Cannabis News Roundup: Week 2025-14: Cannabis Crisis and Opportunity - The Big Legal Battles You Need to Know

Week of 5 Apr, 2025

Minnesota's market faces controversy ahead of its adult-use launch, Nebraska debates restrictive medical rules, and Oklahoma battles overproduction and illicit trade concerns. Connecticut's traffic stop bill raises civil rights alarms, while Pennsylvania and Maryland push for expanded legalization. Meanwhile, Michigan courts reshape search laws, Florida targets synthetic cannabinoids, and New Hampshire stalls legalization. Plus, on the national level, Trump’s administration backpedals on cannabis reform promises, leaving patients and businesses frustrated.

 

 

 

 

Covered states: CT, FL, MD, MI, MN, NE, NH, OK, PA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINNESOTA

Minnesota’s cannabis industry is bracing for disruption as lawmakers push HF 2426, a bill expanding medical cannabis businesses’ privileges ahead of the recreational market launch. Small business owners fear monopolization while patient advocates argue it will preserve access to vital treatments. This key debate could define the future of Minnesota’s cannabis market. Keywords: Minnesota cannabis market, HF 2426, medical cannabis, recreational cannabis, cannabis licensing, Minnesota marijuana laws, small cannabis businesses.

 

NEBRASKA

 

Nebraska lawmakers are divided over how broad qualifying conditions should be for the state’s new medical cannabis program, approved by voters in 2024.

Some are pushing for a narrowly limited list, while others warn that over-restricting access could defy the ballot measure’s intent and fuel future pushes for full recreational legalization.

Lawmakers are racing to pass LB 677, the bill that would set the program’s rules, before July 1. That’s when the newly created Medical Cannabis Commission officially takes over licensing—and without a framework in place, the launch of patient access and business licensing could be delayed indefinitely.

Debates over qualifying conditions, product types, and methods of consumption continue to slow negotiations. Advocates warn that if the program is too restrictive, it could be setting Nebraska up for a bigger legalization push as early as 2026.

#NebraskaCannabis #MedicalMarijuana #NebraskaPolitics #CannabisNews #MedicalCannabis #CannabisLegalization #LB677 #NebraskaLegislation #CannabisReform #CannabisIndustry

OKLAHOMA

A new report from the Texoma HIDTA task force reveals that Oklahoma is producing over 30 times the marijuana needed for its own population, triggering alarm from lawmakers and prompting calls for tighter regulation. With a vastly oversized number of growers and dispensaries, federal and state authorities are now investigating the potential for illicit trafficking and urging legislative reform. This development signals significant changes for cannabis operators, patients, and the broader Oklahoma marijuana market. 

Keywords: Oklahoma marijuana oversupply, cannabis regulation, medical marijuana, cannabis industry crackdown, Senator Lankford, Texoma HIDTA report, cannabis trafficking, marijuana dispensaries, marijuana growers, federal cannabis enforcement.

 

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut lawmakers are reviewing House Bill 7258, a controversial proposal that would allow police to stop drivers if they both see and smell cannabis use behind the wheel. While police chiefs argue it’s a necessary step to combat drug-impaired driving, civil liberties advocates warn the bill could revive racial profiling and misuse of traffic laws. The proposal also includes a plan to study a legal THC blood limit for drivers. 

Keywords: Connecticut cannabis law, HB 7258, cannabis driving legislation, marijuana traffic stops, THC blood limit, CT marijuana policy, cannabis impaired driving, law enforcement and cannabis, racial profiling and marijuana, drug recognition experts

NEW HAMPSHIRE

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