DOGE touts cut to federally funded cannabis research

OG Article

Tom ANgell

05-07-2025

PA House passes legal cannabis bill on initial vote; VA’s marijuana proposal; FBI approves DE cannabis background check plan; CO psychedelics

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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 KNOWThe Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize marijuana sales through a system of state-owned stores on second reading. A separate vote on third reading, expected soon, would formally send the measure to the Senate.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is touting the cancellation of a federal contract for “potency monitoring of confiscated marijuana samples”worth $142,839 that the National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded to the University of Mississippi.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking price quotes from contractors who can help analyze and explain scientific evidence on medical marijuana to clinicians and the public—including potential benefits for conditions like PTSD as well as potential risks around cannabis use disorder.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation partially approved background check language in Delaware’s revised marijuana law, allowing the state’s recreational cannabis market to proceed toward launching—though lawmakers still need to fix one overly broad definition for full approval.

Colorado lawmakers sent Gov. Jared Polis (D) a bill to empower the governor to grant pardons to people who’ve been convicted of psychedelics-related offenses, and to revise rules for legal psychedelic products and healing centers.

Nevada lawmakers are considering a bill to stop automatically disqualifying people from becoming foster parentsdue to past marijuana convictions.

/ FEDERAL

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN)tweeted, “As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, @repdinatitus and I joined cannabis advocates in pushing for equity-focused cannabis laws that ensure folks across the country are given the second chance they deserve.”

The House bill tocreate psychedelics-focused innovative therapies centers of excellencegot one new cosponsor for a total of seven.

/ STATES

MarylandGov. Wes Moore (D) signed legislation to add members to the Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council.

TheMinnesotaHouse of Representatives passed an omnibus cannabis policy bill.

TheCaliforniaAssembly Revenue & Taxation Committee approved a bill to halt a planned cannabis tax increase.

TheMainelegislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee held a hearing on nine bills to change various cannabis rules.

AnIllinoisrepresentative spoke at a press conference about the need to reduce licensing fees and regulations faced by social equity marijuana businesses.

The nominee to beDelaware’stop marijuana regulator will have a confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

Michiganregulators banned a man from participating in the legal marijuana industry after he allegedly sold cannabis to an underage undercover police cadet.

Rhode Islandregulators are conducting a survey of people who are interested in applying for a retail marijuana business license.

New Yorkregulators are accepting proposals to speak at a medical cannabis symposium on November 7.

TheVirginiaCannabis Control Authority Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday.

Georgiaregulators will consider medical cannabis production license contracts on Wednesday.

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Marijuana Moment istracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy billsin state legislatures and Congress this year.Patreon supporterspledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

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/ LOCALMendocino County, California and its sheriff are being sued by the Round Valley Indian Tribes over allegedly illegal raids on cannabis farms./ INTERNATIONAL

TheGermanFederal Court of Justice overturned a lower court’s interpretation of what quantities of cannabis are considered serious enough to warrant searches of suspects’ online data.

/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A review concluded that “CBD offers a promising therapeutic approach forbreast cancer, especially for aggressive subtypes.”

A study found “evidence of a weak positive correlation between distance from cannabis dispensaries andfavorable attitudes toward [medicinal cannabis], with gender and state legal status contributing to attitudes, while dispensary density did not significantly impact attitudes.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

The Heroic Hearts Project and Healing Breakthroughare merging.

Strategies 64published a white paper on cannabis labeling issues.

/ BUSINESS

TerrAscend Corp.is acquiring Union Chill Cannabis Company LLC.

/ CULTURE

Tucker Carlsonsaid the first time you smoke marijuana is “truly fun” but “that doesn’t ever happen again.”