SAFE Banking Digest
Your daily digest for news on H.R.2891 – SAFE Banking Act of 2023 and S.2860 – SAFER Banking Act and H.R.5601 – MORE Act – . The Safe Banking Act, also known as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, is a piece of legislation in the United States aimed at addressing banking and financial services issues related to the cannabis industry, which operates in a legal gray area due to varying state and federal laws. It was introduced to provide clarity and safety for financial institutions that wish to engage with cannabis-related businesses.
2025
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December
GOP Senator Says Marijuana Banking Bill Remains Stalled—But Trump’s Rescheduling Order Could Spur Congress To Act 12.19.25 »ᅳ► A GOP senator says the while a bipartisan marijuana banking bill remains stalled, with no recent discussions about advancing it as lawmakers focus on other legislative priorities, President Donald Trump’s move to reschedule cannabis could clear the path for further reform.
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President Trump Issues Executive Order Directing the Attorney General to Reschedule Marijuana 12.18.25 »ᅳ► What long resembled a Never Ending Story has finally reached a turning point.
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Trump signs executive order to expedite marijuana rescheduling 12.18.25 »ᅳ► President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to speed up the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to the less severe Schedule III, with the stated goal of expanding cannabis research.
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Bipartisan Senators Discuss Marijuana Industry Banking Issues As Trump ‘Strongly’ Considers Rescheduling 12.16.25 »ᅳ► As President Donald Trump affirms that his administration is “very strongly” considering a proposal to reschedule marijuana, bipartisan senators raised the issue during a hearing with a former state cannabis regulator who testified about the unique challenges federal prohibition imposes on state regulators.
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U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Marijuana Companies’ Case Challenging Federal Prohibition 12.15.25 »ᅳ► The U.S. Supreme Court is declining to take up a case challenging the constitutionality of federal marijuana prohibition—an issue that even one of the bench’s more conservative members, Justice Clarance Thomas, had previously argued must be resolved amid the state legalization movement.
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Trump Says He’s ‘Very Strongly’ Considering Rescheduling Marijuana As Rumors Swell About Imminent Reform 12.15.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that the administration is “very strongly” considering a proposal to federally reschedule marijuana because it would boost research into the effects of cannabis.
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Report: Trump Planning to Reschedule Cannabis Via Executive Order 12.12.25 »ᅳ► Multiple reports indicate that an executive order by President Trump to federally reschedule cannabis is likely coming soon.
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Trump Prepares to Reschedule Cannabis to Schedule III 12.12.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump is expected to direct his cabinet to move forward on a proposal to reclassify cannabis to Schedule III, but the decision isn’t final.
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It’s ‘Unclear’ How Feds Will Enforce Hemp THC Product Ban, Congressional Researchers Say, Citing Limited FDA And DEA Resources 12.5.25 »ᅳ► Congressional researchers say it “remains unclear” how the federal government might enforce a newly enacted law that takes effect next year banning hemp THC products—flagging concerns about a potential lack of resources on the part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
- Rescheduling Marijuana: Implications for Criminal and Collateral Consequences
- Change to Federal Definition of Hemp and Implications for Federal Enforcement
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GOP Congressman Presses Federal Financial Officials On Marijuana Industry’s Banking Access Problems 12.4.25 »ᅳ► A GOP congressman is pressing federal financial regulators about the ongoing issues that state-legal marijuana businesses face when trying to access basic banking services under federal prohibition.
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Trump And Republicans Could ‘Steal Marijuana Reform’ From Democrats, Progressive PAC Warns 12.2.25 »ᅳ► A progressive political group is recruiting supporters to join a marijuana “advisory board,” warning of the risk that President Donald Trump and other Republicans could “steal” the popular issue away from Democrats.
November
Congressional Democratic Lawmakers Weigh Plans To Save Hemp Industry From Looming Federal Ban 11.26.25 »ᅳ► Minnesota congressional Democrats are committing to preventing the collapse of the hemp industry after lawmakers passed a now-signed spending bill banning the sale of most consumable THC products, stressing the need to “fix it” before recriminalization takes effect next year and laying out opportunities to achieve that.
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Marijuana And Hemp Businesses Are Already Working Together, And It’s Going Better Than You Think (Op-Ed) 11.25.25 »ᅳ► The recent government funding deal, which narrowed the definition of hemp, sent shockwaves through parts of the hemp market and exposed how fragile the current patchwork of cannabis policy really is.
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Rand Paul Slams Alcohol And Marijuana Interests Over Federal Hemp Ban, Announcing He’ll File A Bill To Reverse It Next Week 11.21.25 »ᅳ► A GOP senator says he’ll be filing a bill next week to protect the hemp industry from an impending federal ban on most cannabinoid products. He’s also calling out alcohol and marijuana interests for allegedly “join[ing] forces” to lobby in favor of the prohibitionist policy change, which will restrict access to a plant and its derivatives that are often used therapeutically—including by members of his Senate colleagues’ families.
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New GOP-Led Bill In Congress Would Reverse Hemp THC Ban That Trump Signed Into Law 11.21.25 »ᅳ► A new Republican-led congressional bill would stop the implementation of a federal hemp THC product ban that was included in spending legislation signed by President Donald Trump last week.
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Overview of the 2025 U.S. Congressional Appropriations Language on Hemp
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How hemp THC companies are preparing for federal prohibition 11.21.25 »ᅳ► After going to the major leagues, Joe Salome was planning to go to Trader Joes. That was before President Donald Trump signed the death warrant for his hemp business.
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Top Conservative Group Urges Supreme Court To Take Marijuana Case Challenging Federal Prohibition 11.20.25 »ᅳ► A top conservative advocacy organization is backing a coalition of marijuana businesses that are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case challenging the constitutionality of federal cannabis prohibition.
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2025 State of the Cannabis Lighting Market 11.18.25 »ᅳ► The 10th annual ‘State of the Cannabis Lighting Market’ report highlights LED’s rapid and still-growing dominance, recent and emerging tech interests, and advancing cultivation expertise.
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Trump DOJ Declines To File Supreme Court Brief In Marijuana Companies’ Case Challenging Federal Prohibition 11.18.25 »ᅳ► The Justice Department is declining the opportunity to file a brief on whether the U.S. Supreme Court should take up a case from marijuana businesses that are challenging the constitutionality of federal prohibition.
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Nancy Mace Circulates Bill To Block Hemp THC Ban That Trump Signed Into Law »ᅳ► A GOP congresswoman is circulating a bill that would stop the implementation of a federal hemp THC product ban that’s part of spending legislation signed by President Donald Trump last week. And she’s pledging to spend the next year fighting to prevent the implementation of the ban.
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Trump Administration Sees Marijuana As A ‘Hazard,’ Federal Prosecutor Says, Drawing Criticism From Lawmakers And Advocates 11.17.25 »ᅳ► Lawmakers and advocates are pushing back after a U.S. attorney announced his office will be aggressively prosecuting cannabis possession and use offenses on federal lands, stating that it’s the administration’s position that “marijuana use is a public safety hazard.”
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Trump Signs Spending Bill Containing Federal Crackdown on Hemp THC Sales 11.14.25 »ᅳ► President Trump signed the spending bill to reopen the government, plunging the U.S. hemp industry into uncertainty as it now faces a 1-year deadline before the industry is shuttered under federal law.
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How Big Pharma Plans to Destroy the Cannabis Industry As We Know It 11.13.25 »ᅳ► Federal rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) stands poised to be the most significant regulatory catalyst in the U.S. cannabis industry in 50 years. While much attention has been paid to the surge and correction in “pure play” cannabis equities and to state-legal operators awaiting tax and banking relief, comparatively less light has been shed on the multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical conglomerates—often referred to as “Big Pharma”—and their calculated maneuvers to control the next chapter of the cannabis market.
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Ted Cruz Explains His Vote To Keep Hemp THC Products Federally Legal In Historic First Senate Roll Call On Cannabis 11.11.25 »ᅳ► As the Senate held an historic first standalone roll call floor vote on the issue of cannabis on Monday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) drew some attention as one of just two Republicans who joined about two dozen Democrats in a failed attempt to keep alive a spending bill amendment to prevent a ban on hemp products containing THC.
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Intoxicating Hemp Product Ban Included in Deal to Reopen Government 11.10.25 »ᅳ► Intoxicating hemp products would be prohibited under a three-bill spending package the Senate negotiated in a plan to end the government shutdown.
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Senate Rejects Attempt To Save Hemp Industry From THC Ban In Key Spending Bill 11.10.25 »ᅳ► The Senate has rejected an amendment to a critical spending bill that would have removed language to ban hemp products containing THC.
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GOP Support for Cannabis Legalization Dwindles to 40% Under Trump 11.5.25 »ᅳ► After reaching an all-time high in 2023, support for ending cannabis prohibition dropped for the second straight year.
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October
Proposed hemp ban collides with federal shutdown 10.31.25 »ᅳ► Intoxicating hemp companies are sounding the alarm that Congress could wipe out their $30B industry as part of a deal to end the monthlong government shutdown.
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GOP Senator Threatens To Block Bills To Reopen Government If Hemp THC Ban Moves Forward 10.29.25 »ᅳ► A GOP senator says he’s willing to hold up spending legislation to end the ongoing government shutdown if Congress attempts to move forward with a controversial plan to ban hemp products containing THC—though he’s warning there’s a “real danger” he won’t prevail. As such, he argues that it’s imperative for the industry make its voice heard on Capitol Hill over the coming days.
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U.S. Attorneys General Ask Congress for Hemp Guidance 10.26.25 »ᅳ► A bipartisan coalition of 39 state and territory attorneys general sent a letter to Congress asking for clarification on the federal definition of hemp.
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GOP Senator Pushes To Study—Rather Than Ban—Hemp Products, As State Attorneys General Call For THC Prohibition 10.24.25 »ᅳ► As bicameral lawmakers work to reach a deal on provisions for federal spending legislation, including how to settle an increasingly contentious debate about hemp products, competing interests are making their voices heard on how they think Congress should handle the issue.
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Alcohol Industry Steps Up Lobbying On Hemp Drinks As Congress Debates THC Ban 10.21.25 »ᅳ► The last three months have seen a surge in congressional lobbying from major alcohol companies and associations aiming to influence federal hemp laws, with a focus on THC beverages that many consumers are turning to as beer and liquor alternatives.
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Marijuana Consumers Not Impressed With Trump’s Cannabis Actions So Far—And Most Are Unconvinced His CBD Post Signals Reform, Poll Shows 10.9.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump’s approval rating on marijuana policy remains largely underwater among cannabis consumers, according to the latest quarterly NuggMD-Marijuana Moment tracking poll. And while many stakeholders were encouraged to see the president share a video touting the health benefits of CBD, a majority of consumers don’t see it as an indication the administration will be moving forward with cannabis rescheduling.
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Hemp Industry Urges Trump To Stop Congress From ‘Reversing’ The Crop’s Legalization That He Signed Into Law 10.8.25 »ᅳ► A leading hemp industry organization has sent a letter to President Donald Trump, applauding him for his role in legalizing the crop during his first term and imploring him to prevent Congress from “reversing” the reform by banning hemp products containing any amount of THC.
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September
Cannabis Stocks Surge After Trump Shares Video Promoting CBD Medicine 9.30.25 »ᅳ► Cannabis stocks jumped on Monday after President Trump shared a nearly three-minute video on social media touting the medicinal benefits of CBD for senior citizens.
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Trump Rescheduling Marijuana Would Be An ‘Important Domino’ Toward Passing Cannabis Banking Bill, GOP Senate Sponsor Says 9.29.05 »ᅳ► If President Donald Trump moves forward with marijuana rescheduling, the reform would be an “important domino” to advance bipartisan cannabis banking legislation, the GOP Senate sponsor says.
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Trump Posts Video On Medical Benefits Of Cannabis For Seniors As White House Weighs Rescheduling 9.28.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump on Sunday shared a video promoting the health benefits of cannabis—suggesting that covering CBD under Medicare would be “the most important senior health initiative of the century.”
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Biden Failed To Reschedule Marijuana Because He Couldn’t ‘Find The Autopen,’ GOP Congressman Jokes 9.25.25 »ᅳ► As a marijuana rescheduling proposal awaits President Donald Trump’s decision, some GOP members of Congress are urging him to move forward with the reform—with one lawmaker taking a jab at former President Joe Biden by joking that it’s possible the prior administration “must have not been able to find the autopen in time” to complete the cannabis reform process it initiated.
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Christians Will Be Able To Use Medical Marijuana After Trump ‘Inevitably’ Reschedules It, Former DOJ Official Says In New Religious Analysis 9.24.25 »ᅳ► A former U.S. Justice Department official argues that the use of medical marijuana by Christians may be biblically justified if cannabis is federally rescheduled, saying in a new paper that “the federal government will inevitably” enact the reform.
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Where Candidates Stand on Cannabis in Virginia, New Jersey 2025 Gubernatorial Races 9.22.25 »ᅳ► From the absence of adult-use dispensary sales in the Old Dominion State to a home-grow ban in the Garden State, the stakes are high in the upcoming election.
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GOP-Led Congressional Committee Votes To Block Trump From Rescheduling Marijuana 9.11.25 »ᅳ► A GOP-controlled House committee has approved a spending bill that contains provisions to block the Justice Department from rescheduling marijuana.
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Mike Tyson Expects ‘Good News’ On Marijuana Rescheduling, He Says On Podcast Hosted By Top Trump Official’s Wife 9.8.25 »ᅳ► Mike Tyson spoke about the need for federal marijuana rescheduling on a podcast hosted by the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller—saying he’s expecting “good news” on the issue soon.
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House GOP Moves Forward on Blocking Trump Administration’s Power to Reschedule Cannabis 9.11.25 »ᅳ► The House Appropriations Committee advanced a funding bill that prevents the Department of Justice from using funds to reclassify the plant.
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August
Democratic Lawmakers File Bill To Federally Legalize Marijuana As Trump Weighs Rescheduling 8.29.25 »ᅳ► As the Trump administration considers rescheduling marijuana, Congressional Democrats have filed a bill to federally legalize cannabis by descheduling it altogether.
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Petition Asks Trump to Remove Cannabis From Federal Drug Schedule 8.27.25 »ᅳ► A petition being circulated by the Drug Policy Alliance asks the Trump Administration to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, rather than rescheduling it to Schedule III.
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Google Announces Trial for Advertising Cannabis Products In Canada 8.27.25 »ᅳ► Google has launched a pilot program allowing licensed cannabis companies in Canada to run online advertisements via Google Ads. The program will run for up to 20 weeks.
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GOP Congressman Circulates Draft Bill To Regulate Hemp Products As Colleagues Pursue THC Ban 8.26.25 »ᅳ► A Republican congressman is circulating a draft bill to regulate consumable hemp products—offering a potential alternative to the outright THC ban that some of his colleagues are pushing.
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New Republican National Committee Chairman Supports Marijuana Legalization 8.22.25 »ᅳ► The Republican National Committee has a new leader who supports legalizing marijuana and who has discussed his own use of cannabis products.
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Trump Reviews Recommendation To Highlight Harms Of Marijuana And Other Drugs For Young People 8.19.25 »ᅳ► The Trump administration is reviewing draft recommendations aimed at promoting young people’s health—including proposals to increase awareness about the impact of THC, vapes and the kratom-derived compound known as 7-OH.
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GOP Congressman Files Bill To Reschedule Marijuana As Trump Considers Decision On Reform 8.13.25 »ᅳ► As President Donald Trump considers a proposal to federally reclassify marijuana via an administrative process, a GOP congressman has introduced a bill that would achieve the reform legislatively, codifying the policy change under federal statute.
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Trump Publicly Addresses Cannabis Rescheduling: Decision Coming in ‘Next Few Weeks’ 8.11.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump reaffirmed media reports that his administration is ‘looking at’ loosening federal restrictions on cannabis.
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Trump Says He’ll Make Marijuana Rescheduling Decision ‘Over The Next Few Weeks’ 8.11.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump says his administration is “looking at” a proposal to reschedule marijuana and will “make a determination over the next few weeks.”
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With DEA Head in Place, Trump Now Ready to ‘Look at’ Cannabis Rescheduling 8.11.25 »ᅳ► The president reportedly said in private conversations and donor events that he’s considering loosening the federal restrictions on cannabis.
