Cannabis News

Congresswoman Demands Answers From Trump DOJ Over Marijuana Prosecution Policy Change

Published

5 months ago

November 21, 2025

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Democratic congressmen are demanding the Justice Department respond to the Trump administration’s action by a U.S. attorney, his office said recently, to explain the apparent “backwardness” of federal marijuana enforcement guidelines recently revealed by a U.S. attorney. It will “harshly” prosecute people for possessing or using cannabis on federal lands.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), chairwoman of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday saying the review’s revelations about federal cannabis policy “raise serious concerns about the transparency and rationale behind the Department’s enforcement priorities, which will inevitably have a serious social and economic impact on communities across the country.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming said earlier this month that the DOJ sent a memo to federal prosecutors in September announcing it was rescinding a previously unpublished Biden-era policy that discouraged people from trespassing on federal land.

“We need common sense cannabis policy reform,” Titus told Marijuana Moment after sending the letter to Bondi on Friday. “It is ridiculous for the Trump Administration to enforce an antiquated law and target the simple possession of marijuana, claiming it is a public safety risk. As chair of the Cannabis Caucus, I am taking the lead in challenging this decision that would continue a cycle of unfair incarceration and unequal enforcement.”

Neither the memo nor the prior guidance has been made publicly available, and the Trump administration is asking prosecutors to provide a copy of its message — and to answer additional questions about marijuana enforcement priorities — by Dec. 3.

“The simple possession of marijuana does not pose a significant threat to public safety, and it is indefensible to revive prosecution under an outdated law that does not reflect the current use of cannabis in the United States,” he said. “The War on Drugs has been a costly enterprise that has disproportionately affected low-income and historically marginalized communities.”

He added that marijuana remains the leading cause of drug-related arrests “despite the fact that most states have to varying degrees enacted laws that relax prohibitions against the use of marijuana or its components.”

“A return to criminalization at the federal level will not deter use or strengthen public safety; it will simply continue the cycle of incarceration and uneven enforcement,” the congressman wrote. “The consequences of a simple possession of cannabis charge can have life-changing consequences.”

“Your decision to begin prosecuting misdemeanor marijuana requires immediate reconsideration. I urge you to release the Biden-era guidance and appeal memos without delay. The public deserves full transparency about the policies that shape federal enforcement priorities and determine how taxpayer dollars are deployed. People should face criminal penalties for possessing minors.”

In addition to issuing September notices to U.S. attorneys about marijuana charges, Titus is asking the DOJ to specify what types of cannabis crimes it prioritizes, what “data and evidence” it relied on to reverse the Biden-era policy, how many cannabis possession cases the department has prosecuted on federal land in the past 10 years and how many it expects to prosecute for the policy.

“Thank you for your attention to this important issue,” the letter concludes. “I look forward to working with you to ensure federal enforcement policies are transparent and aligned with the values and priorities of the American public.”

While former President Joe Biden issued two mass pardons to people convicted of federal cannabis possession offenses during his tenure – notably including those convicted in the second round of possession on federal land – the administration did not report that a prosecutorial guidance directive had been issued, and there has been no news.

Questions remain about the specifics of marijuana prosecution policies associated with Biden and Trump, but the apparent decision to roll back discretionary policies adds uncertainty to how the current administration views its enforcement role as federal and state cannabis laws continue to conflict.

For example, the release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming came just one day later Trump signed a major spending bill that includes provisions to ban consumable hemp products containing THC—Industry players say the president’s legalization of the crop would wipe out the market that has sprung up since he signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law during his first term.

Then there is the ongoing process of reorganizing marijuana, which the president said would be decided in a few weeks at the end of August.

That hasn’t happened yet, a White House spokesperson told Marijuana Moment “There is a process underway regarding the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Marijuana Reregulation From May 2024 onwards and all policy and legal requirements and implications are being considered”.

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Trump endorsed the review — as well as bank access to the marijuana industry and an initiative to legalize adult use in Florida, which ultimately failed — during his campaign ahead of his second term. But when he was informed of the status of the reorganization process in mid-August, he was less clear about his personal position.

The administration was “only looking at” the reform, and he said at the time that it was “too early” to say how the issue would be decided, adding that it was “a very complicated issue”.

Meanwhile, key White House staff under the Biden administration has recently shed new light on the massive marijuana pardon and cannabis reprogramming process they helped facilitate, revealing the extent to which they were involved in the broader acts of grace that GOP leaders now scrutinize.

