U.S. Representative Dina Titus is advocating for cannabis banking reform, improved access to medical marijuana for veterans, and expanded research opportunities as top priorities for the 119th Congress.

These initiatives echo long-standing efforts that have yet to cross the legislative finish line, Titus acknowledged in an interview with MJBizDaily.

Titus, a Nevada Democrat and newly appointed co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, has partnered with Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar in this leadership role. Speaking with MJBizDaily shortly after Congress reconvened, she outlined her hopes for legislative action in a session dominated by new members and the return of Donald Trump to the presidency.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has released a request for information (RFI) soliciting comments from the public, particularly veterinarians, related to the use of cannabis-derived products (CDP) in animals.

The focus of this RFI is on cannabidiol (CBD) products and other products derived from hemp. The FDA is interested in general trends associated with these products, such as information about usage trends (e.g., product selection, indications, etc.), quality standards, benefits of use, potential drug interactions, adverse events and safety problems, and toxicological concerns.

Information received through this RFI “will enhance the FDA’s knowledge of potential safety signals associated with CDPs and improve the FDA’s understanding of veterinarians’ experiences related to the use of CDPs in their animal patients”, states the agency.
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Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman has softened his stance on altering the state’s marijuana legalization law, a significant change from his November promise to undo the law.

This change follows discussions with State Representatives Jamie Callender, a marijuana legalization advocate, and industry representatives.

Ohio voters approved Issue 2 in November 2023, legalizing marijuana for everyone 21 and older. The law allows individuals to grow up to six plants, with a maximum of 12 per household. Since the first licensed recreational marijuana store opened on August 7, the state has generated a combined $397,777,981 in marijuana sales.
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An Idaho House committee voted Wednesday to advance legislation that would establish a mandatory minimum fine of $300 for possessing less than three ounces of marijuana.

The House Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the measure in a 10 to 4 vote after narrowly defeating a motion to hold it in committee.

Combat veterans and advocates with Kind Idaho, a group supporting medical marijuana legalization, spoke in opposition to the bill. Veterans testified that cannabis helps manage their severe health conditions without the risks associated with opioids. Criminal defense lawyers also voiced opposition, arguing mandatory minimums strip judges of discretion and fail to deter crime.
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A public hearing for New Hampshire House Bill 53, which would allow qualifying patients and designated caregivers to cultivate cannabis for therapeutic use, is scheduled for January 22, 2025, at 10:15 a.m.

The hearing will take place in the Legislative Office Building, Room 201, under the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee. The measure was filed by State Representatives Wendy Thomas (D), Heath Howard (D), and Jim Kofalt (R).

If passed, the legislation would amend existing statutes to permit patients and caregivers to grow up to three mature cannabis plants, three immature plants, and 12 seedlings at a secured and enclosed cultivation location. Caregivers could cultivate on behalf of one patient and would not face criminal penalties provided they comply with reporting and security requirements. The bill also includes provisions for reporting cultivation sites to the state and sets limits on plant canopy size.
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Smart & Safe Florida has reignited its effort to legalize recreational marijuana, just one day after Governor Ron DeSantis convened a Special Session addressing petition fraud. The group filed a new ballot initiative aiming to secure a spot on the 2026 ballot.

Similar to the groups 2024 proposal, Amendment 3, the new initiative would legalize marijuana and marijuana products (edibles, concentrates, etc.) for those 21 and older, establishing possession limits while maintaining restrictions such as prohibiting public smoking (language was added to the new initiative to ensure that public consumption is explicitly prohibited), banning child-attractive marketing, and retaining penalties for driving under the influence. The amendment also grants Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers the authority to grow, sell, and distribute marijuana to adults and calls for licensing new non-medical marijuana businesses.

In the November election, Amendment 3 garnered nearly 56% of the vote, falling short of the 60% threshold required for passage (given it was a constitutional amendment). Despite this setback, it was the most expensive ballot initiative in the nation that year, with over 965,000 petition signatures collected to place it on the ballot.

Governor DeSantis has been a vocal opponent of marijuana legalization. During the previous campaign, state agencies under his direction issued warnings about the potential public health risks. His recent push to address petition fraud has drawn criticism from legislative leaders, who signaled they will resist any attempt by the Governor to dictate their agenda.

Smart & Safe Florida’s renewed efforts signal another high-stakes battle over marijuana legalization in the Sunshine State.

Can find the full text of the new initiative by clicking here.

House Bill 75, a measure to legalize recreational cannabis for everyone 21 and older, is set for a public hearing on January 23 at 10 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building, Rooms 202-204.

The hearing will be held by the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, which will hold a hearing on a different legalization bill —House Bill 198— at 1:30pm on the same day.

Filed last month by State Representative Kevin Verville (R), HB 75 would remove all criminal penalties for marijuana possession and cultivation for those 21+.
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The Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), has issued a health and safety advisory regarding potentially contaminated regulated marijuana flower produced by Levels IV Inc and SKL Holdings III LLC.

The advisory highlights batches found to exceed acceptable limits of Total Yeast and Mold as defined by Colorado Marijuana Rule 4-215.

The advisory applies to harvest batches sold between December 28, 2023, and December 11, 2024. Consumers in possession of affected products are urged to destroy them or return them to the store of purchase for proper disposal. Any adverse health effects from consuming these products should be reported to the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) using the MED Reporting Form.
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Congressmember Eleanor Holmes Norton has introduced H.R. 51, a bill to admit Washington, D.C., as the 51st state of the Union.

Norton, who serves as D.C.’s delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives, has long championed statehood for the district, which has a population greater than Vermont and Wyoming. Under current law, Norton can introduce bills and vote in House committees but does not have a vote on the full House floor, highlighting the district’s lack of full representation in Congress. They also don’t have a member of the United States Senate.

The bill has already garnered 162 cosponsors, making it the most widely supported pieces of legislation in the 2025-2027 session of Congress, with nearly 500 bills already filed. This impressive support represents 75% of all House Democrats, who currently hold 215 seats. No Republicans are sponsoring the measure.
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