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Trump’s Former DEA Head Predicts President Will ‘Dig In’ To Marijuana Laws And Figure Out ‘Best Way Forward’ 8.4.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump’s former acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is predicting that the administration will soon “dig in” to the state-federal marijuana policy conflict, emphasizing the need to “eliminate confusion, not create it” amid the rescheduling process.
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July
Senators Remove Hemp Product Ban from Federal Funding Bill 7.31.25 »ᅳ► The agriculture subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee has cut language from a federal spending bill that would have federally banned intoxicating hemp products after Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) threatened to block its passage unless the provision was removed.
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FDA Commissioner Links Use Of Cannabis Products To Heart Problems And Psychosis 7.29.25 »ᅳ► Asked about the widespread availability of intoxicating cannabinoid products, such as delta-8 THC, the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned on Tuesday that the use of cannabinoids can lead to cardiac problems and psychosis.
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Bipartisan Coalition Of 32 Attorneys General Pushes Congress To Urgently Pass Marijuana Banking Bill 7.28.25 »ᅳ► A bipartisan coalition of 32 state and territory attorneys general from across the U.S. are calling on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill to free up financial services access for licensed cannabis businesses.
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GOP Senator Threatens To Block Spending Bill If Hemp THC Product Ban Stays In, Sources Say 7.28.25 »ᅳ► A GOP senator is threatening to hold up a major spending bill unless changes are made to provisions that would currently ban most consumable hemp products, which stakeholders say would decimate the industry.
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USDA Database Describes Marijuana As ‘Medicinal’ Even As Federal Government Keeps It In Schedule I 7.16.25 »ᅳ► While the U.S. government still officially considers marijuana a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use, federal agencies are increasingly breaking with that position. In one notable example, an entry in a Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant database describes the use of Cannabis sativa as having “medicinal” uses.
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House Spending Bill Provision Seeks to Block Cannabis Rescheduling Process 7.15.25 »ᅳ► GOP lawmakers in a key House committee are pushing a spending bill provision that would prevent the Justice Department from spending any funds on rescheduling cannabis under federal law.
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Congressional Lawmakers Approve Bill To Block Justice Department From Rescheduling Marijuana 7.15.25 »ᅳ► A congressional committee has approved a spending bill that contains provisions to block the Justice Department from rescheduling marijuana. The legislation would also maintain a separate longstanding rider protecting state medical cannabis programs from federal interference—though with new language authorizing enhanced penalties for sales near schools and parks.
June
$24 Billion in Tax Revenue and Growing – Why Congress May Bypass the DEA and Legalize Cannabis Directly 6.25.25 »ᅳ► Money talks and state legalization has shown Congress a way to regulate legal marijuana!
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GOP Marijuana Banking Bill Sponsor Says He’s Not Thinking About Advancing It Until The Fall Amid Competing Priorities 6.20.25 »ᅳ► The GOP senator who is set to take the lead on sponsoring a marijuana banking bill this session says he’s not currently focused on advancing the reform amid other competing priorities—and that his tentative timeline for having conversations about moving it is “hopefully in the fall.”
May
Marijuana Banking Amendment Could Be Added To Cryptocurrency Bill In Senate This Week, Opposition Group Warns 5.21.25 »ᅳ► A leading anti-marijuana group is sounding the alarm about a possible attempt to put cannabis banking reform in a cryptocurrency bill that’s advancing on the Senate floor this week, asking for “help” from their supporters to encourage members to oppose a potential amendment that could be offered up.
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Trump Replaces Prosecutor Who Threatened Medical Marijuana Dispensary With Fox News Host Who Joined Cannabis Company’s Board 5.12.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump has named a Fox News host with involvement in the cannabis industry to replace a U.S. attorney who threatened a Washington, D.C. medical marijuana dispensary with potential federal prosecution.
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US hemp production grows 40% in 2024, reaching $445 million in value 5.5.25 »ᅳ► U.S. hemp production surged in 2024, according to a recent report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
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April
Trump’s Pick To Lead DEA Says Marijuana Rescheduling Review Will Be ‘One Of My First Priorities’ In The Job 4.30.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says examining a proposal to federally reschedule marijuana will be “one of my first priorities” if he’s confirmed for the role, saying it’s “time to move forward” on the stalled process.
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Tariff Crisis: Israel’s Cannabis Industry Torn in Two as 165% Import Tax Hangs in the Balance 4.25.25 »ᅳ► Israel’s cannabis industry is engaged in a heated and divisive showdown as a proposed 165% tax on Canadian cannabis imports, on which a large portion of the industry and many patients rely, hangs in the balance.
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Marijuana Companies Donated At Least $1 Million To Trump’s Inauguration, New Federal Records Show 4.21.25 »ᅳ► The major marijuana company Trulieve contributed $750,000 to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee following his election last November, Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show.
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Marijuana Industry PAC Ad Accuses Biden Of Waging ‘Deep State War’ Against Cannabis, Urging Trump To Save The Day With Rescheduling 4.21.25 »ᅳ► A marijuana industry-backed political action committee (PAC) is making another targeted appeal to President Donald Trump.
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GOP Congressman And House Democratic Leader Team Up To Prepare For Federal Marijuana Legalization With Alcohol-Like Regulations 4.18.25 »ᅳ► A GOP congressman and the top House Democrat are teaming up on a new bill to lay the groundwork for federal marijuana legalization.
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Bipartisan Proposal Would Federally Legalize Cannabis In Adult-Use States 4.18.25 »ᅳ► A bipartisan proposal filed in the House of Representatives would federally legalize cannabis in states, territories, and tribal nations that have already passed adult-use reforms.
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STATES Act reintroduced in Congress with bipartisan support 4.17.25 »ᅳ► The latest effort, dubbed STATES Act 2.0, would nullify 280E and protect state-legal cannabis markets.
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Is “Hemp” the Way? 4.15.25 »ᅳ► Cannabis is in a state of chaos and existential self-reflection. All hopes were pinned on the Biden Administration moving the needle in some fashion, only to be completely sideswiped by the hemp industry.
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DEA Fails to Set Cannabis Rescheduling Briefing Schedule; No Progress Made on Interlocutory Appeal 4.10.25 »ᅳ► The DEA provided its chief administrative law judge a 90-day joint status update indicating no progress toward ending the appeal.
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Hemp industry calls out FDA for its ‘inconsistent stance’ on regulation 4.10.25 »ᅳ► More than half a decade after the U.S. Congress legalized the plant, hemp industry folks once again sat before a legislative committee to ask for clear federal regulations for hemp products. However, their appeals were largely overshadowed by heated debate around issues within the Food and Drug Administration itself.
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Trump Gets Fawning Praise From Pro-Cannabis PAC But He’s Not Returning The Sentiment 4.1.25 »ᅳ► When then GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump ran against his Democrat and pro-weed rival Kamala Harris, he said he supported rescheduling cannabis. While some considered his comments purely campaign talk, it seems clear the president is not in a hurry to make any significant changes to cannabis policy.
March
Trump White House Says Marijuana Decriminalization ‘Opened The Door To Disorder’ In Washington, D.C. 3.28.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump’s White House says the move to decriminalize marijuana in Washington, D.C. is an example of a “failed” policy that “opened the door to disorder.”
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California’s Top Cannabis Regulator Suggests Governor Has Little to Do With Tax Increase 3.27.25 »ᅳ► As the California cannabis industry’s anxieties mount over a forthcoming excise tax increase, the state’s top regulator implied that Gov. Gavin Newsom is not responsible for the hike.
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Trump’s First Pick For Attorney General Says Marijuana Rescheduling Is ‘On The Horizon’ 3.27.25 »ᅳ► Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)—President Donald Trump’s first pick for U.S. attorney general this term before he withdrew from consideration—says “meaningful” marijuana reform is “on the horizon” under the current administration, praising the president’s “leadership” in supporting rescheduling.
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Two Months Into New Congress, Bipartisan Marijuana Leaders Have Yet To Even Meet As Psychedelics Caucus Sees ‘Momentum’ 3.13,25 »ᅳ► It’s been about two months since the 119th Congress convened, and a bipartisan caucus of leaders on marijuana reform has yet to even hold an initial meeting, much less coordinate plans to advance cannabis legislation under the Trump administration.
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Democratic Senator Unsuccessfully Attempts To Add Marijuana Banking Bill Provision To Financial Regulations Proposal 3.13.25 »ᅳ► A Democratic senator unsuccessfully attempted to attach a key provision of a marijuana banking bill—but not one that would’ve actually helped the cannabis industry access financial services—to a broader bill focused on the problem of debanking.
February
What Trump’s Cannabis Policy Means for America and the International Markets 2.19.25 »ᅳ► Trump’s cannabis policies will have international trade and legalization implications!
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Senator John Fetterman Circulates Petition To Legalize Marijuana At The Federal Level 2.24.25 »ᅳ► Sen. John Fetterman’s campaign (D-PA) is promoting the senator’s pro-marijuana legalization platform, urging people to sign a petition to show “just how much support he has on this issue.”
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Marijuana industry advocates pivot to protecting gains made in recent decades 2.18.25 »ᅳ► Following roughly two straight decades of political progress for cannabis in the United States – with nary an election cycle seeming to pass without a statewide marijuana ballot measure winning somewhere in the country – activists now must pivot from opening up new markets to maintaining the legal ones already won.
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Psychedelics Space Regroups as RFK Jr. Signals Support 2.17.25 »ᅳ►After the rejection of Lykos Therapeutics’ MDMA-based PTSD treatment tempered excitement for psychedelic therapeutics, a recent approval and positive data are generating new momentum, which experts expect to continue throughout 2025 and 2026.
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Rabbi says psychedelics are “elephant in the room” in sacred Jewish text 2.17.25 »ᅳ► An existential question many people spend their lifetime seeking an answer to is “Where can God be found?” Some in the Jewish faith believe they already know the answer to that question and say psychedelics have helped them get there.
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Trump taps anti-cannabis hardliner for top DEA job 2.11.25 »ᅳ► President Donald Trump has nominated Terrance C. Cole to serve as the next administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, replacing acting director Derek Maltz.
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Trump Picks Permanent DEA Administrator Who Aligns With Nancy Reagan’s War on Drugs Campaign 2.10.25 »ᅳ► The president nominated DEA veteran Terry Cole to head the agency; Cole has three decades of law enforcement experience, including foreign assignments.
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Republican senators aim to kill 280E hopes 2.10.25 »ᅳ► The bill may have little chance of getting passed, but it shows the fight over rescheduling is heating up.
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USDA’s suspension of ‘Climate-Smart’ funding jeopardizes $35 million in hemp projects 2.11.25 »ᅳ► The Trump administration appears to have suspended funds under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, putting $35 million earmarked for critical hemp projects at risk.
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How Does DOGE and the Federal Funding Freeze Impact the Cannabis Industry? 2.10.25 »ᅳ► The cannabis industry, a burgeoning sector with significant economic potential, operates in a complex landscape shaped by evolving state regulations and persistent federal prohibition.
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Will Tariffs Hit Canna-Businesses? 2.10.25 »ᅳ► If enacted, how new tariffs could impact cannabis packaging and equipment.
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USDA’s suspension of ‘Climate-Smart’ funding jeopardizes $35 million in hemp projects 2.10.25 »ᅳ► The Trump administration appears to have suspended funds under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, putting $35 million earmarked for critical hemp projects at risk.
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Federal Bill Would Prevent Companies from Tax Relief if Cannabis is Rescheduled 2.10.25 »ᅳ► Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford (R) has introduced legislation to prohibit cannabis operators from deducting business expenses from their taxes, even if cannabis were to be federally rescheduled under federal law.
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America is Getting High on Hemp and the Federal Government Has No Idea What to Do about It! 2.9.25 »ᅳ► Crossroads of the US Cannabis Industry – High on Hemp and not Weed? Now What?
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Trump’s White House Budget Director Says Marijuana Is A ‘Gateway Drug’ And Pushed To Roll Back State Legalization 2.7.25 »ᅳ► Another anti-marijuana official is assuming a critical role in the Trump White House, with the Senate confirming a director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) who has called marijuana a “gateway drug” and pushed for the rollback of state-level cannabis reform.
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Bipartisan Senators Address Marijuana Industry Banking Challenges At Hearing Despite Chairman’s Focus On ‘Federally Legal’ Businesses 2.5.25 »ᅳ► U.S. senators on both sides of the aisle addressed the lack of banking access for the marijuana industry at a committee hearing on Wednesday, with one GOP member suggesting that the issue warrants a broader examination of federal cannabis policies.
January
Marijuana ‘Sits At The Nexus’ Of Debanking Conflict Between Federal And State Laws, Congressional Researchers Say Ahead Of Senate Hearing 1.30.25 »ᅳ► With a Senate committee set to take up the issue of debanking next week, congressional researchers have released a report detailing the subject—while making a point to address how the marijuana industry’s financial services access problem “sits at the nexus” of a state-federal policy conflict that complicates the debate.
2024
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December
These Were The Biggest Federal And Congressional Marijuana Policy Developments Of 2024 12.26.24 »ᅳ► The year 2024 saw a hodgepodge of federal and congressional marijuana policy developments—with major news related to the Biden administration’s rescheduling push, modest reform proposals advancing on Capitol Hill and various actions from federal agencies.
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Trump Ally Who Lobbies For Marijuana Industry Predicts Rescheduling And Banking Will Get Done Under New Administration, But Not Legalization 12.20.24 »ᅳ► A former adviser to President-elect Donald Trump who is now a cannabis industry lobbyist says that while he feels the incoming president has established a “pathway” for federal marijuana reform in his second term, “four years is not long enough” to get to legalization enacted.
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Congress has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—an independent, nonpartisan federal agency—to conduct a study on how cannabis-related businesses and their employees access financial services, including any challenges they face.
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Farm Bill Gets Another 1-Year Delay, Leaving Hemp, THCA Untouched—For Now 12.18.24 »ᅳ► Congressional leaders in Washington agreed to invest $10 billion in economic disaster assistance for agriculture in their continuing resolution.
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Majority Leader Chuck Schumer scowls when asked about SAFER Banking Act 6.12.14 »ᅳ► Ep. 89 — Sen. Chuck Schumer: Ask a Pol’s 89th of 100 exclusive marijuana banking interviews with each US senator (6-12-2024)
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Cannabis shopping loses its buzz, starts looking like regular retail 12.12 24 »ᅳ► Cannabis consumers are treating dispensary visits more like routine grocery shopping than adventure-seeking experiences.
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Trump’s Choice For Top Justice Department Role Says Marijuana Is A ‘Gateway Drug’ That Makes Consumers ‘Boring And Smelly’ 12.11.24 »ᅳ► President-elect Donald Trump has made his selection for another top Justice Department official: Harmeet Dhillon, who has peddled the gateway drug theory about marijuana and says cannabis makes people who consume it “silly, boring and smelly.”
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GOP Leaders Blocked Schumer’s Push To Include Marijuana Banking Reform In Government Funding Bill, Senate Source Says 12.10.24 »ᅳ► Republican House and Senate leadership “openly and solely blocked” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) attempt to include bipartisan marijuana banking legislation in a government funding bill, a Senate source familiar with the negotiations tells Marijuana Moment.
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Is It Time to Worry About the 2024 Farm Bill? 12.9.24 »ᅳ► With U.S. House and Senate 2024 Farm Bill versions now on the table, it is time to stay vigilant.
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National Hemp Association Puts Four Asks Before RFK Jr. 12.6.24 »ᅳ►With Kennedy’s selection to lead HHS, NHA ensures the hemp industry is heard.
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Cannabis social equity experts warn newcomers of difficult fundraising landscape 12.4.24 »ᅳ► A trio of Black cannabis entrepreneurs and social equity advocates warned newcomers to the marijuana trade during a Wednesday panel at MJBizCon in Las Vegas that the capital fundraising landscape is a harsh one, and that many in such scenarios wind up relying on money from friends and family or potentially predatory venture capital investors.
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November
Marijuana Industry Could Stay in Limbo Under Trump 11.26.24 »ᅳ► A hands-off policy on cannabis will be a bad outcome for a business already struggling with ambiguous laws
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Sen. Kennedy “still studying” SAFER marijuana Banking Act 11.26.24 »ᅳ► Sen. John Kennedy: Ask a Pol’s 76th of 100 exclusive marijuana banking interviews with each US senator (5-1-2024)
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Happy Thanksgiving! 11.26.24
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Cannabis Executives Eye Opportunities At MJBizCon 11.25.24 »ᅳ► Cannabis industry executives from across the country will be headed to Sin City next week to attend one of the industry’s most popular trade shows.
