Poll: TX voters support legalizing marijuana; FL & TX psychedelics bills; OH cannabis hearing; Study: Psilocybin reduces alcohol & tobacco use

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize marijuana sales through a novel system of state-owned dispensaries, sending it to the Senate for consideration.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins testified during a Senate hearing that he is “committed” to exploring the benefits of psychedelic therapy, with one GOP lawmaker asking about a recent conversation he had about it with President Donald Trump and saying the committee is “very interested” in the issue.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced he will sign an agricultural bill including provisions to ban sales of spores or mycelium that can produce mushrooms containing the psychedelic compounds psilocybin or psilocyn.

The Texas House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill to establish a state-backed study on the use of therapy involving psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine to treat conditions like PTSD and depression. It also advanced separate legislation aimed at speeding up access to psychedelic therapy following federal approval of the substances.

The Ohio House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from witnesses who are opposed to a Republican-led bill to revise the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law by creating new criminal penalties, eliminating equity programs and setting additional limits on legal products.

A new poll shows that 84 percent of Texas voters support legalizing marijuana in some form and that they oppose Republican leaders’ move to ban intoxicating hemp products in the state.

A new scientific review concludes that “psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy showed significant reductions in alcohol use and high smoking cessation rates” for people with alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder and that early findings suggest the psychedelic’s “potential in reducing opioid dependence.”

Krystal Bush of Free My Weedman argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that a Pennsylvania bill to legalize cannabis sales through a system of state-owned stores is “looking backwards instead of forwards” and that “selling weed through the same system that sells vodka isn’t going to guarantee Black ownership, community power or justice.”

/ FEDERAL

Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged that marijuana is being laced with fentanyl and appeared to not be familiar with “molly” as a slang term for MDMA.

A lawsuit that several states filed against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other officials challenging the restructuring of federal agencies claims that the move may undermine programs such as a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health evaluation on “exposure to potential hazards during harvesting and processing cannabis at an outdoor organic farm” in Washington State.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) discussed the prospects for marijuana reform this year.

The House bill to create psychedelics-focused innovative therapies centers of excellence got one new cosponsor for a total of eight.

/ STATES

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) touted his mass cannabis pardons in response to a question about whether he will run for president in 2028.

Nebraska’s attorney general and other law enforcement leaders are pressing lawmakers not to pass legislation to implement the voter-approved legalization of medical cannabis.

Alabama lawmakers sent Gov. Kay Ivey (R) a bill to regulate intoxicating hemp products.

North Carolina’s Senate minority whip said medical cannabis legalization could be part of budget legislation.

A Missouri senator filed and withdrew an amendment to direct the state to conduct a study on the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.

The Massachusetts legislature’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held a hearing on various marijuana bills.

A California campaign behind a proposed ballot initiative to overhaul the state’s marijuana laws is looking to the 2028 election. Separately, the State Fair extended the deadline to enter its cannabis awards competition.

Virginia regulators are being sued over the awarding of a medical cannabis business license.

Vermont regulators are moving to change the required warning label for marijuana packaging.

Michigan regulators published a bulletin on maximum THC concentrations for marijuana-infused products.

Minnesota regulators sent a newsletter with updates on various cannabis issues.

New Mexico regulators will hold a hearing on proposed changes to marijuana rules on Friday.

—
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.
—

/ LOCAL

Denver, Colorado regulators sent an update about psychedelics business licensing.

/ INTERNATIONAL

Indonesian government agencies are launching a study on the medical use of cannabis.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study concluded that “potency-based taxes on cannabis products appear to be more effective at reducing demand for high-potency products compared with price-based taxes.”

A study of mice found that “CBD promotes antitumor activity by modulating tumor immune microenvironment in HPV associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

Students for Sensible Drug Policy launched a new app-based overdose prevention initiative.

/ BUSINESS

Trulieve Cannabis Corp. reported quarterly revenue of $297.8 million and a net loss of $33.8 million.

Green Thumb Industries Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $279.5 million.

TerrAscend Corp. closed its acquisition of Ratio Cannabis LLC.

/ CULTURE

Wrestler Rob Van Dam said he paid multiple fines for violating the WWE’s marijuana policy.

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Photo courtesy of Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) last week vetoed legislation that would have improved labeling on medical cannabis products sold in the state and codify permissible locations for the delivery of medical cannabis products.  

In his veto message, Youngkin said that while he approved of the labeling changes, the delivery provisions raised “public safety and regulator concerns” despite the state already allowing the delivery of medical cannabis products. 

“Permitting deliveries to businesses – including locations where substance abuse, gambling, or other high-risk activities may occur – creates unnecessary risks for diversion, theft, and unintended access by minors. Current regulations already provide for safe, tightly controlled home delivery of medical cannabis. This framework ensures access for patients while maintaining strong safeguards to prevent misuse.” — Youngkin in the veto message  

In a statement, JM Pedini, NORML development director and the executive director for Virginia NORML, said Youngkin’s claims that the bill “would have expanded marijuana access are categorically false.”  

“Anyone who can read can see that this bill enumerated multiple prohibitions on delivery locations which do not currently exist under Virginia law,” Pedini said. 

The veto is Youngkin’s third this legislative session related to cannabis policy in the state. In March, the governor vetoed legislation to establish regulations to implement an adult-use cannabis industry in the state and a bill that would have protected the parental rights of adults who lawfully possess or consume cannabis in accordance with state law. 

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Duke Rodriguez, the president and CEO of Ultra Health – New Mexico’s largest cannabis business – is considering a bid for governor, the Albuquerque Journal reports. Rodriguez, 67, told the Journal he has spoken to national and local Republicans about the viability of a campaign but that he is more than “90% confident” he will join the 2026 race. 

“I’m not hiding the fact I’m developing this conversation. It’s a real, honest possibility.” — Rodriguez to the Journal 

Rodriguez founded Ultra Health in 2010; the company currently operates 25 dispensaries in the state. He had previously served as secretary of New Mexico’s Human Services Department under former Gov. Gary Johnson and as a senior executive for Lovelace Health System. He indicated he has considered a run for governor “for more than a few decades, but it was never the right time.” 

Rodriguez said that he doesn’t “think cannabis ownership is going to be a deciding factor” for voters in the race, even for GOP-leaning voters. He indicated to the Journal that he would propose stronger Medicaid verification and eligibility requirements if elected governor, especially for non-citizens, as officials “have to be responsible about who we insure and how much we insure them.” 

The bid may be considered a long shot as the last Republican to win a statewide race in New Mexico was Judith Nakamura in a 2016 Supreme Court Race.  

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