Trump DEA head’s anti-cannabis stance slammed by Dem lawmakers (Newsletter: January 27, 2025)

Warren pushes Musk to cut marijuana enforcement; SAFE Banking “not imminent”; VA cannabis sales vote; NH legalization hearing; WA homegrow

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Democratic lawmakers are pushing back on the anti-cannabis views of the Trump administration’s Drug Enforcement Administration acting head, Derek Maltz—with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) telling Marijuana Moment that calling cannabis a gateway drug is “such a boomer thing to say” and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) pointing out that he “doesn’t even have a medical degree.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a letter urging Elon Musk to focus on reducing federal marijuana enforcement as a way to save taxpayer money as chair of the Trump administration’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

A spokesperson for Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) reached out to Marijuana Moment to clarify that the reintroduction of cannabis banking legislation is “not imminent” despite “some chatter” online about it.

• “There are certain steps that need to be taken first.”

A Virginia House General Laws subcommittee approved a bill to legalize recreational marijuana sales—despite vocal opposition from Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who vetoed similar legislation last session.

New Hampshire House committees held hearings on a variety of marijuana bills—including measures to enact legalization, allow medical cannabis patients to grow their own medicine, annul past convictions and more.

Washington State House and Senate committees are set to hold hearings on bills to legalize marijuana home cultivation and allow licensed producers to sell cannabis flower directly to consumers this week.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said the financial institution “probably would” provide banking services to cannabis businesses if federal law changes.

• “We don’t bank marijuana companies because there’s no federal law around it.”

Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition leaders argue in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that rescheduling “falls woefully short of desperately needed reforms” and that the federal government should “act decisively and address the legacy of harm caused by criminalization” by fully descheduling cannabis.

An Iowa Senate Commerce subcommittee approved a bill to double the number of medical cannabis dispensaries that are allowed to operate in the state.

/ FEDERAL

A Food and Drug Administration spokesperson said ​hemp is a higher priority for agency warnings than marijuana is because it’s not regulated in many states and is more widely available.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said lawmakers are working on reintroducing cannabis banking legislation.

/ STATES

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) budget request includes new funding to support enforcement efforts against unlicensed cannabis businesses.

The South Dakota House of Representatives approved a kratom regulation bill.

A Maine representative is pushing for an investigation into regulators’ failure to issue a required annual report on the state’s marijuana program.

Colorado lawmakers filed a bill to restrict cannabis and psilocybin products.

A Pennsylvania representative defended his plan to legalize marijuana sales through a system of state-run stores.

A Vermont judge is considering a request for an injunction against restrictions on marijuana business advertising.

Oklahoma medical cannabis regulators are working to build new licensing and inspection software.

Washington State regulators will host feedback sessions next month on draft rules for transfer of authority for accreditation of cannabis testing laboratories.

Minnesota regulators will host a webinar about lower-potency hemp edibles on Monday.

—
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 Lockhart, Texas City Council plans to hold another vote on whether to implement a local voter-approved marijuana decriminalization law.

Colorado Springs, Colorado officials released language for a proposed ballot measure to reverse the legalization of recreational marijuana sales.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s executive secretary said the government will “respond favourably or positively” if Interpol is asked by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants related to its investigation into the nation’s bloody “war on drugs.”

British Columbia, Canada’s solicitor general defended civil asset forfeiture policies, which were recently used against psilocybin mushroom dispensaries run by a longtime activist.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “people living with chronic pain report important pain relief when using cannabis for medical purposes, and that men may achieve greater pain relief than women.”

A case study demonstrated “the tremendous potential of psychedelic healing ceremonies as a unique opportunity for patients to better explore, understand, process, and cope with underlying and unaddressed mental suffering.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The American Psychiatric Association tweeted, “With researchers continuing to find that cannabis in all its forms is helping fuel the youth depression and suicide epidemic, psychiatrists have a role to play in assessing and treating cannabis use—and countering disinformation.”

Ross Ulbricht, who received a full pardon from President Donald Trump for his role in running the online drug marketplace Silk Road, posted a video after being released from prison.

/ BUSINESS

Aurora Cannabis Inc. launched a German-cultivated medical cannabis product under the brand IndiMed.

/ CULTURE

Former football player Champ Bailey spoke about his use of marijuana.

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