Jul 2, 2025
Are you attending the Hemp Beverage Expo in Atlanta, Georgia from July 9-11, 2025? Connect with Vicente LLP’s hemp industry attorneys and compliance professionals, including partners Charles Alovisetti, Cassia Furman, Meg Nash, and senior director of regulatory compliance Casey Leaver. Register now!
By Meg Nash
Jun 16, 2025
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has opened a new registration window for businesses selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs), including THC beverages. Businesses must register by August 31, 2025, to remain eligible for fall licensing and summer sales. Starting October 1, OCM will accept applications for Lower Potency Hemp Edible (LPHE) licenses for retailers, manufacturers, and the newly established wholesaler category. This blog outlines the state’s updated rules on potency, packaging, facility standards, onsite consumption, events, and delivery services.
By Genevieve Meehan, Samantha Fow
May 22, 2025
On May 16, the Colorado legislature passed HB25-1209, a bill designed to reduce regulatory burdens on licensed cannabis businesses. Spearheaded by state lawmakers and supported by industry advocates, the bill streamlines outdated requirements related to background checks, recordkeeping, surveillance, and more—aiming to improve operational efficiency while maintaining public safety. In this Insights post, we’ll cover the key changes introduced by HB25-1209, how they affect cannabis operators and regulators, and what businesses should know moving forward.
By Steve Pemberton
Apr 15, 2025
Nebraska’s Attorney General has issued cease-and-desist letters to over 100 hemp retailers, citing illegal Delta-9 THC levels. The crackdown highlights the state’s aggressive stance on synthetic THC and mirrors growing national pressure on hemp businesses. Find out how these enforcement actions could impact the industry and what steps businesses can take to stay compliant.
By Charles Alovisetti
Mar 27, 2025
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) has undergone significant changes with the issuance of a new Interim Final Rule (IFR) by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). These changes significantly reduced the law's scope, exempting most U.S. companies from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements. In this Insights post, we break down the key takeaways of the IFR and explain their impact on your business.
By Juliana Todeschi
Mar 24, 2025
Florida’s Rule 5K-4.034 establishes new regulations for hemp extract products, focusing on ingredient restrictions and child-resistant packaging. The rule bans 66 additives, including certain FDA-approved colorants, and adopts ASTM standards for child-resistant packaging to reduce product appeal to minors. While enforcement of the rule begins in June 2025, FDACS is already enforcing existing statutes and regulations, making early compliance essential for businesses operating in the state.
By Brandon Kurtzman, Neil Willner
Mar 11, 2025
As New York’s cannabis market evolves, regulators are ramping up enforcement. Licensees must have a proactive compliance strategy for their business to avoid fines and penalties. In this insights post, we dive into the key areas of compliance risk under the newly established Trade Practices Bureau, including ownership violations, license stacking, and fraudulent practices. We also highlight proactive steps businesses can take to stay ahead of regulatory changes and protect their licenses.
Feb 28, 2025
Join Vicente partner Michelle Bodian during NECANN Boston, where she will present the session “Sip and Sell Smart: Legal Strategies for the Hemp Beverage Boom” on March 21. During this session, Michelle will discuss the latest developments in hemp beverage regulations in the Northeast and provide tips for businesses to remain compliant in the evolving industry. Register now!
Feb 6, 2025
Watch this session, where Vicente attorney Meg Nash and director of compliance Casey Leaver take a look back at Rhode Island's cannabis market in 2024 and a look ahead at what’s to come in 2025, including what has happened during the transitional period, recent regulatory enforcement actions against current medical and hybrid operators, the proposed regulations that will govern the adult-use market, and how to prepare for the upcoming licensing process.
By David Ullian, Casey Leaver
Jan 16, 2025
Massachusetts' Cannabis Control Commission has introduced new testing requirements, effective April 1, 2025, to prevent "lab shopping." Key changes include mandatory submission of Test Sample Packages to a single Independent Testing Laboratory, stricter rules for subcontracting tests, and penalties for non-compliance. Read on to learn more about these changes and how to take the necessary steps to ensure compliance and avoid regulatory violations.
By Meg Nash, Casey Leaver, Bridgette Nikisher
Nov 7, 2024
Congratulations to those who won a cannabis social equity license in the Maryland lottery! Vicente’s Maryland team created a quick list of items to keep top of mind as you work towards your final license, including reviewing the new draft regulations, submitting supplemental applications, and property considerations.
By Jennifer Cabrera, Casey Leaver, Stephen Pemberton
Oct 17, 2024
Compliance is becoming more important than ever as the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission recently began actively pursuing enforcement actions against license cannabis businesses, resulting in the issuance of thousands of dollars of fines for noncompliance.
By Sarah Grande, Andrea Golan, Shawn Hauser
Sep 23, 2024
New Jersey is the latest state to regulate “intoxicating hemp products,” with an immediate ban on the sale of products with any detectable amount of THC to individuals under 21 years of age and only allows such products to be sold in state-licensed cannabis businesses. The new law will permit liquor stores licensed by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to sell intoxicating hemp beverages once those regulations are adopted.
Jul 25, 2024
Attorneys and compliance experts from Vicente LLP's Maryland team discuss the requirements, compliance considerations, and best practices that will help make the process of finding compliant real estate for your cannabis business less daunting.
By Genevieve Meehan
Jul 5, 2024
Heads up, Colorado cannabis businesses! The Marijuana Enforcement Division's (MED) Reduced Testing Allowance (RTA) program allows qualified businesses to reduce testing frequency. Additionally, Senate Bill 24-76 brings new requirements that stores should be ready to implement by August 6. Read this Insights post to learn how recent regulation changes impact your operations.
By David Ullian, Tim Callahan
Jun 5, 2024
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is now issuing formal Requests for Information and Notices of Deficiency to license applicants, licensees, and host communities, and is requesting the submission of a compliant HCA or HCA Waiver. This process could cause delays in the initial application, license renewal, and final licensure processes. Learn more about the HCA reviews and how to request a license renewal extension in this Vicente Insights article.
Jun 3, 2024
Join Vicente LLP in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 7-8 for the inaugural Hemp Beverage Conference and Festival, hosted by the Hemp Beverage Alliance! Partner Michelle Bodian will participate in a panel offering state updates on hemp regulations, the farm bill and more at the conference. The festival will be held the following day, and Vicente attorneys Jason Tarasek and Michelle Bodian will attend. Schedule a meeting with us!
Apr 17, 2024
Jason Tarasek, counsel at Vicente LLP, will participate in a "Cannabis Update" panel at the 2024 Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association’s Annual Conference on April 21. Register now!
By Andrea Golan, Genevieve Meehan
Apr 1, 2024
For years, the efficacy of cannabis lab test results has been widely discussed across the California cannabis industry due to inflated potency test results and inconsistencies in results due to labs using different methodologies for testing cannabis. This has changed with the implementation of lab testing standardization.
By David M. Ullian, Tim Callahan
Mar 7, 2024
This Insights post provides an overview of recent changes impacting Massachusetts cannabis businesses. We break down the new Model Host Community Agreement (HCA), explaining its purpose, usage, and accessibility. Additionally, we explore the updated application and renewal processes, highlighting the mandatory inclusion of compliant HCAs or waivers. This blog serves as a valuable resource for both new and existing cannabis businesses seeking to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape in Massachusetts.
Nov 2, 2023
Watch as panelists address the current lab testing and compliance issues in the industry, testing standards across the country, and the importance of reliable testing.
Sep 21, 2023
Join Casey Leaver and Stephen Pemberton at the Cannabis Quality Conference on October 18! Casey and Steve will discuss creating a culture of compliance to help your cannabis operation thrive.
By Andrea Golan
Aug 23, 2023
Minnesota's new adult-use cannabis law makes some significant changes to the state's existing rules governing the manufacture and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Read this article for information on some of the most notable changes, including seller registration requirements, prohibited products, and cannabinoid serving limits.
Aug 17, 2023
So, you received your provisional Connecticut cannabis license or just renewed your final license. Now what? It’s time to get on the path to success as an operational and compliant cannabis operator.
By Genevieve Meehan, Emily Hackman
Jul 26, 2023
As cannabis markets mature, regulatory agencies typically increase compliance enforcement through inspections and audits. It has become increasingly clear that The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has shifted toward increased and escalated enforcement and heightened license application scrutiny. Learn more about this shift and review the updated OMMA inspection forms by reading this Insights article.
Jun 28, 2023
Watch this Vicente LLP session, where cannabis training and compliance experts from Vicente, Cannabis Trainers and Rootwurks will discuss the gold standards for cannabis employee training and the most common (and costly) compliance pitfalls they’ve seen across the industry.
By Casey Leaver
Apr 10, 2023
The Massachusetts cannabis employee data breach made public last month by the Cannabis Control Commission, combined with recent announcements about the Commission’s “secret shopper” program and an increase in unannounced inspections at licensed facilities, presents a trifecta of reminders for marijuana establishments to revisit their standard operating policies and procedures (SOPs).
By Krissy Atterholt, Jason Tarasek
Mar 22, 2023
Microbreweries and cideries have become Minnesota THC beverage market leaders in the wake of 2022's hemp-derived THC product bill. The current cannabis legalization bill would have made things difficult for these producers, but it was recently amended so that lower-potency hemp edibles manufacturers could produce lower-potency hemp edibles at the same facility where food (such as beer or cider) is manufactured.
By Andrea Golan
Jan 6, 2023
Minnesota hemp companies are being sued by the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy for selling high-THC hemp-derived edibles that allegedly contained 100 milligrams of hemp-derived THC per gummy bear and were intentionally marketed in a manner that is appealing to children. What standards may lower consumer safety risks for these products?