💸 The Tape

Picture this: a former NFL running back, once sidelined by league penalties for puffing the wrong kind of green, now charging into the White House to champion cannabis rescheduling. That's Ricky Williams for you—retired pro footballer turned marijuana policy reform advocate, who met with top Trump administration officials on Friday to discuss flipping marijuana from Schedule I to III. It's like trading helmets for policy playbooks, and Williams isn't fumbling the ball.

As co-founder of Project Champion, Williams huddled with brass from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, and the White House Counsels Office. Post-meeting, he dished to Marijuana Moment: “I’ve seen firsthand how cannabis can change lives—not just for wellness, but for opportunity.” Recalling his post-NFL journey, he added, “When I left the NFL, people questioned my choices. But for me, cannabis was part of my journey to healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” Not stopping at personal anecdotes, Williams framed rescheduling as a touchdown for freedom: “It’s about empowering small businesses, delivering tax relief, and creating jobs that count. It’s about aligning federal law with what’s already happening in 38 states.” He even tossed in equity vibes, noting it could uplift “communities of color that have historically been left behind.” Talk about putting America first—via plant power.

Teaming up was Bruce Levell, Trump's longtime advisor and National Diversity Coalition exec, who called the chat “highly productive” on social media. Levell took a swipe at the Biden era: “The Biden administration fell short on cannabis rescheduling, but we’re eager for our next conversation on moving to Schedule III.” Trump, he implied, is ready to deliver the goods.

But here's the plot twist— or should we say, the stalled drive? The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) notified a judge Monday that the rescheduling process is still benched under Trump. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., once a loud cheerleader for legalizing cannabis and psychedelics, played it cool during his February confirmation, deferring to DEA pros.

The subplot thickens with former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), snapped reviewing a draft contract for services to a Trulieve-affiliated firm, dangling “Super Success Fees” for policy wins like “exclusive remedies.” Gaetz, ever the strategist, suggested in interviews that rescheduling could woo young voters to the GOP—backed by an April survey from a Trump-affiliated pollster showing Republicans favoring reforms, even more than average Joes on state-level legalization.

Trump's DOJ helm, former Florida AG Pam Bondi (R), dodged marijuana queries in hearings, despite her past anti-medical cannabis stance. Congressional wonks remind us lawmakers could fast-track this themselves, dodging court fumbles.

Capping the buzz, a fresh coalition of athletes and celebs, spearheaded by retired boxer Mike Tyson, fired off a letter to Trump Friday. Thanking him for prior clemency, they urged rescheduling, broader pardons, and banking access for licensed cannabis businesses—a bid to outshine Biden's playbook.

In this high-stakes game, Williams' White House visit signals reform might finally gain yardage. But with stalls and political punts aplenty, will Trump go long on cannabis? Stay tuned— the end zone's hazy, but the momentum's budding.

📈 Dog Walkers.

Thailand’s New Implications

What’s Going On Here: Thailand's cannabis saga is puffing out like a poorly rolled joint: after blazing trails as Asia's first to decriminalize in 2022, the Land of Smiles is now frowning on fun. The Ministry of Public Health is gearing up to reclassify cannabis flowers as narcotics, banning recreational use and mandating doctor's prescriptions for all purchases—no more casual strolls into dispensaries.

This U-turn spells trouble for the billion-baht weed industry, hitting over 18,000 licensed shops that must now scrutinize every script, from doc's ID to dosage details. Patients? Capped at 30 grams monthly, or risk a buzzkill probe. Cannabis rights activist Chokwan ‘Kitty’ Chopaka laments the political haze that's stifled agriculture, wellness, and tourism dreams.

As rules hit the Royal Gazette any day, stoners and shop owners are left high and dry, pleading for clearer vibes and support. It's like Thailand's weed free-for-all ghosted everyone—abrupt, confusing, and leaving a bad aftertaste.

This Day Extracts A Toll

In a tragic twist that's more raid-gone-wrong than smooth operation, farm worker Jaime Alanis, 57, has succumbed to a brain injury after plummeting from a greenhouse during an immigration raid at two Southern California cannabis farms. The Camarillo chaos unfolded as ICE and CBP agents swooped in, leading to over 300 arrests, including 10 minors—eight of whom entered as unaccompanied kids.

Family confirmed Alanis's passing via GoFundMe, after he lingered on life support awaiting his wife's farewell from Mexico. The United Farm Workers Union jumped the gun with an X post declaring him dead prematurely, later corrected amid the haze.

DHS insists Alanis wasn't chased or in custody; he allegedly scaled a 30-foot roof and crashed through glass, prompting immediate medivac. Sector Chief Gregory Bovino fired back at critics, dubbing chase claims "lies by those who support illegal aliens" and quipping: follow law enforcement commands to avoid self-inflicted tumbles.

The raids at Glass House Farms sparked protester clashes, with UFW slamming injuries, detentions of U.S. citizens, and forced deletions of raid footage. It's a bitter harvest: enforcement zeal meets human cost, leaving families reeling and questions budding.

🗞️ The News

📺 YouTube

Biggest Cannabis Developments This Week | Stocks Surge on Rescheduling Buzz | TTB Weekly Recap

What we will cover:

✅ This week’s Trade To Black, presented by Dutchie, covers the biggest cannabis news for the week of July 7, 2025—and there’s a lot to unpack.

We start in Pennsylvania, where lawmakers have filed a serious, bipartisan adult-use legalization bill—SB120—that could bring legal sales by January 1, 2026. With Governor Shapiro supportive, this might be the most viable path forward the state has seen yet.

Meanwhile, Washington’s eyeing hemp—again. The Senate is pushing a bill that would ban any consumable hemp products with THC, including non-intoxicating CBD. It’s getting a one-year delay, but the message is clear: the loophole days are numbered.

Also in this episode: • DOJ charges a multi-state illegal grow ring linked to human smuggling in Massachusetts • Kentucky’s medical cannabis program faces a lawsuit that could unravel its entire licensing framework • ICE raids Glass House Brands (OTC: GLASF) farms—serious optics, but from what we’re hearing, it’s not a long-term threat • Big debt moves from TerrAscend (TSX: TSND, OTCQX: TSNDF) and Vireo Growth (CSE: VREO, OTCQX: VREOF) free up cash for growth • Canopy Growth (TSX: WEED, Nasdaq: CGC) names a new interim CFO • MariMed (CSE: MRMD, OTCQX: MRMD) keeps expanding while staying lean