A lot has changed over the last several years in the world of cannabis. What hasn't changed? The ignorance of those making decisions about it.

Ohio—and many other states—have legalized cannabis for medicinal and adult use. Some states are medical-only, while others remain stuck in the "Reefer Madness" stone age. Strangely, since legalization in Ohio, not much seems to have changed.

Was Reefer Madness and the trillion-dollar War on Drugs damaging to our country? Unfortunately, federal legislation remains untouched. It's a puzzling dynamic. On one hand, people are still locked up for cannabis-related offenses. On the other, companies are making millions in cannabis sales—and paying insane taxes (see: 280E). Many Tier 2 companies are now facing bankruptcy or shutting down altogether.

Ohio generated roughly $90 million in cannabis revenue in its first two months alone. And to be clear: this is regulated, tested, protected cannabis. Full stop. Every dollar spent on legal, regulated cannabis is one less dollar funding the illicit market, drug cartels, fentanyl-laced products, gas station unregulated hemp (THCA) and so on.

Watch interviews with podcasters roaming Capitol Hill and talking to senators and representatives—you’ll quickly realize most of them don’t understand cannabis or its medical potential. They simply oppose it.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Farm Bill doesn’t even include an age restriction. What?

Unless, of course, you’re cozy with the hemp industry, which managed to sneak into that bill and make certain hemp strains legal. It's like the Wild West. Lawmakers seem fine legalizing THCA flower (which turns into THC when combusted) and other unregulated flower, vape products, and concentrates—sold openly in gas stations. Is it so the negative effects of unregulated products can be lumped together with tested, legal ones—to falsely prove they’re all harmful?

If you're a fan of—or even just indifferent to—federal legalization, here are three things to keep an eye on:

1. Rescheduling
The Biden administration ran on it in 2020 and didn’t get it done in four years. Eventually, they got the ball rolling with a study recommending cannabis be moved from Schedule I (heroin, cocaine, etc.) to Schedule III. But their poorly timed push to reschedule right before the election backfired, handing the issue to Republicans on a silver, diamond-encrusted platter. They underestimated how the DEA would drag its feet—or maybe they didn’t.

Fun fact: Fentanyl is a Schedule II drug. So, apparently, it's considered less dangerous than the edible you took to sleep better.

It’s hard to believe that in 2025, cannabis remains federally illegal—despite being legal in half the country and recommended by doctors for a range of conditions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a 252-page study showing its medical benefits. Which makes no sense, considering Schedule I drugs are defined as having none. Something doesn’t add up.

Bottom line: every dollar not spent on legal, regulated cannabis is a dollar spent fueling the illicit market. People are going to use cannabis. Let’s at least protect them when they do. Studies show regulated markets reduce teen use. Why? Try buying cannabis at a dispensary without ID. Good luck.

2. SAFER Banking Act
The SAFER Banking Act would allow state-legal cannabis businesses access to traditional banking services. It would reduce risk for financial institutions, lenders, and insurers serving the industry despite federal restrictions.

Here’s another fun fact: over 500,000 Americans can’t get a mortgage because they work in the cannabis industry—even though they pay taxes. They’re not even included in the official jobs numbers. So yes, technically, President Trump could add half a million jobs to his record just by rescheduling cannabis.

3. Florida’s Amendment 3 (Didn't Pass)
Supported by both Trump and Harris, this amendment would have created the largest legal cannabis market in the U.S. If Ohio did $90 million in two months, imagine what Florida—a major tourist destination—could generate. Estimates suggest $4–6 billion per year.

Trulieve, the state’s biggest cannabis player with 150+ stores, invested heavily in getting the amendment passed. But it faced opposition from Governor DeSantis, who reportedly spent millions in taxpayer money—possibly earmarked for opioid enforcement—to defeat it. The same DeSantis who supports Florida’s booming, unregulated hemp market. Conflicts abound.

I know people who could benefit from this one compound—cannabis. I’ve lost friends who might’ve been helped. I’ve seen elderly patients struggling to sleep, eat, or recover from cancer, who—according to the HHS study—would benefit from access to cannabis. We’re heading in the right direction, but facing headwinds from out-of-touch, often corrupt, mostly older politicians. I hope they sleep well at night. And if not, I suggest a gummy or two.

One last thing:
Thanks to all the politicians who keep the illicit market alive and well. This rescheduling message was brought to you by the underground cannabis industry—serving your sons and daughters 80% contaminated weed. Dog hair? Mold? I’ll take five grams, pay for seven, and you can keep the stems and seeds—just hold the fentanyl, please.

‍