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Pennsylvania Governor Says Trump’s Marijuana Rescheduling Move Is An ‘Important Step’ That Helps The Push To Legalize In The State

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“Almost all of our neighbors have legalized marijuana and it’s benefiting from hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and revenue.”

By John Cole, The Center Square

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) believes the Trump administration took an “important step” Thursday after redefining how the federal government classifies medical marijuana.

US Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order immediately FDA approved marijuana products and Marijuana regulated by state medical licenses III of the Controlled Substances Act.

“Governor Shapiro has made it clear that we need to move forward — nearly all of our residents have legalized marijuana and are benefiting from hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and revenue — and this important step by the federal government only adds support to the Governor’s proposal,” Shapiro spokeswoman Rosie Lapowsky told The Center Square. “The Shapiro Administration stands ready to seize this opportunity to work with the General Assembly to legalize marijuana and make our Commonwealth more competitive and fair.”

Since 1970, along with marijuana, heroin, LSD and ecstasy, it has been classified as a Schedule I drug. This designation defined them as drugs with no approved medical use and a high potential for abuse.

Schedule III drugs are defined as having a moderate or low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.

The Trump administration’s decision on Thursday moves medical marijuana from one of the more restricted drug classifications to an unregulated category and gives cannabis businesses a tax break. However, it is exempt from federal legislation.

In April 2016, then-Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed the legislation making Pennsylvania the 24th state to create a medical marijuana program.

Shapiro announced his support for legalizing recreational marijuana In 2019, he was serving his first term as state attorney general.

Since being elected governor in 2022, he has called on lawmakers to pass an adult-use program, even as the supposed tax revenue is included in all of his budget plans. If approved on July 1, the administration believes the legalization would raise $729 million.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. He has been an advocate for the legalization of marijuana and celebrated the decision taken by the Trump administration.

“John has been a lifelong supporter of legal weed,” a spokesperson for Fetterman told The Center Square. “It’s a good step forward and he supports it.”

NORML, the National Organization for Marijuana Law Reform, has given Shapiro and Fetterman an “A+” grade for their support of marijuana legalization.

However, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., has seen things differently in the past. In December, he signed a joint letter with 21 Senate Republican colleagues opposing the Trump administration’s reclassification of the drug.

“Scheduling marijuana as a Schedule III drug will undermine your strong efforts to make America Great Again and usher in America’s next economic Golden Age,” the senators wrote in their letter to the Trump administration. “The only winners from the renegotiation will be the bad actors, such as Communist China, who will leave Americans footing the bill.”

In a telephone town hall that same month, McCormick described himself as a “strong advocate for the use of medicinal marijuana,” but said at the time that he was “opposed to moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.”

However, McCormick did not respond to The Center Square’s request for comment Thursday about his thoughts on the Trump administration’s latest move.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, also did not respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.

FOX43 reported in August 2025 that Garrity said he did not have a firm policy position on the issue, but cautioned against lawmakers claiming his financial benefits.

“The amount of money they had in the budget, I would say it’s way too much,” Garrity said, according to FOX43. “I don’t have a policy position on that, but I will tell you if they pass the legislation, I’m going to make sure it’s properly bankrolled.”

Organizations in Pennsylvania and beyond have also weighed in on the Trump administration’s latest move.

“Today’s order marks a historic reversal in federal cannabis policy,” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. “It validates the experiences of tens of millions of Americans, as well as tens of thousands of doctors, who have long recognized the legitimate medical utility of cannabis, as well as the legitimacy of longstanding cannabis access programs available in most US states.”

“It wasn’t long ago that federal officials were denying that cannabis had legitimate medical utility, were confiscating doctors’ licenses for discussing medical cannabis with patients, and were shutting down state-licensed marijuana dispensaries,” he added. “Now the government wants to integrate these programs into the existing federal and international framework for regulating substances with recognized medical value.”

The PA Family Institute sees the issue differently. They said they are disappointed with the Trump administration’s decision.

“The PA Family Institute is disappointed with the Trump Administration’s decision to provide significant tax breaks to the marijuana industry and protect this non-addictive industry,” said Dan Bartkowiak, Chief Strategy Officer of the Pennsylvania Family Institute. “Big Marijuana should not be allowed to more easily direct new consumers to harmful marijuana products.”

“In Pennsylvania, the recreational use of marijuana remains illegal, a policy that until now has been maintained by sensible PA Senate leaders. Maintaining this people-first policy helps avoid many of the public health and safety challenges seen in other states,” he added. “Evidence continues to link marijuana use, especially among youth, to increased emergency room visits, mental health concerns, and negative impacts on families and communities.”

