Part of the cannabis industry supported the new president, betting he was going to move and move quickly on cannabis – the White House finally commented.

The cannabis industry has been a boon for consumers, medical patients, veterans and legal states, but for the thousands of mom and pop businesses is has been a roller coaster.  With a huge demand, it would seem to be easy money, but the federal, tax, and banking restrictions have made it difficult to grow and expand. Part of the industry were all for the new administration assuming they would support positive change, but many in the new cabinet and the House Speaker Mike Johnson are foes.  Now the White House finally comments on marijuana industry…and it doesn’t show a clear path.

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During his campaign, the resident expressed support for rescheduling marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which would move it from Schedule I to Schedule III, easing restrictions on medical use and enabling cannabis businesses to access banking and tax benefits. However, since taking office, no concrete steps have been taken to advance this initiative. A DEA hearing on rescheduling, initially planned for January 2025, was postponed due to procedural appeals and remains unscheduled.

The president has also voiced support for state autonomy in cannabis policy and endorsed state-level legalization initiatives, such as Florida’s failed 2024 ballot measure for recreational marijuana. While this reflects a more favorable stance compared to his first term, his administration has yet to prioritize federal reforms like the SAFE Banking Act, which would facilitate banking services for cannabis businesses. Efforts to include such measures in a government funding bill late last year were unsuccessful.

The delay in federal action has significant implications for the cannabis industry. Rescheduling marijuana could alleviate financial burdens by eliminating restrictions under IRS Code Section 280E and promoting medical research. However, the stalled process leaves businesses navigating regulatory uncertainties and limited financial access.

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Ohioans have some pretty sweet cannabis legalization—if they can keep it.

This March, state herb lovers must activate to defend their hard-fought cannabis freedoms from Republican lawmakers.

Ohioans approved of legalization in November 2023 with a 57% yes vote on Issue 2. However, Republican lawmakers can completely repeal Issue 2, and they’ve started the repeal process this winter.

Email your lawmaker and tell them to “Vote no on Senate Bill 56.” Call, text, and testify if you can.

What’s going on with Ohio legalization repeal in 2025?

Republicans re-criminalizing weed in Senate Bill 56

So far, the state has sold $347 million in legal, taxed grass. Adults age 21 and older can possess and use 2.5 ounces and grow up to 6 plants per person. 

Ohio Republicans have one big bill to unwind legalization—Senate Bill 56.

The bill would:

• Sicken Ohioans by requiring new, untested chemicals diluting their vapes
• Dictate what Ohioans can do in their own backyard
• Make it a crime for a husband to give a joint to his wife
• Make it a crime to vape on a boat—even as a passenger

SB 56 also contains a gift to the alcohol industry— SB 56 caps dispensaries at just 350. Meanwhile, there are 24,000 active liquor permits in Ohio.

Contact your lawmaker and protect your freedoms. Ohio has over 1 million regular cannabis consumers.

When should I speak up on Ohio’s repeal of legalization?

The time is now. 

Stop legalization repeal bill SB 56 

Senate Republicans already voted passed SB 56 in late February. It requires new chemicals in your cannabis extracts to dilute them below a 70% THC cap. It’s a pro-cartel bill that hands over the hash market to illegal dealers who will have untaxed, untested, more potent products.

SB 56 went live for debate in the Ohio House on March 3, and it should head to the House Finance Committee. Email them.

Who is trying to trample on cannabis consumers’ rights in Ohio?

The chief Republican pushing pot re-criminalization is Sen. Stephen A. Huffman—who is up for reelection in November 2026. All nine Senate Democrats voted ‘no’ on Huffman’s SB 56.

Legalization is popular—57% of Buckeye voters passed it. Nearly $347 million in legal weed has been sold since August.

Why are lawmakers subverting the people’s will?

Lawmakers think they know better than the voters who elected them, legalized it with 57% of the vote.

Sen. Huffman has said, “I’m not sure why people voted for [legalization].”

Ohio Republicans opposed legalization in 2023, and pitch partial repeal for “consumer and child safety.”

However, voters approved Issue 2 to increase consumer and child safety. Legal markets tax, test, and regulate cannabis. They check IDs, and use child-safe packaging. Repeal gives a win to street dealers that literally poisoned children.

Why do Ohio’s Republican lawmakers think they know better than their voters?

