VA lawmakers: Reject gov’s marijuana amendments; GOP bill links cannabis & health costs; USDA hemp report; Study: Youth use down after legalization

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Hold on, just one second before you read today’s news. Have you thought about giving some financial support to Marijuana Moment? If so, today would be a great day to contribute. We’re planning our reporting for the coming months and it would really help to know what kind of support we can count on.Check us out on Patreon and sign up to give $25/month today:https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment/ TOP THINGS TO KNOWHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said “the votes do exist to act legislatively” on federal marijuana reform and “we’re going to find a way to do so, hopefully in this Congress, and we certainly will be in a position to do something about it in the next Congress” if Democrats retake the majority.

• “This does seem to exist as a bipartisan issue, particularly amongst younger generations of Republicans and the entirety of the House Democratic Caucus.”

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) filed a bill to require the federal government to track the cost of hospitalization due to marijuana use—with the sponsor claiming cannabis causes “increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, psychotic disorders and further addictions.”The sponsors of Virginia legislation to legalize recreational cannabis sales told Marijuana Moment they want colleagues to reject Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) proposed amendments on Wednesday—even if it means risking her vetoing the original measure.The U.S. Department of Agriculture published an annual report showing that American farmers grew $739 million worth of hemp crops in 2025—a 64 percent increase from the prior year, a rise that comes amid the pending federal recriminalization of hemp THC products in November that advocates say will devastate the industry.A new Minnesota Department of Health study shows that “there continues to be a steady decline in youth cannabis use” following the legalization of marijuana for adults—despite fears of opponents who claimed it would lead to skyrocketing teen consumption.The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission discussed a federal court ruling temporarily blocking the state’s marijuana business licensing process over a legal challenge to residency requirements./ FEDERALThe White House published a compilation of supportive reactions to President Donald Trump’s psychedelics executive order.The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health announced research teams for its Evidence-Based Validation & Innovation for Rapid Therapeutics in Behavioral Health initiative, including several focused on psychedelic therapy.Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) tweeted that President Donald Trump’s psychedelics executive order is “a major step forward in confronting the mental health crisis devastating our nation.”Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a press release about a new hemp bill she is cosponsoring and tweeted, “I’ve heard loud and clear from brewers, farmers, & small businesses in Minnesota — a federal ban on hemp products would be devastating. Today, Senator Paul & I are announcing a new bipartisan bill that protects Minnesota’s small businesses & farmers producing safe hemp products.”Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tweeted, “Washington is trying to ban hemp, a winning cash crop for Kentucky farmers. I’m working with Sen. Klobuchar on a bill that lets states set their own hemp rules. Call your senator and tell them to support it: (202) 224-3121.”The House bill to designate psychedelic therapy centers of excellence got one new cosponsor for a total of 27./ STATESKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) tweeted, “We made a promise to deliver safe medical cannabis to Kentuckians, and that’s a promise we’ve kept. We cut the ribbon on two new cultivators, including Best State LLC in Stanford. We’ve made a lot of progress in just a year. Congrats, everyone!”Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, currently the state auditor, discussed his support for legalizing marijuana.Florida’s lieutenant governor, who is running for governor, criticized rival Rep. Byron Donalds’s (R-FL) conviction for selling marijuana. Texas’s attorney general is suing online kratom retailers for allegedly deceptive and illegal marketing of synthetic kratom products that exceed the limit for 7-OH.Delaware’s top marijuana regulator spoke about denying marijuana social equity business conditional licenses over “predatory” consulting contracts.New York’s top marijuana regulator authored an op-ed about the state’s first five years of cannabis legalization.Illinois officials announced recipients of $31.8 million in loans through the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program.Vermont regulators published guidance on cannabis business ownership changes and inhalable additives.Michigan regulators published a monthly report on disciplinary actions taken against marijuana businesses.California regulators are extending the public comment period on proposed changes to cannabis pesticide testing rules.
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/ LOCALA Columbus, Georgia mayoral candidate is pledging to decriminalize marijuana if elected.Oakland, California officials launched an initiative to promote city-verified cannabis equity businesses./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study highlighted the “potential of [cannabis-based medicinal products] as an alternative to opioid treatment.”A review suggested that “psilocybin-assisted therapy results in substantial decreases in depressive symptoms across studies to date.”/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISPeople For The American Way’s president authored an op-ed arguing that Democrats need to take the lead on marijuana reform again.The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes passed a resolution supporting the development of ibogaine as a treatment for addiction and trauma-related disorders./ BUSINESSSHF Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Safe Harbor launched a pooled employer 401(k) plan for cannabis businesses and companies that serve them.Colorado retailers sold $105 million worth of legal marijuana products in January./ CULTUREJoe Rogan discussed his experience working with President Donald Trump on psychedelics reform.Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel joked about 4/20.

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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.