Also, as the marijuana reregulation proposal awaits action, some GOP members of Congress have urged Trump to push ahead with reform, with one lawmaker joking that it’s possible, taking a jab at Biden. the previous administration “shouldn’t have been able to find the autopen in time” to complete the cannabis reform process he started

Separately, the president last month posted a video on the Truth Social platform to promote the health benefits of cannabis– suggesting that covering CBD under Medicare would be “the most important senior health initiative of the century.”

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Cannabis News

Cannabis growth facility eyes new spot for growth facility near Crisfield

Published

33 minutes ago

May 1, 2026

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The Somerset County Board of Zoning Appeals approved another special exception for a cannabis-growing facility after negotiations to purchase a previous location failed to reach an agreement.

Trilogy Group LLC was granted a license to grow by the Maryland Cannabis Association, with the condition that the business be operational by July 2026. Trilogy Group wants to operate on the county-owned, undeveloped industrial site on Revell’s Neck Road in Westover. However, this project time frame does not coincide with the license term.

In September 2025, the producer was approved for a special exception for a facility at 4630 Crisfield Highway. The existing building houses Jed’s Auto Refinishing, which would be renovated to accommodate the growing operations. When the sale of that property ultimately failed, Trilogy Group purchased the land at 4381 Crisfield Highway and obtained another special exemption.

Jesse Drewer, Somerset’s Director of Technical and Community Services, said: “They looked for a site they already owned before coming to us and working through the process. “They are landlords and developers all in one.”

Cannabis News

Trump’s New Surgeon General Pick Said Using Marijuana Can Give You ‘Man Boobs’

Published

43 minutes ago

May 1, 2026

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President Donald Trump’s new surgeon general nominee has raised concerns about marijuana, at one point saying its use is linked to the development of large breasts, or “man boobs,” in men. However, he also admitted that medical cannabis has “potential benefits”.

Trump announced Thursday that he would tap Nicole Saphier, who is now the director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering, to be the surgeon general of the United States.

Saphier has repeatedly discussed what he sees as the dangers of marijuana use, and has been more open to the potential benefits of its non-intoxicating ingredient CBD.

“There is a common misconception that marijuana is safer than alcohol and other drugs,” he wrote on Fox News in 2019. “As a doctor I know that marijuana is not harmless and can have serious adverse effects on the health of users.”

“And as a mother of three (one in college), I’m concerned that legalizing the drug for adults sends a clear message to kids that they can get pot without negative health effects,” she said.

Saphier went on to criticize the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates who supported marijuana reform, saying it’s “politically a popular cause, especially among young voters.”

“These candidates are more interested in how legalization of pot will affect their electoral prospects than how legalization will affect public health,” he said. he wrote.

Among the health concerns he has raised is that cannabis use is “directly linked” to “man boobs”.

“Physically, we know that marijuana is directly linked to respiratory problems (if smoked), cardiovascular disease, and gynecomastia (“man nipples”). As a breast radiologist, the first question I ask men when they come in for breast augmentation is whether they currently smoke marijuana or have smoked it in the past. Often, the answer is “yes.”

Trump’s appointment of Saphier comes just as his administration is moving forward with federal rescheduling of marijuana.

Although the surgeon general has no formal involvement in the drug program, which is administered by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, the position is seen as “America’s doctor” and plays a role in addressing health issues on behalf of the government.

In a podcast earlier this year, Saphier admitted that there are “potential benefits” to medical cannabis.

“Of course, there is evidence supporting cannabinoids for chemotherapy-induced nausea, certain seizure disorders, chronic pain syndromes, multiple sclerosis,” he said. “But that’s very different than, you know, the general normalization of high-potency recreational cannabis on a daily basis, especially in developing brains, which doesn’t happen until age 25.”

In the same podcast, he said that he personally “doesn’t like” and has “never tried” cannabis.

“I think CBD products are probably significantly less harmful if they don’t have THC. I’m not a fan of THC,” Saphier. he said. “I think if people are trying to get away from alcohol and want to take low doses of CBD, not inhale it, not smoke it, I’m sure it’s probably less risky than some of the other things out there.”

“Let’s be honest, today’s cannabis is not your parents’ marijuana. The potency of THC has increased dramatically over the last two decades. High-concentrate products, vapes, dabs, edibles, what the kids are doing these days, I don’t even know.”

