Pennsylvania officials talk cannabis legalization (Newsletter: March 3, 2025)

Hi marijuana decrim expansion fails; Dallas cannabis decrim can continue; MO AG on psychedelics; NY marijuana biz grants; CA State Fair & cannabis

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) said welfare recipients need to “get off the couch, stop eating the Cheetos, stop buying the medical marijuana and watching television,” adding that “you’re going to actually contribute now, because the American taxpayer is fed up.”

Pennsylvania’s agriculture secretary said his department is “in a really good place to manage” adult-use cannabis under Gov. Josh Shapiros’s (D) legalization plan—pointing out that no other state has its Department of Agriculture run a recreational marijuana program.

The Hawaii Senate rejected a bill to quintuple the amount of marijuana that is decriminalized in the state—a development that comes as broader cannabis legalization legislation also appears dead for the session.

A judge denied Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) request for a temporary injunction to block Dallas’s local marijuana decriminalization law that was approved by voters from taking effect.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) said it’s “absolutely appropriate” to make psychedelic therapy available as an alternative treatment option, particularly for military veterans.

The New York Office of Cannabis Management is set to launch a grants program this week to aid businesses run by people harmed by prior marijuana criminalization through reimbursements for expenses such as point-of-sale systems, security hardware and insurance.

The California State Fair will again feature a cannabis exhibit and competition at this year’s event—this time with new award categories for blunts, hash and chocolates.

A new study of older people found that medical marijuana is a “relatively safe and cost-effective therapeutic option for adults dealing with age-related health conditions” and that “most patients experienced clinically significant improvements in pain, sleep, and quality of life and reductions in co-medication.”

South Dakota lawmakers sent Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) a bill to defelonize the ingestion of illegal drugs on first and second offenses.

Missouri lawmakers are weighing several bills to restrict and regulate intoxicating hemp products—with the competing measures laying out various structures for where and how they can be sold.

Minnesota lawmakers, local officials and businesses are expressing concerns over pending compacts that will allow tribal nations to license off-reservation marijuana operations—including dispensaries as well as cultivation and manufacturing facilities.

The Tennessee Fuel and Convenience Store Association and the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association are opposing legislation to restrict intoxicating hemp products, saying it will “have a financial impact.”

/ FEDERAL

President Donald Trump implied that new tariffs on goods and services from Canada, China and Mexico going into effect on Tuesday will help to address drug overdose deaths.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) is pushing to elevate the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to Cabinet-level status.

/ STATES

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced that a hemp company is receiving tax incentives as it expands its operations in the state.

The Missouri House Budget Committee approved a bill cutting an allocation of $11.7 million in marijuana revenue to support the Office of Public Defender.

The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on a bill to ban THC products on Monday.

Nevada lawmakers are considering a bill to remove marijuana offenses as a barrier to becoming a foster parent.

An Ohio Republican representative said he opposes making major changes to the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law.

California regulators announced a recall of marijuana products due to the presence of microbial contamination.

Florida officials launched a public education campaign to deter driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs.

Illinois regulators are hosting a hemp summit on March 27.

—
Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
—

/ LOCAL

The Easton, Pennsylvania City Council approved amendments to a proposed marijuana decriminalization ordinance.

The Wilmington, Delaware City Council approved a 90-day moratorium on retail marijuana business licenses.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Mexico handed over custody of 29 drug cartel operatives to the U.S.

A new Victoria, Australia policy protecting driving rights of medical cannabis patients took effect.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of the effects of marijuana legalization models found that “both the pharmaceutical and permissive policy bundle scales are associated with mental health improvements, whereas greater fiscalization has a negative impact on mental health.”

A study found that “cannabidiol reshapes the gut microbiome to promote endurance exercise in mice.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

NORML has a new board chair.

/ BUSINESS

High Times’s intellectual property is up for sale again.

Compass Pathways plc reported a quarterly net loss of $43.3 million.

Canopy Growth Corporation established an at-the-market equity program allowing it to issue and sell up to $200 million worth of shares.

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. entered into an agreement to extend the maturity date of its senior secured notes.

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