Trump plans to reschedule, WashPost reports — Newsletter 12/12/25

THE BIG IDEA

Hi all,

Talk of rescheduling is at a fever pitch in Washington. Let’s get to it.

Alex

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TRUMP PLANS TO RESCHEDULE: WAPO REPORTS

President Trump supports plans to move cannabis to schedule three, the Washington Post reports, according to six people familiar with the discussions. If the change goes through it would loosen many of the restrictions that complicate the industry.

Trump discussed the issue with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday, according to the story. The president could use an executive order to encourage federal agencies to move forward on rescheduling. He teased the idea in August and has been largely silent on it since.

The Post reports:

“The president was joined on the Wednesday call with Johnson by marijuana industry executives, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief Mehmet Oz, three of the people said.

“Johnson was skeptical of the idea and gave a list of reasons, including several studies and data, to support his position against reclassifying the drug, two of the people said.

“Trump then turned the phone over to the executives gathered around his desk, who rebutted Johnson’s arguments, the people said.”

Prohibitionist activist Kevin Sabet is “sounding the alarm,” Marijuana Moment reports, though the White House said “no final decisions have been made.”.

Read the Washington Post story

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IN WEEDWEEK

• Calif. regulator’s Metrc use “fails to comply” with law, judge rules
• Newsbrief: Stiiizy acquires GoldFlora Shops
• Newsbrief: Michigan judge approves tax hike

QUICK HITS

Federal:

• Senate Democrats filed a bill to federally legalize hemp products, limiting serving size to 5 mg THC for edibles and 10 mg for drinks. Canna Law Blog asks if the Feds will enforce the hemp ban.

Business:

• Boris Jordan, CEO of leading MSO Curaleaf, said the company would exit the hemp THC market ahead of the federal ban.
  MJBiz
• Leading MSO Trulieve announced a $100M private placement.
• Pot shops can’t sue under RICO, the 9th Circuit ruled.
  Law360
• Cheech and Chong are building a cannabis empire through a “reverse licensing” model.
  GreenState
• Safe Harbor Financial launched a payroll cashflow partnership with Canopy HR.
• Financial exec Peter Su argues premium product can be a “lifeline” for operators in a tight market.

State and local:

• Ohio senators passed a bill to rein in the state’s REC program. Among other things it would crack down on public consumption (including of gummies), what paraphernalia can be used and what Gov. Mike DeWine (R) called “juiced up hemp gummies.” Backed largely by Republicans, DeWine says he’ll sign it. Once it becomes law, it could trigger litigation.
  Fox, Marijuana Moment
• Texas Original opened the state’s largest MED facility in the Austin area.
  Fox
• Legalization supporters have pre-filed several bills in New Hampshire.
  Marijuana Moment
• Alabama approved licenses for MED shops, with an eye on opening next year.
  CBS
• Massachusetts cleared the way for cannabis lounges, beginning early next year. And Talking Joints Memo reports on the Regulator’s “new badass red tape removal committee.“
  WWLP
• New York pushed out two top regulators, Office of Cannabis Management director Felicia Reid and deputy counsel James Rodgers. The news came after the OCM dropped charges against operator Omnium Health on the eve of an administrative trial tied to inversion allegations. It’s not clear why the charges were dropped.
  NY Times

Health and science:

• A study found California dispensary employees gave mixed advice on usage by pregnant women.
• A study suggests breeders can use AI to develop new strains.
  Marijuana Moment

International:

• U.S. basketball player Jarred Shaw avoided the death penalty for a pack of gummies sent to him in Indonesia, but was sentenced to 26 months.
  High Times

Fun and interesting:

• GreenState put out a 25 item holiday gift guide.
• A team at Taco Bell has been working for nearly a decade “to invent a taco shell made entirely of cheese.”
  WSJ
• There’s a new Cookies-branded bong that users construct from lego-like bricks.
  @berner415

CALIFORNIA HITS

Business:

• Coastal Sun exec Darren Story responded to a recent aspergillus recall.

Local:

• The SF Board of Supervisors voted to suspend the local pot tax for 10 years. After multiple previous delays, It would have kicked in January 1.
• Sonoma County supes voted to overhaul cannabis regulation.
• A former Compton city councilmember pleaded guilty to federal charges of bribing a Baldwin Park councilman over permits.
  LA Times
• Sutter County may ban industrial hemp farming.
  SacBee
• Humboldt supes proposed a four-year payment plan for overdue Measure S debts. And a new lawsuit alleges lack of payment by a local distributor.
  Redheaded Blackbelt
• An East Bay man and woman were charged with ordering deliveries and then robbing drivers at gunpoint.
  East Bay Times