Archive

Fifteen Years of Impact: Vicente LLP’s Journey

By Vicente LLP
Jun 17, 2025

Over the past 15 years, Vicente LLP has evolved from a bold legal experiment into one of the most influential forces in cannabis and psychedelics reform. From leading the charge on Colorado’s historic Amendment 64 to shaping national psychedelics policy and supporting Tribal sovereignty, Vicente LLP has redefined what it means to be a mission-driven law firm.

Minnesota Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Product Registration Now Open Through August 31, 2025

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.

Vicente LLP Earns Top National Recognition for Cannabis and Psychedelics Law in Chambers USA 2025 Guide

Jun 5, 2025

Vicente LLP is proud to once again earn Band 1 Nationwide rankings for both Cannabis Law and Psychedelics Law in the Chambers USA 2025 Guide—reaffirming our position as the leading firm in these emerging sectors. Since the introduction of Cannabis Law in 2019 and Psychedelics Law in 2024, we’ve consistently led the field with a proven track record, bold policy leadership, and a steadfast commitment to our clients.

Join Vicente LLP at Psychedelic Science 2025 in Denver!

May 23, 2025

Vicente LLP is proud to sponsor Psychedelic Science 2025, the world’s largest conference dedicated to psychedelics and natural medicine! Vicente attorneys Joshua Kappel, Barine Majewska and Jerrico Perez will be featured in multiple sessions on natural medicine law, policy and entrepreneurship. Stop by Booth #406 or find us in the Business & Practitioner Lounge to connect with our team. Reach out to schedule a meeting.

Vicente LLP Team Members Are Headed to NoCo Hemp Expo 2025 in Estes Park

Mar 24, 2025

Vicente founding partner Joshua Kappel is slated to speak during NoCo Hemp Expo 2025 in a panel about the current landscape for psilocybin therapy. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with multiple members of our team in Estes Park during the event. If you’ll be attending, be sure to reach out—we’d love to connect!

Psychedelics Attorney Joshua Kappel Educates on Colorado Natural Medicine Business Licensing During Healing Advocacy Fund Webinar

Mar 7, 2025

Vicente partner Joshua Kappel joined Healing Advocacy Fund and the National Psychedelics Association during the “Nuts & Bolts: Colorado Natural Medicine Business Webinar,” which provided insights for business license applicants navigating Colorado’s regulated natural medicine program, including regulatory requirements, business structuring, and legal considerations. Watch the replay!

Understanding ESG Requirements for Licensing Colorado Natural Medicine Businesses

By Juliana Todeschi, Joshua Kappel
Mar 4, 2025

Colorado’s Natural Medicine Division has finalized its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements for Natural Medicine Business licensing. These guidelines help applicants create plans that promote sustainability, social impact, and ethical governance. Notably, the rules emphasize honoring Indigenous communities and ensuring transparency in business operations.

Cannabis and Psychedelics Attorney Joshua Kappel Named a 2025 Lawyer of the Year by Law Week Colorado

Feb 21, 2025

Vicente LLP is proud to announce that founding partner Joshua Kappel has been recognized as a 2025 Lawyer of the Year by Law Week Colorado. This honor highlights his outstanding leadership in cannabis and psychedelics law, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping policy such as Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act and Amendment 64, advocating for drug reform nationwide, and guiding businesses in these evolving sectors.

[Webinar] Colorado Natural Medicine Licensing Update and Q&A

Feb 19, 2025

Watch this recorded session, where members of Vicente’s Psychedelics & Emerging Therapies team provide an overview of Colorado’s Natural Medicine program and answer attendee questions related to starting a natural medicine business, facilitator license requirements, manufacturing, healing centers, personal use provisions, property zoning, advertising restrictions and more.

Minnesota Draft Cannabis Rules Provide Clarity on Licensed Cannabis Business Operations

By Jason Tarasek, Colleen Mitchell
Jan 23, 2025

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently proposed draft rules to clarify key operational requirements for cannabis businesses, including co-location policies, THC concentrate limits, cultivation canopy measurements, production capacities, and delivery regulations. Make your voices heard! The public comment submission period is open until Wednesday, February 12.

Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Markets: Using Tax Data to Assess Growth in Louisiana, Minnesota and Tennessee

By Andrew Livingston
Jan 22, 2025

Now that many states have regulated cannabinoid hemp alongside medical and adult-use marijuana, hemp cannabinoid market growth trends can be analyzed using comprehensive data, including monthly tax data from product sales. In this article, we analyze market trends in Minnesota, Louisiana and Tennessee using hemp-derived cannabinoid product sales tax data reported by the states.

Colorado Psychedelics Program: Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin 15

By Vicente LLP, Psychedelic Alpha
Jan 8, 2025

Colorado's Natural Medicine Program has officially opened applications for facilitators and businesses. Prospective licensing applicants can access licensing guides and FAQs published by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), which include operational guidelines for businesses interested in the cultivation, manufacturing, and testing of natural medicine products and more. In this Bulletin, we examine the remaining open questions for the program, as well as several ongoing controversies, the most significant being the questions of at-home facilitation and microdosing.

Minnesota Cannabis Licensing Opportunities in 2025

By Jason Tarasek
Dec 20, 2024

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has announced a new timeline for cannabis licensing in 2025. Applications for all license types will be accepted between February and March next year. This article breaks down Minnesota’s cannabis business licensing process, social equity licensing opportunities, and upcoming deadlines that applicants should look out for.

Cannabis Presents Economic Opportunity for Tribal Nations

By Jason Tarasek
Dec 3, 2024

Cannabis is opening new doors of economic opportunity for Tribal nations across the country, from the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina to the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota. In states where cannabis sales are not legal or where adult-use dispensaries have not yet opened, Tribal cannabis businesses may have a first-to-market advantage.

Colorado Psychedelics Program: Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin 14

By Vicente LLP, Psychedelic Alpha
Oct 24, 2024

Having completed the initial rulemaking push in July, Colorado regulators are putting the finishing touches on the state’s regulated Natural Medicine program by fine-tuning rules and setting fees. Since Bulletin 13, The Department of Revenue’s Natural Medicine Division released proposed fees for Natural Medicine Businesses. The Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Office of Natural Medicine Licensure recently published proposed revisions to rules related to facilitator licensing and training. Simultaneously, the Natural Medicine Advisory Board, its subcommittees, and the Federally Recognized American Tribes and Indigenous Community Working Group continue to grapple with remaining issues, old and new. In this Bulletin, we first look at big-picture questions such as fees and rule changes. Then, we’ll look at what each group has been working on since the last update.

Colorado Psychedelics Update: Regulators Finalize Natural Medicine Program Rules

By Joshua Kappel, Barine Majewska
Aug 23, 2024

Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies and Department of Revenue have finalized rules for facilitator licensing and business operations under the Natural Medicine program, which launches January 1. Read on for the latest update on the rules, local government restrictions and proposed licensing and application fees.

Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin 13.5: The Birth of a Regulated Psychedelics Program

By Vicente LLP, Psychedelic Alpha
Aug 21, 2024

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletins provide updates on the implementation of Colorado's legal psychedelics program, the Natural Medicine Health Act. As the first round of rulemaking for Colorado’s regulated Natural Medicine program comes to a close, Vicente LLP and Psychedelic Alpha provide an overview of the first set of final rules which give a good picture of how the state will regulate facilitators, their training programs, and other Natural Medicine Businesses.

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin 13: Peaking in July (2024)

By Vicente LLP, Psychedelic Alpha
Aug 21, 2024

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletins provide updates on the implementation of Colorado's legal psychedelics program, the Natural Medicine Health Act. The Natural Medicine Advisory Board (“NMAB”), as well as the Federally Recognized Tribes and Indigenous Community Working Group, are continuing to develop recommendations. The Department of Revenue (“DOR”) has concluded its initial rulemaking, having released a final set of consolidated draft rules and held final public comment.

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin 12: May and June 2024

By Vicente LLP, Psychedelic Alpha
Jul 11, 2024

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletins provide updates on the implementation of Colorado's legal psychedelics program, the Natural Medicine Health Act. After months of meetings and revisions, regulations are close to completion. The rules cover licensing and conduct for facilitators and businesses that cultivate, manufacture or sell natural medicine products. Public comment on the proposed rules ends soon, with upcoming meetings for those interested in learning more and providing feedback.

Connect with Vicente LLP at the Hemp Beverage Conference and Festival in Minneapolis!

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!

