Welcome back cannabis colleagues, friends and readers. Javier Hasse and Maureen Meehan here to get the week rolling.

First, let’s look at what we might have missed over Super Bowl weekend and then what’s shaking as we start a new week.

In today's issue:

• Not Bad News

• Not Good News For Hemp

• Some Possibly Good News For Florida

• Some More Possibly Good News: Cannabis And Diabetes

• Not Great News: Indoor Cannabis Grows Consume Exorbitant Amounts Of Energy

• An Event: Brittney Griner And Ricky Williams Will Be There

• Here’s what Benzinga reported Monday and over the weekend

Not Bad News

It seems there is a GOP lawmaker from Ohio who is optimistic that Congress will get a cannabis banking bill across the finish line this session. He says the barriers to financial services for the industry represent a “second tier” of prohibition. At a House Financial Services Committee meeting last week, according to Marijuana Moment, Rep. Warren Davidson said, “In nearly every state in the country, some form of marijuana is legal, but you see kind of a second tier of back-door making it illegal by saying, ‘Oh, you’re not going to bank those people, are you?'”

Not Good News For Hemp

The Trump administration, that is Elon Musk’s DOGE, has suspended USDA funding for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, putting $35 million in jeopardy for hemp projects focused on carbon sequestration and sustainable farming. The move has left project leaders uncertain about the future of their initiatives as the USDA has not clarified whether funding will resume, according to Hemp Today.

Some Possibly Good News For Florida

GOP Sen. Joe Gruters has introduced a bill that would allow state residents who qualify as medical marijuana patients to grow two plants at home for personal use, reported the Florida Phoenix on Friday. The only way to grow legal marijuana at the moment is to own a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center, of which there are only 27 operating in Florida.

Some More Possibly Good News: Cannabis And Diabetes

Javier Hasse wrote a piece on Monday about a new study that suggests cannabinoids like THC, CBD and CBN may help regulate blood sugar levels, potentially outperforming some existing diabetes drugs. There are a few caveats, but the more research the better, Hasse points out.

Not Great News: Indoor Cannabis Grows Consume Exorbitant Amounts Of Energy

It turns out that indoor cannabis cultivation in the U.S. consumes more energy than all outdoor agriculture combined, according to a recent study undertaken by Evan Mills of the Energy and Resources Group of UC Berkeley. Mills says indoor cultivation accounts for approximately two-thirds of U.S. marijuana production and is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Read more on what Mills sees as the problem and how to ameliorate the situation.

An Event: Brittney Griner And Ricky Williams Will Be There

The Women Grow Leadership Summit 2025 is happening on Feb. 17-18 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Maryland. Check out Javier’s article with all the details, including the awesome list of speakers and attendees.

Here’s what Benzinga reported Monday and over the weekend

• Inside The First Black And Latina-Owned Vertically Integrated Cannabis Company In The US

• Cannabis Grow Facilities Consume 100 Times More Energy Than The Average Walmart

• Could Cannabis Compounds Outperform Diabetes Drugs? Early Findings Show Potential, But More Research Is Needed

• Brittney Griner And Ricky Williams Headline Women Grow 2025 Leadership Summit, Key Event For Cannabis Industry

• Super Bowl Potluck Party: These NFL Legends Bring The Wrong Kind Of 'Pot' To Dinner [VIDEO]

• Why Is Canada-Based Cannabis Firm Canopy Growth Stock Trading Lower On Friday?

• 'Cocaine Is No Worse Than Whisky, It's Just Illegal Because It's Made In Latin America,' Says Colombian President Petro, Taking Aim At US Drug Policy

• Why This Lawmaker Refuses To Take A Mandatory Drug Test: Drama In The Chilean Congress

• The Hemp Boom No One Saw Coming: Could This Latin American Country Become A Global Leader?

• Elon Musk, Who Smoked Weed On Rogan's Podcast, Calls Federal Drug Testing A 'Great Idea'

• EXCLUSIVE: DoorDash Reveals Why It's Betting On THC, CBD Delivery

BEFORE YOU GO

Were you forwarded this email? Click here to subscribe.

And be sure to check out our other newsletters:

Ring The Bell: Created for market enthusiasts by market enthusiasts, this twice-daily newsletter delivers top stories, fast movers, and hot trade ideas straight to your inbox. Subscribe here.

Future Finance: Where fintech, crypto, and the future of finance collide. Future Finance is a perfect lunch read packed with quick bites for industry enthusiasts. Subscribe here.

Real Estate Weekly: Ready to elevate your real estate game? This weekly newsletter provides actionable insights whether you are investing in REITs, owning property, or delving into the fast-growing world of fractional real estate. Subscribe here.

Advisor: Tailor-made for Financial Advisors, this weekly newsletter has industry-specific insights, analysis, and news. Subscribe here.

Tech Trends: Get the inside scoop on AI, the hottest gadgets, and mind-blowing tech trends. Subscribe here.