Cannabis News Roundup: Week 2025-20: Texas Expands Medical Marijuana, Louisiana Kills Cannabis Tax Bill, Massachusetts Launches Equity Jobs Hub

17 May 2025

Big cannabis headlines from across the U.S. this week:

• Illinois targets police reform by banning weed smell as grounds for traffic stops.

• Louisiana misses a major step toward legalization after a cannabis tax bill fails.

• Massachusetts launches an equity-driven cannabis jobs portal.

• Missouri tackles a Supreme Court battle over stacked local marijuana taxes.

• Pennsylvania blocks legalization efforts by rejecting a state-store retail model.

• Texas expands its medical cannabis program with new conditions and product options.

National cannabis policy remains in limbo as the DEA nominee avoids rescheduling commitments. And in hemp: Alabama cracks down with strict new laws, while Florida fails to act—leaving its booming hemp sector in chaos.

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SUMMARIES:

ALABAMA

 

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed a controversial new law, HB445, that imposes tough restrictions on hemp-derived THC products. The law bans smokable hemp and vapes, limits THC in edibles, and shifts regulation to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Small business owners and patients who rely on these products warn the law could shut down businesses and reduce access to holistic care.

#AlabamaCannabis #HB445 #HempLaw #MedicalCannabis #THCBan #CBDAlabama #HempIndustry #CannabisRegulation #AlabamaNews #Delta8 #THCRegulations #CannabisPodcast #ABCBoard #AlabamaPolitics

FLORIDA

Florida lawmakers have once again failed to agree on how to regulate the state’s growing hemp industry. Two proposed bills — one calling for sales restrictions and the other a new tax — were debated but not passed, leaving hemp-derived products like Delta-8 and THC-infused drinks unregulated for at least another year. Business owners and public health advocates remain divided as the state punts the issue to a future session.

#FloridaHemp #Delta8THC #THCBeverages #CannabisRegulation #HempIndustryNews #FloridaLegislation #CannabisPolicy #FloridaCannabis #SB438 #HB7027 #THCDrinks #CannabisBusiness #MedicalCannabis

 

ILLINOIS

 

In Illinois, a House committee has advanced Senate Bill 42—a proposal that would prevent police from using the smell of raw cannabis as the sole reason to stop or search a vehicle. Lawmakers say the move is aimed at ensuring fairness, especially following conflicting state court rulings and concerns about racial profiling. The bill now heads to the House floor.

 

#IllinoisCannabis #SB42 #CannabisLawReform #MarijuanaLegislation #CannabisJustice #CannabisOdorSearch #LegalWeedIL #CannabisPolicy #CannabisRights #CivilRightsCannabis #CannabisTrafficLaws #CannabisEquity #ILHouseBill

 

LOUISIANA

 

Louisiana’s plans to prepare for future marijuana legalization took a hit this week. Lawmakers narrowly voted down HB 636, a bill that would have created a 15% excise tax on cannabis sales. While it wouldn’t have legalized marijuana, the bill was designed to set up the tax system in advance, with the revenue earmarked for teacher and school staff salaries. The rejection delays any structural groundwork for a future legal cannabis market in the state.

 

#LouisianaCannabis #HB636 #CannabisReform #MarijuanaTax #CannabisLegislation #MedicalMarijuana #CannabisNews #CannabisPolicy #LegalWeedLA #THCPolicy

 

MASSACHUSETTS

 

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has launched a new tool called the EquityWorks Career Hub. It’s a job and training platform aimed at helping people—especially those impacted by the War on Drugs—find work and build careers in the state’s cannabis industry. The site offers job listings, training resources, and virtual job fairs, and opens to the public in June.

#EquityWorks #MassCannabisJobs #CannabisCareers #SocialEquity #CannabisIndustryMA #MassachusettsCCC #WarOnDrugs #CannabisWorkforce #LegalCannabisJobs #MarijuanaReform

https://masscannabiscontrol.com/equity/equityworks/

 

MISSOURI

 

The Missouri Supreme Court is reviewing a case that could decide whether cities and counties can both charge a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana. A dispensary in Florissant argues that only one local government should be allowed to tax cannabis sales. If the court agrees, it could impact marijuana tax revenues across more than 70 areas statewide.

 

#MissouriCannabis #CannabisTax #RecreationalMarijuana #MoSupremeCourt #CannabisPolicy #MarijuanaLegalization #CannabisNews #TaxStacking #MissouriWeedTax #FlorissantDispensary #MoCannTrade #CannabisRegulation #WeedPolitics

 

PENNSYLVANIA

 

In Pennsylvania, a Senate committee has rejected House Bill 1200, a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana through state-run stores. The bill had passed the House, but senators voiced concerns about economic impacts, federal legality, and lack of support for private businesses. Lawmakers say more negotiations are expected.

#PennsylvaniaCannabis #PALegalWeed #CannabisReformPA #HB1200 #RecreationalMarijuanaPA #CannabisLegislation #DanLaughlin #SharifStreet #CannabisPolitics #StateRunStores #MarijuanaBill #PAPolitics #CannabisPolicy

 

TEXAS

 

The Texas House has passed a bill to expand the state’s limited medical marijuana program. House Bill 46 would add several new medical conditions, allow inhalable products like vapes, and increase the number of dispensaries from three to eleven. The measure now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers must reconcile a more limited version of the bill.

#TexasCannabis #MedicalMarijuanaTX #HB46 #CannabisExpansion #VeteransForCannabis #CannabisAccess #THCTreatment #CannabisLegislation #TexasHealthPolicy #CannabisReform #RuralHealth #ChronicPainRelief

 

NATIONAL

 

The future of federal cannabis reform is again in question. DEA nominee Terrance Cole declined to say whether he supports reclassifying marijuana, despite a recommendation from federal health officials. Meanwhile, a new bill in Congress would allow the White House drug czar to speak openly about cannabis policy and sponsor research. Together, these developments show growing momentum—but also deep hesitation—within the federal government over marijuana reform.

 

#CannabisReform #DEA #TerranceCole #MarijuanaPolicy #FederalCannabis #EvidenceBasedPolicy #ONDPCLegislation #CannabisResearch #CannabisScheduleIII #CannabisNews