FEDERAL
Trump advisor Roger Stone said someone inside the administration is “holding up” a cannabis rescheduling proposal the president ordered completed, adding it is “vitally important to get this done before the next election.” The Congressional Research Service published a report on the federal law barring illegal drug consumers from buying or possessing firearms. FBI Director Kash Patel spoke at the Annual Rx and Illicit Drug Summit.
STATES
Massachusetts lawmakers sent Gov. Maura Healey (D) a bill to double the legal marijuana possession limit, restructure the Cannabis Control Commission, and revise licensing and ownership rules.
Maryland legislators sent Gov. Wes Moore (D) a bill protecting veterinarians from State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners sanctions for recommending medical cannabis to animals. Moore also noted pardoning 175,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions.
Louisiana’s Senate passed a bill permitting patients with terminal and irreversible conditions to use medical cannabis in hospitals, with limitations.
Connecticut’s Senate approved legislation expanding the state’s psychedelics pilot program beyond veterans, retired first responders, and health care workers to all adults meeting clinical eligibility criteria, in anticipation of federal approval of psilocybin or MDMA.
Hawaii’s House Finance Committee advanced a Senate-passed bill creating a psychedelics task force to study psilocybin and MDMA and recommend access policies. Drug possession defelonization legislation is also advancing in Hawaii.
NORML’s JM Pedini argued in an op-ed that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) should sign a recreational cannabis sales bill without amendments delaying the market launch.
Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves called for marijuana legalization and urged voter registration before the 4/20 primary deadline. Pennsylvania’s House Majority Policy Committee criticized state Senate Republicans for blocking marijuana legalization. A federal judge paused Rhode Island’s marijuana business licensing amid litigation. Nebraska regulators proposed rules restricting hemp-derived edibles. Minnesota regulators awarded grants to farmers entering or expanding cannabis production.
LOCAL
Denver, Colorado regulators issued a reminder on marijuana advertising and event rules ahead of 4/20.
SCIENCE & HEALTH
A mouse study found CBD and sodium propionate administered rectally produced combined therapeutic effects against ulcerative colitis, reducing disease severity, preserving colon morphology, and limiting histopathological damage. A review concluded standard-dose psilocybin may be a promising treatment for major depressive disorder.
BUSINESS
Vireo Growth Inc. completed its acquisition of The Hawthorne Gardening Company LLC from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Edibles.com opened its first hemp retail store in Atlanta, Georgia.