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Happy Monday! Nicolás Rodríguez and Patricio Liddle here, bringing you this week’s essential news to stay up to date with the latest and greatest in cannabis. 

Former President Donald Trump has officially stepped into the cannabis conversation, pushing for federal rescheduling and banking access for marijuana businesses. As he eyes the November ballot, Trump’s got his sights set on Florida’s legalization initiative, vowing to vote “YES” on Amendment 3. On the West Coast, Governor Newsom’s hemp THC ban is sparking outrage, with industry leaders warning it could crush California’s billion-dollar market. Cannabis reform is heating up just in time for the polls.

Trump Takes A Hit At Cannabis Reform

Former President Donald Trump is throwing his hat into the cannabis ring, supporting federal rescheduling and banking access for marijuana businesses. “As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug,” he posted on his social network Truth Social. 

Trump also emphasized his backing for state rights, highlighting Florida’s legalization effort: “I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.” 

His message? End the "needless arrests" and let adults access safe, tested cannabis products. With cannabis reform on his radar, Trump is making it clear that marijuana is now a political hot topic.

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Newsom’s Ban Sparks Industry Panic, Leaves Industry High And Dry

Governor Gavin Newsom’s latest move has the hemp industry fuming. His emergency regulations banning any detectable amount of THC from hemp products, allegedly aimed at shielding kids from unregulated intoxicants, have sent shockwaves through the sector. 

What’s the issue? Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, Delta-8 THC—a mild cousin of Delta-9—was legalized by accident, and now it’s everywhere. Newsom wants it gone, but industry heavyweights warn this could obliterate California’s billion-dollar hemp market. 

The Hemp Roundtable warns Newsom’s plan could wipe out $250 million in tax revenue and crush small businesses, while companies fear the full-spectrum CBD market is next. The real fight? Regulate hemp like alcohol and tobacco—not a blanket prohibition. As the battle heats up, all eyes are on whether California’s Office of Administrative Law will greenlight the ban.

More Cannabis Starring Pre-Election Drama

As the November election looms, cannabis continues to stir the pot with political heavyweights tossing accusations like confetti. Trump's former AG William Barr, moonlighting as a moral crusader with rather threadbare arguments, criticized the Biden-Harris administration for playing politics with pot, resurrecting the dusty 'gateway drug' theory just in time for the polls. Meanwhile, Senator JD Vance spun a dark tale of border policy gone wild under VP Harris’s watch, linking relaxed borders to every sinister plot from drug trafficking to child exploitation.

Stories In The Spotlight:

• When Psychedelics Go Wrong: Inside Berlin's Specialized Clinic For Psychedelic Side Effects

• $1B In 26 Days: This Marijuana Company Is Capitalizing On Ohio's Cannabis Surge

• AYR Wellness' Conditional Approval For Medical Marijuana Operations In Virginia, What It Means For Investors

• U.S. Court Says This Cannabinoid Is Legal, Rejects DEA's Position On Controlled Substances

Our Writers Today

Nicolás holds a B.A. in International Relations, an M.A. in International Affairs, and an M.Phil in Public Policy. He is a doctoral student in Public and Urban Policy at The New School in New York City. After working for the United Nations in 2014, Nico pivoted his research to studying the relationship between the cannabis industry and economic development.

Patricio is a development economist with extensive experience in IT, finance, and banking. He writes about the economic and social opportunities obscured by over fifty years of drug prohibition. Beyond his professional expertise, Patricio is a committed advocate for social change, passionately working to promote harm reduction and reform drug policies.

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