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Trump’s New Attorney General Pick Opposed Legalizing Medical Marijuana In Florida 11.22.24 »ᅳ► Only hours after embattled former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump announced that former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) would be his new pick for the nation’s top law enforcement role.
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How Trump’s New Attorney General Pick Pam Bondi Might Affect Cannabis Reform 11.22.24 »ᅳ► The president-elect plans to nominate Florida’s former attorney general for his cabinet, but she lacks a pro-cannabis record.
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I will be in Las Vegas at MJBizCon from 12/3 to 12/4, will you? Let’s connect at the Cosmo! 11.22.24
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Senate Leader Schumer Will ‘Continue To Push’ For Marijuana Banking Bill Passage This Year, Despite ‘Republican Opposition,’ Staffer Says 11.22.24 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remains committed to moving a bipartisan marijuana banking bill during the lame duck session, a senior staffer says—while also confirming that the senator is looking to attach the reform to must-pass stopgap legislation to keep the government funded.
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Trump Is In: Will Pro-Cannabis Reform Be In or Out? 11.22.24 »ᅳ► What will the new administration and a Republican-controlled Congress mean for cannabis policy? Could we see movement on SAFER Banking before the transition? National Cannabis Roundtable Policy Director David Mangone shares his insights.
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Senate Farm Bill Draft Redefines Hemp But Leaves Loophole Open 11.22.24 »ᅳ► A new draft of the Farm Bill includes language aimed at closing intoxicating hemp loopholes, but stops short of setting per-serving or per-container limits for hemp-derived THC.
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What’s the Potential of the Legal Global Cannabis Industry? 11.21.24 »ᅳ► There’s a significant amount of untapped cannabis industry potential. Find out which sectors are on the rise across the globe.
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Announcing the Winners of the 2024 Cannabis & Tech Today Innovation Awards 11.19.24 »ᅳ► The wait is over! After months of voting, we’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Cannabis & Tech Today Innovation Awards.
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Democratic Senators See Pathway For Marijuana Banking Bill In Lame Duck, But Identify Key Obstacles 11.19.24 »ᅳ► Democratic senators say the path to passing a bipartisan marijuana banking bill in the final weeks of the year is narrow but not impossible to traverse—with one member identifying a potential vehicle for the reform and another saying supporters are in the process of lining up a vote.
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60% Of Cannabis Home Growers Are Women, Says Survey: A New Era In Marijuana Cultivation? 11.19.24 »ᅳ► Home cultivation of recreational cannabis is permitted in more than 20 US states and the District of Columbia with at least six additional states allowing it exclusively for medical marijuana patients.
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Must-See Booths & Events of MJBizCon 2024 11.18.24 »ᅳ► Get ready for an unparalleled experience at MJBizCon 2024 in Las Vegas, where top industry innovators will present their latest, state-of-the-art products and services.
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USDA Extends Deadline for Mandatory Testing of Hemp Products by DEA-Approved Labs 11.18.24 »ᅳ► USDA officials last week delayed the enforcement of a rule requiring consumer hemp products to be tested by labs registered with the DEA; it’s the third year in a row that officials have delayed enforcing the rule.
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The Chandelier Bar is always the place to be at MJBizCon. Will you be there? Let’s connect 11.18.24
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RFK Jr. Could Advance Marijuana And Psychedelics Reform Agenda As Trump’s Top Health Official 11.15.24 »ᅳ► President-elect Donald Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he will have the chance to advance major drug policy reforms he’s championed such as promoting access to psychedelics therapy and reshaping federal marijuana laws.
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https://media.leafwire.com/newsfeed/thumbnails/medium-1731771548797weed-i-am-woman-v3-eight-by-ai-disc-jockey.jpgYouGov: Most Women Would Try Cannabis if it Gave Health Benefits 11.13.24 »ᅳ► The majority of women surveyed by YouGov indicated they would try cannabis products if there were perceived health benefits, with most (16%) saying they were interested in sleep quality improvements.
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Trump’s Pick for Attorney General Promising for Cannabis Policy, Rescheduling 11.13.24 »ᅳ► Matt Gaetz has long supported cannabis reform during his time in the U.S. House, including his position that cannabis should be decontrolled.
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Trump Taps Pro-Marijuana Legalization Congressman Matt Gaetz For U.S. Attorney General 11.13.24 »ᅳ► Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to serve as the next U.S. attorney general—a selection that would put one of the only GOP members of Congress who actively supports and voted for marijuana legalization into the nation’s top law enforcement position.
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MJBizCon »ᅳ► Will you be there?
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California cannabis tax rate set to increase – again 11.13.24 »ᅳ► Cannabis tax rates in California are going up. Again.
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Blunt Brunch Presents A Night of Glitz and Glam
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Weed stocks spike after report on Trump support for marijuana reforms 11.12.24 »ᅳ► Cannabis stocks traded higher on Tuesday after former New Jersey governor Chris Christie told Benzinga that President-elect Donald Trump would support marijuana deregulation under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
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Marijuana Legalization Faces A ‘Red Wall’ In Remaining Conservative States That Still Criminalize Consumers 11.10.24 »ᅳ► “These failures raise questions about where the movement to legalize cannabis goes from here.”
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Your Guide to MJBizCon 2024: Highlights, New Pavilions, and a Focus on Inclusivity 11.8.24 »ᅳ► The 13th annual MJBizCon, a B2B cannabis business conference, opens with an attempt to host a more inclusive expo show floor this year.
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Hemp Market Surge: How New Regulations Could Impact Growth 11.8.24 »ᅳ► The hemp industry is at a crossroads as proposed changes in the 2024 Farm Bill threaten to reshape its regulatory landscape. Lawmakers are considering amendments that could ban products like delta-8 THC, a hemp-derived compound that has surged in popularity, especially in states where marijuana remains illegal.
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The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election and Cannabis Dispensaries Challenges 11.8.24 »ᅳ► The 2024 U.S. presidential election could have a profound impact on the cannabis industry, particularly for dispensaries facing significant challenges in banking and payment processing.
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Curaleaf banks on Trump, GOP support for federal cannabis reform 11.8.24 »ᅳ► The nation’s largest cannabis company says it is already engaging with Donald Trump’s transition team, betting the president-elect’s pro-business stance and campaign promises could revive an industry rattled by Florida’s failed legalization bid and ongoing federal prohibition.
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Post-Election Results: America Rejects Cannabis Amendments, What a Trump Presidency Means for Legalization 11.6.24 »ᅳ► As the country collectively exhales after a seemingly never-ending election season, the cannabis industry begins to lick its wounds following a resounding defeat at the polls.
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What does a Trump win mean for the U.S. cannabis industry? 11.6.24 »ᅳ► Cannabis industry executives expressed hope that the incoming president will hold to a campaign pledge of supporting rescheduling, the SAFE Banking Act, and other marijuana reforms.
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Trump Wins Election 11.5.24
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Harris Pledges To Legalize Marijuana And Create Opportunities For ‘All Americans’ To Enter Industry In Closing Argument Before Election 11.4.24 »ᅳ► As part of her closing argument before Tuesday’s election, Vice President Kamala Harris is reaffirming her vow to federally legalize marijuana if elected and ensure that there are opportunities for “all Americans to succeed in this new industry.”
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Judge Delays DEA Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing Until Early 2025 11.1.24 »ᅳ► A chief administrative law judge ruled Thursday to delay the DEA’s hearing for expert testimony on the rescheduling of cannabis under federal law until likely January or February 2025.
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Americans’ Support For Marijuana Legalization Stabilizes With Bipartisan Majorities In Favor, Gallup Poll Finds 11.1.24 »ᅳ► Support for marijuana legalization appears to be stabilizing nationwide, with a new Gallup survey showing that a strong bipartisan majority of Americans continue to back the reform.
October
DEA Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing Delayed Until 2025, Agency Judge Rules 10.31.24 »ᅳ► The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) hearing on the Biden administration’s marijuana rescheduling proposal is being delayed until 2025, Marijuana Moment has learned.
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Tax policies compound headaches for state-legal cannabis operators beyond 280E 10.31.24 »ᅳ► A myriad of forms and lack of broad guidance creates a quagmire of tax policies for cannabis operators.
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Harris Vs. Trump On Marijuana: Where The Presidential Candidates Stand As Voters Head To The Polls 10.29.24 »ᅳ► When voters head to the polls next Tuesday, they’ll have a chance to decide between two major party presidential nominees on diametrically opposite sides of the political spectrum, with at least one key exception: They both support legalizing marijuana at some level.
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Canada: 3Q24 Hifyre Trends »ᅳ► Cannabis Sector Equity Research
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National Hemp Association Nets $19.6M USDA Grant to Study Impact of Hemp Cultivation 10.28.24 »ᅳ► The National Hemp Association was awarded $19.6 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to monitor the impact of hemp cultivation in the Chesapeake Bay. The grant was awarded as part of the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
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A Record Number Of Banks Are Working With Marijuana Businesses As Rescheduling Looms, New Federal Data Shows 10.28.24 »ᅳ► A record number of banks are now reporting that they’re working with state-legal marijuana businesses amid increased pressure on Congress to enact broader protections for financial institutions interested in servicing the cannabis industry and as the Biden administration’s rescheduling proposal advances, new federal data shows.
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A Vote for Kamala Harris Is a Vote for Cannabis Legalization 10.28.24 »ᅳ► CelebStoner is proud to endorse Kamala Harris to become the 47th President of the United States.
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StateHouse receiver says cannabis receiverships on the rise 10.27.24 »ᅳ► The receiver for StateHouse Holdings says that many cannabis companies are in lender default receiverships.
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Kamala Harris Puts Marijuana Legalization On Presidential ‘To-Do List’ Alongside Border Security, Reproductive Rights And More 10.25.24 »ᅳ► Legalizing marijuana is one of the top items on Vice President Kamala Harris’s “to-do list” if she wins the presidential election next month, the Democratic nominee says.
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Accounting group pushes for clarity as questions around cannabis tax rules mount 10.24.24 »ᅳ► The Internal Revenue Service faces mounting pressure to clarify cannabis tax rules, as a key Supreme Court decision threatens to upend the agency’s interpretative authority and rescheduling looms large over the industry.
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Teen Marijuana Use Dropped In U.S. As States Enacted Legalization, New Study Using Federal Data Shows 10.23.24 »ᅳ► A newly published study tracks what it calls a “significant decrease” in youth marijuana use from 2011 to 2021—a period in which more than a dozen states legalized marijuana for adults—detailing lower rates of both lifetime and past-month use by high-school students nationwide.
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Cannabis Rescheduling Won’t Solve Industry Banking Problems, Legal Risks 10.23.24 »ᅳ► Bank Secrecy Act obligations and federal anti-money laundering laws would still apply to cannabis under a Schedule III listing, legal expert says.
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Female Cannabis Consumers Outspend Men: How Tilray And High Tide Are Responding 10.22.24 »ᅳ► Data from the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows that women aged 19 to 30 have surpassed men of the same age in cannabis use.
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Cannabis pioneer Sundie Seefried looks at the evolving banking landscape 10.22.24 »ᅳ► Sundie Seefried burst onto the cannabis industry scene 10 years ago as the CEO of Partner Colorado Credit Union, where she launched Safe Harbor Financial, a program to service the new marijuana businesses popping up across the state after voters legalized adult use.
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Kamala Harris Rolls Out National Marijuana Legalization Plan, Pledging To Make It ‘The Law Of The Land’ 10.14.24 »ᅳ► Vice President Kamala Harris is pledging to federally legalize marijuana, ensuring that access to cannabis is “the law of the land.”
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Harris Campaign Proposes Federal Cannabis Legalization Plan Weeks Ahead of 2024 Election 10.14.24 »ᅳ► In a bold move just weeks before the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled a comprehensive plan to federally legalize marijuana as part of her “Opportunity Agenda” aimed at Black men.
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AI-powered robot looks to perfect cannabis grows 10.10.24 »ᅳ► Automation and artificial intelligence have garnered quiet a following across industries in recent years – and cannabis is no exception.
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Marijuana On The Ballot: Where Candidates For U.S. Senate And State Governor’s Races Stand On Legalization 10.9.24 »ᅳ► A leading marijuana reform group has unveiled its voter guides for next month’s gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, offering overviews of the candidates’ cannabis policy records and assigning them a grade accordingly.
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Trump And Harris Need To Stop Pandering On Marijuana And Offer Concrete Plans For An Equitable Industry (Op-Ed) 10.6.24 »ᅳ► As the 2024 election approaches, presidential candidates are scrambling to appear “cannabis-friendly.”
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Hemp execs see increasing unity between hemp, marijuana interests 10.2.24 »ᅳ► While headlines abound pitting the hemp industry against marijuana companies, many entrepreneurs would prefer a stable regulatory environment in which both can operate.
September
Kamala Harris’ Plan for Marijuana Backed by Young Republicans 9.30.24 »ᅳ► Vice President Kamala Harris announced on the All the Smoke podcast Monday morning that she wants to legalize marijuana use, marking the first time she affirmed her support since launching her presidential campaign.
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Marijuana Banking Bill Would Boost Deposits By Billions If Enacted, Congressional Budget Office Says On One-Year Anniversary Of Committee Passage 9.30.24 »ᅳ► On the one-year anniversary of a Senate committee’s passage of a bipartisan marijuana banking bill, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released an analysis on the economic impact of the reform, including the likely increase in federally insured deposits from cannabis businesses by billions of dollars once banks receive protections for servicing the industry.
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California Governor Signs Bill To Legalize Marijuana Cafes After Vetoing Measure To Let Cannabis Farmers Sell Directly To Consumers 9.30.24 »ᅳ► California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has signed a bill to legalize cannabis cafes in the state—just one day after vetoing a separate proposal to allow small marijuana growers to sell their products directly to consumers at state-organized farmers markets.
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Story Cannabis CEO says investors still shy, despite rescheduling support from presidential candidates 9.30.34 »ᅳ► The U.S. cannabis industry is poised for some historic gains with the upcoming presidential election, but that hasn’t translated into investor confidence or a leg up with capital raises, Jason Vedadi, the CEO of Arizona-based multistate operator Story Cannabis, told Green Market Report.
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GOP Senator Files Bill To Triple THC Cap For Hemp As Lawmakers Weigh Competing Cannabis Regulatory Proposals 9.27.24 »ᅳ► A GOP senator has reintroduced a bill that would triple the concentration of THC that the hemp could legally contain, while addressing multiple other concerns the industry has expressed about the federal regulations.
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White House Again Touts Biden-Harris Marijuana Actions, But With Less Lofty Rhetoric In Light Of Rescheduling Delay 9.23.24 »ᅳ► With weeks left until the election, the White House is again promoting the Biden-Harris administration’s marijuana policy accomplishments—though it is using less lofty language to describe the actions this time, rather than broadly claiming premature victory in “ending” the country’s “failed approach” to cannabis, as it has in the past.
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Cannabis industry report advocates for ‘level playing field’ between hemp and marijuana 9.22.24 »ᅳ► The report asserts that the current business models are based on an “arbitrary” definition that dates back to the 1970s.
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Harris And Trump Supporters Hold Mixed Opinions On Increasing Marijuana Regulations, Poll Finds – Marijuana Moment 9.20.24 »ᅳ► new poll reveals conflicting opinions about whether marijuana should be more or less regulated among supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
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California Cannabis Farmers Face an Insurance Crisis 9.19.24 »ᅳ► Hannah Whyte is one of thousands of Californians who have struggled to insure their property in the event of wildfire.
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The Case For Descheduling Marijuana: A Call for Logic, Fairness, and Consistency 9.17.24 »ᅳ► The Biden administration has initiated a review regarding the scheduling of marijuana under federal law by requesting that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) make recommendations for the substances scheduling category.
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Report: Investors losing confidence in cannabis for variety of reasons 9.16.24 »ᅳ► The SAFER Banking Act is seen as more important than Florida’s full legalization legislation by the investor community.
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Nixon Admitted Marijuana Is ‘Not Particularly Dangerous’ In Newly Discovered Recording 9.14.24 »ᅳ► Former President Richard Nixon, despite declaring the war on drugs and rejecting a federal commission’s recommendation to decriminalize marijuana, admitted in a newly unearthed recording that he knew cannabis is “not particularly dangerous.”