It’s the same paternalism that drove the drug war in the first place. The party of ‘small government,’ ‘personal responsibility,’ and ‘low regulation’ has taken aim at your backyard, your vape pen, and sharing a joint to your wife.

Over 40 opponents spoke at SB 56’s Senate hearing. Only six spoke in favor of repealing legalization. Republicans advanced repeal anyway.

Can Ohio voters win this year?

Sure.

Voters over in Montana already defeated several bad bills in their state during this legislative cycle. Ditto for South Dakota.

Lawmakers respond to emails, phone calls, text messages, and testimony from constituents. Inboxes flooded with ‘Vote No on SB 56’’ will make them twice.

You can find your Ohio lawmaker on this page.

Keep the message simple: ‘No new taxes and regulations on weed’ and mention you are a constituent. The majority is with you.

Ohio Republicans will keep trying each year to lock people back up for weed. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

Montanans: It’s time to activate to protect your access to legal cannabis from being given away by Montana politicians to drug cartels.

Several new bills require you to raise your voice with your lawmakers, and let them know you oppose repealing the cannabis legalization that a 62% majority of Montana voters approved.

Follow this link to sign up for email notifications and tell state lawmakers ‘don’t tread on my cannabis rights.’ Share it widely.

There are nearly 100,000 cannabis consumers in Montana—it’s high time lawmakers thought twice about infringing on their rights.

What’s going on with Montana legalization repeal in 2025?

Each year, Republican lawmakers try a host of measures to give the legal industry away to illicit market dealers including drug cartels. This year, the new bills include:

Capping THC in any product at 15%

Cannabis flower regularly tests above 20%. Virtually every extract and vape would be banned. The bill—Senate Bill 443—might as well have been written by illegal vape peddlers who sell untested poison to children. Email your lawmaker with the subject headline ‘Oppose SB 443.’ In the body text, state that you are a voter in their district. Calls and texts are even better.

A government watch list of stoners

A different bill—SB255—would charge each recreational smoker $200 and make them register with the state. Very Orwellian. Email your lawmaker with the subject headline ‘Oppose SB 255.’ In the email body, state that you are a voter in their district. Calls and texts are even better.

When should I speak up on Montana’s repeal of legalization?

The time is now. 

‘Political giveaway to cartels’ bill hearing is February 27

The 15% THC potency cap bill that gives the legal industry to the cartels—SB443—has just come out and will go to a committee hearing first. The first committee hearing is one of the best places to nip it in the bud. Email these members of the Business Labor and Economic Affairs committee.

‘Watch list for stoners’ bill gets hearing is also on February 27

The ‘government watch list of stoners’ bill—SB255—also just came out, and heads to a committee hearing on February 27. Flipping just a couple of committee members can kill this bill for this year. Email these members of the Business Labor and Economic Affairs committee.

Who is trying to trample on cannabis consumers’ rights in Montana?

A small cadre of Republican lawmakers opposed the 62% majority of Montanans that approved cannabis legalization. The list includes: the 25 co-sponsors on the drug cartel gift bill SB443. 

The ‘stoner watch list’ bill SB255 comes solely from state senator Greg Hertz. Sen. Hertz took political contributions from police and alcohol groups in 2024.

Why are lawmakers subverting the people’s will?

Because some politicians think they know better than the 62% of Montanans that approved legalization. Even though they are ‘small government’ ‘personal freedom and responsibility’ Republicans—they’ve set aside those values. Some take money from police lobbies. Others take money from supporters of big government ‘nanny state’ paternalism.

Why are Montana Republicans writing bills to benefit illicit drug dealers including drug cartels?

Because they either don’t know or don’t care that restricting lawful access to taxed and regulated cannabis turns the industry over to street dealers that don’t test and don’t card. They believe America is better off with prohibition and the war on marijuana.

Can Montana voters win this year?

Sure. Montana voters, activists, and industry have already defeated one bad bill to limit free speech in the cannabis trade. House Bill 331 tried to gag cannabis operators from talking about marijuana in public. Lawmakers abandoned HB331 on February 6. It could likely return this session, and will surely return in 2027—so supporters must stay vigilant each year for bad bills such as these.

Protecting Montana’s legalization is easier than winning legalization. All voters have to do is get their lawmaker to abstain or skip a key committee vote, and politicians love to do nothing, experts note.

So get involved! We’ve found that cannabis is a gateway to all sorts of civic engagement. Once you know exactly who your representatives are, how to reach them, and see the results—speaking your mind can become habit-forming!

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