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- Feds Put Cannabis On The ‘Controversial’ List—What That Means for the Industry
Feds Put Cannabis On The ‘Controversial’ List—What That Means for the Industry
Plus, how Americans feel about alcohol vs. marijuana
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Hey there, Benzinga Cannabis family, Maureen Meehan here. It’s been a wild day in the cannabis world, with a fresh dose of politics, business moves and public perception shifts. The biggest buzz? A leaked National Cancer Institute memo reveals that marijuana is still considered a “controversial” topic requiring special approval before publication—putting it in the same category as opioids, vaccines, and abortion.
Meanwhile, Florida lawmakers are figuring out how to regulate hemp without stifling the industry, and California’s ban on hemp THC products just got an extension. On the business side, Pineapple Express and Groovy Co. are making moves, and a new poll shows that most Americans think alcohol is worse for you than cannabis (about time, right?).
Let’s get into it!
Politics & Regulation
Florida’s hemp industry is booming—think multi-billion-dollar big—but lawmakers are realizing they need to tighten the reins without squashing business growth. A House workgroup just wrapped up its final meeting…and the takeaway? Changes are coming. Led by Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Escombia County), the 24-member group heard some intense testimony from industry experts, regulators and entrepreneurs. While no legislative recommendations were made, expect regulatory shifts on the horizon.
If you were hoping to sip on a hemp THC seltzer in California anytime soon, think again. Gov. Gavin Newsom just quietly extended his emergency ban on hemp THC products, keeping them off shelves at least through the spring. Since Congress legalized hemp-derived THC in 2018, these products have flooded the market. But in California, they remain a no-go.
It seems cannabis is still too spicy for some government agencies. A leaked memo from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) shows that marijuana is still being lumped in with other “controversial” topics—like vaccines, abortion and opioids—requiring special approval before publication. The list allegedly reflects priorities set by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump. Looks like we still have a long way to go when it comes to normalizing cannabis in federal discussions.
Business & Market Moves
Big moves in cannabis tech! Würk, the go-to for cannabis industry HR, payroll and compliance, just inked a deal with C15, a tech firm with a shared investor: Poseidon Investment Management. This partnership aims to streamline employee management while ensuring cannabis businesses stay on the right side of 280E tax law.
Cannabis meets tech as Pineapple Express Cannabis Co. (OTC PINK: PNXP) moves to acquire Groovy Company Inc. (OTC: SANP) through a stock trade deal. Under the agreement, Pineapple gets 350 million shares of Groovy, while Groovy picks up 5 million shares of Pineapple. A groovy deal, indeed.
Public Perception & Culture
Surprise, surprise—Americans are finally seeing cannabis for what it is: the safer choice. A YouGov poll found that 58% of respondents believe alcohol is more harmful than marijuana. Interestingly, 64% of Democrats, 59% of Independents and even 52% of Republicans agreed. Despite these views, alcohol remains the more widely preferred vice. Old habits die hard, huh?
That’s all for today, folks! Keep an eye on these stories as they develop and I’ll be back tomorrow with more cannabis industry news. Stay lifted, stay informed and as always—thanks for reading our Cannabis Daily Newsletter!
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