Vicente LLP Federal and International Cannabis and Psychedelics Law and Policy Update: February 2024
Feb 20, 2024
Federal and international law and policy insights, news and events from Vicente LLP
Feb 20, 2024
Federal and international law and policy insights, news and events from Vicente LLP
By David M. Ullian
Feb 13, 2024
Massachusetts launched the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund to aid qualified cannabis businesses disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition. Licensed businesses or applicants meeting specific criteria, like Social Equity Program participants, can access grants or loans (up to $50,000 now!). Apply online and learn more about future programs before the February 15th deadline.
By Meg Nash, Bridgette Nikisher
Feb 7, 2024
Maryland's Cannabis Business Assistance Loan/Grant Fund is offering grants to help social equity applicants cover costs associated with obtaining a cannabis business license. The program reimburses up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $5,000. Applications open February 19th and close March 20th. Read this Insights post to learn more about eligibility, qualifying expenses, and how to apply.
By Jason Adelstone
Jan 30, 2024
On August 29, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) sent the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) its recommendation to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). Since then, the marijuana industry has waited in suspense for the DEA to make the final call as to what schedule marijuana will be placed. Read this Insights post that outlines the complex process of marijuana rescheduling in the US and outlines the key steps involved, from rule publication to review and final rule, emphasizing the critical role of stakeholder engagement in securing a Schedule III classification.
Nov 10, 2023
Federal and international law and policy insights, news and events from Vicente LLP.
By Jason Tarasek
Oct 23, 2023
The Minnesota legislature has established three grant programs designed to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and to create a more equitable cannabis industry. Read more about them in this Insights article.
By Shawn Hauser
Aug 31, 2023
The federal government formally acknowledged the medical use and low potential of abuse for cannabis, with the US Department of Health and Human Services recommending that cannabis be rescheduled to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. While placement in Schedule III still criminalizes commercial cannabis activity at the federal level, it is a significant step on the path to ending prohibition. This rescheduling would eliminate the application of 280E tax penalties, reduce the level of criminal liability for cannabis-related activity, reduce barriers to research, legitimize the industry through gaining credibility and engagement by physicians and the medical community, and support a growing industry for the American economy.
By Shane Pennington
Apr 4, 2023
Cannabis researchers can study the dispensary strains and products people are actually using around the country right now... without violating federal law… and without Congress lifting a finger. Read this article for two simple tricks to do so.
By Shane Pennington
Mar 1, 2023
How TGA's rescheduling of psilocybin and MDMA shines a bright light on DEA delinquency
Jan 19, 2023
Join Shane Pennington on February 1 for a Cannabis Business Times webinar discussing the opportunities and challenges surrounding the federally legal cannabis seeds market.
By Shane Pennington
Nov 9, 2022
What outcomes are possible from the impending administrative process to reconsider cannabis’s schedule I status? What are the implications of those various possible outcomes? And how should we all proceed in light of it all?
By Shane Pennington
Oct 21, 2022
To appreciate the gravity of the President’s scheduling directive and what could happen next, you need to understand (1) how the administrative process the President has set in motion will actually work and (2) how the agencies in charge have used it to affirm and reaffirm cannabis’s schedule I1 status repeatedly throughout the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970’s (“CSA”) history. Those topics are covered in this article.
By Shane Pennington
Oct 21, 2022
President Biden’s scheduling directive is enormously important. In fact, if permitted to run its course, it could revolutionize federal drug control law to a far greater degree than any of the many pending cannabis legalization bills.
Jul 28, 2022
Update on hemp-related legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Apr 14, 2022
Update on the lawsuit HIA & RE Botanicals, Inc v. DEA and why this case is critical to the hemp industry's future.
Apr 4, 2022
Update on hemp-related legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
By Shane Pennington
Nov 4, 2021
The NIDA monopoly on cultivating cannabis for research ended in May 2021. Researchers can now study cannabis from state-legal markets by getting it from one of DEA's newly-licensed cannabis cultivators.
By Shane Pennington
Oct 18, 2021
An introduction to the different registrations available for schedule I substances such as psilocybin and psilocin.
Aug 25, 2021
Vote for the panel "Sue 'n the DEA: Breaking the 50-Year NIDA Monopoly," featuring Shane Pennington to be included in SXSW 2022!
Aug 25, 2021
Vote for the panel "Sue 'n the DEA: Breaking the 50-Year NIDA Monopoly," featuring Shane Pennington to be included in SXSW 2022!
Aug 20, 2021
VS attorney Michelle Bodian discusses the hemp industry's environmental challenges and opportunities in this on-demand CLE from the INCBA
Mar 29, 2021
An updated overview and FAQ of the federal stimulus bills for coronavirus, with specific guidance for marijuana, hemp and ancillary businesses.
Nov 25, 2020
Update on hemp legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Oct 22, 2020
Update on hemp legislation, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Oct 21, 2020
An overview and FAQ of the federal stimulus bills for coronavirus, with specific guidance for marijuana, hemp and ancillary businesses.
Aug 24, 2020
Update on hemp legislation, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Aug 5, 2020
Learn about grant and loan opportunities for hemp farmers and hemp-related businesses in this session with VS's Michelle Bodian and Eric Steenstra of Vote Hemp.
Jul 13, 2020
Update on hemp legislation, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Apr 20, 2020
Shawn Hauser and Dwight Clark talked about SBA loans for cannabis businesses and political advocacy during Texas NORML's 420 Stream-A-Thon.