Filed under: Weekly Burn
Texas dropped the ban but raised the bar. New York equity tripped in court. Nebraska strangled its program before it began. Ohio’s cities pretend legalization never happened. Thailand’s decrim architect is now the prime minister, but no one knows what comes next. Let’s grade the week in weed.
STATEHOUSE HEADLINER
Texas sets 21-plus rule for hemp THC and punts the ban
The Texas House killed the full hemp ban last week. Days later, Governor Abbott issued an executive order restricting sales of hemp-derived THC products to anyone under 21. The order also directs agencies to enforce labeling, testing, and school proximity rules. Age gate in. Ban out. Confusion is still everywhere.
Grade: C minus
GOVERNMENT CLOWN CAR AWARD
New York equity preference fails the commerce test
A federal appeals court struck down New York’s “Extra Priority” licensing preference for people with past marijuana convictions. The judges ruled it violates the Dormant Commerce Clause by favoring in-state convictions over out-of-state residents. Equity only works if it survives the courts. Albany has to rewrite the playbook.
Grade: F
LOCAL TRAINWRECK
Ohio keeps legal on paper and banned on Main Street
Adult use cannabis is legal statewide in Ohio, but more than a hundred cities and townships still block businesses with moratoriums. It is fewer than one in ten jurisdictions, yet it leaves nearly fifteen percent of residents locked out of the market. Paper progress and real-world stall.
Grade: F
REGULATOR ROULETTE
Nebraska tightens rules before patients see product
The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission passed stricter emergency regulations, and then the governor signed revisions, including a 1,250 plant cap per facility. Patients have yet to access a single legal product, and the state is already shrinking supply.
Grade: F
INTERNATIONAL HEAT CHECK
Thailand’s decrim architect takes the top job
Anutin Charnvirakul, who spearheaded the 2022 cannabis decriminalization, secured 311 parliamentary votes to become Thailand’s new prime minister. He has not promised national legalization, but his rise puts cannabis back in the spotlight. Reform could move or stall depending on coalition fights, but the man who opened the door is back in charge.
Grade: B minus
FINAL GRADE: D
Texas swapped prohibition for confusion. New York’s equity plan collapsed in court. Nebraska tightened a program that has yet to serve patients. Ohio legalized on paper, while towns pulled the plug on Main Street. Thailand’s new prime minister carries a cannabis legacy, but promises are not policy. Another week where patients and businesses wait while politicians perform.
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F O R T H E C U L T U R E B Y T H E C U L T U R E
The Drug Test Lie Finally Cracks in New Mexico
New Mexico’s Senate Bill 129 challenges the long standing assumption that a positive cannabis test equals impairment. By separating outdated drug testing from actual workplace safety, the bill aims to protect medical cannabis patients from job discrimination while preserving employer authority over real on the job risk and misconduct.
How Cannabis Can Cost You Your Gun
Federal law still allows cannabis use to strip Americans of firearm rights without proof of danger or misuse. As the Supreme Court weighs United States v. Hemani, courts are confronting whether the government can continue punishing people based on status rather than conduct in a country where cannabis is legal in most states.
Reefer Report Card Vol. 32: Kicking the Can Again
This week’s Reefer Report Card tracks a familiar pattern in cannabis policy: delay dressed as progress. Federal lawmakers punted again on hemp regulation, states flirted with dismantling legal markets, and patients were left waiting. Oversight weakened, accountability faded, and reform stalled. Another week in weed, graded.
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