GOP senators talk cannabis consumers’ gun rights (Newsletter: October 14, 2025)


FL gov: Marijuana legalization is popular; CA gov signs cannabis & psychedelics research bill; Joe Rogan on Kamala Harris’s cannabis comments

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/ TOP THINGS TO KNOW

Several Republican senators spoke to Marijuana Moment about the federal ban on cannabis consumers owning guns as the Supreme Court is considering taking up cases on the issue—with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) saying, “Why would I have a problem with that any more than somebody who drinks alcohol?”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill to expedite research on how marijuana and psychedelics can “treat opioid use disorders, traumatic brain injury, [PTSD] and other mental health conditions” that are experienced by military veterans.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) admitted that “more people agreed” with supporters of a cannabis legalization ballot initiative he campaigned against “than agreed with me.”

  • “You can’t function as a state if you smell marijuana everywhere, if these kids are doing it. And this isn’t the marijuana they had in Woodstock. This is really, really dangerous stuff.”

Joe Rogan pushed back on former Vice President Kamala Harris’s claim that he “lied” about her being afraid to discuss marijuana on his podcast—saying her team actually “did say there’s some things that she didn’t want to talk about.”

The University of Birmingham’s Nicholas Barnes says in a new research overview that psychedelics show promise as a “new type of anti-inflammatory treatment.”

  • “Evidence is growing that psychedelics could hold the key to managing inflammation, one of the body’s central drivers of many chronic diseases, including depression, arthritis and heart conditions.”

/ FEDERAL

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) pressed a nominee for assistant treasury secretary for intelligence and analysis about steps to combat Chinese-backed illegal marijuana cultivation operations.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) filed a bill to protect the rights of student athletes to enter into sponsorship deals that would continue allowing states to restrict them from “entering into endorsement contracts for alcohol, tobacco, vaping, marijuana, gambling, or similar products.”

/ STATES

The Ohio Senate Republican majority published a post cheering Gov. Mike DeWine’s (R) action to temporarily ban intoxicating hemp products.

A Pennsylvania senator is calling on the House of Representatives to pass a marijuana legalization bill he is sponsoring instead of first moving it through the committee he chairs.

An Arkansas representative is pushing regulators to license the maximum number of medical cannabis dispensaries allowed under law.

The Utah legislature’s Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group will meet on Tuesday.

Oklahoma officials are being sued over the state’s medical cannabis tax.

New Jersey regulators are being sued over marijuana business labor peace agreement requirements.

Minnesota regulators published guidance about hemp products.

Alaska regulators are seeking public input on potential changes to marijuana rules.

Missouri regulators posted the latest episode of their cannabis podcast.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.


Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.


/ SCIENCE & HEALTH

A study found that “cannabis may benefit [Parkinson’s disease] and [multiple sclerosis] patients’ emotional variability, cognitive function, fatigue, and physiological weight.

A study suggested that “low-dose psychedelics may have therapeutic potential for anxious pets, and that an owner’s emotional state can influence treatment success.”

/ ADVOCACY, OPINION & ANALYSIS

A poll of Filipino adults found that they believe former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for killings in the nation’s bloody “war on drugs,” 50 percent to 32 percent.

/ BUSINESS

AYR Wellness Inc. announced the next step of its debt restructuring process with senior noteholders.

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