Medical cannabis reduces opioid prescriptions, study shows (Newsletter: December 9, 2025)

December 9, 2025

FL medical marijuana homegrow bill; NH proposal to put cannabis on ballot; Hemp farmers & carbon credits’ MI marijuana tax ruling; NM psilocybin

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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 KNOWA Florida senator introduced a bill to legalize home cultivation of medical cannabis, allowing patients to grow up to six plants for themselves and to purchase marijuana seeds and clones from dispensaries.New Hampshire lawmakers prefiled several marijuana and hemp bills for the 2026 session—including legislation to put legalization on the ballot, protect gun rights of medical cannabis patients and allow dispensaries to convert to for-profit businesses.A new federally funded study published by the American Medical Association found that patient participation in New York’s medical marijuana program “was associated with significantly reduced prescription opioid receipt.”

  • “Medical cannabis is increasingly considered a substitute for prescription opioid medications for chronic pain, driven by the urgent need for opioid alternatives to combat the ongoing epidemic.”

Amy Rubenstein of Dentons argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that hemp growers should consider the largely “untapped opportunity to access carbon credit markets”, which brings tax incentives and can be “appealing to eco-conscious investors and consumers.”A Michigan judge denied cannabis industry groups’ request to impose a preliminary injunction against a newly approved marijuana tax increase while a lawsuit challenging the policy proceeds.The New Mexico Department of Health is aiming to launch the state’s psilocybin therapy program a year earlier than expected—with the senator who sponsored the bill that created it saying “we are experiencing a new renaissance…of psychedelic medicine.”/ FEDERALRep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) said recent U.S. actions against drug traffickers are stopping “cocaine and marijuana”—not fentanyl.Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) tweeted, “I called out the hypocrisy of the Trump admin’s so-called’“war on drugs’ in the Caribbean while pardoning Juan Orlando Hernández, a convicted trafficker tied to 400 tons of cocaine. Trump’s escalation is clearly not about drugs, and we must stop this march toward war.”/ STATESA Minnesota senator said the newly approved federal ban on hemp THC products will boost the illegal market.Hawaii regulators published guidance on hemp packaging and labeling requirements.Colorado regulators published guidance on recordkeeping best practices for marijuana businesses.Minnesota regulators are accepting applications for a grants program that invests in communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition.


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.
/ LOCALLocal officials in several Ohio municipalities discussed efforts to obtain a share of marijuana revenue.

/ INTERNATIONALGermany’s federal drug and addiction commissioner expressed concerns about the country’s marijuana legalization law.The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety published an opinion about CBD use in cosmetic products./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA study of fibromyalgia syndrome patients found that “THC significantly reduced spontaneous pain ratings on the McGill scale compared to both baseline and placebo” and “also significantly enhanced [offset analgesia] relative to baseline and placebo, while no effect was observed on” conditioned pain modulation.A review’s findings “support the potential of MDMA-[assisted therapy] as a viable treatment option for the symptoms of PTSD.”/ BUSINESSTrulieve Cannabis Corp. completed the redemption of all the $368 million principal amount of its outstanding senior secured notes due 2026.cbdMD, Inc. regained compliance with New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

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