Pennsylvania lawmakers approve cannabis legalization bill (Newsletter: May 6, 2025)

CO & HI psychedelics; Fed lawsuit on marijuana biz seizures; MS Indian tribe’s cannabis referendum; FL ballot restrictions; UN official: Decrim drugs

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Pennsylvania House Health Committee approved a bill to legalize marijuana sales through a system of state-run stores, with an initial vote on the House floor expected as soon as Tuesday. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill to make it more difficult to qualify initiatives for the state’s ballot, potentially impeding a marijuana industry-led effort to let voters decide on cannabis legalization next year.

The Colorado House of Representatives gave initial approval to a Senate-passed bill to empower the governor to grant pardons to people who’ve been convicted of psychedelics-related offenses, and to revise rules for legal psychedelic products and healing centers.

A Hawaii bill to support clinical research on psychedelic-assisted therapies using substances such as psilocybin and MDMA passed both legislative chambers in differing forms but missed a key deadline for reconciliation and is dead for the year.

A group of New Mexico marijuana businesses that are suing Customs and Border Protection over federal agents’ seizure of their state-legal products is asking a judge not to dismiss the case, calling the government’s position “a study in contradictions.”

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has scheduled a series of public hearings ahead of a vote on a marijuana legalization referendum the tribe is holding next month.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said decriminalizing drugs is a “crucial step towards a more humane and effective drug policy,” arguing that prohibition has “failed” and should be replaced with “responsible regulation.”

/ FEDERAL

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a case challenging Mississippi’s medical cannabis advertising restrictions.

Veterans Health Administration Deputy Executive Director Ilse Wiechers discussed the Department of Veterans Affairs’s work to explore psychedelic therapy during a House hearing.

/ STATES

Arizona’s attorney general said she will continue to pursue a crackdown against intoxicating hemp products despite pending litigation.

Georgia lawmakers toured a medical cannabis facility.

Nebraska senators spoke at town hall meetings about ongoing efforts to implement the voter-approved legalization of medical cannabis.

The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the ability of police to search vehicles based on the smell of cannabis.

The Michigan Supreme Court dismissed a case challenging the city of Warren’s marijuana business licensing process.

Maryland regulators adopted changes to marijuana rules.

North Dakota regulators filed proposed changes to medical cannabis rules.

Minnesota regulators announced that they will hold marijuana business license application lotteries on June 5.

Missouri regulators transferred additional marijuana revenue to veterans programs.

California regulators sent an update on efforts to license legal marijuana businesses and crack down on illegal cannabis sales.

Oregon regulators will hold a hearing about hemp rules on Tuesday.

The Connecticut cannabis Social Equity Council will meet on Tuesday.

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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.

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/ LOCAL

The Missoula, Montana City Council president pushed back against a colleague’s suggestion that “if every politician had a psychedelic experience, I think we would be getting way better outcomes in this world.”

/ INTERNATIONAL

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal to send U.S. troops to her country to combat drug cartels.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “cannabidiol is a useful and safe add-on drug in children with” drug-resistant epilepsy.

A study found that “peri-traumatic consumption of classic psychedelics is associated with lower anxiety and post-traumatic responses 3 weeks after exposure.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The chair of the Florida Democratic Party tweeted, “After a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis and access to abortion, the Republicans just made it harder for your voices to be heard. We will keep fighting for you.”

/ BUSINESS

Red White & Bloom Brands Inc. announced it completed debt restructuring.

/ CULTURE

Shaquille O’Neal said teammates on “every team I was on” smoked marijuana, although he didn’t partake himself.

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