In another interview focused on concerns about cannabis use by pregnant women, Saphier he said “As we continue to legalize marijuana, people are equating that to, ‘it has to be safe.'”

In a separate interview, he suggested that the legalization of cannabis is increasing its use among young people, which he said increases rates of addiction and psychosis.

“One in six children who try it, becomes addicted. Cannabis use in children, the risk of psychosis is four times higher,” he said. “What have we done? Legalize. Normalize.”

Trump’s predecessor, now retired Candidate Casey Means discussed his “significant experiences” with psychedelics beforehand Saying that marijuana “can greatly decrease your ability to generate good energy.”

Means himself said during a confirmation hearing in February he would not advise Americans to experiment with psychedelics as he has donebut noted that there is “exciting” research indicating that substances such as psilocybin can effectively treat serious mental health conditions.

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.

Cannabis News

Missouri cannabis growers file class action against Good Day Farm

Published

1 day ago

April 30, 2026

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CPC of Missouri-Smithville, LLC and GF Saint Mary LLC, licensed cannabis growers and manufacturers in Missouri, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Jackson County on behalf of independent wholesalers, alleging that Good Day Farm (GDF) and its network of conspiring companies and investors were harmed by an intentional, coordinated and unconstitutional scheme. The complaint alleges that the “GDF Cartel” illegally controls or manages the state’s share of dispensary licenses and uses that market power to manipulate Missouri’s $1.52 billion cannabis market for its own profit.

GDF and its co-conspirators allegedly built the cartel by arranging for third parties to invest in limited liability companies (LLCs) that then acquire additional dispensaries, cultivation and processing facilities, all of which are owned, operated or controlled by GDF. The result: The alleged cartel exercises effective control over at least 61 dispensaries, nearly triple the 22 allowed by the Missouri Constitution, with more than 10% of dispensary licenses “under substantially common control, ownership or management.” With 224 dispensaries currently licensed statewide, the alleged GDF Cartel controls more than one in four dispensary licenses in Missouri. But its influence is even greater, with alleged Cartel dispensaries accounting for more than 40% of wholesale cannabis in the state, giving it significant — and illegal — influence over all independent growers and manufacturers forced to sell through its network.

To avoid the Missouri Constitution’s 10% licensing limit and avoid regulatory oversight, the alleged cartel operates under five different brand names:

Good Day Farm (21 dispensaries),
CODES (20 dispensaries),
Green light (10 dispensaries),
Fresh Karma (6 dispensaries), and
3 Fifteen Primo (4 medications).

But they’re all part of a single, coordinated operation, the complaint says.

Purchase cannabis products from non-Cartel wholesalers at artificially depressed prices;
They supply their 61 dispensaries with the same products—mainly those produced by Cartel growers—significantly excluding products from independent wholesalers;
Force independent drug wholesalers to purchase the Cartel’s finished products as a condition for their wholesale products to be placed on the Cartel’s drug store shelves; and
Boycott non-cartel wholesalers who refuse to agree to anti-cartel demands.

Bob Hoffman, one of the attorneys leading the case, said: “The GDF Cartel is removing competition from the wholesale cannabis market and enriching itself with illegal profits through a counterproductive, clandestine business conspiracy. Missouri growers and manufacturers have been suffering under this scheme for a long time; many of them know something is wrong, but we don’t realize how the cartel has manipulated the market through this manipulation framework. Missourians to approve recreational cannabis in 2022 They voted for a fair and competitive market. Missouri licensed cannabis businesses that have suffered these practices should join us because they may be entitled to substantial damages.”

The complaint alleges the financial toll the Cartel has taken: Since the Cartel began illegal price-fixing, it has used its collective market power to lower wholesale prices by more than 20%, and continues to squeeze wholesalers and threaten the viability of their operations.

The unconstitutional complaint alleges that GDF knew its plan to build cartels could create legal risks for the company under the Constitution’s 10% licensing limit. The complaint quotes from a document provided by GDF to potential investors: “There can be no assurance that the Missouri Department of Cannabis Regulation will not dispute the number of marijuana dispensaries operated or supervised by the operator or its affiliates…”.

This action is brought on behalf of a putative class that includes all licensed independent wholesalers in Missouri that are not members of the alleged GDF Cartel for purposes of injunctive relief. Wholesalers who believe they have been financially harmed by the alleged Cartel’s practices should join the case because they may be entitled to substantial damages. The putative class is represented by the law firms of Feuerstein Kulick LLP and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

Source: Feuerstein Kulick LLP and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP