Trump hosts former cannabis prisoner at White House (Newsletter: February 13, 2025)
From toxifillers.com with love
VA marijuana sales bill passes; GOP senator to UK leader: “put down the bong”; HI cannabis decrim expansion; NM psilocybin; Marijuana tax increases
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump hosted newly freed U.S. citizen Marc Fogel, who was incarcerated in Russia for possessing medical cannabis, at the White House—without any mention of the U.S.’s own ongoing prohibition of marijuana.
The Virginia House of Delegates and Senate both voted to send legislation to legalize recreational marijuana sales to the desk of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) despite his office threatening a veto.
Bipartisan governors in at least four states are proposing significant increases in marijuana tax rates as part of their budget proposals to lawmakers.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has suggested in multiple Senate floor speeches recently that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer needs to “put down the bong” amid a disagreement on a military base in the Chagos Islands—even though the British leader opposes marijuana reform.
The Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to quintuple the amount of marijuana that is decriminalized in the state, even as broader legislation to legalize cannabis has stalled.
The New Mexico Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill to create a therapeutic psilocybin program by legalizing the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms for use in a supervised medical setting.
The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to temporarily legalize possession, home grow and sharing of psilocybin. If the psychedelic is federally approved, state officials would set rules for cultivation, distribution and medical prescription.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is negotiating compacts with 10 of the state’s 11 tribal nations to allow them to license off-reservation marijuana businesses—including dispensaries as well as cultivation and manufacturing facilities.
The Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee hosted a presentation about the alleged harms of marijuana by an activist who worked on the campaign to defeat a cannabis legalization initiative last year.
/ FEDERAL
Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) sent a press release about a bill he is cosponsoring to continue applying the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses even after rescheduling.
/ STATES
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) celebrated President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, tweeting, “Great pick, Mr. President! It’s a great day to be an American and a bad day to be a drug dealer.”
New York’s attorney general secured a $6 million judgment against the owner of an unlicensed cannabis store in Brooklyn.
The Vermont House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on cannabis regulators’ budget.
Illinois lawmakers are considering several pieces of legislation concerning medical cannabis patients, delivery services, plant limits and consumption facilities.
A Pennsylvania representative tweeted, “It’s time to legalize adult-use Cannabis in Pennsylvania!”
The California Franchise Tax Board published reports on cannabis tax credits.
Arizona regulators posted a monthly report about the state’s marijuana program.
New Jersey regulators are hosting public hearings this month to receive input on how cannabis social equity funds should be spent.
Washington State officials sent an update about a program aimed at aiding communities that “bore the brunt of the war on drugs’ impact.”
West Virginia regulators posted a list of registered hemp retailers.
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/ LOCAL
Colorado Springs, Colorado officials are seeking an emergency court stay to keep a measure to repeal the vote-approved legalization of recreational marijuana sales on the April ballot.
/ INTERNATIONAL
Brazilian officials are launching a 12-year cannabis research program.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “cannabidiol suppresses proliferation and induces cell death, autophagy and senescence in human cholangiocarcinoma cells.”
A study of mice concluded that “CBD oil may represent a promising new approach to treating [duchenne muscular dystrophy], but its potential toxicity must be considered.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies is searching for a new executive director.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin published a report on racial disparities in marijuana enforcement and public support for legalization.
/ BUSINESS
Ohio retailers sold $319 million worth of recreational marijuana products during the first six months of legal sales.
/ CULTURE
Wiz Khalifa’s company launched a line of rolling papers.
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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
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