🏦 House Committee Would Require Federal Review of State Marijuana Laws and Anti‑Diversion Practices

A directive approved by the House Appropriations Committee would require federal agencies to study the adequacy of state marijuana regulatory systems and identify best practices as legalization expands across the U.S., recognizing that more than 20 states now permit adult‑use cannabis and over 35 allow medical use. The measure instructs the Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, working with other federal agencies, to evaluate how states oversee and enforce cannabis markets and to recommend improvements in data sharing and coordination between state and federal authorities, with a briefing due to Congress within one year of enactment. The report language also adds a new requirement for agencies to assess strategies for preventing diversion of legally produced marijuana into states that still prohibit cannabis, signaling growing congressional interest in understanding how state‑legal markets interact with federal enforcement priorities without altering marijuana’s federal legal status (Marijuana Moment)

🧬 Researchers Call for Better Communication and Standards in Cannabis Science

An article from The Daily Evergreen highlights efforts by Washington State University professor Rebecca Cooney to improve how cannabis research is conducted and communicated as public acceptance of marijuana continues to grow. Cooney, a co‑investigator with the Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR), works to help scientists navigate strict regulations, access research‑grade materials and translate complex findings into clear, public‑facing information. She emphasizes that cannabis research is often misunderstood, warning against the assumption that the plant is inherently safe simply because it is natural, and noting that scientists are still studying dosage, potency, long‑term health effects, methods of consumption and interactions with prescription drugs. Cooney says her goal is not to promote cannabis use, but to treat science communication as a public health responsibility that ensures policy debates and consumer decisions are informed by accurate, well‑explained research rather than hype or stigma. (Evergreen)

🗳️ Top House Democrat Says Congress Has the Votes to Pass Federal Marijuana Reform

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D‑NY) said that Congress has enough bipartisan support to pass comprehensive federal marijuana reform, arguing that cannabis should not remain classified as a Schedule I substance and that the votes exist if House Republican leadership allows a floor vote. Speaking on the 4/20 cannabis holiday, Jeffries said marijuana reform has growing backing across the entire Democratic caucus and among younger Republicans, even as the Biden‑era administrative process to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III continues. Jeffries emphasized his history of supporting bipartisan cannabis legislation, including legalization and sentencing reform efforts, and suggested that while progress could still be made in the current Congress, Democrats expect to be in a stronger position to advance federal marijuana reform if they regain the House majority after the upcoming elections.

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⚡️ US Reclassifies Cannabis as Less Dangerous in Major Federal Policy Shift

The U.S. Department of Justice has reclassified cannabis regulated under state medical marijuana programs from Schedule I to Schedule III, marking a major shift in federal drug policy by acknowledging its accepted medical use and lower risk compared with substances like heroin. Under the change, FDA‑approved marijuana products and those sold by state‑licensed medical operators will face fewer federal restrictions, making it easier to conduct research and allowing businesses to deduct standard expenses on their federal taxes. The move, directed by President Donald Trump and signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, does not legalize marijuana nationwide, but it represents the most significant federal easing of cannabis rules in decades and raises hopes among advocates for broader reform. Federal authorities have also scheduled hearings to consider whether marijuana more broadly, including recreational cannabis, should be reclassified, signaling that further changes to U.S. cannabis policy may still be ahead. (BBC)

🗓️ Continued Cannabis News & Events

• Trump Pleads to ‘Please’ Get Cannabis Rescheduling Done 4 Months After Order

• Council denies cannabis business license again after heated exchange

• Berkeley launched a program to curb teen cannabis use. Its contractors fell short — but still got paid

• Trump ready to move on cannabis rescheduling