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California Lawmakers Approve Cannabis Lounges Bill 9.11.24 »ᅳ► California lawmakers have passed a bill to legalize cannabis consumption lounges in the state; the proposal goes next to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who vetoed a similar measure last year over concerns about violating the state’s smoke-free workplace protections.
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Blumenauer: “when even Donald Trump can get on board…” 9.9.24 »ᅳ► Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, released the following statement on President Trump’s recent comments in support of rescheduling cannabis and Florida’s legalization ballot measure.
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Harris Campaign Omits Marijuana From New Issues Page As Trump Earns Praise For Backing Legalization 9.9.24 »ᅳ► As the cannabis world reacts to former President Donald Trump’s newly announced support for federal rescheduling, advocates are taking notice that a new, long-awaited issues page launched by the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris omits any mention of marijuana policy reform despite her record promoting comprehensive legalization.
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Trump Backs Federal Marijuana Rescheduling And Cannabis Industry Banking Access 9.9.24 »ᅳ► Former President Donald Trump says he supports federally rescheduling marijuana and opening up access to banking services for businesses in the cannabis industry.
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Governor Newsom issues regulations to protect kids from dangerous and intoxicating hemp products 9.6.24 »ᅳ► Governor Gavin Newsom today issued proposed emergency regulations to protect youth from the adverse health effects of dangerous hemp products.
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2024 Hindsight: Putting Kamala Harris’ Evolving Stance on Cannabis Into Context 9.6.24 »ᅳ► President Joe Biden’s decision to step down and hand the reins of the Democratic presidential nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris was nothing short of unprecedented.
August
American Adults Increasingly Choose Marijuana And Psychedelics Over Cigarettes, Federally Funded Study Finds 8.29.24 »ᅳ► A new federally funded study shows that rates of cigarette use have continued to decline among adults in the U.S., as more people opt for marijuana and psychedelics.
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Marijuana Rescheduling ‘Unlikely’ To Improve Banking Access For State-Legal Cannabis Businesses, Congressional Researchers Say 8.28.24 »ᅳ► Federal marijuana rescheduling is “unlikely” to improve banking access for state-legal cannabis businesses, congressional researchers say in a new report.
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DEA grants administrative hearing, delays cannabis rescheduling until after election 8.26.24 »ᅳ► The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled a hearing on Dec. 2 for proposed rulemaking regarding the potential rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III from Schedule I, thus ensuring that the process will not be completed before the presidential election in November.
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California Officials Fund New Project To Preserve And Protect ‘Legacy Cannabis’ Genetics And Culture 8.26.24 »ᅳ► In California, a state-funded effort is underway to analyze the genetic information of various marijuana strains in order to preserve the state’s rich history of cannabis cultivation.
Marijuana Use Is Becoming More Commonly Accepted In Sports, Study Funded By NFL Shows 8.23.24 »ᅳ► New research funded by the National Football League (NFL) highlights the growing acceptability of therapeutic cannabis in sports, but it also underscores the obstacles to marijuana research caused by ongoing federal prohibition that have hamstrung efforts to better understand the benefits and risks of cannabinoids for athletes.
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California Learns the Marijuana Industry Is Far From Dope 8.22.24 »ᅳ► For all of the promises that legalizing marijuana would create a boon for tax revenue and allow a previously underground industry to flourish as a legitimate business, California marijuana vendors have faced so many problems that they are now shifting to selling hemp, a legal form of marijuana that has much lower THC than conventional marijuana.
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Senator Says Harris Will ‘Be Ready To Sign’ Marijuana Reform Bills If Elected President 8.21.24 »ᅳ► If Vice President Kamala Harris is elected president this November, she will “be ready to sign” marijuana reform bills into law, a Democratic senator says, as other lawmakers similarly predict more momentum on cannabis legalization at the state and federal levels under a Harris-Walz administration.
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Americans’ Views of Marijuana Effects Worsen 8.20.24 »ᅳ► However, U.S. adults view marijuana as less harmful to users than tobacco, nicotine and alcohol
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Harris-Walz Administration Could Promote Cannabis Rescheduling As ‘Major Victory,’ Possibly Delaying Full Federal Legalization 8.19.24 »ᅳ► The Harris-Walz presidential ticket represents a historic milestone as the first major U.S. party ticket to explicitly support cannabis legalization.
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California Governor’s Proposal to Integrate Hemp Into Cannabis Supply Chain Comes to Halt 8.19.24 »ᅳ► The state’s Senate Appropriations Committee did not vote on legislation that included Gov. Gavin Newsom’s amendments before a legislative deadline.
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California Senators Approve Bill To Let Marijuana Growers Sell Directly To Consumers At State-Run Farmers Markets 8.16.24 »ᅳ► California senators have advanced an Assembly-passed bill that would allow regulators to issue a new license allowing small marijuana growers to sell their products directly to consumers at state-organized farmers markets and other temporary events.
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JD Vance Claims There’s ‘Fentanyl In Our Marijuana Bags That Our Teenagers Are Using’ 8.16.24 »ᅳ► Former President Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), is claiming that “marijuana bags” are being laced with fentanyl, and he says the Biden administration’s border policies are making it so that youth, including his own kids, can’t experiment with cannabis or other drugs without risking fatal overdoses.
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CBD industry continues to crater amid regulatory uncertainty, price pressure 8.9.24 »ᅳ► Demand for CBD just isn’t the same as it once was, but confusion created by fringe hemp laws doesn’t help.
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Trump Says He Agrees People Should Not Be Criminalized Over Marijuana As More States Legalize 8.8.24 »ᅳ► Former President Donald Trump says he is starting to “agree a lot more” that people should not be criminalized over marijuana given that it’s “being legalized all over the country”—adding that he will “fairly soon” reveal his position on the cannabis legalization measure on the November ballot in Florida, where he is a voter.
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US Cannabis Industry Thrilled at Choice of Pro Cannabis VP Candidate Tim Walz 8.7.24 »ᅳ► Following weeks of speculation in the increasingly fast moving and eventful US presidential campaign, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has officially announced her running mate, long time cannabis legalization advocate Tim Walz.
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Vice Presidential Nominee Tim Walz Has A Rating from NORML for Cannabis Policy 8.7.24 »ᅳ► Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris this week tabbed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.
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Where Vice Presidential Candidate Tim Walz Stands On Marijuana 8.6.24 »ᅳ► Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee, has selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate—meaning that the ticket now consists of two candidates who support marijuana legalization, in an historic first.
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Senate-Passed Social Media Bill Could Muzzle Drug Policy Advocacy And Put Privacy At Risk, ACLU Says 8.5.24 »ᅳ► Legislation passed last week by the U.S. Senate would set a number of restrictions on social media activity in an effort to protect the well-being of children.
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July
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Trump Claims Harris Jailed ‘Thousands And Thousands Of Black People’ Over Marijuana, But Her Actual Record As A Prosecutor Is More Nuanced 7.30.24 »ᅳ► Former President Donald Trump is going after Vice President Kamala Harris over her prosecutorial record on marijuana, claiming that she put “thousands and thousands of Black people in jail” for cannabis offenses—but the full record of her time in office is more nuanced.
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Cannabis Rescheduling Nearly ‘Done Deal,’ Story Cannabis CEO Says 7.29.24 »ᅳ► Jason Vedadi, the former executive chairman for Harvest Health before its acquisition by Trulieve, talks exclusively with CBT on what he expects from federal rescheduling as the industry awaits the DEA’s final determination.
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Marijuana Businesses Could Advertise In Newspapers And Magazines If Rescheduling Is Approved, Congressional Researchers Say 7.29.24 »ᅳ► If marijuana is rescheduled as the Biden administration has proposed, cannabis businesses would no longer be federally banned from advertising in newspapers and magazines.
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EPA Awards $6.2M to Support Hempcrete & Other Sustainable Construction Materials 7.29.24 »ᅳ► The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded nearly $6.2 million in grants to help the Hemp Building Institute research, support, and build credibility for hempcrete and other biogenic materials as valid construction materials.
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GOP Lawmakers Demand Answers From Biden Administration About ‘Unusual’ Marijuana Review Process Behind Rescheduling Push 7.26.24 »ᅳ► Two more congressional lawmakers are joining the ranks of GOP members who are challenging what they say is the “unusual” process that led the Biden administration to propose rescheduling marijuana, expressing concern about how the review was carried out and demanding answers.
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Kamala Harris’ Evolving Stance on Cannabis 7.26.24 »ᅳ► With President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, it’s looking like Vice President Kamala Harris will be the democrats’ pick in the 2024 presidential election.
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Where Kamala Harris Stands On Marijuana As She Prepares To Accept The Democratic Presidential Nomination 7.23.24 »ᅳ► Voters this November will likely see the first major party presidential candidate who supports marijuana legalization at the top of the ticket, with Vice President Kamala Harris now expected to receive the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden made the historic announcement that he is exiting the race.
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Strong Majority Of Marijuana Rescheduling Public Comments Support Even Broader Reform Than Biden’s Plan, Two Analyses Show 7.23.24 »ᅳ► Two separate analyses of tens of thousands of public comments filed about the federal government’s plan to move marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) indicate that the bulk of submissions on the proposal came in support of cannabis reform. In fact, most commenters said marijuana should be removed from the CSA completely instead of just being rescheduled.
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The DEA marijuana rescheduling comment period is over. What’s next? 7.22.24 »ᅳ► With the comment period over, it’s not clear how quickly the DEA will move to publish a final rescheduling rule, or if it may hold an administrative hearing.
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All Bullish for Cannabis Stocks,
Obviously, No? 7.22.24 »ᅳ► President Biden News: What It Means for Cannabis Stocks
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Marijuana Rescheduling Would Create Over 50,000 New Jobs, Industry Group Tells DEA On Last Day Of Public Comment Period 7.22.24 »ᅳ► If the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) ultimately decides not to move forward with marijuana rescheduling, many small and minority-owned cannabis business will have to close shop, “resulting in major economic losses and unemployment,” according to a new industry report. But enacting the reform, in contrast, would grow the sector, adding more than 50,000 jobs by 2030.
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Joe Biden Drops Out: What Would Happen With Cannabis Legalization Under Kamala Harris Or Donald Trump? 7.21.24 »ᅳ► President Joe Biden announced his decision to drop out of the presidential race in a letter posted on his official X account Sunday after growing pressure from colleagues in the Democratic party and big-name fundraisers.
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Bipartisan Lawmakers Seek To Remove Marijuana Rescheduling Ban From Key Spending Bill 7.18.24 »ᅳ► Bipartisan congressional lawmakers are seeking to remove a controversial section of a spending bill that would block the Justice Department from rescheduling marijuana—one of several cannabis- and psychedelics-related amendments to appropriations legislation that have been filed in recent days.
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How Hemp Became America’s Loophole For Legal Highs 7.15.24 »ᅳ► America has been living in a de facto legalized weed paradise for six years—and it’s all thanks to an unexpected loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill.
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Where Trump’s Vice Presidential Running Mate J.D. Vance Stands On Marijuana 7.15.24 »ᅳ► Former President Donald Trump has selected Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as his running mate in the 2024 presidential election—a choice that could have implications for marijuana policy if the ticket is ultimately elected given Trump’s mixed record and Vance’s opposition to certain modest cannabis reform proposals in the Senate.
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Elizabeth Warren Warns Of Amazon And Big Tobacco Entering Marijuana Market At Anti-Monopoly Event 7.13.24 »ᅳ► Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivered remarks at a cannabis event this weekend, emphasizing the need to legalize marijuana in a manner that prevents domination by big business and aims to repair what the senator called “a century of racist policy” under prohibition.
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25 GOP Lawmakers Condemn Cannabis Rescheduling in New Letter 7.12.24 »ᅳ► Sen. James Lankford and Rep. Pete Sessions spearheaded the letter sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland, saying rescheduling lacks “adequate science.”
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House Committee Votes to Block Cannabis Rescheduling Effort 7.12.24 »ᅳ► House Republicans voted this week to block the Biden Administration’s effort to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
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H.R.2891 – Secure And Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2023
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OP-ED: The War on Drugs has failed: The path to sensible marijuana policy 7.4.24 »ᅳ► This week, Americans across the country will come together to celebrate our freedom and independence—but our current marijuana laws remind us that we still have a long way to go to achieve true freedom and justice for all.
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Growing Marijuana Outdoors ‘Can Be 50 Times Less Carbon-Emitting’ Than Indoor Cultivation, New Agricultural Study Finds 7.4.24 »ᅳ► Newly published research on marijuana cultivation finds that growing plants outside can drastically reduce environmental impacts compared to indoor production—lessening greenhouse gas emissions, soil acidification and the pollution of local waterways.
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Rescheduling expert makes case for why Chevron ruling was ‘good thing’ for cannabis 7.3.24 »ᅳ► Zorn argued that the new ruling undercuts some of the previous excuses used by the DEA.
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U.S. Supreme Court Sends Marijuana And Gun Case Back To Lower Court, Emboldening DOJ’s Defense Of Firearm Ban 7.2.24 »ᅳ► The U.S. Supreme Court has sent a case concerning gun rights for marijuana consumers back down to a lower court after issuing a potentially relevant ruling in a separate Second Amendment case, and the Justice Department is now reiterating its position that cannabis use warrants a ban on firearm ownership.
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Rescheduling could be at risk after Supreme Court decision 7.2.24 »ᅳ► Panic is setting in over fears rescheduling may not happen after the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron ruling.
June
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Marijuana ‘Not As Dangerous’ As Previously Thought, Biden Campaign Says As It Promotes Pardons And Rescheduling In New Ads 6.27.24 »ᅳ► The Biden campaign is stepping up its push to draw a contrast between the president’s marijuana policies at those of former President Donald Trump, stressing that cannabis is “not as dangerous as we once believed” on a new campaign page and buying ads promoting his clemency actions.
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Marijuana Use Increases Chances of Kids Becoming College Drop Outs 6.26.24 »ᅳ► Unveiling the link between marijuana use and college dropouts. Explore the impact, risks, and intervention strategies in this eye-opening article.
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What a Potential Second Trump Presidency Would Mean for the Cannabis Sector 6.26.24 »ᅳ► While it’s unlikely that a second Trump presidency would actively seek to undo a finalized cannabis rescheduling, there may be a lack of urgency to expedite the process shortly after an inauguration.
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Biden Vs. Trump On Marijuana: Where The Candidates Stand Heading Into The 2024 Election 6.26.24 »ᅳ► As Election Day approaches, drug policy has again emerged as a key campaign issue for incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump—with each candidate’s policy positions around marijuana coming back into focus.
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NCAA removes cannabis from list of banned drugs during championships 6.26.24 »ᅳ► In the regular season, the NCAA generally only tests for performance-enhancing drugs. It still can test for PEDs, stimulants and narcotics before championships.
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Cheech and Chong’s Global Holding Company Announces Opposition to AB 2223, Which Would Ban Intoxicating Hemp Products 6.24.24 »ᅳ► The celebrity-run company says the bill, which passed the Assembly Floor in May, ‘unnecessarily upends [the] low-dose beverage market’ thriving in the Golden State.
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Proposed Changes To Hemp Rules Could ‘Create Confusion’ In The Industry, Congressional Researchers Say 6.20.24 »ᅳ► Hemp provisions of a large-scale agriculture funding bill that is advancing in the House could “create confusion” for the industry due to a lack of clarity around the type of allowable products, congressional researchers say.
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The Importance of Reliable Data in Cannabis 6.20.24 »ᅳ► As more states and countries decriminalize or fully legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use, the need for reliable data has never been more critical. Rapid expansion and evolving social attitudes have transformed cannabis from a fringe market to a multi-billion-dollar industry with significant economic impact.
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Bipartisan Pennsylvania Senators Say They Have The Votes To Legalize Marijuana, But Governor Needs To Step Up Engagement 6.19.24 »ᅳ► Bipartisan Pennsylvania lawmakers say the votes are there to pass a marijuana legalization bill as soon as this year, though they stressed that the governor needs to work across the aisle to get the job done—and argued that it would be helpful if the federal government implemented its proposed cannabis rescheduling rule sooner rather than later.
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Schumer Asks Whether Democrats Should Make Marijuana A Priority Ahead Of November Elections 6.13.24 »ᅳ► In a new message to supporters, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is asking where marijuana decriminalization should fit in among other priorities for Democrats in Congress as this year’s elections approach.
