Archive

Urgent! Federal Hemp Policy Briefing | Critical Insights on the New Hemp Definition, THC Limits, and 2026 Market Impacts

Nov 14, 2025

On November 19, 2025, Vicente LLP will deliver a rapid-fire update on the sweeping federal changes redefining “hemp” and their impact on products, businesses, and state regulatory frameworks. We’ll break down the new Total THC limits, synthetic cannabinoid prohibitions, and one-year compliance timeline, as well as how these developments intersect with state “trigger” laws and potential cannabis rescheduling. Register now!

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2025 Federal Hemp Reclassification: Congress Moves to Redefine “Hemp” and Ban Most Hemp-Derived THC Products

By Cassia Furman, Shawn Hauser, Juliana Todeschi, Bridgette Nikisher
Nov 13, 2025

A new federal law has been signed, effectively banning most commercially available hemp products. Language included in the FY2026 Agricultural Appropriations Bill resets the threshold for federally legal hemp at 0.3% Total THC, as opposed to delta-9 THC, caps Total THC content for finished products at 0.4 mg per container, and prohibits synthetic or converted cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC. In this blog, we break down the key aspects of the legislation, including how it changes the definition of hemp, the timelines businesses should prepare for, and what this means for hemp operators, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers nationwide.

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Rescheduling Marijuana: What It Means (and Doesn’t) for Criminal Justice Reform

By Angela George, Shawn Hauser
Nov 3, 2025

The DEA’s proposal to move marijuana to Schedule III would change its federal classification by acknowledging its medical use and relative safety, but marijuana would remain a controlled substance with most criminal penalties and collateral consequences unchanged. Federal illegality would persist until FDA approval, and prior convictions would remain unaffected. Read on for how the proposed rescheduling could affect criminal justice for marijuana convictions.

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Vicente LLP Expands Cannabis, Hemp & Psychedelics Legal Team with New Attorney Hires

Oct 16, 2025

Vicente LLP is growing its national legal team with new attorneys in New York and Denver, reflecting the firm’s continued leadership in cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics law. The additions of Elena Markos, Daniel Molina, and Seth Wolkofsky bolster Vicente’s corporate, litigation, and federal regulatory practices—enhancing its ability to serve clients in these rapidly evolving industries.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hemp Beverages: How Federal and State Laws Are Reshaping the THC Drink Market

By Charles Alovisetti, Juliana Todeschi, Daniel Molina
Apr 29, 2025

With consumer demand surging and retail availability expanding, hemp-derived THC beverages are at the center of a fast-growing industry. This article breaks down the answers to key questions about how federal and state lawmakers are shaping the future of the market, including potential outcomes of the 2025 Farm Bill, rising state restrictions and legal uncertainty surrounding intoxicating cannabinoids.

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Cannabis Rescheduling Hearings Postponed: How Did We Get Here and What Happens Next?

By Shawn Hauser, Andrew Livingston
Jan 31, 2025

The much-anticipated hearings on the proposed rulemaking to reschedule cannabis, which were scheduled to begin on January 21, have been postponed for at least three months as a result of an appeal granted by DEA Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney. In this article, we examine a timeline of progress on rescheduling so far and discuss what may happen next and how the new administration may affect the process.

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Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing Set: What Happens Now?

By Jason Adelstone
Sep 9, 2024

The DEA Hearing on Proposed Rulemaking for cannabis rescheduling will take place on December 2, 2024. What happens next? Read this insights article to learn about the importance of "interested persons" and the administrative law judge appointed to oversee the hearing, the anticipated timeline, the potential impact of the presidential election, and more.

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4 Major Implications of Cannabis Moving to Schedule III

By Andrew Livingston, Jason Adelstone, Shawn Hauser
Apr 30, 2024

After 50 years of being in the most restrictive schedule alongside drugs like heroin and PCP, the DEA will move to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, where the plant’s medical benefits will finally be recognized by the federal government. Read this article for answers to four of the most important questions about the effects Schedule III will have on cannabis and society.

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