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Bipartisan Congressional Lawmakers Give Mixed Reactions To Marijuana Rescheduling News From Trump Administration

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Bipartisan congressional lawmakers are making a potentially immediate decision President Donald Trump to move forward with federal marijuana overhaul—Democrats like Rep. Alex Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) call the reform a “no” and others like Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) have pushed back against the proposal.

It was first reported on Thursday that Trump plans to sign an executive order on the reorganization, possibly directing the attorney general to complete the process started by the Biden administration to reclassify cannabis under Title III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Since then, several lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have weighed in on the plan in interviews with Marihuana Moment. While Democrats may disagree with the president on many policy issues, they have generally welcomed news of the restructuring’s development, though they would eventually like to see the federal ban end entirely rather than increase change.

Ocasio-Cortez said it was a “no brainer” to implement the policy change, which would legalize marijuana but remove some barriers to research and allow cannabis businesses to take a federal tax deduction, symbolically recognizing the plant’s medical value.

“I have honestly felt that it has been a race between the two major parties to get reform,” said the congressman. “I mean, it’s inevitable, so of course I’m all for that move.”

Asked about reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told Trump not to reschedule, Ocasio-Cortez said an executive order would bypass lawmakers who oppose it. The speaker “has no pen” in such orders, he said.

“If he wants to try to pass some legislation and push his entire Republican team to do that, I think that’s within his power,” the congressman said.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, told Marihuana Moment that while it’s true that Trump plans to advance rescheduling, that would be a “game changer” and a “huge” accomplishment.

However, he said that it is difficult for any member of parliament to take his word seriously, “because the president has often changed his position on various policy issues in the past. “I hope (he will act on the rescheduling) and it will come true,” he said.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), another co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, told Marijuana Moment that “Trump’s proposal would be a positive step toward cannabis policy reform, but more work remains.”

“While it would ease restrictions on medical cannabis research and alleviate some of the tax burden on state illegal cannabis businesses, classifying marijuana as a Schedule III substance still allows for the unfair and disproportionate incarceration of recreational users and limits access to banking services for cannabis businesses,” he said. “We must continue to address the systemic inequality associated with scheduling cannabis as a dangerous drug.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), for his part, did not weigh in on the merits of the reconsideration proposal, but told Marijuana Moment that he was with the president Thursday afternoon and “didn’t hear that” about plans to end the reform process.

One of the House’s most outspoken anti-marijuana lawmakers, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), insisted that he doesn’t “agree with everything the president does, and I don’t.” He also appears to question the veracity of recent reports about the imminence of a restructuring move, stating that he was told “for sure” it would happen on Thursday, which did not materialize.

There have been mixed reports on the timing of a possible reconsideration action, with some sources still hopeful it will happen on Friday, CNBC to report that the executive order would be issued on Monday of next week and as early as Axios to report that the reform is expected to come early next year.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), told Marihuana Moment that rescheduling is a “terrible idea” and noted that he had never discussed the issue with the House Speaker.

In a statement Friday, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said she was “encouraged to see the first move by the Drug Enforcement Administration under President Biden to reorganize marijuana, and I urge President Trump to continue that effort.”

“Common sense tells us that marijuana should not be in the same category as deadly drugs like heroin, and reclassifying it is a small step forward in creating economic opportunity, supporting research into the medical benefits of marijuana, and increasing public safety,” he said. “However, much more work remains to be done. I will continue to advocate for the complete decriminalization of marijuana and the expungement of the records of Americans convicted of marijuana possession.”

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) reacted to the news by criticizing the Biden administration after it “failed” to complete marijuana rescheduling, and said he hopes the Trump administration doesn’t make the “same mistake.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s former White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, discussed the news development on an episode of his “The Huddle” podcast on Friday and said Trump’s potential reshuffle action, like other policy issues, “comes back to power and money.”

“There are a lot of people who instinctively think it’s a good play with young voters,” he said. “The bottom line, this whole reclassification, really comes down to the financial part of this.”

