Archive

Raising Capital for Your Business: Why Companies Should Avoid Non-Accredited Investors

By Charles Alovisetti
Feb 11, 2025

Startups and growing businesses need capital, but should they accept funds from anyone willing to invest? The answer: probably not. In fact, choosing the right investors—particularly accredited investors—can save you time, money, and future headaches. In this Insights post, we discuss what to look for when selecting an investor and the risks of raising funds from unaccredited investors, including disclosure agreements, preemptive rights issues and IPO complications. Plus, considerations when deciding to work with investors outside of the United States.

Cannabis Trademarks 101

By Jeffrey Welsh
Nov 19, 2024

In an industry that runs on innovation and differentiation, a cannabis brand’s identity is among its most valuable—and most prone to copying—assets.

How to Choose a Trademark for Your Cannabis Brand

By Chelsie Spencer
Sep 3, 2024

A strong trademark is crucial for cannabis businesses to stand out and thrive. This Insights post explores the importance of trademark protection and breaks down the different categories of trademark distinctiveness, from generic to fanciful. By understanding these categories, entrepreneurs can make informed decisions to safeguard and protect their brand identity.

[Webinar] Cannabis Rescheduling: Implications and Next Steps

May 3, 2024

Watch this special briefing featuring Vicente LLP leaders who have been deeply immersed in the federal scheduling issue, along with Mitzi Keating, a CPA and partner at Citrin Cooperman.

[Webinar] Cannabis IP Strategies: A Forward-Looking Discussion with Patent & Trademark Specialists

Mar 28, 2024

Watch this pre-recorded session to learn about the future of intellectual property for cannabis and hemp products with rescheduling on the horizon. This webinar will feature a discussion with VLLP IP specialists regarding patent, IP and trademark protection, cannabis research, and what may change with potential federal marijuana rescheduling.

Join us! Psychedelics Investor Forum in Costa Rica Featuring Shawn Hauser and Sally Kent Peebles

Dec 19, 2023

On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Vicente LLP partners Shawn Hauser and Sally Kent Peebles will be participating in a psychedelics investor forum in Nosara, Costa Rica! This is a one-of-a-kind event dedicated to exploring the latest national legislation and its pivotal impact on mental health. Register now!

Tax Credits Available for Investing in Connecticut Cannabis Companies

By Michelle Bodian, Bridgette Nikisher
Nov 15, 2022

Who wants free money for investing in a Connecticut cannabis company? CT's Cannabis Angel Tax Credit Program provides a way for investors to receive a 25% tax credit against the state income tax when they invest at least $25k in an approved social equity cannabis licensee.

Benzinga’s Cannabis Insider Podcast's new episode 'Funding the Future of Cannabis' Features Cannabis Law Firm Founding Partner Brian Vicente

Sep 12, 2022

Benzinga’s Cannabis Insider Podcast featured Brian Vicente as a special guest to discuss the early stages as a young cannabis attorney, the future for cannabis investors, and more.

How to Qualify as Justice-Involved for a New York Cannabis Business CAURD License

By Kim Napoli, Bridgette Nikisher
Aug 2, 2022

New York's Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Licenses are reserved for "Justice-Involved" individuals disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. What does "Justice-Involved" mean, and how does one take advantage of the benefits associated with that classification?

Trademarking Your New York Cannabis Industry Business and Brand

By Erik Pelton
Jul 27, 2022

Looking to start a cannabis business in New York? When creating your business brand name and logo, don't forget to protect it with a trademark.

Financing New Ventures: 10 Key Considerations to Structure an Equity Raise for a New Company

By Charlie Alovisetti, Navid Brewster
May 10, 2022

Raising money for a company is challenging. It can be even more challenging if you haven’t been through the process before and don’t know what decisions you need to make. This article lays out 10 key considerations to think about when setting up your financing.

Charlie Alovisetti to Participate in Business of Cannabis Event: New York Sessions 'Connecting Social Equity Applicants to Capital'

Mar 1, 2022

The Business of Cannabis: New York Sessions event will focus on the critically important topic of connecting social equity licensees to capital.

VS is Headed to Las Vegas for the Biggest Cannabis Event of the Year — MJBizCon!

Oct 5, 2021

We look forward to seeing our colleagues, clients, and friends at MJBizCon in Las Vegas, October 19-22!

What is a Cannabis SPAC?

By Charles Alovisetti and Ilya Ross
Feb 19, 2021

With wary investors and a minimal number of FDIC-insured bank lenders in the space, cannabis entrepreneurs are running out of options to raise capital. SPACs create a unique opportunity to fill the current vacuum of capital in the cannabis 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.

Cannabis in the 2020 Election: Where Did We Win?

Nov 11, 2020

Josh Kappel and Charlie Alovisetti give a post-election update for investors in this CanopyBoulder Investor Hub event.

Protect Your Brand! Cannabis Trademark Strategies and Benefits

Sep 23, 2020

Watch this virtual discussion on cannabis trademarks and intellectual property with Sahar Ayinehsazian, Erik Pelton and Jeffrey Welsh.

Raising Private Capital in the Cannabis Industry

By Charles Alovisetti, Elliot Choi, Sahar Ayinehsazian
Sep 18, 2020

Raising private capital continues to be a challenge for the nascent cannabis industry, but there are proactive steps companies can take to maximize the chance of a successful raise.

Illinois Cannabis: Regulatory Update for Investors with Jerrico Perez and CanopyBoulder

Jul 27, 2020

Join VS attorney Jerrico Perez on the CanopyBoulder Investor Hub for information on the state of the Illinois market and where the opportunities lie for investors.

Massachusetts Cannabis: Regulatory Update for Investors with Brandon Kurtzman and CanopyBoulder

Jul 22, 2020

Watch this interview with Brandon Kurtzman on the CanopyBoulder Investor Hub for information on the state of legal cannabis in Massachusetts and where the opportunities lie for investors.

Missouri Cannabis: Regulatory Update for Investors with Carl Werner and CanopyBoulder

Jul 17, 2020

Watch this interview with Carl Werner on the CanopyBoulder Investor Hub for information on the state of legal cannabis in Missouri and where the opportunities lie for investors.

Preparing for the Rising Demand for Due Diligence in Cannabis Transactions

By Charles Alovisetti, Elliot Choi, Sahar Ayinehsazian, Corey Cox
May 5, 2020

The continuing growth of the cannabis and hemp industries has given rise to the need for specifically tailored due diligence.

Trademark Protection for Cannabis, Hemp and CBD Brands

Dec 11, 2019

What brand protection options are available for businesses in the cannabis, hemp, CBD or related industries? Watch this presentation to better understand the tactics your business can implement to increase protection for brand names, logos, and slogans.