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‘Devastating’ Hemp Amendment Language Included in FY 2025 Agriculture/FDA Bill 6.11.24 »ᅳ► The House Appropriations Committee’s FY 25 Agriculture/FDA Appropriation bill released June 10 includes language from ‘the Mary Miller amendment’ that was added last week to the draft 2024 Farm Bill to change the definition of hemp and ban synthetic, intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids.
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Congressional Committee Strips Marijuana Banking Protections From Key Spending Bill 6.13.24 »ᅳ► A GOP-controlled House committee has voted to strip marijuana banking protections from a large-scale spending bill.
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Report: 97% of public comments support cannabis rescheduling 6.6.24 »ᅳ► If the public comments are any indication, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposal to reschedule cannabis is well on its way to approval.
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GOP Congressman Will Attempt To Remove Marijuana Banking Protections From Spending Bill Due To ‘Overwhelming’ Concerns 6.5.24 »ᅳ► A GOP congressman says he’s “overwhelmingly concerned” with a provision of a spending bill that would provide limited protections for banks that work with state-legal marijuana businesses, and he’s threatening to file an amendment to strip the language as the underlying measure advances.
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Senators Renew Push For Marijuana Industry Access To Federal Small Business Administration Loans And Resources 6.4.24 »ᅳ► A coalition of Democratic senators is asking a key committee to include provisions in an upcoming spending bill allowing small marijuana businesses to have fair access to federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs and entrepreneurial development resources that are available to companies in any other industry.
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THCA in the Farm Bill: Amendment Goes Far Beyond Closing ‘Loopholes’ 6.3.24 »ᅳ► Whoever wrote Rep. Mary Miller’s amendment figured out ‘all the perfect cuts’ to ‘kill’ the entire hemp industry, international cannabis attorney says.
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May
Marijuana And Hemp Businesses At Odds Over Consumable Cannabinoid Ban In House Farm Bill 5.31.24 »ᅳ► When a House committee approved an amendment to a large-scale agriculture bill last week that would effectively ban most consumable hemp products, it was met with an atypically mixed response from the cannabis industry.
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Farm Bill 2024: ‘The Sky Isn’t Falling … Yet’ for Hemp Industry 5.31.24 »ᅳ► The industry responds to the 2024 Farm Bill amendment that would redefine hemp, closing ‘loopholes’ and shuttering a multibillion-dollar industry built around hemp cannabinoid products. And what happens next.
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What Rescheduling Marijuana Means for California’s Cannabis Industry 5.28.24 »ᅳ► California‘s cannabis industry suffers from a seemingly unending list of problems: high taxes, prohibitionist cities, a related lack of retail licenses and oversupply of non-retail licenses, a monster illegal market with no end in sight, burdensome and often senseless regulations, and so on.
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Biden Drug Czar Says Marijuana Rescheduling Will Have ‘Historic Impact,’ But Overstates Effects On ‘Racial Disparity’ In Criminalization 5.28.24 »ᅳ► The White House drug czar says the Biden administration’s move to reschedule marijuana will have “historic and long-lasting impact” that could also make banks more willing to work with state-licensed cannabis businesses via “legitimate interstate commerce.”
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DEA Says ‘THCA Does Not Meet The Definition’ Of Legal Hemp As Congress Weighs Cannabinoid Recriminalization In Farm Bill »ᅳ► To meet the federal definition of hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill, a cannabis product must contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. Now, in a new letter clarifying that limit, a top Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) official says the threshold includes not only delta-9 THC itself but also the related cannabinoid THCA, which is converted into delta-9 THC when heated—a process known as decarboxylation.
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Farm Bill Amendment Would ‘Devastate’ Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Industry, Close THCA Loophole for Seed and Flower Sales 5.23.24 »ᅳ► A proposed amendment to redefine hemp in the 2024 Farm Bill would effectively make the intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid market illegal. It also would hinder seed companies, breeders and cannabis flower producers from selling seeds and cannabis flower across state lines in the U.S. under what is considered a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill.
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Feds Begin Accepting Marijuana Rescheduling Comments, With Key Reform Groups Previewing How They Plan To Influence The Process 5.21.24 »ᅳ► The Biden administration’s proposed rule to federally reschedule marijuana has officially been posted, kicking off a public comment period that’s expected to elicit a major response from supporters and opponents of cannabis reform alike.
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Stock exchanges not likely to budge under Schedule III 5.21.24 »ᅳ► While many things likely will change if cannabis is rescheduled from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, the stance of the top stock exchanges in the U.S. probably won’t be one of them.
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Green Market Report’s 2024 Women in Cannabis Award winners announced in New York 5.20.24 »ᅳ► A brief introduction to the exceptional woman honored at the GMR Women in Cannabis Summit in New York City.
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Diverging opinions among legal experts on rescheduling timeline 5.20.24 »ᅳ► Several cannabis attorneys warn that the process could take years, but a competing narrative contends that such concerns are overblown.
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Cannabis Industry Reacts to Biden’s Rescheduling Announcement 5.17.24 »ᅳ► The industry stepped into high gear sharing reactions to President Joe Biden’s May 16 confirmation that the White House is moving forward on the next step to reclassify cannabis, from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
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DEA 2024 Report Focuses on THC Potency, Organized Crime, Youth Edible Consumption 5.17.24 »ᅳ► As cannabis is teed up for rescheduling, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warned about the dangers associated with state-by-state legalization in the agency’s 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) report released May 9.
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Biden ‘Smokes’ Trump On Marijuana Policy, Campaign Says After President’s Rescheduling Announcement 5.17.24 »ᅳ► President Joe Biden “smokes” former President Donald Trump on marijuana policy, his reelection campaign said short after the administration announced a historic cannabis rescheduling action on Thursday.
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Biden Makes Historic Marijuana Rescheduling Announcement, Applauding ‘Monumental’ Move To Reverse ‘Longstanding Inequities’ 5.16.24 »ᅳ► President Joe Biden has announced that his administration is officially moving to reschedule marijuana under federal law, applauding the “monumental” action that follows an extensive administrative review that he directed.
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Whoever Legalizes Weed Wins the Presidency? – Democrats File Bill to Legalize Marijuana But Republicans Balk, Now What? 5.13.24 »ᅳ► Will voters vote with their bong and pick the president based on his cannabis plans? lw
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Key Takeaways From USDA’s 2024 Hemp Report 5.12.24 »ᅳ► The USDA’s 2024 “National Hemp Report” shows the value of hemp production, including floral hemp and seed production, is trending upward, though harvested hemp still exceeds hemp sold. Here are some of the key statistics to know.
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Cannabis Rescheduling FAQ: What Now? 5.6.24 »ᅳ► While many have long anticipated the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) proposal to reclassify cannabis in a less dangerous category and acknowledge its medical potential under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the finish line remains fluid.
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USDA: Value of U.S.-Grown Hemp Up 18% in 2023 5.6.24 »ᅳ► Recent USDA data shows that the value of hemp produced in the U.S. in 2023 reached $291 million, up 18% from the year prior.
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US Cannabis Rescheduling: The Next Catalysts 5.6.24 »ᅳ► Following the Schedule III news last week, we hosted two in-depth X Spaces calls with Cresco Labs CEO Charlie Bachtell (link) and legal scholar Shane Pennington (Spaces link). We encourage you to listen to those calls. Here we provide a summary of those calls and outline our views.
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Poll: Most Americans Think Cannabis Banking Would Benefit Public Safety 5.3.24 »ᅳ► Recent polling from the Independent Community Bankers of America found that 64% of Americans believe giving state-legal cannabis companies access to traditional banking services would benefit public safety.
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Banking Access for Cannabis Companies Will Remain Stymied with Federal Reclassification 5.1.24 »ᅳ► The American Bankers Association said that even once cannabis is rescheduled to Schedule III under federal law, Congress will still need to pass the SAFER Banking Act to let state-legal cannabis companies access traditional financial services.
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Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Federally Legalize Cannabis 5.1.24 »ᅳ► The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act aims to deschedule marijuana by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act.
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Schumer And Other Democratic Senators File Bill To Federally Legalize Marijuana 5.1.24 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and a coalition of other Democratic senators have officially reintroduced a bill to federally legalize marijuana.
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Schumer Suggests Marijuana Banking Could Still Be Attached To Aviation Bill, As GOP House And Senate Leaders Reaffirm Opposition 5.1.24 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has signaled he’s not giving up hope on attaching a marijuana banking bill to must-pass aviation legislation. But Republican leaders in both chambers represent roadblocks for the reform.
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Cannabis industry views DEA news as a ‘positive step,’ but more work lies ahead 5.1.24 »ᅳ► Corporate cannabis, small business owners, and advocates alike had a lot to say on Tuesday, after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed it will put forth a proposal to reschedule cannabis from its current Schedule I classification to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
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Schumer And Other Democratic Senators File Bill To Federally Legalize Marijuana 5.1.24 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and a coalition of other Democratic senators have officially reintroduced a bill to federally legalize marijuana.
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April
McConnell ‘Continues To Oppose Marijuana Banking,’ His Office Says As Another Senate Aide Faults GOP Leadership For Derailing Reform Plans 4.29.24 »ᅳ► Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) “continues to oppose marijuana banking,” a spokesperson for his office told Marijuana Moment on Monday.
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Top GOP Congressman Backs Passing Marijuana Banking Bill Paired With Cryptocurrency Reform, Saying ‘Our Country Will Benefit’ 4.29.24 »ᅳ► The Republican vice chair of the House Financial Services Committee says he would support a hybrid marijuana banking and cryptocurrency regulation bill, saying “our country will benefit” if both reforms are enacted.
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Congressional Lawmakers Demand DEA ‘Promptly’ Reschedule Marijuana, Regardless Of ‘Internal Disagreement’ At The Agency 4.25.24 »ᅳ► A coalition of 21 congressional lawmakers is telling the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to “promptly remove marijuana from Schedule I,” while recognizing that the agency may be “navigating internal disagreement” on the issue.
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Key Congresswoman Says ‘Now Is The Time’ To Pass Marijuana Banking Bill, Despite McConnell’s ‘Concerns’ 4.25.24 »ᅳ► A top Democratic congresswoman says that “now is the time” to pass marijuana banking reform, and she’s “hopeful” lawmakers will “overcome” any potential challenge from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as they work to advance the legislation.
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MJBiz Factbook: Marijuana industry will add $112.4 billion to US economy in 2024 4.24.24 »ᅳ► The total U.S. economic impact generated by regulated marijuana sales could top $112.4 billion in 2024, about 12% more than last year, according to analysis from the newly released MJBiz Factbook.
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Beyond Amazon And Coca-Cola: Why Cannabis Is Catching Up To Blue Chip Stocks In Profitability 4.24.24 »ᅳ► A recent report by Viridian Capital Advisors explores the valuation and growth prospects of cannabis stocks against those of well-established sectors like alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, healthcare products and food.
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Could marijuana help Biden keep the White House? Blumenauer thinks so 4.22.24 »ᅳ► The retiring congressman said he is still going to push Democratic candidates to get federal reform accomplished this year.
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Ahead Of 4/20 White House Says Biden Has Been ‘Very Clear’ In Supporting Marijuana Decriminalization, But Admin Is Awaiting DOJ Rescheduling Action 4.19.24 »ᅳ► President Joe Biden has been “very, very clear” about his support for decriminalizing marijuana, the White House said on the eve of 4/20.
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Schumer And Other Democrats Amplify Calls For Marijuana Reform Ahead Of 4/20, Which Congressman Says Should Be Celebrated ‘Every Day’4.17.24 »ᅳ► Democratic senators, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), are “trying to recruit Republicans” to join them in the push for federal marijuana legalization, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) said at an event ahead of 4/20, which another lawmaker said is a holiday that should be celebrated “every day” this year as advocates work to get reform “across the finish line.”
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White House Says Marijuana Rescheduling Is Now Up To DOJ After Receiving HHS Recommendation ‘Guided By The Evidence’4.15.24 »ᅳ► The White House says it’s now up to the Justice Department to make a final decision on marijuana scheduling, adding that the top federal health agency’s recommendation to reclassify cannabis was “guided by the evidence.”
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Rescheduling questions still swirling despite signals from White House 4.15.24 »ᅳ► While it’s quite clear that the political signals from the White House are in favor of rescheduling, that decision is up to DEA. The first quarter of 2024 has come and gone, and with it several cannabis industry predictions that the Biden administration would make a formal marijuana rescheduling announcement by now.
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Schumer And Key House Lawmakers Discuss Merging Marijuana Banking Bill With Cryptocurrency Reform 4.14.24 »ᅳ► Bipartisan congressional lawmakers from the House and Senate are discussing the possibility of combining cyptocurrency regulation legislation with a marijuana banking bill.
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Schumer And Democratic Senators Seek Support For Federal Marijuana Legalization Bill Ahead Of 4/20, With Plans To File This Month 4.20.24 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) are soliciting support for a federal marijuana legalization bill that they plan to introduce later this month, setting a sign-on deadline for original cosponsors on the eve of the cannabis holiday 4/20.
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US Cannabis Council Proposes Federal Prohibition for Hemp-Derived Products With THC 4.11.24 »ᅳ► A cannabis industry trade association is asking U.S. lawmakers to federally prohibit hemp products intended for human or animal consumption that contain “detectable quantities of total THC” in forthcoming Farm Bill legislation.
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Schumer Says Passing Marijuana Banking Bill Is Part Of The Senate’s ‘Busy Agenda’ In The ‘Weeks And Months Ahead’ 4.5.24 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is reiterating his intent to pass legislation to “safeguard cannabis banking” as part of a “busy agenda” that he hopes to achieve in the “weeks and months ahead,” though he again stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation. LEAFWIRE TOP POST!
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GOP Congresswoman Says Passing Marijuana Banking Bill Would Help Republicans Keep House Majority 4.4.24 »ᅳ► Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) says that “if Republicans want to keep the House,” they should pass a marijuana banking bill, arguing that “there are votes” to approve it.
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March
DEA Officials Discuss Marijuana Scheduling Timeline, Seeking To ‘Correct Misperceptions’ That Decisions Are Made In A ‘Shroud Of Secrecy’ 3.28.24 »ᅳ► A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) official says the agency wants to “correct misperceptions” that its drug scheduling review process is done in a “shroud of secrecy” as it works to reach a final decision on possibly reclassifying marijuana.
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Pew Research: 88% of Americans Support Some Form of Cannabis Legalization 3.27.24 »ᅳ► The latest Pew Research poll found that 88% of Americans support legalizing cannabis for either medical or adult use — 57% supported legalizing both forms of cannabis access and 32% supported only medical use.
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Congressional Lawmakers Push Attorney General To Issue ‘Overdue’ Marijuana Guidance, Saying Ongoing ‘Legal Limbo’ Is “Unacceptable’ 3.27.24 »ᅳ► It is “unacceptable” that the Department of Justice has yet to reissue federal marijuana enforcement guidance to discourage interference in state cannabis programs, leaving Americans in a “legal limbo” despite promises to update the policy, two Democratic congressional lawmakers said in a new letter to the attorney general.
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GOP Senators Tell DEA To Reject Marijuana Rescheduling, Arguing It Would Violate International Treaties 3.27.24 »ᅳ► Three Republican senators are urging the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reject the top federal health agency’s marijuana rescheduling recommendation, arguing that it would put the U.S. out of compliance with international treaty obligations and make it harder to ensure that other countries continue to enforce drug laws, “including for deadly narcotics like fentanyl.”
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House GOP Committee Urges Opposition To Marijuana Banking Bill, Saying ‘Gateway Drug’ Causes ‘Violence, Depression And Suicide’ 3.25.24 »ᅳ► A Republican House advisory committee is formally opposing marijuana banking legislation and a separate bill to remove past cannabis use as a disqualifying factor for federal employment and security clearances, while broadly criticizing the substance as a “gateway drug” that causes “violence, depression and suicide.”
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Week in Review: Vice President Harris Criticizes Cannabis Classification 3.23.24 »ᅳ► In this week’s cannabis news round-up, Vice President Kamala Harris criticizes cannabis classification.
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Schumer Circulates Petition For Marijuana Banking Bill As Pressure Builds For Vote 3.22.24 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is asking people to show their support for a marijuana banking bill by signing a petition as he steps up his push for the legislation.
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New report offers critique, course correction on cannabis social equity programs 3.21.24 »ᅳ► A new report on the U.S. cannabis industry offers a scathing critique of the various social equity programs across the nation.
