Federal cannabis legalization bill filed in Congress (Newsletter: September 1, 2025)

GOP lawmakers push against marijuana rescheduling; DE gov vetoes cannabis zoning bill; CA marijuana tax relief; KY & MS psychedelics hearings

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and other congressional Democrats filed a bill to federally legalize marijuana—including provisions to promote equity and address collateral consequences of criminalization—as the Trump administration weighs moving cannabis to Schedule III.

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and eight other GOP members of Congress sent a letter urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to reject cannabis rescheduling—arguing it would “send a message to kids that marijuana is not harmful and allow Big Marijuana and foreign drug cartels to get billions per year in federal tax breaks.”

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer (D) vetoed a bill to override restrictive marijuana business zoning rules in counties, and the senator who sponsored the legislation says the governor “lied” about a deal to enact it into law.

The California Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation to pause a recently enacted tax hike on marijuana products, revise regulations on hemp and allow medical cannabis businesses to ship products directly to patients.

Legislative committees in Mississippi and Kentucky held hearings on the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic ibogaine to address the opioid epidemic and mental health conditions.

Texas bills to ban consumable hemp products with any amount of THC appear to have stalled during a second special session of the legislature.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission launched a social equity applicant status certification process for prospective business license applicants.

University of La Verne Professor Pardis Mahdavi took a look at why a growing number of religious groups are using psychedelics as spiritual sacraments.

• “The push to legalize psychedelics in America is not new. What distinguishes the latest round of advocacy, however, is its backing by a holy trinity of supporters: some scientists, politicians and clergy.”

/ FEDERAL

Federal agencies participating in a law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C. have in some cases gone after low-level crimes including marijuana possession.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse posted updated information about conducting research with cannabis.

Sens. John Boozman (R-AR) and John Hoeven (R-ND) discussed efforts to reach a compromise on hemp legislation.

/ STATES

Florida’s attorney general announced the arrest of a man who allegedly submitted hundreds of fraudulent petitions for a marijuana legalization ballot initiative.

A Pennsylvania senator discussed his support for federal marijuana legalization.

New York’s top marijuana regulator said apparent shortcomings in product testing reliability warrant further investigation.

Vermont regulators published guidance on cannabis weights and measures.

Colorado regulators issued a bulletin about advertising of marijuana concentrates.

Oklahoma regulators said that a medical cannabis testing lab found to be out of compliance is working with customers to conduct and pay for retesting to ensure unsafe products are not sold to patients.

The Mississippi Cannabis Advisory Board met.

Minnesota regulators sent a newsletter with various cannabis updates.

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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.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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/ LOCAL

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, currently an assemblymember, said expunging all drug convictions is not part of his plan.

The Albert Lea, Minnesota City Council’s decision not to approve a marijuana dispensary’s registration is being challenged in court.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Switzerland’s National Council Social and Health Committee opened a public consultation on draft cannabis legalization legislation.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study of New York marijuana products found that “although licensed products largely comply with state regulations, unlicensed products are less likely to provide basic information to enable consumers to make lower-risk consumption decisions, more appealing to youth, and more likely to include erroneous or misplaced information.”

A review concluded that “psilocybin might be safe and well-tolerated in” anorexia nervosa.

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Fox News host Laura Ingraham said she hopes President Donald Trump does not reschedule marijuana.

/ BUSINESS

Green Thumb Industries confirmed that Robin Westman, the suspect in the Annunciation Church shooting in Minnesota,  previously worked at one of its Rise medical cannabis dispensaries.

Exclusive Ann Arbor employees in Ann Arbor, Michigan went on strike.

Canopy Growth Corporation established a new at-the-market equity program allowing it to issue and sell up to $200 million worth of shares.

The Austin Chronicle is hiring a new cannabis critic.

/ CULTURE

The University of Louisville athletics program entered into a sponsorship deal with Cornbread Hemp.

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