Spicer added that there is a “bank part” because cannabis companies have long faced a federal ban on accessing banking services, regardless of state laws. However, it inflated the impact of the reorganization on that issue, because placing marijuana in Schedule III of the CSA would not make it federally legal, so some banks would likely continue to avoid serving the marijuana industry even if this modest reform were enacted.

“It’s a big business with a lot of money, and I have to believe that’s what it really comes down to,” he said. “The president is not running for re-election … there are a lot of people who will not be happy about this. I am one of them.”




“You walk through downtown (Washington, DC) or any city, it smells like pot and piss,” he added. “I think, given where we are as a society, the last thing we need to do is make drugs more accessible. I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I’ll tell you, I think where people are missing the story is: Follow the money.”

Trump said this in mid-August he would make the reorganization decision in a week. But despite the growing timeline and rumors, a White House spokesperson told Marihuana Moments on Thursday that “no final decision has been made on rescheduling marijuana.”

The Washington Post reported Thursday afternoon that Trump planned to issue an executive order to federal agencies to move ahead with cannabis rescheduling.

The outlet also said the president met with marijuana industry executives Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this week in the Oval Office. with Secretary of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz. During that meeting, Trump called Johnson, the House Speaker, who spoke out against the cannabis redistricting,

If the administration ultimately enacts the rescheduling, it would mark one of the most significant developments in federal marijuana policy since its prohibition half a century ago, when it was banned under Article III. With a reclassification, marijuana has medical value and a lower abuse potential compared to Schedule I drugs like heroin.


It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.


Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access

Trump endorsed the rescheduling — as well as an initiative to legalize access to industrial banking and adult use in Florida — on the campaign trail. The president had been silent on the issue since taking office for a second term, until a meeting in August where, in response to a reporter’s question, he announced that the administration would decide to reschedule in a few weeks.

The possibility of an immediate rescheduling announcement comes a few weeks later the president signed a major spending bill that would effectively ban most consumer hemp productsdrawing criticism from hemp industry players who say the policy change would wipe out the market.

LCB Contributed reporting from Washington DC

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Speakeasy Dispensary announces opening of newest Kentucky location

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Speakeasy Dispensary will officially open its newest medical cannabis location in Kentucky at 108 E. Main St., Princeton, KY 42445, further expanding access to patients in Caldwell County and surrounding communities.

The dispensary will open at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10 for registered medical cannabis patients.

Located in the heart of downtown Princeton, the space reflects Speakeasy’s vision to blend local character and a comfortable, patient-first experience. The carefully designed environment provides a welcoming entrance before patients enter the main sales floor, where trained team members provide personalized guidance and education tailored to the individual’s needs.

“Each new location is an opportunity to meet patients where they are,” said Casey Flippo, CEO of Gold Leaf Management. “Communities like Princeton are an important part of Kentucky’s medical cannabis program, and expanding access here means more patients can explore safe and regulated options closer to home. As the program continues to take shape, our focus remains on building something reliable, accessible and rooted in long-term care.”

Opening weekend will feature a low-cost patient drive, offering new and existing patients an affordable and streamlined way to obtain or renew their Kentucky cannabis license.

© Speakeasy Dispensary

In partnership with the Kentucky Cannabis Industry Association and LexMed & Wellness, patient tours will be held Friday, April 10th from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Saturday, April 11th from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Appointments will be made with a licensed provider in a mobile unit on site, so patients can complete the entire process, including assessment, notary and state filing, in one visit.

Patients can register for an appointment by clicking here. The appointment fee is $25, and an additional $25 state fee must be paid when submitting documents to the state portal. The $25 state fee is waived for anyone who received a valid medical card in 2025.

As Kentucky’s medical cannabis market continues to develop, product availability and selection will continue to grow along with additional growers and processors entering the space. In addition to flowers and gummies, Speakeasy Princeton plans to have an extensive menu soon after opening, which will include vapes and concentrates, along with a new variety of gummies. Speakeasy continues to focus on providing a consistent education-first experience supported by strong statewide partnerships.

For more information:
Speakeasy Dispensary
speakeasydispensaries.com/

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West Virginia Treasurer Allocates Medical Marijuana Revenue Despite Governor’s Veto

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“The issue is not whether the funds should be used, but how they are used and how we are doing it in a responsible and sustainable way.”

By Henry Culvyhouse, Mountain State Spotlight

This story was originally published by Mountain State Spotlight. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox once a week; sign up for the free newsletter at https://mountainstatespotlight.org/newsletter.

Even with the veto he could have delayed it further $38 million spent on medical marijuana raised over the past four years, state Treasurer Larry Pack (R) now says he will release the funds during his original term.

Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) vetoed a bill that would have required the release of medical marijuana funds to help the homeless and expedite child abuse and neglect cases in the court system. He said the bill tied up money for future expenses.

In his veto letter, Morrisey wrote, “West Virginia needs to do a better job of planning for the future, and cannot fully pre-commit future revenue like this if it has reserves to invest more in roads, water, sewer, site selection, rail and future tax cuts.”

Morrisey said he was willing to negotiate with the Legislature on how to spend the money.

“The issue is not whether the funds should be used, but how they are used and whether we are doing so responsibly and sustainably,” Lars Dalseide, a spokesman for the governor’s office, wrote in an email.

But the money was pre-committed in state code.

Pack’s office said 100 percent of that money will go to various offices and programs mandated by the original law; more than half to the Office of Medical Cannabis, with the remaining funds split between the substance abuse treatment grant program and law enforcement grants. The move negates the governor’s desire to use future reserves to deal with infrastructure and tax cuts.

In October, a Mountain State Spotlight investigation revealed that $34 million was deposited into an account held by the Treasury Department from the state’s medical marijuana program..

Pack’s office said the money it was not spent due to legal concerns about the drug. Currently, marijuana is listed as a Schedule I narcotic under federal law, meaning it has no medical use and is illegal.

Pack is not the first state treasurer to express concern. State Treasurer John Perdue (D) said his office would not keep money in 2018 after the Medical Cannabis Act was passed. Riley Moore (R), who beat Perdue in the 2020 race, never released the money.

In the 2026 Legislative Session, Del. Rep. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, said he read a report on the funds raised and wanted to change it. He successfully led a bill that would have forced the state to spend money on a commission to help thousands of children with abuse and neglect in court and homelessness services.

Had the governor not vetoed the bill, the money would have been earmarked for one year for those things. The commission on substance abuse research, treatment, and abuse and neglect would continue for years to come.

Treasurer’s Office spokeswoman Carrie Smith said that due to the complexity of state and federal laws, the office had been working for months to release the money. He said that the money has been sent to the Department of Security and the Department of Health.

This the article appeared for the first time The focus of the Mountain State and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

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Critical updates for cannabis taxpayers as the 2025 filing deadline approaches

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With the April 2025 tax return filing deadline fast approaching, cannabis companies must once again face the burden of Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 280E”). Despite significant developments over the past year — including a major executive order from President Trump and the IRS, for the first time, disclosing legal reasoning funds to keep state cannabis “within the meaning” of Section 280E — taxpayer scrutiny remains the same.

However, whether substantively or psychologically, these recent developments weigh on how taxpayers should deal with Section 280E. Below, we summarize the key developments that cannabis taxpayers should be aware of as they prepare their 2025 returns.

As discussed in previous publications, Section 280E provides: “(e) no deduction or credit shall be allowed for any amount paid or incurred in the course of any trade or business during the taxable year, if such trade or business (or the activities constituting such trade or business) is trafficking in controlled substances (controlled substance classes I and II prohibited by State or Federal law).

Because cannabis is now listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the IRS has consistently maintained that Section 280E applies to state-licensed cannabis businesses, significantly increasing their effective tax rates.

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