A majority of Pennsylvanians think the government should go further, at least according to one poll.

A recent poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research showed 72 percent of Democrats, 67 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of independents Supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania.

However, due to the Trump administration’s recent decision, marijuana that is not sold through a state medical program or approved by the FDA remains Schedule I.

40 states have approved medical marijuana programs, and 24 states and Washington, DC, have legalized adult recreational use.

This story was first published by The Center Square.

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Concert Series Specials launched for state medical cannabis patients

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10 hours ago

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June 8, 2026

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Post Dispensary, Kentucky’s first medical cannabis dispensary, is connecting with patients in Owensboro, Henderson, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Madisonville, Hopkinsville and surrounding areas by aligning unique specials with the region’s summer concert calendar. Located at 300 N Main St. in Beaver Dam, minutes from major highways connecting these vibrant cities.

This summer, The Post Dispensary is offering special pricing and incentives for Concert Series Events at the Beaver Dam Amphitheater, SPARKS in the Park 4th of July celebration and surrounding events, such as Owensboro’s ROMP Festival (June 24-27, 2026). Patients can stop by before or after shows for big savings.

“We’re more than just a booty,” said a dispensary representative. “From Owensboro’s world-class ROMP Festival to Beaver Dam’s Amphitheater events, we’re making it convenient and budget-friendly for patients in Owensboro, Henderson, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Hartford and beyond to combine our love of music with compassionate care and an affordable product.”

The Post Dispensary hosts regular Patient Guidance events on the second Saturday of every month. These units have professionals on hand to assess patients and issue written certificates at low cost, application support and expert consultations in a welcoming environment. The next Patient Drive aligns perfectly with summer travel patterns, making it easy for patients from Owensboro, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Madisonville, Henderson, Madisonville and surrounding towns to plan a trip to Beaver Dam that combines care with community and entertainment.

For more information:
Post-Dispensary
thepostdispensary.com/










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Missouri GOP Lawmakers Hope Trump’s Psychedelics Order Boosts Efforts To Allow Military Veteran Access In The State

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10 hours ago

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June 8, 2026

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“Congratulations to President Trump for stepping up and taking the lead on this. PTSD is a killer among veterans.”

By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent

Missouri state representative Dave Griffith has spent the past five years researching how psychedelic-assisted therapy has helped veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

His last legislative session in the House ended this May, and he pushed legislation for the last time allow clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Missouri. In the final days of the session, the bill stalled in the Missouri Senate after passing the House with overwhelming support.

“I’m not going to be there next year, I’m term-limited,” said Griffith, a Republican who served as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committee. “It’s really about passing the torch to a lot of other veterans who are on the Veterans Commission and see the value in that.”

He was hopeful when he saw an announcement The US Department of Veterans Affairs announced last week a new clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy.or MDMA-assisted therapy. MDMA is a synthetic substance made in a laboratory, according to the department, and is also called “ecstasy” or “molly” in recreational use.

“Congratulations to President Trump for stepping up and taking the lead on this,” said Griffith of Jefferson City. “PTSD is a killer among veterans. If you just listen to the testimony that’s been happening over the last five years in the Missouri House, the life-changing it’s been for them is a compelling reason why something like this works.”

A new trial follows Trump signed an executive order in April, “Expediting Medical Treatment for Serious Mental Illness.” The order aims to increase participation in clinical trials and accelerate innovative research models and drug approvals for psychedelics.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate at least $50 million to support and collaborate with state governments that “have established or are developing programs to advance psychedelic drugs for serious mental illness.”

Without passing the legislation, Missouri will miss this opportunity, said Republican state representative Matthew Overcast of Ava.

Cloud hoped that Trump’s April order would help “grease the wheels” this year by state Rep. Richard West and state Rep. Richard West who sponsored the state to conduct a study on psilocybin and ibogaine therapy.

“The last couple of months there’s been a lot of feds on things that the states are reluctant to move forward with here,” Overcast said. “So it’s exciting.”

According to the VA’s announcement, the department is involved in 19 other active clinical trials focused on psychedelic therapies for mental health conditions that have received more than $23 million in outside funding.

The new trial, called “A Randomized Controlled Trial of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder in US Veterans,” will enroll about 80 veterans and compare outcomes between those receiving MDMA-assisted therapy and those receiving the same psychotherapy with an active placebo. VA is coordinating with the US Food and Drug Administration and plans to share trial data with FDA.

The trial will be conducted at the VA Providence Healthcare System, and will recruit veterans from the Providence, Rhode Island, campus in West Haven, Connecticut, and the VA Connecticut Healthcare System.