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What Happened In VP Harris’s Marijuana Meeting At The White House After Media Left The Room, According To An Activist Who Was There 3.18.24 »ᅳ► For Chris Goldstein, being invited to the White House to talk with Vice President Kamala Harris about his marijuana pardon last week represented a pivotal opportunity to do exactly what he was doing at the time of his arrest 10 years ago: advocate for cannabis legalization.
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GOP Sen. John Cornyn Takes Health Secretary To Task Over Cannabis Rescheduling: Xavier Becerra Holds His Own 3.14.24 »ᅳ► In the hallowed chambers of the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, a testy exchange took place between Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra.
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VP Kamala Harris Tells DEA To Reschedule Marijuana ‘As Quickly As Possible’ At White House Meeting With Pardon Recipients 3.14.24 »ᅳ► Vice President Kamala Harris says the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) must reschedule marijuana “as quickly as possible,” calling it “absurd” and “patently unfair” that cannabis is still classified in the same category as heroin.
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What if DEA reschedules marijuana? “I hadn’t thought about it,” top Republican on Senate Ag. 3.7.24 »ᅳ► The Food and Drug Administration — FDA — is getting criticized for changing its guidance on marijuana, which could open the door for the Drug Enforcement Administration — or DEA — to reschedule it. Any thoughts on the potential for the DEA to reschedule cannabis?
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Is Mitch McConnell Stepping Down Good For Marijuana Reform? It Depends Who Replaces Him 3.5.24 »ᅳ► Many cannabis advocates and stakeholders were quick to cheer news that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will be stepping down from his leadership post later this year.
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February
Kamlager-Dove Leads letter Urging DEA to Reject Efforts that Would Curtail Marijuana Rescheduling based on U.S. Treaty Obligations 2.26.24 »ᅳ► Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) sent a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) urging the Administration to reject any argument in support of maintaining marijuana in Schedule I or Schedule II based on U.S. Treaty obligations.
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Congresswoman Says Marijuana Rescheduling Could Set Full Federal Legalization Back ‘Another 50 Years’ 2.23.24 »ᅳ► Rescheduling marijuana could set the country back “another 50 years” on the path to federal legalization, a Democratic lawmaker who leads the Congressional Cannabis Caucus says.
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Biden Pushed To Reschedule Marijuana By Veterans And Law Enforcement Groups—Including One That Has DEA Head As A Member 2.22.24 »ᅳ► The Biden administration is being pressed to reschedule marijuana by two coalitions representing military veterans and law enforcement—including a group that counts Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram among its members.
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FDA Gathers Public Social Media Data To Better Understand Cannabis Users As Part Of Its Effort Toward Rescheduling Marijuana 2.20.24 »ᅳ► The Food and Drug Administration recently offered a glimpse into its comprehensive analysis justifying its recommendation to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
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Elizabeth Warren Says The Rock Is Her Top Choice For ‘Dream Blunt Rotation,’ While Hinting At Biden Admin Marijuana Discussions 2.19.24 »ᅳ► Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) says that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is at the top of her list in a hypothetical “dream blunt rotation,” while also hinting that she’s had conversations with Biden administration officials about reclassifying marijuana.
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Moving Marijuana To Schedule III Would Not Violate International Treaties, Legal Opinion Says 2.13.24 »ᅳ► A group of lawyers argues in a newly released legal opinion that contrary to what the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has asserted in the past, international drug treaties ought not stand in the way of moving marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recommended.
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Bitcoin: the Obvious Financial System for a Thriving Cannabis Industry »ᅳ► The world has experienced an unprecedented consolidation of power and wealth in recent years, with big government, big banks, and big pharma all working together to concentrate ever more power and attack households and family businesses.
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Biden Administration Official Disputes Rumors Of Imminent Marijuana Scheduling Decision Amid Heightened Speculation 2.6.24 »ᅳ► Amid swirling rumors about the possibility of an imminent cannabis policy announcement from the White House, a Biden administration official told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday that they’d “wave off” the speculation.
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DEA Slammed Over Post Commemorating Nixon’s Drug War Legacy On First Day Of Black History Month 2.4.24 »ᅳ► The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is facing criticism over its decision to commemorate President Richard Nixon’s drug war legacy in a social media post that coincided with the beginning of Black History Month.
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Cannabis rescheduling faces uphill battle, but DEA decision expected soon 2.1.24 »ᅳ► The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ proposal to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act faces an uncertain effective date due and potential legal battles.
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January
Senators Tell DEA To Fully Legalize Marijuana, Demanding Answers On Rescheduling Process 1.30.24 »ᅳ► Twelve senators are calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to fully legalize cannabis and answer questions about the agency’s ongoing scheduling review. More coverage at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24390831-20240129-letter-to-dea-on-descheduling-marijuana-1
Majority Of U.S. Likely Voters Back Legalizing Marijuana ‘In All 50 States,’ New Poll From GOP Research Firm Shows 1.27.24 »ᅳ► A majority of American likely voters, including most Republicans under the age of 55, support legalizing marijuana “in all 50 states,” according to a new poll from a prominent GOP firm.
Cory Booker Moves To Protect Weed Rights In Federally Funded Housing: ‘No One Should Face Eviction… For Legally Using Marijuana’ 1.26.24 »ᅳ► Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) on Thursday reintroduced a measure that would protect marijuana consumers in legal states who live in federally funded housing.
Uber, Colorado Governor, Amazon, PayPal And Others Report Marijuana Lobbying On Banking, Rescheduling And More 1.24.24 »ᅳ► Uber and the office of Colorado’s governor are among those who’ve disclosed federal lobbying on marijuana reform legislation this past quarter, newly released reports show. More coverage at https://www.greenmarketreport.com/uber-continues-u-s-cannabis-lobbying-efforts/
Rescheduling Cannabis: 4 Potential Effects Of A Shift To Schedule III 1.22.24 »ᅳ► Cannabis is currently listed as a Schedule I drug, meaning the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) considers it to have a high potential for abuse and no medical applications.
Nikki Haley Says She Will ‘Go With The Scientists’ On Federal Marijuana Rescheduling, Saying It ‘Obviously’ Doesn’t Belong In Same Class As Heroin 1.19.24 »ᅳ► Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), a GOP 2024 presidential candidate, says she agrees with federal health officials in the Biden administration that marijuana should be rescheduled, stating that cannabis “obviously” doesn’t belong in the same category as heroin.
Biden Stands To Gain Double-Digit Political Support If Marijuana Is Rescheduled, Poll Of Likely Voters Shows 1.19.24 »ᅳ► President Joe Biden stands to make significant political gains if marijuana is rescheduled under his administrative directive, according to a new survey that reveals majority support for the reform. It also found that marijuana enjoys greater favorability with voters compared to Biden and former President Donald Trump. More coverage at https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36699649/bidens-reelection-hopes-boosted-by-youth-support-for-weed-reform ; https://www.ganjapreneur.com/survey-rescheduling-cannabis-could-give-biden-11-approval-boost/
Coalition including California, Colorado push for federal cannabis reclassification 1.18.24 »ᅳ► Colorado, California and 10 other state attorneys general called upon the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to classify cannabis as safe for medical research, potentially paving the way for next steps towards federal cannabis decriminalization.
HHS published its 250-page letter recommending the DEA reschedule marijuana 1.16.24 »ᅳ► Cannabis stocks in the U.S. were closed Monday for the Martin Luther King holiday, but if other exchange trading is any indication, the two-year bear market may finally end.
Congressional Researchers Detail Limitations Of Marijuana Rescheduling For State Markets And Criminal Justice Reform 1.16.24 »ᅳ► As the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) weighs a marijuana rescheduling recommendation from health officials, congressional researchers are laying out the limitations of the policy change— emphasizing that state cannabis markets would continue to run afoul of federal law, and existing criminal penalties for certain marijuana-related activity would remain in force.
Top Biden Health Official In Touch With DEA About Marijuana Rescheduling Recommendation 1.15.24 »ᅳ► The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says his agency has “communicated” the agency’s “position” on marijuana rescheduling to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and has continued to offer additional information to assist with the final determination.
Feds Release Marijuana Documents, Confirming Schedule III Recommendation Based On ‘Accepted Medical Use’ 1.12.24 »ᅳ► The U.S. government has released hundreds of pages of documents related to its ongoing review of marijuana’s status under federal law, officially confirming for the first time that health officials have recommended the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) place cannabis in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
2024 Cannabis Industry Forecast: Federal, International, and Financial 1.12.24 »ᅳ► As the cannabis landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, both within the United States and globally, 2024 stands as a pivotal year filled with potential breakthroughs and challenges.
What’s New in the Countdown to Federal Cannabis Legalization? 1.5.24 »ᅳ► Welcome to the latest installment of the Cannabis Clock — Cannabis & Tech Today’s countdown to the federal legalization of cannabis.
DEA Tells Congress It Has ‘Final Authority’ On Marijuana, Regardless Of Health Agency’s Schedule III Recommendation 1.3.24 »ᅳ► The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is telling lawmakers that it reserves “the final authority” to make any scheduling decision on marijuana following an ongoing review, regardless of what the U.S.
More States Set To Legalize Marijuana And Psychedelics In 2024 As Federal Cannabis Scheduling Review Concludes 1.2.24 »ᅳ► From local ballots to Capitol Hill, 2024 is shaping up to see another drug policy reform push that again puts laws around marijuana and psychedelics in the spotlight as advocates work to leverage continuing momentum.
Cannabis Industry Executives Share Predictions for 2024 1.2.24 »ᅳ► 2024 will present opportunities and challenges for cannabis operators.
2023
- December
- 2024 Predictions from Cannabis Industry Experts 12.30.24 »ᅳ► 2023 saw the cannabis industry continue to evolve at a rapid pace. There were major political movements and significant monetary milestones in the US, with Ohio voting to legalize adult-use cannabis and thus becoming the 24th state to do so.
- Rescheduling? Does Delta-8 Win the Day? Credit Cards to Buy Weed? – Cannabis Industry Predictions for 2024 12.28.23 »ᅳ► What are you predictions for the cannabis industry headed into 2024?
- New Legalization Laws, Marijuana Sales Records And The Other Top State Developments Of 2023 12.27.23 »ᅳ► Even as federal drug policy reform efforts picked up in 2023, U.S. states continued to lead the country’s push for marijuana legalization during the past year.
- These Were The Biggest Federal And Congressional Marijuana Policy Developments Of 2023 12.27.23 »ᅳ► The year 2023 brought a mixed bag of federal developments in the marijuana space—marked by historic news such as the Biden administration’s rescheduling recommendation and pardon expansion, as well as setbacks on the congressional path to enacting cannabis banking reform.
- New Legalization Laws, Marijuana Sales Records And The Other Top State Developments Of 2023 12.27.23 »ᅳ► Even as federal drug policy reform efforts picked up in 2023, U.S. states continued to lead the country’s push for marijuana legalization during the past year.
- Biden poised to loosen restrictions on marijuana, but some say it’s not enough 12.26.23 »ᅳ► Legalization advocates say reclassifying drug to schedule III from schedule I doesn’t resolve state and federal law conflicts
- Biden Is Too Old To Grasp The Need To Legalize Marijuana, Challenger Dean Phillips Says 12.26.23 »ᅳ► Dean Phillips, the Minnesota congressman challenging Joe Biden in the Democratic primary, said in a newly published interview that the president is too old and out of touch to understand contemporary cannabis issues.
- The Top 10 Cannabis Stories of 2023 – The Lack of Federal Legalization Continues to be the Elephant in the Room 12.25.23 »ᅳ► What were the biggest stories in the marijuana industry in 2023?
- Scientists Published More Than 32,000 Marijuana Studies Over The Past 10 Years, Including Thousands In 2023, NORML Analysis Shows 12.25.23 »ᅳ► Researchers have published more than 32,000 scientific papers on marijuana over the past 10 years—including over 4,000 in 2023 alone—according to an analysis from NORML that again calls into question critics’ claims that cannabis is insufficiently studied to be legalized.
- Banking and Housing Committee Democrats Year-End Recap and Next-Year Outlook 12.22.23 »ᅳ► Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, released the following statement and memo on the Committee’s accomplishments of the past year, as well as priorities for the final year of the 118th Congress.
- Theory Wellness to Become Largest Employee-Owned Cannabis Company 12.21.23 »ᅳ► The employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) will make it exempt from both state and federal taxes.
- Schumer Says Marijuana Banking Is Among Senate’s 2024 Priorities, But Acknowledges It ‘Won’t Be Easy’12.20.23 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says lawmakers will “hit the ground running” in 2024, aiming to build on bipartisan progress on several key issues, including marijuana banking reform—though he noted it “won’t be easy.”
- Cannabis Marketing Could Win Big if 280E Goes Away 12.15.23 »ᅳ► It’s one piece of the cannabis industry that gets left out of the 280E conversation and this is the marketing side of the business. Since companies can’t deduct marketing expenses, when it’s time to tighten the belt, that’s the first place the cuts happen.
- National Marijuana Legalization Would Grow Tax Revenue To $8.5 Billion For All States, Think Tank Estimates In New Taxation ‘Blueprint’ 12.15.23 »ᅳ► Nationwide marijuana legalization in all states would grow annual cannabis tax revenue to $8.5 billion, according to a new report from a nonprofit think tank that includes a “blueprint” for taxing sales.
- Where is Marijuana Legal? 12.13.23 »ᅳ► Nearly half the country now has access to cannabis since Ohio became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana in November.
- Farm Bill Extension Offers Mixed Blessings for US Hemp 12.7.23 »ᅳ► When Congress moved the next farm bill into 2024 as part of a congressional resolution to avert a government shutdown, many viewed it as a setback.
- Republican Congressman Files New Bill To End Marijuana Prohibition In Legal States Allow Interstate Commerce And Lift 280e Tax Blockade 12.7.23 »ᅳ► A Republican congressman has introduced a revamped version of a bill to end federal marijuana prohibition in legal states, legalize interstate cannabis commerce, normalize Internal Revenue Service (IRS) policy for the industry and contemplate a federal tax-and-regulate framework for the industry.
- Six Governors Push Biden To Ensure Marijuana Is Rescheduled By The End Of This Year 12.5.23 »ᅳ► The governors of six U.S. states—Colorado, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Louisiana—sent a letter to President Joe Biden (D) on Tuesday urging the administration to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act by the end of this year. The move, they say, will provide economic and tax benefits for cannabis businesses, protect public health and more closely align government policy with public opinion.
- November
- Senator Cory Booker Links Gun Violence To Cannabis Criminalization And Social Inequities 11.29.23 »ᅳ► Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), speaking at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, stressed the importance of having a holistic strategy to address the U.S.’s gun violence, connecting it to wider societal problems like poverty, housing instability and unjust marijuana criminalization.
- Schumer Says Marijuana Banking Bill Needs More GOP Support But Senate Is Getting Close To Floor Vote 11.20.23 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says that bringing a marijuana banking bill to the floor is a matter of securing more GOP votes—a task he says is made more difficult by the fact that some lawmakers are afraid that their constituents, “particularly the older ones,” don’t want them to embrace reform despite overall majority voter support.
- Senator Chuck Schumer And Former NBA Star Al Harrington Talk Weed Legalization And Banking Reform 11.19.23 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former NBA player Al Harrington, who is also the CEO of cannabis producer Viola Brands, spoke with Yahoo’s Marquise Francis about federal cannabis legalization and banking reform for the industry.
- Senator Pushes DEA To ACT With Great Urgency to Reschedule Marijuana 11.19.23 »ᅳ► Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to act with “great urgency” to reschedule marijuana in line with a recommendation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- New York Governor Signs Marijuana Tax Cut Bills Providing Local 280e Relief For NYC Businesses 11.18.23 »ᅳ► New York’s governor has signed legislation that to provide tax relief to New York City marijuana businesses that are currently blocked from making federal deductions under an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code known as 280E.
- Congressional Researchers Flag Legal Liabilities For Banks That Work With Marijuana Businesses While Reform Bill Lingers In Senate 11.17.23 As a bipartisan marijuana banking reform bill lingers in the Senate, congressional researchers have released a report outlining the various criminal penalties that continue to loom over financial institutions that work with state-licensed cannabis businesses.
- Biden Should Smoke Marijuana To Understand ‘Hypocritical’ Legalization Opposition Democratic Presidential Candidate Dean Phillips Says 11.15.23 »ᅳ► President Joe Biden should smoke marijuana to better understand the country’s “awfully hypocritical” double standard that allows people to drink alcohol and work at the White House but face potential imprisonment over cannabis, says Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), a 2024 Democratic presidential candidate who’s mounting a primary challenge against the incumbent.
