Cannabis News

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

Published

1 month ago

December 12, 2025

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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.”

Although @POTUS’s proposal would ease restrictions on medical cannabis research and ease some of the state’s tax burden on illegal cannabis businesses, classifying marijuana as a Schedule III substance still allows for the unfair and disproportionate incarceration of recreational users and… https://t.co/wx4J2X3q6F

– Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) December 12, 2025

“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.

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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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“Steady coco peat demand expected ahead of key planting seasons”

Published

8 hours ago

January 11, 2026

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India’s supply of coir for export remains stable despite processing hiccups due to heavy rains, says Krishna Patil of Maharashtra-based produce export consultancy Krishna International Trade. “Availability is now stable due to improvements in coconut processing infrastructure in southern India. The flow of raw materials is now better managed than before, supporting both domestic consumption and export commitments.”

According to Patil, this year’s production has increased by 5-8% over last year, backed by better processing efficiency, mechanization and planning, with manufacturers also meeting export requirements. He said, “Supply generally appears balanced, but commodity fluctuations, container shortages and strict quality controls on EC, pH and moisture keep India’s coco peat exporters on the lookout. Strong process controls are essential to convert domestic grade material into export-matched quality.”

Patil’s coco peat export markets include Europe, particularly Spain, the Netherlands and Italy, as well as the Middle East, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. As he explains, “these markets are in regular cycles of planting and regeneration, so demand remains stable rather than sudden. Importers go beyond spot deals to find long-term partners. Domestically, local buyers often encounter quality differences and do not fully meet export specifications, although more users are now looking for export quality and standards.”

Coir peat is now more expensive to source, which Patil attributes to processing rather than demand. “Prices are 10% higher in recent months, mainly due to raw material shortages, higher logistics costs, slower drying due to two years of erratic rains, and not due to increased demand. Even if demand is stable, limited materials available for shipment and longer processing times are putting upward pressure on prices in the short term.”

Looking ahead, Patil sees demand growing steadily in the coming weeks and months as planting ramps up in key markets in Europe and the Middle East. “Prices may remain firm in the short term due to ongoing processing delays and limited ready stock due to the prolonged rain pattern. A gradual stabilization is expected over the next month or two. Once the weather normalizes, production lead times and material availability should improve, leading to a smooth return to balance.”

For more information: © Krishna International Trade
Krishna Patil
Krishna International Trade
Telephone: +91 90 22 810 343
Email: (email protected)
www.patilinternationaltrade.com

Cannabis News

Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Are Divided On How To Regulate Hemp THC Products

Published

8 hours ago

January 11, 2026

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“We would like to work together … to make sure – in my humble opinion – that we protect our constituents, but also I think it’s necessary to protect an industry.”

Isiah Holmes, to the Wisconsin Examiner

Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing for competing visions for the state’s hemp future.

One proposal, (SB 682), was discussed at Thursday’s meeting of the Senate Agriculture and Revenue Committee.

The bill would create a regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabis products that would keep the state’s hemp industry afloat despite a federal ban that takes effect in November. Without state intervention, or the federal government choosing to reverse course, hemp growers and distributors fear Wisconsin’s $700 million industry and about 3,500 jobs will disappear.

Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point), chairman of the Agriculture and Revenue Committee, introduced the bipartisan hemp bill to his committee, which he authored with bipartisan support.

Testin’s legislation would define hemp as any cannabis plant that contains no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC (or the maximum concentration allowed by federal law of up to 1 percent, whichever is greater) and would define “hemp-derived cannabinoids” as compounds extracted from the hemp plant. THC concentrations would be determined using specific high-throughput test methods.

The bill would require Wisconsinites to be at least 21 years old to purchase hemp-derived cannabinoid products, which would require the products to undergo independent laboratory testing to ensure they contain the amount and type of cannabinoids described on the product label. This practice, known as true labeling, is something the hemp industry has called for in recent years.

The products could not be sold based on the invoice including contact information for the manufacturer or brand owner, serving sizes for each container of the product, including allergens, ingredient lists, labeled potency in milligrams, and required warnings. According to the bill, hemp-derived products could not contain more than 10 milligrams of THC in a single serving.

Testin said Thursday that the industrial hemp market was worth about $11 billion in 2025, and would grow to $48 billion by 2032.

In Wisconsin, such products are “generally allowed legally but unregulated,” Testin said.

“There is no state law that restricts sales to minors, regulates the potency or content of (hemp-derived cannabinoid products), or imposes labeling or packaging requirements.” Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee and other states have enacted their own regulations, Testin said. “Regulations are needed (to remove the current uncertainty about the cannabinoid status of hemp-derived products), to provide stability and certainty to companies looking to enter this segment of the economy, and to enforce public safety regulations.”

Testin and Republican Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) have worked on hemp laws for Wisconsin since the federal Farm Bill passed in 2018.

“I actually grew hemp,” Kurtz said, recalling that in 2019 “it was kind of an open market.”

