🦅 White House Flags High‑Potency Marijuana and Youth‑Targeted Marketing in New Drug Strategy

The White House’s new National Drug Control Strategy raises concerns about increasingly high‑potency cannabis products and warns that marijuana is being marketed in ways similar to Big Tobacco, including aggressive advertising and packaging that may appeal to minors, contributing to normalization and reduced perception of risk among young people. The strategy also links high‑THC products to potential health risks such as psychosis, addiction and other adverse outcomes, while highlighting how criminal organizations exploit state legalization systems and pointing to a broader federal effort to tighten oversight, including a forthcoming crackdown on certain hemp‑derived THC products. (Marijuana Moment)

⚕️ Medical Cannabis Businesses Must Register with DEA to Qualify for Schedule III Compliance

Despite the federal move to reschedule state‑licensed medical cannabis to Schedule III, businesses are not automatically compliant with federal law and must register with the Drug Enforcement Administration to legally manufacture, distribute or dispense cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act, according to congressional researchers. The change creates a pathway for compliance but does not override other federal requirements, including Food and Drug Administration rules that generally restrict Schedule III substances to approved prescription drugs, meaning most cannabis products still fall outside full federal legality. As a result, DEA registration is now essential for operators seeking federal recognition and benefits like tax relief, but the industry remains in a complex legal environment where compliance is partial and contingent on additional regulatory hurdles. (Cannabis Business Times)

🌿 Connecticut Lawmakers Reinstate THC Limits on Marijuana Flower After Pushback

Connecticut lawmakers have approved a bill to reinstate a 35% THC cap on cannabis flower, reversing a recent move to eliminate potency limits after significant bipartisan concerns about public health and addiction risks, particularly for youth. The decision came just weeks after an earlier measure removed the cap, with proponents of reinstating limits arguing that higher THC levels could increase addiction and mental health harms, while some lawmakers acknowledged the cap may have limited practical impact but agreed to restore it due to political and public safety concerns.

👉 Read The Full Study Here

📢 Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Unlikely to Immediately Change Cannabis Advertising Rules

Federal rescheduling of medical marijuana to Schedule III is not expected to significantly change cannabis advertising rules in the near term, as major platforms like Google, Meta and TikTok are maintaining existing restrictions and are unlikely to loosen policies until broader legalization, especially for adult‑use cannabis, occurs. While the shift may gradually give companies more flexibility and financial resources, particularly through tax relief, industry experts say businesses should continue following strict, conservative marketing practices, as federal agencies like the FDA will still regulate health claims and the overall legal framework for cannabis advertising remains largely unchanged for now. (MJBiz Daily)

🗓️ Continued Cannabis News & Events

• ‘Medical Marijuana Is Now Legal In South Carolina,’ GOP Senator Declares As Republican Governor Candidate Calls It A ‘Gateway Drug’

• Older adults increasingly use cannabis for pain and sleep relief

• Teens View Cannabis as Less Harmful Than Alcohol, Vapes and Cigarettes

• Cannabis Use Disorder May Increase Risk for Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis