Archive

Trump Signals Cannabis Rescheduling: Schedule III Marijuana Decision Expected Soon

By Shawn Hauser
Aug 20, 2025

President Trump has confirmed that his administration is actively reviewing a proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. If approved, this change would officially recognize medical use for the first time in over 50 years and could bring major shifts for the cannabis industry. In this article, we’ll break down what Schedule III would mean, the opportunities and limits of rescheduling, and what cannabis businesses should keep in mind as these changes unfold.

Maryland Cannabis Business Assistance Fund: Portal and Registration Opening Today with Application to Follow

By Meg Nash
Jun 3, 2025

Maryland’s Cannabis Business Assistance Fund (CBAF) portal will open today, the first step in providing direct capital assistance to Social Equity Applicants awarded a conditional Maryland Cannabis License. Keep reading to ensure you are ready to apply, and access funds to move from conditional to final license.

Cannabis Financing and Investment CLE to be Presented by Corporate Attorney Charles Alovisetti

Dec 6, 2024

On December 12, Vicente partner Charles Alovisetti will discuss cannabis financing and investing during a CLE session hosted by the Federal Bar Association and myLawCLE. Register now!

Cannabis Financing 101 at Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference with Charles Alovisetti

Nov 13, 2024

On October 8, Vicente partner Charles Alovisetti discussed debt, equity and liquidity strategies and considerations for cannabis startups seeking funding for their business during the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago. Listen now!

Sahar Ayinehsazian Speaks About Cannabis Rescheduling, Credit Risks and Lender Financing at Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

Nov 13, 2024

Vicente partner Sahar Ayinehsazian recently discussed cannabis rescheduling and its potential effect on lending, interest rates and financing during the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. Listen now!

Raising Capital for Maryland Social Equity Cannabis Businesses

By Charles Alovisetti, Elena Markos
Sep 27, 2024

Maryland recently awarded cannabis business licenses to social equity applicants. If you were one of the lucky lottery winners, now it’s time to focus on raising money for your business. Read this insight for essential considerations around raising capital for Maryland social equity cannabis licensees.

Vicente LLP is Headed to Florida for the 2024 Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

Apr 2, 2024

Join us at the 2024 Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference on April 16-17 in Hollywood, Florida! You can find us on stage discussing cannabis banking and business diversification and connect with our attorneys and our director of compliance during the conference.

Sahar Ayinehsazian Will Speak on Cannabis-Related Business Due Diligence for Banking Executives at PBC Conference 2023

Aug 29, 2023

On September 21, Sahar Ayinehsazian will discuss the importance of due diligence in cannabis banking at PBC Conference 2023, the B2B conference for payments, banking and compliance in the cannabis industry. Register now!

Sahar Ayinehsazian and Jen Flanagan Discuss Cannabis Banking on The Cannabis Business Minds Podcast

Apr 6, 2023

In this episode of Cannabis Minds, Jen Flanagan interviews her colleague Sahar Ayinehsazian who gives valuable advice for cannabis operators and applicants seeking banking services.

Banking Compliance in the Cannabis Industry NHCC Legal Committee Roundtable features Jerrico Perez and Sahar Ayinehsazian

Sep 21, 2022

VS partners Sahar Ayinehsazian and Jerrico Perez will be on a LIVE cannabis banking compliance NHCC Legal Committee seminar on September 28!

[Webinar] Debt Financings in the Cannabis Industry

Jun 28, 2022

Watch this session to learn how debt financing can be a funding source for your cannabis business.

[Webinar] Cannabis Banking Insights: Understanding the Evolution and Preparing for the Future

Sep 24, 2021

Join these cannabis financial and legal thought leaders as they discuss the rapidly changing cannabis capital and finance landscape.

Charles Alovisetti to Present Cannabis Real Estate Financing CLE

Jul 1, 2021

The CLE, titled "Financing Cannabis-Related Real Estate: Structuring Options, Enforcement Issues, Regulatory Hurdles" will analyze legal and practical issues borrowers and lenders need to consider when documenting and funding a loan transaction secured by cannabis-related real estate.

What is a Cannabis REIT?

By Charles Alovisetti, Cassia Furman
Apr 23, 2021

To many in the cannabis industry, REIT is not a common acronym. Yet, as cannabis businesses seek ways to raise funds, REITs are coming up in more and more conversations.

What Efforts Are Underway to Include Cannabis Businesses in COVID-19 Relief Packages?

By Andrea A. Golan, Michelle Bodian
Jan 28, 2021

Cannabis businesses are not eligible for relief under any of the federal COVID-19 aid packages, but members of Congress and industry groups are making significant efforts to include cannabis businesses in federal aid.

The Cannabis Business: Introduction to Cannabis and Banking

By Charles Alovisetti and Sahar Ayinehsazian
Jan 25, 2021

As cannabis businesses become more mainstream, banks are shedding their fears about the risks of lending to this growing industry.

When Do You Need Cannabis Regulatory Counsel? A Guide for Corporate Counsel

By Charles Alovisetti, Sally Kent Peebles
Jan 15, 2021

As more law firms are fielding client questions about cannabis industry transactions, it can be challenging for corporate counsel to identify when they need cannabis regulatory counsel.

The Cannabis Business: Understanding Law, Finance, and Governance in America's Newest Industry

By Vicente Sederberg LLP
Dec 18, 2020

Vicente Sederberg attorneys wrote the book on cannabis law — and now you can own it! This comprehensive primer on all things cannabis law is a must-have for anyone seeking to understand the major practical legal issues facing the marijuana and hemp industries.

Sahar Ayinehsazian to Discuss Cannabis Banking at DRI Virtual Seminar

Sep 3, 2020

Sahar will present "Curbing Cannabis Cash" at DRI's Cannabis Law Virtual Seminar on September 17, 2020.

[Webinar] How Can Cannabis Businesses Maximize Tax Savings During Times of Uncertainty?

Aug 13, 2020

This session explores the complexity of mergers and acquisitions and how to optimize taxes to free cash flow for your cannabis business.

Sahar Ayinehsazian Talks Cannabis Banking on Hashtag Finance Podcast with Barrington Miller

Jul 9, 2020

VS attorney Sahar Ayinehsazian discusses cannabis industry banking and the many reasons why there is a demand for cannabis legal advice during the COVID-19 pandemic on CSE's Hashtag Finance podcast.

[Webinar Replay] Taxation in the Cannabis Industry

Mar 6, 2020

Learn about cannabis industry best practices for indirect taxes and 280E by watching this webinar replay with tax firm Ryan LLC and attorney Jordan Wellington.

Weed Wonks Episode 18 - Picking Apart the SAFE Banking Act with Steve Fox

Jan 15, 2020

VS Strategies president Steve Fox joins Jordan and Andrew on the Weed Wonks podcast to talk about the SAFE Banking Act and the hurdles it faces in a Republican Senate.

Hope for Hemp Banking: Federal Guidance Clarifies and Eases Reporting Requirements

By Sahar Ayinehsazian, Associate Attorney
Dec 12, 2019

On December 3, 2019, a group of federal financial regulators took an important step to enable hemp operators to access banking services by publishing hemp banking guidance.