A decision by the federal government could put money back in your pocket, and make legal cannabis businesses more competitive. So keep hammering your elected officials on rescheduling marijuana this fall.
Those are the two biggest takeaways from this week’s news that the US Department of Health and Human Services has recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration that cannabis be downgraded from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, under the Controlled Substances Act.
Cannabis attorney Lauren Mendelsohn at Omar Figueroa Law in Sebastopol, CA joints Leafly News Senior Editor David Downs to talk through the news and its implications.
Beyond saving businesses and consumers a bundle on onerous taxes—moving cannabis to Schedule III would likely multiply the amount of cannabis research and cannabinoid drugs in the world.
Listen along to understand what consumers and licensees should do about this news, as well as better understand drug scheduling and the politics of reform.
Best of times? Worst of times? … Why not both at once?
The year 2025 will be good for consumers in terms of pricing, stores, selection, home growing, and hash. Prices will be low, more stores will open with more options, cool seeds will flourish, and hash will be everywhere.
But it’s going to be another bear of a year for growers, sellers, and activists. Both Republicans and Democrats love soaking the pot industry with taxes and regulations. America’s 40 million or so past-month smokers have yet to find their voice and push back.
The wheel of time is set to turn once again. So let’s punch up our annual predictions in the style of asking questions to a Magic 8 Ball. We’ll let you make the pot puns.
Big legislative moves
Will Congress legalize marijuana? My reply is no.
Will the federal government reschedule marijuana? Outlook not so good.
Will Congress further regulate hemp-derived products? Most likely.
Will the States further regulate hemp-derived products? It is decidedly so.
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State legalization in 2025
Will Pennsylvania legalize marijuana? My reply is no.
Will Oklahoma legalize marijuana? My reply is no.
Will Hawaii legalize marijuana? My reply is no.
Will New Hampshire legalize marijuana? Very doubtful.
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Will Florida legalize marijuana? My reply is no.
Will more local, state, and federal expungement efforts continue? Outlook good.
Will more local cities and counties decriminalize cannabis? Yes.
Retail
Will more than 100 new dispensaries open in legal US states? It is certain.
Will more delivery, pickup, and drive-through options open up in legal US states? You may rely on it.
Will more lounges open up in legal US states? It is certain.
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Will the East Coast states gain stores, farms, and clout in the legal market? Signs point to yes.
Will California cannabis cafe culture hit new heights? As I see it, yes.
Strains & Products
New strain for 2025: Ridgeline’s Blueberry Caviar perfumes the room. (David Downs/Leafly)
Will blueberry be a hype flavor of 2024? Most likely.
Will even more of cannabis culture become about hash? As I see it, yes.
Will cannabis prices find their bottom? Don’t count on it.
Will cannabis prices find their bottom? Don’t count on it.
Will value-added cannabis products like live rosin reach new price heights? Signs point to yes.
Will the home grow movement get bigger? Signs point to yes.
More legislation
Will more cities or states debate and pass THC caps? Most likely.
Will cannabis face continued censorship on social platforms? Better not tell you now.
Will the US government legalize cannabis banking? Unclear, ask again later.
Will cannabis taxes and regulations go up? Signs point to yes.
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Will more states try ‘social equity’ laws? Yes.
Will more legal challenges narrow or nullify ‘social equity’ laws? Most likely.
Will consumers form a big association and find their political voice? Concentrate and try again.
Will Canadian cannabis remain stagnant and over-regulated? Better not tell you now.
See how easy that was? If you don’t like our Predictions, leave one of your own in our survey below. Afterward, get out there and prove us wrong. The future is unwritten. Our fates are what we make it, so go make yours a good one. See you in 2025.
John Fabbricatore enforced federal immigration laws in his position as an ICE field office director until two years ago, and now he hopes to help secure America’s borders as a congressman.
The Republican candidate in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District is drawing on his career with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as he runs against U.S. Rep. Jason Crow in the Nov. 5 election. Crow, a Democrat, just finished his third term in Congress as the representative of the district, which includes Aurora, Littleton, Englewood, Greenwood Village and Centennial.
The odds weigh heavily in Crow’s favor. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report doesn’t consider the fight for the 6th District to be competitive. It’s ranked as solidly Democratic, in part because Crow, 45, won all three of his elections by double-digit percentages and redistricting in 2020 resulted in boundaries more favorable to Democrats.
Medals should never come at the cost of athlete well-being. That’s the message the U.S. Center for SafeSport is bringing directly to the Paris Games. For the first time, the Center is sending a delegation to the Olympics and Paralympics to remind athletes we are in their corner.
For all the celebration and excitement of the Games, there is still a long shadow cast by abuse and misconduct. The failures of the past will plague the present without accountability and clear rules for everyone to play by.
The recent Olympic qualification of a Dutch beach volleyball player who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old is a striking example. His embrace by national and international sports bodies rolls back the clock on culture change and sends a dangerous message that victory is worth more than the safety of young athletes and the experiences of survivors.