- Why the States Reform Act is right for America, research, and veterans 11.15.23 »ᅳ► Two weeks ago, the Washington Examiner’s editorial board criticized Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and me for our legislation to remove marijuana as a Schedule I substance.
- Most Americans Say The US Has ‘Lost Ground’ In War On Drugs, Gallup Poll Shows As Support For Marijuana Legalization Hits Record High 11.14.23 »ᅳ► A majority of Americans now say that the U.S. is losing ground in the country’s “illegal drug problem,” according to a new Gallup poll. And at the same time, support for taking a fundamentally different approach to marijuana by enacting legalization has reached a record high.
- White House Says ‘Nothing Has Changed’ With Bidens Marijuana Stance As Ohio Becomes Latest State To Legalize 11.9.23 »ᅳ► The White House says “nothing has changed” with President Joe Biden’s stance on marijuana, declining to say if he supports Ohio’s vote to legalize this week or whether he backs further reform of federal cannabis laws.
- Grassroots Support for Legalizing Marijuana Hits Record 70% 11.8.23 »ᅳ► Seven in 10 Americans think marijuana use should be legal, the highest level yet after holding steady at 68% for three years.
- Congress Considers Opposing Amendments To Protect Legal Marijuana States An Block Biden From Rescheduling Cannabis 11.6.23 »ᅳ► A pair of diametrically opposed amendments have been filed to a key bill covering funding for the Department of Justice: one bipartisan measure to protect all state marijuana programs from federal intervention and another led by a longtime GOP prohibitionist to block the Biden administration from rescheduling cannabis.
- Schumer Emphasizes ‘Moral Responsibility’ Of Adding Criminal Justice Provisions To Marijuana Banking Bill As Republicans Push For Floor Vote 11.2.23 »ᅳ► In a constituent letter to cannabis industry investor Todd Harrison, the majority leader said he wants to fold criminal justice revisions from a separate legalization bill into the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, which was approved in committee in September and now awaits floor action. He mentioned expungements as he’s done in the past—but also cited in the letter additional measures such as resentencing for current federal cannabis prisoners.
- October
- Lawmakers And Advocates Celebrate Marijuana Reform Legacy Of Retiring Congressman Blumnauer, Pledging To Carry His Work Forward »ᅳ► After a half century advocating for marijuana reform—including 27 years representing Oregon’s 3rd district in Congress—Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) announced on Monday that he will not be seeking reelection next year.
- 31 Bipartisan House Lawmakers Push DEA To Consider ‘Merits’ Of Marijuana Legalization As It Completes Scheduling Review 10.27.23 »ᅳ► A coalition of 31 bipartisan House lawmakers has sent a letter to the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), urging the agency to take into account congressional and state marijuana legalization efforts as it carries out a review into cannabis scheduling. They also criticized the limitations of simple rescheduling as they push for complete a complete removal of marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
- Report: Blanket Federal Legalization Could Upend State Markets 10.25.23 »ᅳ► While much of the cannabis industry has its sights set on federal legalization of cannabis, not everyone is as excited about the tone that many of the conversations have taken.
- Newly Elected GOP House Speaker Voted Against Numerous Marijuana Measures, Including Banking, Research and Legalization 10.25.23 »ᅳ► The U.S. House of Representatives officially has a new speaker: Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA). A review of his marijuana-related votes reveals a new leader who has consistently opposed reform, including on incremental issues like cannabis banking and making it easier to conduct scientific research on the plant.
- Bipartisan Congressional Lawmakers File Marijuana Legalization Bill 10.25.23 »ᅳ► Bipartisan House lawmakers have refiled another bill to federally legalize marijuana, while taking steps to preserve existing state cannabis markets.
- Here’s Where All Nine House Speaker Candidates Stand On Marijuana 10.23.23 »ᅳ► As the U.S. House of Representatives enters its third week without a speaker, more GOP lawmakers with varying records on marijuana policy are making their bids for the nomination—including a member who has been arrested for cannabis and another who co-chairs a congressional psychedelics caucus.
- Bank Of America, Mastercard, NRA And Others Are Lobbying For Cannabis Banking Reform — Who Knew? 10.22.23 »ᅳ► Several entities have included the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act on their lobbying disclosures for the third quarter of 2023.
- Cannabis in Q3: Maryland Soars as Others Struggle 10.20.23 »ᅳ► The U.S. marijuana industry had a mixed third quarter, with some states showing promising growth signs while others faced setbacks.
- Federal Reserve Bank Says States With Legal Marijuana See Broadly Distributed Economic Boost But Also Bump In Social Costs 10.18.23 »ᅳ► States that legalize marijuana for adults see moderate economic gains after the policy change is implement but also experience an increase in social costs including substance use disorders, chronic homelessness and arrests.
- $43B U.S. Cannabis Market By 2027 Forecast BDSA Market Analysts 10.15.23 »ᅳ► BDSA’s recent update to its five-year global legal cannabis market forecast illuminates a thriving industry on the cusp of substantial growth.
- Marijuana Rescheduling Would ‘Supersize’ The Industry, Former DEA Heads and Whitehouse Drug Czars Warn Biden Administration 10.13.23 »ᅳ► Six former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) heads and five former White House drug czars have sent a letter to the attorney general and current DEA administrator, voicing opposition to the top federal health agency’s recommendation to reschedule marijuana.
- U.S. Census Bureau Maps Out Cannabis Tax Contribution Across States 10.13.23 »ᅳ► In what may be yet another sign that the federal government is taking a keener interest in legitimizing the cannabis industry, the U.S. Census Bureau published an interactive map that gives a closer look at how cannabis taxes have contributed to state revenues.
- New Interactive Federal Map Shows How States Relay on Marijuana Tax Revenue To Fund Public Services 10.12.13 »ᅳ► A new map published by the U.S. Census Bureau details the proportion of state revenue made up by marijuana tax money, and in some cases, the figures are eye-popping.
- The 10 Most Significant Dates in Cannabis History (2024 Update) 10.11.23 »ᅳ► What are some important dates in marijuana legalization history?
- Rescheduling Cannabis: Would 1961 Drug Treaty Be a Possible Wrench? 10.5.23 »ᅳ► Reclassifying cannabis to a Schedule III drug would put the U.S. in noncompliance with the international treaty Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. Will this create a barrier for the U.S. in its scheduling review, and if so, to what extent? Historian James H. Mills weighs in.
- Cannabis Companies Could Be Sitting on Billions of Dollars in Tax Refund Credits from the IRS if 280E Gets Eliminated 10.10.23 »ᅳ► The 280E Tax Credit is a dream that many companies have been banking on for their future survival!
- States Made More Than $5.7 Billion In Marijuana Tax Revenue Over 18-Month Period, New Federal Census Bureau Report Shows 10.9.23 »ᅳ► The U.S. Census Bureau has released its first report on state-level marijuana tax revenue data following what the agency calls “a complete canvass of all state agencies” going back to July 2021. In the 18-month period between then and the end of 2022, the data show, states collected more than $5.7 billion from licensed cannabis sales.
- Move Over Cannabis, Cocaine Wants to Go Legit 10.9.23 »ᅳ► Like cannabis, there seem to be two developing markets for coca leaves.
- Survey Reveals Congressional Staffers’ Doubts On Fate Of 2023 Cannabis Banking Bill 10.5.23 »ᅳ► The fate of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act hangs in the balance. Just how likely is it to become law this year? A recent survey of congressional staffers reveals intriguing insights.
- What A New House Speaker Will Mean For Marijuana Reform, Including Banking 10.5.23 »ᅳ► With Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) ousted as House speaker in a historic vote to vacate the position on Tuesday, cannabis policy observers are wondering how the new GOP leadership will approach marijuana banking, legalization and other reform issues.
- SAFE Banking Act vs. SAFER Banking Act – What’s the Difference for the Marijuana Industry? 10.4.23 »ᅳ► How did the SAFE Banking Act turn into the SAFER Banking Act?
- September
- Which Ethnic Groups Are Driving The Marijuana Consumer Boom 9.29.23 »ᅳ► Marijuana has gone mainstream and the 90% of people feel it should be legal in some way.
- Here’s How The Marijuana Banking Bill Was Amended During This Week’s Senate Committee Markup 9.29.23 »ᅳ► A cannabis banking bill was revised in several different ways under an amendment adopted by the Senate Banking Committee during Wednesday’s markup, according to text that has not yet been officially posted by the panel but which was obtained by Marijuana Moment.
- Schumer Pledges To Bring Committee-Passed Marijuana Banking Bill To Floor ‘Very Soon’ As GOP Senators Vow To Kill It 9.27.23 »ᅳ► Lawmakers, advocates and stakeholders across the spectrum are reacting to Wednesday’s committee passage of a bipartisan marijuana banking bill—with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pledging to bring it to the floor “very soon” and a group of four GOP senators vowing to kill the legislation.
- SAFER Banking Act Approved in Committee, Signaling Major Victory for Cannabis Reform 9.27.23 »ᅳ► The cannabis banking bill survived its first-ever Senate markup and now moves to a full vote on the floor of the chamber.
- SAFER Banking Act Approved by Senate Committee 9.27.23 »ᅳ► A revamped version of the SAFE Banking Act – now known as the SAFER Banking Act – sailed out of a Senate committee on Wednesday with a 14-9 vote. It is now headed to the full Senate floor, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to schedule it for a vote “very soon” in front of the full chamber.
- Landmark marijuana financing bill set to move forward in the Senate 9.27.23 »ᅳ► A new bill that aims to give the marijuana industry access to banking services is expected to move forward in the Senate on Wednesday.
- Cannabis-friendly banks face pressure to differentiate 9.26.23 »ᅳ► Banks have used risk-based pricing to justify the cost and labor associated with banking the sector. But as more players enter the game, firms are feeling the pressure to rethink their strategies.
- Let Cannabis Legalization Be Done State-By-State with No Federal Legalization? – Republican Plot Twist for the Weed Industry 9.26.23 »ᅳ► Republican’s are pushing for states’ rights on weed legalization instead of full federal legalization.
- Cannabis Banking Bill Receives Essential Bipartisan Support From State Lawmakers 9.25.23 »ᅳ► The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to take action on the cannabis banking reform.
- SAFE Banking Act: How We Got Here, What’s Next For SAFER 9.25.23 »ᅳ► The four corners of Washington’s political playbook have repeatedly stood in the way, but will this U.S. Congress be different?
- Over Eight Hundred Banks File to Allow Cannabis Businesses, FinCEN Reports 9.25.23 »ᅳ► The U.S. Department of Treasury is getting hundreds more requests from banking institutions to work with cannabis businesses.
- GOP Sponsor Of Marijuana Banking Bill To File New Measure Blocking FDA From Legalizing Cannabis 9.21.23 »ᅳ► Republican senators, including the lead GOP sponsor of a bipartisan marijuana banking bill, will soon be introducing new legislation to prevent marijuana from being federally legalized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without congressional approval.
- Bipartisan Senators Officially File Revised Marijuana Banking Bill Ahead Of Key Committee Vote 9.20.23 »ᅳ► A revised bipartisan marijuana banking bill has officially been filed in the Senate, one week before a key committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation. But its prospects in the GOP-controlled House remain uncertain, with a key committee chairman declining to say whether he’d take up the legislation if it crosses over to his chamber.
- Cannabis Stocks Pop on News of SAFER Banking Act 9.20.23 »ᅳ► Marijuana stocks shot up Wednesday after news broke that the SAFE Banking Act had been rewritten as the SAFER Banking Act, breathing new life into federal cannabis reform just weeks after the monumental news that the Biden administration recommended the rescheduling of marijuana.
- S. 2860 9.20.23
- Bipartisan Lawmakers Find ‘Sweet Spot’ For Marijuana Banking Bill With Section Favored By GOP Kept ‘Intact’ For Committee Vote Next Week 9.19.23 »ᅳ► Senators have “probably found a sweet spot” in negotiations over a bipartisan marijuana banking bill, with an agreement to to leave a section favored by Republicans “intact, as it is,” according to one GOP member of the Senate Banking Committee.
- Here’s The New Marijuana Banking Bill Text That Senators Negotiated As Committee Prepares To Vote Next Week 9.19.23 »ᅳ► A bipartisan marijuana banking bill that’s scheduled for a Senate committee markup next week has been revised in several key ways—primarily related to federal financial regulations, guidance and reporting requirements—according to full text of the the most recent version of the legislation that was obtained by Marijuana Moment on Tuesday.
- Record Number of Banks Serving Marijuana Sector 9.19.23 »ᅳ► A record number of banks, credit unions and financial institutions are providing services to state-legal cannabis companies, according to recent statistics from the U.S. Treasury Department
- SAFER Banking Act 9.18.23
- Senate panel to hold vote on cannabis banking bill 9.18.23 »ᅳ► The bipartisan bill, which has passed in the House seven times but has yet to pass in the Senate, is scheduled for a committee vote Sept. 27.
- New Federal Data Shows Record Number Of Banks Working With Marijuana Businesses As Senate Schedules Vote On Reform Bill 9.18.23 »ᅳ► As senators prepare to advance a marijuana banking reform bill with a vote next week, a federal agency has released new data showing that a record-high number of banks and credit unions are now working with the cannabis industry.
- Key Senate Committee Officially Schedules Marijuana Banking Vote 9.15.23 »ᅳ► A key Senate committee has officially scheduled a vote on a bipartisan marijuana banking bill, signaling that disagreements between certain Democrats and Republicans over key provisions have been addressed.
- 14 congressional Republicans oppose proposed marijuana rescheduling 9.14.23 »ᅳ► Fourteen Republican federal lawmakers are voicing their opposition to a key federal agency’s recent recommendation that marijuana be rescheduled.
- Cannabis Summer Recap: Potential Rescheduling, Congressional Requests for Information, and Enforcement Activity 9.14.23 »ᅳ► Summer 2023 saw dynamic executive, legislative, and enforcement activity in the cannabis and cannabidiol space. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) took steps to reschedule cannabis as a Schedule III drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continued to issue enforcement letters, particularly for copycat food items, in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Key House Committee Clears Psychedelics Amendments To Defense Bill For Floor Votes But Blocks Marijuana Proposals 9.13.23 »ᅳ► A powerful House committee has cleared two psychedelics amendments for floor consideration as part of a large-scale spending bill covering the Department of Defense (DOD). But it also blocked separate marijuana-related proposals from advancing.
- Former Marijuana Regulator Proposes More Equity Revisions To Banking Bill As Senators Plan Committee Vote 9.13.23 »ᅳ► Advocates must continue to push for modest but meaningful changes to a bipartisan marijuana banking bill in order to maximize its social equity impacts, a former top Los Angeles cannabis regulator says in a new research paper that outlines recommended revisions.
- Senate Committee Vote On Marijuana Banking Bill ‘Wont Be Next Week’ Despite Insiders’ Predictions, Chairman’s Office Says 9.11.23 »ᅳ► The California Senate has approved an Assembly-passed bill to legalize marijuana cafes, allowing dispensaries to offer non-cannabis food and drinks at their location if they receive local approval.
- Potential Cannabis Rescheduling Reshapes Company Valuations 9.11.23 »ᅳ► The U.S. cannabis industry just witnessed its most significant one-week valuation shift in three years, according to a new report from Viridian Capital Advisors.
- Is New York Propping Up the California Marijuana Market (CA) 9.8.23 »ᅳ► Is it a case of two wrong making a right for consumers? Is New York propping up the California marijuana market?
- SAFE Banking Act’s Odds May Have Just Increased 9.8.23 »ᅳ► The political winds may have turned in favor of federal reform.
- How humans brought cannabis to every corner of the globe 9.8.23 »ᅳ► Cannabis originated in East Asia but can now be found growing on every continent except Antarctica – thanks to human trade and cultivation
- California Senate Approves Bill To Legalize Marijuana Cafes With Final Concurrence Vote Expected Shortly Before Going To Governor (CA) 9.8.23 »ᅳ► The California Senate has approved an Assembly-passed bill to legalize marijuana cafes, allowing dispensaries to offer non-cannabis food and drinks at their location if they receive local approval.
- Senate Democrat Predicts Marijuana Banking Reform Hearing in Coming Weeks 9.7.23 »ᅳ► Chair of Senate Banking Committee remains optimistic about advancing the SAFE Banking Act, despite the looming government shutdown risk.
- Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, and Back to Schedule 1? – The ‘Stop Pot Act’ Looks to Effectively End Cannabis Legalization in America 9.7.23 »ᅳ► The Stop Pot Act would put cannabis back as a Schedule 1 drug if it gets moved to Schedule 3 in the near future.
- Senate Banking Committee Chair Aims To Advance Marijuana Bill Within The Next Six Weeks 9.7.23 »ᅳ► A key Senate committee chairman says that he’s spoken with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) about moving bipartisan marijuana banking legislation, which he hopes to advance along with several other priority bills “in the next six weeks.”
- Teamsters Secure Historic Agreements with GTI’s Rise Dispensaries 9.6.23 »ᅳ► First collective bargaining contracts deliver significant benefits to cannabis workers.
- Why Rescheduling Would Be More Than Just a Tax Break for Cannabis 9.5.23 »ᅳ► The IRS designed 280E taxes in 1982 to bankrupt drug dealers.
- Schumer Renews Push For ‘Safeguarding’ Marijuana Banking But Stresses Need For Bipartisan Support 9.1.23 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says that passing a marijuana banking bill is one of his legislative priorities for the remainder of the year as Congress is set to return from the August recess—but he’s “under no illusion” that the cannabis reform and other wins can be achieved it without bipartisan buy-in.
- August
- U.S. HHS Recommends Cannabis Move to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act 8.31.23 »ᅳ► If Approved, Move Could Federally Legalize U.S. Medical Cannabis
- Federal Health Agency Recommends DEA Reclassify Cannabis to Schedule III 8.30.23 »ᅳ► The historic move would pave the way for growth in the cannabis market.
- Easing restrictions on marijuana? HHS calls for classifying weed as less dangerous: report 8.30.23 »ᅳ► The Department of Health and Human Services has moved to reclassify marijuana as less harmful than cocaine or heroin, a possible first step toward wider legalization, according to reports.
- Marijuana Users Found to Have Elevated Lead Levels 8.30.23 »ᅳ► Researchers found marijuana users have significantly higher levels of metals like lead and cadmium in their blood and urine. The study, which is one of the largest of its kind, analyzed data from over 7,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
- Where Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Stands On Marijuana And Psychadelics 8.29.23 »ᅳ► Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is making a bid for the White House as a 2024 Democratic presidential candidate. And while his drug policy record is thin, he has come out in support of bold marijuana and psychedelics reforms since entering the race.
- Desantis Doubles Down On Opposition To Marijuana Legalization Claiming Colorados Illicit Market Is Bigger And More Lucrative After Reform 8.28.23 »ᅳ► Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has reaffirmed that he would not legalize marijuana if elected to the White House—arguing contrary to evidence that the reform has actually increased the size of the illicit market in Colorado.
- Appetite for mind-altering substances is booming among US adults 8.25.23 »ᅳ► Rates of cannabis and psychedelic use among adults in the US reached record highs in 2022, part of a decade-long upswing in the use of mind-altering drugs.
- Text messaging provider Twilio cuts service to cannabis industry 8.24.23 »ᅳ► Twilio, one of the nation’s largest communications-service providers for retailers, is prohibiting cannabis companies from using its software to reach customers, MJBizDaily has confirmed. The publicly traded San Francisco company provides a communications platform and software that helps companies talk to their customers via text, voice and video.
- GOP Congressman Pushes DEA Head For Update On Bidens Marijuana Scheduling Review 8.24.23 »ᅳ► A GOP congressman is pressing the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to expand on her recent remarks about the origin and timeline of President Joe Biden’s marijuana scheduling review directive.
- Was Sen. McConnell’s Public Health ‘Moment’ Good for Cannabis Reform? 8.23.23 »ᅳ► The longest serving Republican Senator has been an opponent of federal marijuana legalization.
- Cresco CEO Still Believes Federal Reform is Possible 8.21.23 »ᅳ► Bachtell: The right legislators are having the right conversations right now.
- State Marijuana Regulators Tell Congress To Focus On More Than Just CBD By Regulating Other Cannabinoids Like Delta-8 THC 8.18.23 »ᅳ► State marijuana regulators are telling congressional lawmakers that their investigation into the lack of federal rules for hemp-derived CBD products must take into account other cannabinoids like delta-8 THC that are emerging on the market—and they also need to provide an agency like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with enhanced regulatory authority.
- Marijuana is getting out of hand. The federal government must step in. 8.17.23 »ᅳ► The legal U.S. marijuana industry has grown into a behemoth, raking in roughly $30 billion in 2022. By comparison, Americans in the same year spent $7 billion on ice cream, $20 billion on chocolate and $28 billion on craft beer.
- Monitoring The Future 2022 »ᅳ► While underage marijuana use has remained stable amid the legalization movement, a new federally funded study shows that adult consumption of cannabis, as well as of psychedelics, reached a “record high” last year.
- Census Bureau Begins Collecting Data About Marijuana Business Economic Activity As Market Enters Mainstream 8.17.23 »ᅳ► The U.S. Census Bureau is updating its survey of American companies to better capture marijuana-related economic activity, part of an effort to “keep up with the nation’s ever-changing business landscape.”
- 77% of US festival goers say they plan to use drugs there 8.16.23 »ᅳ► According to a new survey, 77% of US festival-goers admit they plan to use drugs during their next festival. That’s a very sobering stat for festival organizers in two distinctly different ways.
- NAACP Renews Support For Marijuana Legalization With New Call To Protect Cannabis Industry Workers Rights 8.11.23 »ᅳ► The NAACP has voted to adopt a resolution that renews its support for federal marijuana legalization with a new call to protect workers’ rights in the cannabis industry.
- Three Things Regulators and Policymakers Can Do to Undercut Criminal Markets and Support Legal Main Street Cannabis Businesses 8.11.23 »ᅳ► The simple truth is that regulated cannabis markets are not working for the vast majority of small businesses, including equity businesses.
- Cooling Inflation And The Marijuana Consumer 8.10.23 »ᅳ► Inflation has been the talk in homes for over a year. Eggs, meat, gas, lettuce, airline tickets and butter are just some of things things soaring. The price of a meal at elementary and secondary schools spiked the most in 2022, by a whopping 305%.
- Government Shutdown Threatens to Derail SAFE Banking Momentum 8.9.23 »ᅳ► A looming government shutdown could derail the progress of the SAFE Banking Act, despite $2.4m spent on lobbying in the first half of 2023.
- Even With Republican Support For Marijuana Legalization At Record High, Partisan Gap Persists As More Democrats Embrace Reform, Gallup Finds 8.9.23 »ᅳ► Republican support for marijuana legalization might be at a record high nationally—but despite majorities of voters in both parties now backing the reform, a partisan divide has widened over the past two decades as Democrats have been even quicker to embrace the issue, according to new analysis of survey data from Gallup.
- Verano CEO Predicts Cannabis Rescheduling, Companies Uplisting 8.9.23 »ᅳ► Verano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF) CEO George Archos predicted with some confidence during the company’s second quarter earnings call Tuesday that the current classification review by the Biden administration will give publicly traded U.S. marijuana companies the chance to uplist to major stock exchanges by at least rescheduling the drug.
- California Cannabis Gets $6 Billion Haircut 8.8.23 »ᅳ► A change in tax reporting has caused sales figures to plunge.
- Former FDA regulator predicts cannabis rescheduling this year 8.8.23 »ᅳ► Former regulator Howard Sklamberg believes the business consequences from such a move would all be positive. (subscription required)
- Giving Up on Legalization? – Cannabis Industry Titans Throw in the Towel on Lobbyist in Washington 8.7.23 »ᅳ► The cannabis industry drastically cut back their budgets for lobbying for legalization in the capital.
- H.R.2891 – SAFE Banking Act of 2023 »ᅳ►
- Survey: US Cannabis Grower Sentiment Plummets 8.3.23 »ᅳ► As the U.S. cannabis industry grapples with the harsh realities of oversupply, falling wholesale prices, tighter regulations, and distribution problems, the outlook for cannabis cultivators remains concerning.
- IRC Section 280E: An Unjust Burden on State-Legal Cannabis Businesses 8.3.23 🍃 »ᅳ► Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code forbids businesses from deducting otherwise ordinary business associated with the “trafficking” of Schedule I or II substances, as defined by the Controlled Substances Act. Download the report.
- Mastercard Banning Marijuana Purchases Is The Best Thing That Could Happen to the Weed Industry? 8.2.23 »ᅳ► Mastercard is shutting down debit transactions at dispensaries, why it could fast track legalization!
- Zuanic predicted continued growth in Canadian market despite seasonal variances 8.1.23 »ᅳ► The Canadian cannabis market is outpacing its American counterpart, according to a memo by Pablo Zuanic, founder of Zuanic & Associates.
- Marijuana Industry Cuts Down on D.C. Lobbying 8.1.23 »ᅳ► A broad trend of cannabis industry belt-tightening has now affected advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., with many trade organizations slashing their lobbying budgets or in some instances shuttering the efforts altogether.
- July
- The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper Premieres New Installment in Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Iconic Series with “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” 7.31.23 »ᅳ► The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, a CNN Original, returns with the newest installment in Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s duPont-Columbia Award winning Emmy® nominated Weed series, exploring the risks and the benefits of the drug in treating chronic issues such as pain, anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease in patients over 50. “Weed 7: A Senior Moment” premieres on Sunday, August 6 at 8pm ET/PT.
- EXCLUSIVE: RFK Jr. On “Ending the Failed War on Drugs” 7.29.23 »ᅳ► Video Interview
- Schumer Touts ‘Good Progress’ On Marijuana Banking Bill, Saying It Has ‘Always Been A Priority For Me’ 7.28.23 »ᅳ► Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says lawmakers are “making good progress” in bipartisan negotiations on a marijuana banking bill, and advancing it will be a priority for what he’s expecting to be a “very, very productive fall in the Senate.”
- Senate Vote on SAFE Banking Act Likely Delayed Until Fall 7.26.23 »ᅳ► Legislation to give cannabis businesses access to banking services will not get a Senate vote before summer recess.
- Mastercard Demands Shutdown of Marijuana Buys on Its Debit Cards 7.26.23 »ᅳ► Mastercard Inc. has told payment processors and banks to stop allowing marijuana transactions on debit cards, in a blow to the struggling cannabis industry and a boon to transparency in the banking system.
- TE-SAFE 7.20.23 »ᅳ► Schumer Talks Safe Banking
- Senators’ cannabis amendments to NDAA (Newsletter: July 18, 2023) 7.18.23 »ᅳ►
- Stephen Boyd: THE MONDAY BRIEF – July 17, 2023 »ᅳ► With just eight legislative days left until the August break, the House of Representatives and the Senate are each back to work this week. The House is scheduled to be in session just 20 days between today and the end of the fiscal year, when several major legislative deadlines loom.
- Cannabis banking provisions clear House for seventh time 7.15.23 »ᅳ► The amendment to the fiscal 2023 defense authorization bill faces an uphill battle to become law
- Schumer’s weed plan hits bipartisan resistance 7.14.23 »ᅳ► Clashes between Democrats and Republicans over language changes and cosponsors threatens to yet again stall the legislation.
- SAFE Banking Act Turns 10 With Little Fanfare: This Week in Cannabis Investing 7.14.23 »ᅳ► The SAFE Banking Act, which aims to improve cannabis companies’ access to finance, continues to struggle a decade after being introduced.
- SAFE Banking Backed by At Least 9 GOP Senators; Bill Lies Largely in Democrats’ Court 7.14.23 »ᅳ► The Republican support indicates legislation to provide traditional banking services to the cannabis industry has the votes to avoid a filibuster.
- Joint Trades Letter to the House: Support NDAA Amendments on SAFE and RON 7.13.23 »ᅳ► From American Bankers Association, Credit Union National Association, Independent Community Bankers of America ICBA, National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions
- California’s Persisting Cannabis Dystopia Part 2 7.13.23 »ᅳ► Here in part 2 of our exploration into Northern California’s ever-increasing problematic cannabis-related issues, reporter Bill Weinberg digs deep to raise important questions.
- California’s Persisting Cannabis Dystopia: Part 1 7.12.23 »ᅳ► There’s grim news from California, where cannabis industry profits are dropping, robberies of dispensaries are soaring, and police raids on unlicensed growers continue in the Emerald Triangle. Can the seeming slip back into pre-legalization dystopia be arrested?
- Cannabis Client Alert Week of July 7th 2023 7.7.23 »ᅳ►
- June
- SAFE Banking Act Heads Back to Capitol Hill: This Week in Cannabis Investing 6.30.23 »ᅳ► The Senate is expected to review the SAFE Banking Act when it returns from the Fourth of July recess.
- Congress is reconsidering the SAFE Banking Act to allow banks to work with the cannabis industry 6.22.23 »ᅳ► In the next few weeks the U.S. Senate Banking Committee could take up a bill aimed at helping the cannabis industry get access to banking.
- Cannabis Banking: Will the SAFE Banking Act Finally Pass? 6.21.23 »ᅳ► One of the largest headwinds facing the cannabis industry is the lack of access to banking services. Many financial institutions refuse to serve the multibillion-dollar cannabis industry given the regulatory uncertainty created by divergent state and federal cannabis laws. The SAFE Banking Act seeks to remove these ambiguities at the federal level, clearing the path for more financial institutions to serve the cannabis industry.
- New Cannabis Coalition Aims to Influence Federal Rescheduling Process 6.6.23 »ᅳ► A broad group of marijuana companies, cannabis trade organizations, nonprofits, law firms, doctors, ancillary companies, and activists has joined forces in the hopes of influencing a review by the Biden administration which could result in federal marijuana legalization.
- May
- Teamsters Endorse Safe Banking Act 5.11.23 »ᅳ► Bill would provide legal protection for banks that serve cannabis-related businesses in states where it is legal.
- S.1323 – SAFE Banking Act of 2023 5.11.23 »ᅳ► Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2023 or the SAFE Banking Act of 2023
- 2 Cannabis Stocks to Consider If the SAFE Banking Act Passes 5.5.23 »ᅳ► These two multi-state operators have the size and business sense to benefit from national cannabis banking reform.
- ABA Letter in Support of SAFE Banking Act 2023 5.3.23 »ᅳ►
- April
- Blumenauer, Joyce, Merkley, Daines, Introduce SAFE Banking Act to Improve Community Safety and Banking Access for Legal Cannabis Businesses 4.27,23 »ᅳ► Bipartisan legislation would ensure that legal cannabis businesses can access critical financial services, increase public safety
- THE IMPACT OF BEING HIGHLY REGULATED 4.23 »ᅳ► The cannabis industry is a case study in the challenging, sometimes contradictory influences of government regulations and compliance measures
- Americans spent more on legal cannabis in 2022 than chocolate, beer: report 4.23.23 »ᅳ► Americans spent roughly $30 billion on legal marijuana last year while spending around $20 billion on chocolate
- March
- New Green Investing: Safe Harbor for Financial Services and Cannabis 3.29.23 »ᅳ► As each subsequent state legalizes marijuana for recreational and medical use, its inclusion in the already ineffective drug war becomes increasingly redundant. The American public agrees, with about 88% of respondents favoring some form of legalization, and 59% favoring access for recreational purposes.
2022
- August
- Not a SAFE Bet: »ᅳ► An analysis of the SAFE Banking Act
- April
- YouGov Poll Dailey Survey 4.1 – 5.22
2021
- July
- CANNABIS BANKING:WHAT MARIJUANA CAN LEARN FROM HEMP 7.21.21 »ᅳ► Marijuana-related businesses have banking problems. Many banks explain that, because marijuana is illegal under federal law, they will not serve the industry. Even when marijuana-related businesses can open bank accounts, they still have trouble accepting credit cards and getting loans. Some hope to fix marijuana’s banking problems with changes to federal law. Proposals range from broad reforms removing marijuana from the list of controlled substances to narrower legislation prohibiting banking regulators from punishing banks that serve the marijuana industry. But would these proposals solve marijuana’s banking problems.
2020
- January
- Community Invest Cannabis Banking Services 1.1.20 »ᅳ► Program is a community development program that offers qualified banks and credit unions access to state impact investment capital at a lower rate, in the form of time deposits.
2015
- February
- How To Reschedule Marijuana And Why Its Unlikely Anytime Soon 2.13.15 »ᅳ► Program is a community development program that offers qualified banks and credit unions access to state impact investment capital at a lower rate, in the form of time deposits.
Cannabis Banker® 
