As 4/20 approaches, the cannabis industry is aflame with trends and opportunities that extend beyond traditional boundaries. Recent insights reveal a dynamic shift in consumer behavior and consumption methods, offering an...more
It is not all doom and gloom for the cannabis industry this year; positive developments across states and the potential (albeit remote) for federal rescheduling means the cannabis industry can expect ongoing advancements....more
3/27/2025
/ Cannabis Products ,
Compliance ,
Controlled Substances Act ,
Corporate Transparency Act ,
Data Privacy ,
DEA ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Marijuana ,
New Legislation ,
New York ,
Popular ,
Proposition 65 ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
State and Local Government
On January 13, the chief administrative law judge of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), John Mulrooney, postponed the highly anticipated hearing on the rescheduling of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act...more
1/28/2025
/ Cannabis Products ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Controlled Substances ,
Controlled Substances Act ,
DEA ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) ,
IRS ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Schedule I Drugs ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Planning
Despite growing public support, Texas continues its challenges to the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana. On December 5, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced a bill that would ban all forms of...more
This past August, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced plans to hold an administrative hearing on its proposal to move “marijuana” from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act — the most restrictive...more
On September 30, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the California Assembly Bill 1775 (AB 1775). The bill amends Section 26200 of the Business and Professions Code and significantly expands the permissible activities for...more
As we discussed during our recent webinar, the administrative process associated with the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) proposed rescheduling of “marijuana” should be expected to proceed slowly and deliberately....more
In an industry known for its fast-paced changes, 2024 will be no different for cannabis. For all those with an eye on the industry, the number one question remains, is this the year for rescheduling? The answer is, maybe. And...more
4/19/2024
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Cannabis Products ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Capital Raising ,
DEA ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
FDIC ,
Hemp ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Machine Learning ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Political Parties ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
State and Local Government ,
State Legislatures ,
Taxation ,
Trademarks
New York Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant recently ruled that all New York State cannabis regulations are unconstitutional and therefore, null and void. In an opinion issued on April 3, Justice Bryant explained that the...more
For better or worse, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming the way we live and work. Within two months of its initial release to the public, ChatGPT reached 100 million monthly active users, making...more
8/28/2023
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Cannabis Products ,
Confidential Information ,
Data Security ,
Enforcement ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Licensing Rules ,
Machine Learning ,
Medical Marijuana ,
Producers ,
Reliability Standards ,
Retailers ,
Startups ,
Strict Product Liability ,
Training
1. Cannabis Entering the Metaverse -
As we discuss in greater detail here, the Metaverse provides expansive marketing and sales opportunities for cannabis companies due to its decentralized nature and the varied regulatory...more
5/12/2023
/ Advertising ,
Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs) ,
Controlled Substances ,
Dormant Commerce Clause ,
Drug Testing ,
Enforcement ,
Federal Bans ,
Federal v State Law Application ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Interstate Commerce ,
Landlords ,
Marketing ,
Metaverse ,
NBA ,
NFL ,
SCOTUS ,
State Law Claims ,
USPTO
The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act is still on the table, and US Department of Justice (DOJ) is weighing in.
DOJ Comments -
Because current federal law allows federal regulators to penalize banks for...more
Though the House of Representatives passed the Secure and Fair Enforcing Banking Act (“SAFE Banking Act” or “the Act”) on April 19, 2021, the bill was dropped from the final version of the larger China COMPETES ACT last week...more
California law requires commercial cannabis licensees with 20 or more non-supervisory employees to enter into a labor peace agreement; however, the legal requirements of such an agreement are far less than labor unions would...more
On September 27, 2021, a substantive amendment was approved by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) in an emergency rulemaking action. In addition to clarifying ambiguities in the preexisting regulations and other...more
In June, FINRA reminded broker-dealers of their best execution obligations which are derived from common law agency principles and fiduciary obligations. The best execution obligation is incorporated in applicable MSRB rules...more
Crippling data breaches and sophisticated ransomware attacks are increasingly common threats to modern businesses. Ransomware attacks can not only target confidential company data and data collected from customers but...more
6/14/2021
/ California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) ,
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) ,
CDPA ,
Cyber Attacks ,
Cyber Crimes ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Collection ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Data Security ,
Hackers ,
Malware ,
Ransomware
Now Financial Businesses can provide their services to licensed cannabis businesses without penalty under California law.
As of February 1, 2021, licensed cannabis businesses in California gained another avenue, albeit...more
On February 8, 2021, a wide cross-section of cannabis industry advocates and heavy hitters founded the United States Cannabis Council (“USCC”).
USCC's Mission -
The USCC is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization whose...more
To change its method of accounting, a taxpayer must receive consent from the IRS and should provide evidence showing the change in business activity, so that the IRS can confirm that the change in method of accounting will...more
Election Day 2020 is around the corner. Today, cannabis use is legal either for medicinal or adult recreational use (or both) in 35 states.
Of those, adult recreational use is legal in 11 states and Washington, D.C....more
Your employees may be “essential,” but do they have to work? The answer is, of course, it depends.
More and more workers are expected to report to work despite ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19. But do they have to?...more
On January 10, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom submitted his 2020-21 State Budget proposal, which includes key changes that would affect the cannabis industry, such as consolidating the three State licensing agencies....more