Trump’s cannabis policy is ‘unknown,’ researchers say

TRUMP II
Trump’s cannabis policy is a known unknown

Driving the news: President Donald Trump posted in support of limited cannabis reform during the campaign. 

He supported Amendment 3, the ballot measure that would have, if passed, legalized cannabis in his adopted home state of Florida, and said he is in favor of reclassifying cannabis from the most restrictive Schedule I to the less restrictive Schedule III, as well as the SAFER Banking Act, a cannabis banking bill.

But, but, but: Despite Trump’s tepid support for cannabis reform on the campaign trail, cannabis was not among the flurry of executive actions taken in the first week of his presidency, and he has not yet directly addressed the issue. 

Of course, there are bigger priorities for his Administration at the moment, but for the industry, it’s an open question if Trump will use the bully pulpit to advance reform. 

In a big new report on drug rescheduling, the Congressional Research Service says Trump’s stance on the issue “remains to be seen,” and that there’s not much power in his office to do anything unilaterally via Executive Order without Congress.

What they’re saying: “It remains to be seen what approach President Trump’s second Administration will take toward marijuana regulation. During President Trump’s first Administration, DOJ rescinded Obama Administration guidance deprioritizing enforcement against low-level marijuana offenses. Nonetheless, the number of DEA marijuana arrests fell every year during the first Trump Administration,” the report says.

Read it in full. 

Back up: Many in the industry are hopeful for some measure of support from both Trump and Congressional Republicans.

Former President Joe Biden initiated the now-delayed rescheduling process, though the industry was left with little in the way of concrete action over the last four years. Senate Democrats failed to bring the SAFER Banking Act to a vote.

There has been recent reporting that Congress is reinvigorating SAFER Banking Act discussions. But it’s unclear if Senate Majority Leader John Thune will have an appetite for cannabis reform, as his home state, South Dakota, has now rejected legalization twice. 

And Trump’s various executive branch appointees have differing views on cannabis — from Acting DEA Administrator Derek Maltz calling it a gateway drug, to the yet-to-be-confirmed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who is fully supportive of federal reform.

And more: Regardless of the political calculus, the industry will push for reform in DC. We recently connected with the US Cannabis Roundtable, the newly combined lobbying group, to see what’s on tap for 2025. 

You can watch our conversation here. 

-JB

“I’m projecting at least kind of a three to five-year timeline before we can ever anticipate any momentum, change, or regulatory reform that could have dramatically affected the industry, whether that’s THC potency limits, whether that’s excise tax,” Nextleaf Solutions CEO Emma Andrews told StratCann about what the Canadian cannabis industry can expect under a new government. 

Canada’s cannabis industry is preparing for a new government, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party. There will be an election this year, though the date is not yet set. 

Read the full story.

Maryland lawmakers introduce consumption lounge bill 🌿

Maryland lawmakers introduced a bill that would allow consumption lounges in the state — though operators would only be allowed to serve edibles and infused beverages. Smoking and infused food wouldn’t be allowed under the current bill. 

Indiana Republicans reject legalization attempt 🥊

Indiana Republican lawmakers rejected a push by Democrats to remove cannabis from the state’s list of controlled substances, Marijuana Moment reports. 

Watchdog group sues HHS over rescheduling records 👀

Protect the Public’s Trust, a nonprofit group, sued the federal Department of Health and Human Services over the agency’s refusal to turn over records related to the ongoing rescheduling process, Marijuana Moment reports.

Metrc announces partnership with the US Virgin Islands 🤝

Track-and-trace system Metrc announced a partnership with the government of the US Virgin Islands, to support the regulation of its nascent medical cannabis market. 

Hall of Flowers expands 🚀

Hall of Flowers, one of the premier cannabis industry events of the year, is expanding to include BLUEPRINT, which it says will facilitate California cannabis brands to connect with operators who can help them expand to other states. 

Flowhub on cannabis ‘debanking’ 💪

Cannabis tech company Flowhub created a form where cannabis industry participants can submit their stories around the lack of access to the financial system for the upcoming Senate hearings on debanking. Here’s the form.

And more:

The Cannabist launched its Seed & Strain brand in Maryland.

• Cure8, a cannabis security and technology provider, announced the promotion of Munir Haque to President. 

• Christina Dempsey, founder of the Cannabis Policy Lab, is returning to the California Department of Cannabis Control as legislative director, she said on LinkedIn.

Cannabis and the 🧠

Frequent cannabis use can impair the brain’s working memory long after users reduce their consumption or quit, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. The researchers studied over 1,000 current and former cannabis users and had them undertake cognitive tasks while under observation. The results suggest frequent cannabis use may have lasting impacts — however, it’s important to note that these are correlations and the study is not conclusive. Read the full study here.

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