The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has recently asserted that cannabis may be more likely to induce psychosis than methamphetamine. This claim comes as the agency is considering a proposal to reschedule cannabis, which has sparked controversy amid ongoing discussions about its legalization and regulation.
In related legislative developments, Hawaii Governor Josh Green (D) signed a bill that broadens the rights of medical cannabis caregivers. This new law permits caregivers to cultivate marijuana for up to five patients, increasing access to medical cannabis in the state.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (D) has enacted a bill allowing cannabis businesses to provide samples at trade events and easing restrictions on wholesale transactions between companies during these gatherings.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) has launched an online directory to help residents locate new medical cannabis dispensaries. He also signed an executive order waiving renewal fees for patients obtaining their medical cannabis cards this year.
In Texas, Veterans of Foreign Wars are urging Governor Greg Abbott (R) to veto a bill that bans consumable hemp products containing any THC. They argue that this legislation could severely impact communities across the state.
A recent analysis from the Marijuana Policy Project highlighted that states have collected a total of $24.7 billion in tax revenue from legal adult-use cannabis sales since 2014, with $4.4 billion generated in 2024 alone. Pennsylvania, if it moves forward with legalization, could see up to $2.1 billion in recreational cannabis tax revenue within five years.
In the realm of medical research, a new study indicates that long-term medical marijuana users experience stable benefits in managing chronic musculoskeletal pain, with over 93% of participants reporting improvement in their primary symptoms.
In federal news, Sara Carter, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, published an article discussing the FBI’s renewed investigation into a cocaine discovery in the Biden administration’s White House. Additionally, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that the smell of marijuana alone does not constitute probable cause for arrest or search unless linked to the suspect.
On the state level, New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop expressed his support for legalizing psilocybin therapy for veterans and for allowing home cultivation of marijuana. In Florida, the state attorney general defended his actions in directing Medicaid funds to oppose a marijuana legalization initiative slated for the 2024 ballot.
The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy is advancing legislation aimed at restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission, which includes addressing issues related to retail license limits and intoxicating hemp products.
In Iowa, a court ruled against state officials’ motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the enforcement of drug laws against religious cannabis use. Montana’s top marijuana regulator dismissed a request to suspend testing requirements for cannabis products, while New York regulators launched a series of community engagement events to shape cannabis education for young people.
Internationally, the UK’s deputy prime minister reiterated the government’s opposition to decriminalizing cannabis, and Germany’s new commissioner for addiction and drugs removed cannabis-related content from his official website. In Canada, a lawmaker in British Columbia questioned the finance minister about cannabis tax revenue and its enforcement.
In health research, a study focusing on older adults using medical cannabis found evidence of short-term improvements in pain, anxiety, and depression, along with indirect benefits for sleep quality. Another review suggested that psychedelics, despite their Schedule I classification in the U.S., show promise in treating complex mental health disorders based on recent clinical trials.
A poll in the UK revealed that 54% of adults support decriminalizing cannabis, demonstrating a shift in public opinion. Furthermore, a report from the UCLA Labor Center highlighted issues such as unsafe working conditions and wage theft within California’s cannabis industry, alongside the ongoing push for diversity and labor organizing.
In business updates, Rubicon Organics Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$12.4 million, with a net loss of $322,000. Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. successfully closed a $50 million private placement of senior secured notes, and Apollo Technology Capital Corporation issued a warning regarding alleged disclosure violations by the MediPharm Labs Corp. board.
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