Musk’s DOGE Team Leaves Weed And Destruction In Gov. Office, Ohio’s Cannabis Win, California’s Loss

Hey, Benzinga Cannabis Community, Maureen Meehan here with your daily roundup of everything going on in the world of cannabis. We've got a bit of drama from Elon Musk's DOGE team, California’s shrinking cannabis market, some exciting updates from Ohio and Florida and a potential game-changer in the fight against fungal diseases. Buckle up — here’s what you need to know today!

🐍 Elon Musk’s DOGE Team Leaves Chaos At Government Office

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is making headlines, and not for any good reasons. The team allegedly trashed the offices of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C., leaving behind some serious damage — and, yes, cannabis. A photo shared by The Economist’s Daniel Knowles showed what appeared to be cannabis left in the trash. But it gets worse.

USIP’s acting CEO, George Moose, confirmed the office was left "damaged and neglected" with vermin taking over the building. The problems at the USIP reportedly started after Musk’s DOGE team took control in March, following a dramatic standoff with staffers. "Rats and roaches in the building… Vermin were not a problem prior to March 17," Moose said in a sworn statement. 🚨 The situation is quickly spiraling, and it’s clear that Musk’s team didn’t exactly leave on the best note.

🌿 Ohio Doubles Cannabis Flower Purchase Limit

Big news for Ohio cannabis consumers: As of Wednesday, the state is doubling the amount of cannabis flower you can purchase in a single day. The new limit is 2.5 ounces, up from the previous 1-ounce cap. Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control made the announcement last month, citing the growing cannabis market and its ability to support both medical and recreational consumers.

This change applies exclusively to dried flower, so things like vapes and edibles are not included. While medical patients still have the same limits, this update is a huge win for recreational users looking to stock up. Since adult-use cannabis sales launched in August 2024, Ohio has seen over $539 million in cannabis sales. Things are certainly looking up for Buckeye State cannabis.

💳 Feds Drop Confusing Reminders on Welfare and Cannabis Purchases

🤔 The USDA issued some mixed messages this week regarding the use of federal welfare benefits (SNAP) to buy cannabis products. While the agency has clarified that you can’t use SNAP benefits for cannabis (or any products containing it), the language around hemp-derived CBD products got a bit murky. Initially, the USDA banned CBD, but later replaced it with broader language focusing on cannabis and marijuana.

The confusion is creating some tension as it’s still unclear how these new rules will impact the ongoing evolution of cannabis laws. It’s an ongoing saga, and you can bet we’ll be keeping an eye on any new updates.

📉 California's Cannabis Market Sees Historic Decline in Sales

California’s cannabis market is shrinking faster than ever. The state’s legal cannabis stores posted $1.088 billion in sales for the first quarter of 2025 — the lowest in five years and an 11% drop from the same period last year. Experts attribute the decline to high regulatory fees, taxes, and illegal market competition. It’s a tough time for the Golden State’s legal cannabis operators. 🌽

🌍 Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Combat Illegal Cannabis Grows

The Oregon State Senate has unanimously passed a new bill aimed at cracking down on illegal cannabis grows. Senate Bill 347 A is a direct response to the rampant illegal cannabis farming in southern Oregon. Advocates say the legislation will help reduce crime and hold landowners accountable.

Senator David Brock Smith stressed that these illegal grows often involve serious crimes like water theft and human trafficking. The bill will now prevent landowners who are caught hosting these illegal grows from receiving farm-use special assessments. 🌿 This bill is a crucial step in tackling the unregulated market and protecting Oregon’s communities.

💵 Cannabis Payments: Banks Getting Into the Game

Despite cannabis being federally illegal in the U.S., the market continues to grow at an impressive pace. One financial institution making its mark in the cannabis space is First Citizens Bank. Following its acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank’s assets, First Citizens jumped into the cannabis payments game, offering transaction services to growers and retail sellers.

Jason Mills, executive director of merchant services at Citizens, explained how the 2018 Farm Bill (which legalized hemp) helped open the door to this new market. The bank sees massive potential in the industry, though they’re keeping things above board. Vigilance is key when dealing with cannabis businesses, Mills noted. 🏦

🌴 Florida Inches Closer to Legalizing Adult-Use Cannabis

In Florida, Smart & Safe Florida’s campaign to legalize recreational cannabis for adults in 2026 just took a big step forward. The political committee gathered enough signatures to trigger a judicial review of its proposed ballot language.

This follows a narrow loss in 2024 when a similar proposal failed to meet the 60% threshold for passage. But now, with over 377,000 signatures collected, Florida voters could see this issue on the 2026 ballot. The move is also taking place amidst a new law passed by the state that makes it more challenging for citizen-led amendments to make it on the ballot. 📝

🔬 Cannabis Compound May Fight Deadly Fungal Diseases

Here’s something to think about: Cannabis could help fight deadly fungal diseases. Scientists have found that cannabis compounds like CBD and cannabidivarin can help kill the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, responsible for cryptococcal meningitis, a life-threatening disease. The larvae of moths, used in studies, had higher survival rates when treated with CBD compared to traditional medicines.

This groundbreaking discovery could be a huge step forward in both medical cannabis research and fungal disease treatment. 🤯

🇺🇦 Ukraine Approves First Cannabis Import License

Ukraine is making moves in the cannabis space, albeit slowly. The country has issued its first-ever permit to import medical cannabis products, a significant step for a nation that only legalized medical marijuana earlier this year due to the ongoing war with Russia. This historic approval marks the beginning of Ukraine’s medical cannabis market and could potentially lead to more widespread access to treatments for its citizens. 🌱

“On June 2, 2025, the State Medical Service issued the first permit for the right to import medical cannabis substances,” the Ukrainian authorities announced. With President Volodymyr Zelensky’s backing, this move is a sign of progressive change in a country grappling with numerous challenges.

🌿That’s a wrap for today! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s roundup of all things cannabis. See you then!

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