Virginia governor announces cannabis plan to pass this month (Newsletter: June 17, 2026)

June 17, 2026

WA officials: Federal marijuana rescheduling doesn’t apply here; Congressional report calls out FDA on hemp; NC psychedelics

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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 KNOWVirginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and key lawmakers announced the details of a compromise on recreational marijuana sales legalization they plan to enact through budget legislation this month—a deal that came together after the governor vetoed a previous plan to pass the reform.The Congressional Research Service notes in a new report that the Food and Drug Administration has missed a deadline to publish lists of hemp-derived cannabinoids and to issue guidance on the term “container” with respect to hemp product THC serving sizes.The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board published guidance saying that federal marijuana rescheduling in its current form “does not appear to apply” to businesses in the state due to the fact that it doesn’t specifically license medical cannabis producers, processors or retailers.Bipartisan North Carolina lawmakers are calling on colleagues to pass legislation to fund research on the therapeutic value of substances like psilocybin, ibogaine and MDMA in treating military veterans, first responders, frontline healthcare personnel and survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault./ FEDERALHomeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who owns a stake in a kratom company, pushed other Trump administration officials to downplay concerns about the plant.The Drug Enforcement Administration promoted an article about the dangers of using methamphetamine during the hot summer months.The House bill to continue the 280E tax penalty on marijuana businesses after rescheduling got one new cosponsor for a total of 12./ STATESIllinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) tweeted, “Illinois is taking action to protect our children from misleading packaging and labeling. This landmark legislation closes the intoxicating hemp loophole while bolstering equity and oversight and expanding medical access.”Virginia’s Senate president pro tempore, when asked whether she could benefit from marijuana sales legalization legislation, said, “I only have a little CBD shop. I have not applied for a license. Matter of fact, I don’t even run the shop, I have other people who do. So maybe, maybe not.”A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of Ohio hemp THC product restriction rules.Massachusetts regulators published guidance about a moratorium on marijuana cultivator license applications.Vermont regulators published guidance about outdoor security for cannabis businesses.New York regulators cheered an appeals court’s move to vacate a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement action against unlicensed cannabis sales.The California Legislative Analyst’s Office published an annual report on tax exemptions for donations of medical cannabis products.The Nebraska Board of Parole is considering the case of a parolee who has been using cannabis gummies.Washington, D.C. officials shut down additional unlicensed cannabis retailers.

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/ LOCALNew York City’s government-sanctioned safe drug consumption sites announced that staff have intervened in more than 2,000 overdoses with no fatalities since opening in late 2021./ INTERNATIONALA Canadian lawmaker filed a bill to let doctors prescribe psilocybin and psilocin without needing approval from federal officials./ SCIENCE & HEALTHA review concluded that “cannabinoid-based therapies showed lower agitation and neuropsychiatric symptom scores than placebo in” Alzheimer’s disease.A study found that “subjective sleep quality improved in [chronic cluster headache] patients after psilocybin and showed some evidence of an association with measures of brain microstructure and water diffusivity.”/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSISThe Kentucky Democratic Party called out a Republican lawmaker over medical cannabis prosecution comments, tweeting, “Targeting the terminally ill shows an utter lack of humanity.”/ BUSINESSHigh Tide Inc. reported quarterly revenue of C$179.3 million.Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of $7.60 per share./ CULTUREWiz Khalifa’s cannabis brand is launching in the Australian medical cannabis market.

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