Give Trump a cannabis license to entice him on legalization, senator says (Newsletter: Feb

February 2, 2026

NRA on marijuana user gun rights; NH psilocybin vote; MS medical cannabis in hospitals; VA legalization poll; Study: THC drinks as alcohol alternative

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Before you dig into today’s cannabis news, I wanted you to know you can keep this resource free and published daily by subscribing to Marijuana Moment on Patreon. We’re a small independent publication diving deep into the cannabis world and rely on readers like you to keep going. Join us at https://www.patreon.com/marijuanamoment/ TOP THINGS TO KNOWSen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said giving President Donald Trump a marijuana business license would be one way to convince him to support federal legalization.

  • “Money talks. He’s a businessman first.”

The National Rifle Association—along with NORML, Drug Policy Alliance and other groups—filed briefs urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the federal law that blocks marijuana consumers from legally possessing and purchasing guns.The New Hampshire House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee approved a bill to legalize the regulated use of psilocybin for medical purposes, while also rejecting a separate measure on therapeutic access to the psychedelic.The Mississippi House Public Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in hospitals, nursing facilities and hospice centers.A new poll of Virginia registered voters shows that 60 percent support legalizing recreational marijuana sales—with majority backing for the reform from Democrats and independents but only roughly a third of Republicans on board.A new study found that “consumption of cannabis beverages was associated with self-reported reductions in alcoholic drinks per week and frequency of binge alcohol drinking, which could lead to reductions in alcohol-related negative health and other consequences.”

  • “Substitution of alcohol with cannabis may function as a harm reduction strategy, and cannabis beverages may be particularly useful for these purposes.”

The California Supreme Court ruled that police can’t charge people for violating the “open container” law for loose marijuana that isn’t in an “imminently usable condition, and readily accessible to an occupant.”The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill to add criminal penalties for smoking or vaping marijuana in a vehicle in the presence of a child.The Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing on a bill to legalize marijuana home cultivation, taking testimony from military veterans who support the reform and police officials who oppose it./ FEDERALPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a drug addiction-focused Great American Recovery Initiative.Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) filed an amendment to require the federal government to track the cost of hospitalization due to marijuana use.The House bill to delay the enactment of the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products got two new cosponsors for a total of 26./ STATESKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the approval and opening of additional medical cannabis businesses.Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed their opposition to marijuana reform during a debate.The Indiana Senate passed a bill to restrict hemp THC products.The Mississippi House Business and Commerce Committee approved a bill to remove medical cannabis concentrate THC limits.An Illinois representative filed a bill to change various cannabis rules.A New Hampshire senator spoke about his support for legalizing marijuana.A spokesperson for a Maine ballot initiative to roll back marijuana legalization discussed the provisions of the proposal.Massachusetts regulators are accepting public comments on proposed changes to rules on equity exclusivity period for cannabis delivery licenses and on a secret shopper program.Michigan regulators sent a reminder about temporary marijuana event requirements.Minnesota regulators sent a warning about a phishing scheme targeting marijuana businesses.The Nevada Cannabis Advisory Commission will meet on Tuesday.The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board will meet on Wednesday.
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/ INTERNATIONALThe leader of the UK Green Party reacted to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s quip that he is “high on drugs, soft on Putin” by discussing the need to legalize drugs./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study found “no evidence that child maltreatment reports or service use are influenced by [recreational cannabis law] adoption, though we find that physical abuse reports decline.”A review concluded that “CBD may reduce seizure frequency in patients with a range of [developmental and epileptic encephalopathies] and complex [treatment-resistant epilepsies]./ BUSINESSHigh Tide Inc. reported quarterly revenue of C$164 million and a net loss of C$46.7 million.Cresco Labs Inc. entered into an equity distribution agreement under which it can sell up to approximately $100 million worth of subordinate voting shares.Green Check said it reported more than $1.7 billion in average monthly verified deposits in 2025.

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