Trump’s executive order says there have been more than 6,000 veteran suicides per year for more than 20 years, and the current veteran suicide rate is twice that of the adult non-veteran population.

He says people with major depressive disorder and substance abuse disorder, among other serious mental illnesses, may relapse or fail to respond fully to standard medical and psychiatric therapies.

“Despite significant federal investment in research into potential advances in mental health care and treatment, our medical research system has yet to produce approved therapies that promote lasting improvements in the mental health status of the most complex patients,” the order states. “Innovative methods are needed to find long-term solutions for these Americans beyond existing prescription drugs.”

Missouri veterans John and Kara Grady, who own a hemp shop in Rosebud, strongly agree with the statement, they said. And they’d like to see Missouri’s veterans health system participate in clinical trials already underway.

“President Trump is opening up investigations for the veteran community,” said John Grady, “If you look at the numbers … we’ve lost more in the wars with mental health than we’ve lost.”

The lack of movement on psychedelic-assisted therapy legislation is among the reasons why John Grady is running for state representative over Bruce Sassmann in the state’s Republican primary.

“If you don’t agree with Trump on everything, at least he’s addressing this veteran issue right here,” Grady said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to stop that number, we’ll stop that flow of our precious veterans dying by their own hands because they don’t have treatment.”

This story was first published by the Missouri Independent.

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Germany’s medical cannabis imports post first quarterly decline since early 2024

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June 7, 2026

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German imports of medical cannabis flowers fell to 50.5 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026, down from 60.8 tonnes in the previous quarter, the decline from the first quarter of 2024. According to a new EU and UK market update from Whitney Economics.

The drop lands against a year that went backwards. Germany took in more than 2025 tonnes of the product in 2025, more than double the 72,850 kilograms recorded in 2024, and import volumes have risen every year since 2018, when the figure remained below 4,500 kilograms. The first quarter number continues to match the high pace of 2025, which is why the report treats it as an early sign of stabilization rather than a turnaround.

Prices
The volume has not created a stable price. A gram of cannabis in a German pharmacy is approaching 4 euros, while a gram on the illegal market is around 8 euros, reversing the usual relationship between regulated and unregulated supply. The wholesale price is around 2 euros per gram, roughly half the retail price at the pharmacy. Pharmacy prices breached 3.99 euros in November 2025, and the report puts the overall compression close to 25% in two and a half years.

Germany legalized ownership in 2024 and restricted sales to pharmaceutical and telemedicine providers. Two access roads run parallel. Medical cannabis is mainly prescribed through private prescriptions, and recreational cannabis is available through membership of a cannabis association, with 400 licensed cultivation associations across the country, although the exact count varies by source. It is the medical segment that drives market growth, not the recreational segment.

Growth is based on telemedicine
 Patients fill out an online questionnaire, receive a prescription from an affiliated physician, and in many cases have their order filled through an integrated pharmacy partner, with delivery within days and, in some cities, within hours. Between 600,000 and 700,000 self-employed consumers are supported by the telemedicine industry, compared to 200,000 to 300,000 medical patients supported by pharmacies. Total imports are now sufficient to supply between 900,000 and one million consumers.

© Philiprowe | Dreamstime

Market exposure
Critics argue that commercial interests risk overshadowing the medical nature of the system, and treatment does not always meet the required standard of control. Legislative initiatives that would tighten the framework are already on the table, including mandatory in-person inquiries and a ban on distribution of mail requests. The likely result of both measures is a significant decline in demand for medical cannabis flowers. Many telemedicine companies are preparing for the opportunity by building networks with local doctors and pharmacies.

Where patients and consumers would go if medical access is curtailed is an open question, as the recreational market lacks a real alternative for patients and cannabis clubs continue to face licensing hurdles at the state level.

Part of the difficulty in reading the market is that import figures say less than they seem. More cannabis is entering the country than ever before, but how much is reaching consumers and what the actual demand is is unclear. Without a nationwide data framework, the market functions as a black box, and excess supply and actual demand are difficult to measure with great precision. Supply has tended to expand faster than the market can absorb, with no forecast to confirm mature demand, and prices have adjusted downward as a result.

Germany has had a signal effect across Europe since the start of its reform, although its model has drawn criticism, with the mixing of medical and recreational consumption a recurring complaint. Countries that have traditionally taken a conservative line, France among them, have gone to a more formalized medical field, under stricter conditions and without adopting the medical flower like Germany.

For more information:
Whitney Economics
Beau Whitney
(503) 724-3084
www.whitneyeconomics.com

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