By Vicente LLP
Mar 18, 2025
As Vicente LLP celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, we reflect on 15 milestones that highlight our growth, commitment to advocacy, and the important role our firm has played in cannabis law, psychedelics law, and drug policy reform.
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.
By Juliana Todeschi and Shawn Hauser
Oct 24, 2024
In late September, several hemp industry businesses and the U.S. Hemp Roundtable trade group filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Public Health to overturn the new California emergency regulations banning hemp-derived products containing any “detectable” amount of THC. Learn more about the emergency regulations and the lawsuit affecting the future of hemp-derived THC products in California.
Jul 22, 2024
Vicente LLP partner Tim Swain and director of economics and research Andrew Livingston will speak during the AICPA & CIMA Cannabis Industry Conference in Aurora, CO on August 13. Tim will discuss litigation and forensics, and Andrew will provide insights on the cannabis market’s current conditions and future opportunities post-rescheduling. Register now!
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!
Oct 20, 2023
Vicente LLP partner Jennifer Cabrera was recognized by Super Lawyers for her exceptional legal work in New York! Congratulations Jennifer!
By Catie Wightman
Feb 13, 2023
In recent years, several CBD companies faced product liability lawsuits brought by consumers. Many of these cases were dismissed without prejudice or stayed until the FDA takes action to regulate CBD products. Now that the FDA said it will not take action to regulate CBD, could these cases be revived?
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.
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.
May 23, 2022
International Cannabis Bar Association's annual conference will feature VS attorneys Shawn Hauser and Shane Pennington in sessions focused on emerging cannabinoids and the CLI's first-ever moot court (Sisley v. DEA), respectively.
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.
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.
Mar 4, 2022
VS counsel Shane Pennington is joining Dr. Sue Sisley and attorney Matt Zorn on Tuesday, March 15 at 10 a.m. CT for the SXSW session "Sue 'n the DEA: Breaking the 50-year NIDA Monopoly."
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.
Dec 4, 2021
VS attorney Sahar Ayinehsazian is slated to speak at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention on December 10, 2021.
Nov 22, 2021
The legal cannabis industry is expanding rapidly worldwide. But where there is smoke, there is fire. Watch this on-demand CLE with VS counsel Jennifer Cabrera for a discussion on the good, the bad, and the ugly of cannabis finance and investment litigation.
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.
Sep 14, 2021
Update on hemp-related legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
By Shane Pennington
Sep 13, 2021
Texas has allowed hemp cultivation and state-based manufacturing, distribution, and retail sale of hemp and consumable hemp products since 2019—but only if the products weren’t intended for smoking. This prohibition on a product with such high value for hemp farmers—and soaring consumer demand—was sure to make waves.
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 19, 2021
Vicente Sederberg LLP is pleased to share that five lawyers representing the firm’s Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York offices were recognized by their attorney peers in The Best Lawyers in America© 2022.
By Shane Pennington
Aug 9, 2021
In what could be a groundbreaking case for psychedelic medicine, VS counsel Shane Pennington is part of a team working on an exciting and very important Ninth Circuit challenge to the DEA's refusal to accommodate state and federal right to try laws.
Jun 10, 2021
Update on hemp legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Jun 9, 2021
This week in federal court, VS counsel Shane Pennington will give oral arguments to get cannabis out of the Schedule 1 drug classification.
May 26, 2021
VS counsel Shane Pennington joined Rod Kight and Hemp Industries Association to discuss the lawsuit against DEA, challenging the DEA's interim final rule.
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.
By Jennifer Cabrera, Andrea Golan, Brandon Kurtzman, Jerrico Perez
Feb 3, 2021
Regulatory agencies can deny cannabis license applications for various reasons, but a denied application is not the end of the line.
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.
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.
By Jennifer Cabrera, David Kramer
Nov 30, 2020
As anyone who has been involved in a legal dispute knows, litigation can be very costly. Thankfully, litigation funding is an option and lenders are increasingly willing to lend to cannabis and hemp businesses.
By Jennifer Cabrera
Nov 20, 2020
While it’s best to avoid litigation and arbitration in the first place, disputes happen and are occurring more frequently in the maturing cannabis sector. Here's a primer on both.
Nov 11, 2020
Josh Kappel and Charlie Alovisetti give a post-election update for investors in this CanopyBoulder Investor Hub event.
Oct 27, 2020
If you operate in the cannabis industry, chances are you’ll need to challenge a regulatory decision at some point. Watch this session to learn about your options.
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.
Sep 3, 2020
Jennifer will present "Litigation is Coming! What Cannabis Businesses Need to Know Now" at NECANN Online on September 26, 2020.
Sep 2, 2020
Exotic Canopy Solutions LLC, represented by Vicente Sederberg LLP, filed a complaint against Eastern Colorado Hemp Operations, Inc. and Curnativ Farms LLC.
Aug 31, 2020
VS founding partner Brian Vicente will discuss litigation and regulation in the cannabis industry as part of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys Denver Annual Meeting.
Jul 30, 2020
Watch this to hear about unique business issues in the cannabis industry, including real estate difficulties, in this interview with Rick Kaplan of NYREJ.
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.
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.
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.
By Michelle Bodian, David Kramer
Jul 13, 2020
The past year has seen an uptick of hemp and CBD-related lawsuits across the country. This article explores the valuable lessons for hemp and CBD businesses to learn from a few of the cases.
By Justin Johnson
Jun 19, 2020
Many licensed Colorado marijuana businesses unfortunately experience disputes among their owners. Reasons vary, but almost all of them trigger regulatory issues that must be navigated.