RFK says cannabis has “really catastrophic impacts,” but legalization allows research (Newsletter: February 14, 2025)

Sheriff tells Congress: cannabis regulation is key; HI legal marijuana vote; FL legalization poll; MT cannabis consumer registration bill

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he’s “worried about” the normalization of high-potency marijuana and that it can have “really catastrophic impacts” on people—but added that “we don’t want” people incarcerated for cannabis and that state-level legalization provides a “capacity to really study it.”

Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) said he received a commitment from Kennedy. to “follow the science on the harms of marijuana”—although HHS has already determined that cannabis has a lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I drugs.

The Hawaii Senate Health and Human Services and Judiciary Committees approved a marijuana legalization bill at a joint hearing even as companion legislation recently stalled on the House floor.

A Michigan sheriff who also serves in a leadership role for the Major County Sheriffs Association indicated in congressional testimony that marijuana legalization in his state has helped mitigate problems related to unregulated intoxicating hemp products that non-legal states are experiencing.

A new poll from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, which opposes marijuana legalization, shows that 53 percent of likely voters now support the reform—less than the 60 percent threshold needed for a proposed 2026 ballot initiative to be enacted.

A Montana Republican senator filed a bill to require people to register and pay a $200 annual fee in order to  use, possess or buy recreational marijuana, which voters legalized via a ballot initiative in 2020.

The Ohio Medical Cannabis Board rejected a petition to add female orgasm difficulty as a medical marijuana qualifying condition, but it is allowing a proposal on autism spectrum disorder to proceed to a public comment period and expert review.

A new study’s findings “confirm the promising potential of CBD, showing that it can be applied in various topical cosmeceutical products” like sunscreen, hair care applications and wound healing medicines.

• “CBD showed promising antioxidant activity and anti-aging activity.”

New Jersey’s Senate president filed a bill to let medical cannabis dispensaries begin selling recreational marijuana without first having to get approval from local officials.

/ FEDERAL

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted, “I am disappointed Trump’s nominee to lead @DEAHQ, Terry Cole, has historically taken a hardline stance against cannabis. If confirmed, I hope that Cole is willing to work with the Cannabis Caucus on commonsense reform.”

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) tweeted, “I’ll be introducing the “Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025″ which would authorize @realDonaldTrump to commission privately armed and equipped individuals or groups to seize persons and property of any cartel, cartel member, or cartel-linked organization.”

/ STATES

Virginia’s attorney general is pushing for a crackdown on “membership clubs” that distribute marijuana. Separately, regulators tweeted, “Spreading the love this Valentine’s Day? Before you light up that passion, make sure you’re on the right side of the law when it comes to sharing the green.”

Montana’s attorney general is supporting legislation to allow prosecutors to charge parents and other adults who cause or permit a child to be exposed to marijuana or other drugs.

The South Dakota House Judiciary Committee rejected a bill to remove the medical purpose defense for possession of marijuana for someone who does not have a valid medical cannabis card.

A Minnesota representative said he is ending his efforts to pass a sports betting bill in protest of Gov. Tim Walz (D) negotiating compacts to allow tribes to open off-reservation marijuana businesses.

Kentucky regulators published guidance on medical cannabis packaging requirements.

The Maryland Advisory Board on Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis will meet on February 20.

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/ LOCAL

A judge ruled that Colorado Springs, Colorado officials can place a measure on the April ballot to reverse the voter-approved legalization of recreational marijuana sales but must reword the proposed question.

The Indianapolis, Indiana City Council minority leader authored an op-ed about the  benefits of legalizing marijuana.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Sint Maarten Prime Minister Luc Mercelina said the country needs to be prepared before pursuing marijuana legalization.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

In a “feasibility pilot study of coaching on cannabis use for chronic pain among veterans, participants were satisfied with the intervention and reported clinically significant improvements in pain symptoms.”

Researchers developed what they say is a “meaningful standardization of units of cannabis products in a manner similar to what has been achieved for alcohol.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Generation Z Britons found that they support decriminalizing cannabis, 64 percent to 27 percent, but oppose decriminalizing cocaine and MDMA.

Missouri NORML is arguing that the state has far more marijuana records to expunge than has been suggested by officials.

/ BUSINESS

atai Life Sciences announced a public offering of $55 million worth of common shares.

Michigan retailers sold $247.3 million worth of legal marijuana products in January.

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