not contain any language on marijuana industry banking access, as was included in the House spending bill during previous sessions. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) criticized appropriators for putting forward a bill that restricts the District’s autonomy in a number of ways, including the rider to “prohibit the use of funds to commercialize recreational marijuana.” “I am outraged at the number and scope of anti-D.C. home rule riders in the bill released today,” Norton said in a press release on Sunday when the legislative text was released. “It is unsurprising that at a time when there are more frequent Republican attacks on D.C. home rule than any time since the 1990s, the D.C. appropriations bill reported out of a Republican-controlled subcommittee contains numerous and extensive riders that would overrule the expressed will of D.C. residents,” the congresswoman said in a separate statement after the panel’s action on Monday. “I will use every tool at my disposal to stop these riders from becoming law, and I commit to reminding my fellow lawmakers across the aisle that D.C. residents deserve consideration equal to that given to as their own constituents.” *Here’s the language of the relevant section: * *“SEC. 830.* (a) None of the Federal funds contained in this Act may be used to enact or carry out any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative. (b) No funds available for obligation or expenditure by the District of Columbia government under any authority may be used to enact any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C 801 et seq.) or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative for recreational purposes.” Norton said in May that she would again again push her colleagues to join her in an effort to remove the cannabis language. “As Congress works on the fiscal year 2026 appropriation bill, I will continue to fight to remove this rider,” she said, while referencing a statement from the White House that called the District’s move to enact local marijuana reform an example of a “failed” policy that “opened the door to disorder.” President Donald Trump’s budget request that he released last month similarly contained the Harris rider preventing marijuana sales in D.C., despite voters in the jurisdiction voting to approve legalization in 2014. Former President Joe Biden also repeatedly requested the continuation of the D.C. cannabis rider in budget proposals during his time in office. While D.C. hasn’t been able to use its local funds to implement a system of regulated recreational cannabis sales over the last decade, local officials have taken steps to expand the city’s existing medical marijuana program as a workaround. *— 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. —* In other appropriations-related developments, a key Senate committee recently included a variety of marijuana and psychedelics-related provisions in a report attached to a pair of spending bills—including calls to allow U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical cannabis if the federal government reschedules it, exploring the possibility of “reducing opioid use through medical marijuana” and cracking down on illicit grow operations. The Senate Appropriations Committee last week approved reports as well as an underlying Justice Department spending bill that would maintain protections for states with medical marijuana programs, while omitting a separate proposal included in the House version of the annual appropriations legislation that would prevent DOJ from rescheduling cannabis. The panel also approved the veterans funding bill along with an amendment allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis to their military veteran patients in legal states. Advocates remain concerned, however, about the House language that would restrict DOJ from rescheduling cannabis, but the fact that it was not incorporated into the Senate legislation likely diminishes the chances it will ultimately be enacted when the final package is delivered to the president’s desk. The post Congressional Subcommittee Votes To Keep Blocking Marijuana Sales In D.C. As Trump Requested In Budget appeared first on Marijuana Moment. < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5

DC Xtracts, founded by Rob Vasquez, has gained a loyal following in Washington D.C.'s medical cannabis program by producing clean and honest extracts that reflect the quality of the flower, setting them apart from other companies in the market. < Back Inside DC Xtracts: Rob Vasquez on Craft Cannabis Extraction and Brand Integrity Jul 1, 2025 Editorial Staff Outlaw Report Article Link Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link In a market crowded with gimmicks and questionable concentrates, DC Xtracts has carved out a loyal following by doing the exact opposite: keeping it clean, honest, and rooted in the craft. Founded by Rob Vasquez, the company built its reputation in Washington D.C.’s medical cannabis program through extracts that reflect the quality of the flower […] Source < Previous Next > Recent Reviews Tractor Fuel - Sunburn, St. Petersburg (Florida Medical) All gas, and no breaks on this strain, Tractor Fuel is a hard hitting steady and focused sativa, offering an energizing high accompanied by an abundant increase in creativity. Available at Sunburn St. Petersburg this Mendoja hunted Gas Pedal Og crossed with Original Z provides full flavor along with fast hitting, potent effects... Closing the Loophole... and Opening Pandora’s Bureaucratic Box So, apparently, the powers that be have decided that America’s biggest problem right now is... too many adults enjoying hemp legally. You know, hemp — the thing Congress proudly legalized back in 2018 under the Farm Bill, which was supposed to usher in an age of industrial innovation, CBD chill, and yes, a few mildly buzzed soccer moms. But now? They’re coming for your delta-8 gummies and THCA prerolls like it’s 1937 all over again... Do-Si-Dos #22-22 by CULTA (Maryland Medical) Known in Maryland for their exceptional medical cannabis and artisanal approach, Culta's flower can be found throughout the Maryland mark... 1 2 3 4 5