New Missouri Rules Target Marijuana Business License Middlemen In Effort To Limit ‘Predatory’ Practices

“These draft rule revisions should mitigate the ongoing efforts of ineligible entities to acquire licenses by taking advantage of eligible individuals.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent Missouri cannabis consultant John Payne appeared on 329 social-equity license applications last year as the designated contact—the person who handles all communications with state regulators. Amanda Kilroe, an attorney […]
The post New Missouri Rules Target Marijuana Business License Middlemen In Effort To Limit ‘Predatory’ Practices appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



IRS Clarifies How Newly Finalized Tax Rules For Certain Insurers Impact Marijuana Businesses

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering clarification for marijuana businesses amid a rule change related to reporting requirements for certain transactions in an effort to curb tax evasion. In a notice published in the Federal Register last week, IRS announced that it has finalized a rule concerning micro-captive insurers, which are small insurance companies […]
The post IRS Clarifies How Newly Finalized Tax Rules For Certain Insurers Impact Marijuana Businesses appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Trump’s New DEA Head Blamed Marijuana For School Shootings And Claimed Rescheduling Push Was Politically Motivated

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a new interim leader—and he’s no fan of marijuana, previously linking cannabis use to school shootings and repeatedly insisting that the Biden administration”hijacked” the rescheduling process from the agency for political purposes. DEA announced on Monday that Derek Maltz, who retired from the agency in 2014 after 28 years […]
The post Trump’s New DEA Head Blamed Marijuana For School Shootings And Claimed Rescheduling Push Was Politically Motivated appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Congressional Researchers Outline ‘Diverging’ Priorities For Federal Hemp Laws Under Trump Administration

As lawmakers prepare to once again take up large-scale agriculture legislation in the new session, congressional researchers are providing an overview of the policy landscape around hemp—emphasizing the divides around various cannabis-related proposals among legislators, stakeholders and advocates. In a report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) that was published this month, analysts discussed the […]
The post Congressional Researchers Outline ‘Diverging’ Priorities For Federal Hemp Laws Under Trump Administration appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Canceled Marijuana Rescheduling Hearings Would Have Shut Out People Impacted By Criminalization (Op-Ed)

“Nobody representing those most harmed by marijuana arrests and over-incarceration was designated to participate.” By Kat Murti, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and Chelsea Higgs Wise, Marijuana Justice Tuesday was supposed to be the start of the much anticipated Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing on potentially rescheduling marijuana under federal law. But now, months after […]
The post Canceled Marijuana Rescheduling Hearings Would Have Shut Out People Impacted By Criminalization (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Trump’s Pick For Attorney General Refuses To Say Where She Stands On Marijuana Rescheduling Or Federal Enforcement Priorities

President Donald Trump’s choice for U.S. attorney general is declining to say how she plans to navigate key marijuana policy issues—including the ongoing rescheduling process and renewing federal enforcement guidance—if she’s ultimately confirmed. Following her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) responded to a series […]
The post Trump’s Pick For Attorney General Refuses To Say Where She Stands On Marijuana Rescheduling Or Federal Enforcement Priorities appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Former DEA official who calls cannabis a “gateway drug” could be Trump’s pick (Newsletter: January 21, 2025)

Feds change marijuana terminology; CBP moves to dismiss cannabis biz lawsuit; Warren presses RFK on marijuana; MO psychedelics Subscribe to receive Marijuana Moment’s newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. It’s the best way to make sure you know which cannabis stories are shaping the day. Your support makes Marijuana Moment possible… Before you dig into […]
The post Former DEA official who calls cannabis a “gateway drug” could be Trump’s pick (Newsletter: January 21, 2025) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Former DEA Official Who Says Marijuana Is A ‘Gateway Drug’ And Confused Agency’s Scheduling Role Claims Trump Allies Want Him As Administrator

A former deputy administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who says he’s being courted to potentially lead the agency under the newly inaugurated Trump administration has previously described marijuana as a “gateway drug.” And though he’s said he feels that cannabis rescheduling could potentially help to more effectively allocate federal drug enforcement resources toward […]
The post Former DEA Official Who Says Marijuana Is A ‘Gateway Drug’ And Confused Agency’s Scheduling Role Claims Trump Allies Want Him As Administrator appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Virginia Crime Commission Says All Marijuana Possession Records Should Be Sealed

With Virginia’s short 2025 legislative session underway, state officials are recommending that lawmakers seal all criminal records pertaining to marijuana offenses for simple possession and revise the state’s record-sealing process around cannabis paraphernalia crimes. The Virginia State Crime Commission voted last week to approve a number of recommendations related to record sealing, including the around […]
The post Virginia Crime Commission Says All Marijuana Possession Records Should Be Sealed appeared first on Marijuana Moment.



Elizabeth Warren Presses RFK Jr. On Marijuana Legalization And How He Would Handle Rescheduling As Trump’s Health Secretary

Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is pressing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the nation’s top health agency—to reiterate his position on marijuana legalization amid the ongoing effort to federally reschedule cannabis. As the Senate proceeds with confirmation hearings for Trump’s Cabinet picks, Warren sent a 34-page letter to Kennedy on Thursday that […]
The post Elizabeth Warren Presses RFK Jr. On Marijuana Legalization And How He Would Handle Rescheduling As Trump’s Health Secretary appeared first on Marijuana Moment.