Kurtz and others who called him “bad actors” also rode the hemp wave throughout the hearing, seeing it as a “get-rich-quick scheme.” Kurtz said the hemp industry today is full of people who want to do the right thing, but the “bad actors” have persisted.

said Kurtz SB 682 It’s designed so Wisconsinites “know they’re getting the best product and what they’re getting.”

“If we do nothing, hemp will be illegal at the federal level … but it’s still going to be legal here in the state of Wisconsin. So it’s in our best interest to work together, to get a good compromise, to get some common sense legislation to make sure that — in my humble opinion — we protect our constituents, but also I think it’s necessary to protect an industry.”

While hemp would be illegal at the federal level, a state-level industry could operate similarly to the way some states have recreational or legalized cannabis programs, largely because the federal government has not cracked down on these industries.

Testin added, “Regardless of anyone’s thoughts on cannabis and cannabinoids, it’s here. And obviously, we have a lot of different perspectives on how we should move forward.”

He repeatedly blasted the “stupidity” of what he described as “our gentlemen” in Washington DC, but also criticized other hemp-related bills in Wisconsin. While some Republicans want to ban hemp products outright, others have different ideas about how a legal industry should be regulated.

Bill introduced by Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto). SB 681It would require licenses for manufacturers and distributors of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The products would be sold under a three-tier system and would be regulated like alcohol under the Division of Alcoholic Beverages, a component of the Department of Revenue, which would be renamed the Division of Intoxicating Products.

Although Testin and Wimberger’s bill have garnered bipartisan support, Testin described Wimberger’s bill as a “dead bill” and “more dead than dead.”

Testin argued that SB 681 would over-regulate the hemp industry and lead to a monopolization effect where a small number of entities control who gets hemp permits, creating a competitive market and acting as a “good boys’ club.”

Sen. Sarah Keyeski (D-Lodi) highlighted the division among state Republicans over hemp and cannabis products, noting that Democrats are not the ones who support legalization and regulation.

The committee room was filled with people from across the hemp industry who listened to the conversation. When lawmakers asked how to ensure children don’t get intoxicating cannabis products, distributors and manufacturers pointed to age-verification software even for online sales, which require a photo and image of a driver’s license to accept an order.

Marketing of children’s products using cartoon-like advertising and attractive candy wrappers was discussed.

Some veterans have testified how hemp has helped them relieve pain, kick addictive pain killers, soothe PTSD symptoms, and help them relax their bodies to sleep.

Other testimony focused on the risk of crossing state lines into Michigan or Illinois to obtain cannabis to treat various medical conditions.

Hemp farmers insist they now need to know how a federal ban will affect them as they decide when or if to plant this spring.

Much of the public testimony was in favor of Testin’s bill, although some speakers said it should protect farmers and growers and expand the types of products to include beverages and gummies.

“Yes, we are now in a scenario where there are intoxicating hemp products,” Testin said. “But not just anything like beer, wine or alcohol, we need to put some sensible regulations in place, which is what this bill aims to do.”

“In terms of concerns about smoking or getting fat from these products,” Testin added, “it’s no different than people consuming too much stale fish fry or drinking too much beer on a Friday night. It’s one’s choice and responsibility, but at the same time, making sure we have some regulations in place.”

The hemp industry deserves to “grow and grow,” Testin said, adding that the public deserves protection and knowing that “this stuff isn’t falling into the hands of people it shouldn’t be, like children.”

This story was first published by the Wisconsin Examiner.

Brendan Cleak’s photo.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

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New Global Sales Director announced for Rock River Laboratory

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

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Rock River Laboratory, an international provider of agricultural analytics, data management tools and model development, today announced the hiring of David Williams as Global Sales Director to lead its expanded agronomy sales team. In this new role, Williams will integrate and lead representatives from A&L Canada Laboratories in London, Ontario; Auburn, Ind., Agri-Labs; and Frontier Labs in Clear Lake, Iowa, with the Rock River Laboratory team based in Watertown, Wisconsin.

“David’s diverse and dedicated leadership experience stands before him, and we have complete confidence in his ability to form cohesiveness in the expert teams we are assembling,” shares Zachery Meyer, CEO of Rock River Laboratory. “Customer service remains a top priority for our organization, and David’s work will ensure our commitment to customer success, strengthening the value our team members bring to our customers’ challenges and opportunities.”

Williams attended Southern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, specializing in livestock production, and a Master of Science in ruminant nutrition. His experience includes nearly a decade in sales management and production oversight, most recently with Land O’Lakes – Purina Animal Nutrition. Prior to joining Purina, Williams managed a large beef-calf operation and served as assistant farm manager at the university’s beef and pork center, building on a production farming background that began on his family’s farm in southern Illinois.

A decorated infantry veteran, Williams has completed a combat deployment to Iraq, served in the Commanding General’s Mountain Color Guard out of Fort Riley, and continues as a chaplain in the Illinois Army National Guard.

For more information:
Rock River Laboratory
https://rockriverlab.com/