DOGE-cancelled marijuana project head speaks; PA legalization dispute; Cannabis jobs declined amid record sales; Fentanyl-laced marijuana op-ed

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Free to read (but not free to produce)! We’re proud of our newsletter and the reporting we publish at Marijuana Moment, and we’re happy to provide it for free. But it takes a lot of work and resources to make this happen. If you value Marijuana Moment, invest in our success on Patreon so we can expand our coverage and more readers can benefit: https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment / TOP THINGS TO KNOWTerrance Cole, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, refused to detail his position on marijuana rescheduling and the enforcement of federal laws in states that have enacted legalization in response to senator’s written questions.The director of a cannabis potency monitoring program whose federal contract was recently cancelled by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) told Marijuana Moment he hopes the work can limp along until funding potentially resumes.Pennsylvania House and Senate lawmakers who support marijuana legalization are blaming one another for not initiating conversations about coordinating on a plan to enact the reform.The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission launched an online platform to help people find jobs, workplace training and networking opportunities in the state’s legal marijuana industry.A new report from Vangst and Whitney Economics shows that the U.S. marijuana industry saw its biggest-ever decline in jobs last year even as national cannabis sales grew to record high of $30.1 billion.NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano calls out “sensational headlines and dubious police reports” about fentanyl-laced cannabis in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed, while arguing that legalization nonetheless provides consumers with safer, regulated products.Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) is facing contrasting calls to sign or veto a bill to regulate consumable hemp products that’s on her desk./ FEDERALThe Trump administration reportedly plans to direct Drug Enforcement Administration agents to help find and arrest undocumented immigrants./ STATESCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) included several cannabis enforcement provisions in his revised budget proposal.The Delaware House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee approved a bill to restrict consumable hemp products.A former Florida representative said it’s a “shame” the state has not embraced psychedelic therapy and is instead moving to ban psilocybin mushroom spores.Alabama regulators are facing another lawsuit over their medical cannabis business licensing process.Oklahoma regulators said a glitch improperly canceled medical cannabis business licenses.New Jersey officials approved a new $5 million cannabis business grant program.Arizona regulators cited various alleged “deficiencies” at a cannabis testing lab.The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, located within Minnesota, plans to open its cannabis dispensary on Monday.Oregon regulators will consider rules on CBN and artificially derived cannabinoids on Thursday.The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission will meet on Thursday.The Colorado Retail Marijuana Public Health Advisory Committee will meet on Monday.
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/ LOCALThe Austin, Texas Police Department said it will continue to not cite people for marijuana possession even after a state appeals court ruled against the city’s voter-approved decriminalization law./ INTERNATIONALThe Latvian State Police expressed openness to legalizing medical cannabis./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study highlighted “CBD’s significant role in reducing inflammation in human keratinocytes and underscores the need to consider the synergistic interactions of several molecules within C. sativa extracts for maximum efficacy.”A study of mice found that “the combination of [Beta-Caryophyllene] and CBD maintains its analgesic effect with safety profiles in a chronic neuropathic pain state,” suggesting that “this combination can serve as alternative analgesic therapy for chronic pain and support the entourage effect of cannabinoids.”/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISThe Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association launched a map of tribal cannabis programs./ BUSINESSGlass House Brands Inc. reported quarterly net revenue of $44.8 million and a net loss of $10 million.Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $12.3 million and a net loss of $6.2 million.Grown Rogue International Inc. reported quarterly revenue of $5.6 million.The former owner of Herbal Alternatives II, LLC pleaded guilty to tax evasion.Michigan retailers sold $270.2 million worth of legal marijuana products in April.Illinois dispensaries sold $21.8 million worth of medical cannabis in April.

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