Trump picks anti-cannabis prosecutor for pardon attorney (Newsletter: May 16, 2025)
From toxifillers.com with love
DEA partners with anti-marijuana group on meme campaign; PA gov pushes lawmakers to legalize; NH psilocybin vote; MN cannabis & sleep apnea study
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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW
President Donald Trump named former Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin, who sent a threat letter to a locally licensed medical cannabis dispensary, as pardon attorney—raising questions about the prospects for marijuana and drug clemency actions going forward.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is partnering with an anti-marijuana group to spread memes promoting claims that cannabis is a gateway drug and is linked to schizophrenia, depression, suicidal ideation, dropping out of school and low sperm count.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins testified during congressional hearings about the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for military veterans, saying he’s “one of the first” in his position to embrace the issue.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) slammed Republican senators for killing a House-passed marijuana legalization measure, saying they “ignored the will of the people and basically shelved the bill.”
- “Clearly people want it. Poll after poll shows that.”
The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee approved a House-passed bill to decriminalize psilocybin, but also added an amendment to create new mandatory minimum sentences for certain fentanyl offenses.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management released a new study that it says is the “largest on record” involving obstructive sleep apnea and medical marijuana, finding that patients are seeing “a noticeable improvement in their quality of sleep” and reductions in fatigue.
James Valentine of Custom Cones USA and DaySavers explains in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed how the U.S. and Canadian markets for marijuana pre-rolls differ, showing how among other findings the cannabis market share for the consumption-ready products is double on the north side of the border.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a bill to regulate consumable hemp products under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, including provisions to ban smokable forms and to restrict online sales and direct delivery.
/ FEDERAL
Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a man for nearly two months over a years-old marijuana charge.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) tweeted about receiving a lifetime achievement award from the National Cannabis Industry Association, saying, “I will continue advocating for commonsense cannabis reform, including my own STATES 2.0 Act.”
/ STATES
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill to require doctors to take education courses to be able to issue medical cannabis recommendations, and vetoed separate legislation to require regulators to form a task force to recommend medical marijuana purchase and possession limits.
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, currently the state auditor, discussed his support for legalizing marijuana.
Colorado’s attorney general reached settlements with two cannabis companies to resolve allegations that they misrepresented their products.
The Delaware Senate confirmed the nomination of the state’s new top marijuana regulator.
Oregon regulators published a bulletin about bitcoin scams targeting marijuana businesses.
California regulators sent guidance about changes to cannabis manufacturing license numbers.
Missouri regulators published guidance on marijuana packaging, labeling and product design.
Florida regulators are making changes to the medical cannabis registry website.
Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission published a post about the four-year anniversary of the agency.
The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board will meet on Friday.
—
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/ LOCAL
New York City’s mayor touted progress in closing unlicensed marijuana businesses.
/ INTERNATIONAL
American basketball player Jarred Shaw is potentially facing the death penalty in Indonesia over charges of smuggling cannabis candies.
/ SCIENCE & HEALTH
A study found that “marijuana attitudes are significantly related to partisan identification, but the relationship has weakened over time, specifically from 2018 to 2022.”
A study found that “cannabidiol potentiates p53-driven autophagic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer following DNA damage.”
/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS
The Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation is considering a proposal to ban marijuana businesses from becoming members.
/ BUSINESS
Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of C$32.7 million.
The Boston Beer Company is expanding its cannabis beverage offerings.
Canopy Growth Corporation is facing a shareholder class action lawsuit.
LEEF Brands Inc. and Glass House Brands, Inc. announced a management services agreement for a Palm Desert, California dispensary.
/ CULTURE
Whoopi Goldberg is launching a new hemp-derived beverage called Whoop-Tea.
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Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.
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