Vicente LLP Heads to Minneapolis for CANNRA 2024 External Stakeholder Meeting

May 16, 2024

Will you be in Minneapolis for the CANNRA 2024 External Stakeholder Meeting? Several members of the Vicente LLP team will be in attendance! Senior associate Jason Adelstone will discuss international considerations during the closing plenary on June 5, and partners Adam Fine and Michelle Bodian, director of regulatory policy Jen Flanagan, and counsel Jason Tarasek will also be in attendance!

Vicente Attorneys Will Sponsor and Attend Bridging the Worlds Psychedelics Conference

Apr 5, 2024

On April 18, 2024, Vicente LLP attorneys Joshua Kappel and Barine Majewska will attend the “Bridging the Worlds: The Confluence of Indigenous Wisdom and Psychedelic Science” conference at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO. Vicente is a sponsor of the event, which will explore the future of psychedelic research in the context of its historical and cultural significance.

Minnesota’s Proposed Cannabis Legislation Would Provide Early-Mover Licensing Opportunities for Social Equity Business Applicants

By Jason Tarasek, Yolanda Clarke
Mar 12, 2024

Minnesota lawmakers are proposing a bill to reshape the state's adult-use cannabis market, prioritizing social equity business applicants. The bill would grant social equity applicants a head start through temporary licenses allowing them to prepare for full licensure. This Insights post highlights social equity applicant criteria, limits on the total number of cannabis business licenses, and additional details to this recently introduced bill.

Colorado's Draft Natural Medicine Rules: Full Breakdown & Commentary

By Vicente LLP, Psychedelic Alpha
Mar 5, 2024

Vicente LLP provides a full breakdown of the first set of draft rules regarding Colorado's regulated psychedelics program. The thirty-nine pages of draft rules cover facilitator licensing and training programs, representing months of work by the Natural Medicine Advisory Board and state regulators.

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin #8.1: Recommendation Round-Up

By Joshua Kappel, Jeff Fitzgerald, Psychedelic Alpha
Feb 15, 2024

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletins provide updates on the implementation of Colorado's legal psychedelics program, the Natural Medicine Health Act. Bulletin #8.1 gives context to the 123 recommendations which will form the basis of the regulated nature medicine program approved by Colorado voters in November 2022.

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin #8: January 2024

By Joshua Kappel, Jeff Fitzgerald, Psychedelic Alpha
Feb 14, 2024

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletins provide updates on the implementation of Colorado's legal psychedelics program, the Natural Medicine Health Act. Bulletin #8 focuses on updates on the NMAB's initial set of recommendations for the state’s regulated natural medicine program

Minnesota Cannabis Regulators Announce Plans to Launch Adult-Use Dispensaries by Summer 2024

By Jason Tarasek
Feb 2, 2024

Minnesota dispensaries could be a reality by summer! The OCM unveiled an ambitious plan to speed up the launch, proposing temporary regulations and licensing reforms. Focusing on social equity, product availability, and education, they are streamlining the process by removing initial premise requirements, local government involvement, and even suggesting a new social equity classification. Read this Insights post for the latest update on Minnesota’s cannabis business regulations.

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletin #7: December 2023

By Joshua Kappel, Jeff Fitzgerald, Psychedelic Alpha
Jan 18, 2024

Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletins provide updates on the implementation of Colorado's legal psychedelics program, the Natural Medicine Health Act. Bulletin #7 focuses on updates from the recent subcommittee meetings.

[Vicente LLP Event] Minnesota Hemp & Cannabis Seminar

Sep 18, 2023

Join the Vicente LLP team in Minneapolis for another can’t-miss hemp and cannabis legal and business seminar on October 19, 2023. The event will feature Vicente LLP hemp and cannabis business attorneys Michelle Bodian, Travis Copenhaver, Jeremy Shaw and Jason Tarasek, along with special guests Sen. Lindsey Port and cannabis accountant Angela L’Esperance of Ms. Jane Accounting.

City of West Hollywood Community Educational Forum on Psilocybin Features Psychedelics Attorney Joshua Kappel

Jul 12, 2023

Learn about and support psychedelic policy by attending a community educational forum on psilocybin, featuring Vicente LLP founding partner Joshua Kappel, at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers on July 25, 2023. The educational forum will explore the full spectrum of psilocybin-related topics, including a discussion of past and current legislation aimed at decriminalizing psilocybin mushrooms and other hallucinogenic substances.

Minnesota Cannabis Market Projections

By Travis Copenhaver
Jun 22, 2023

While the state of Minnesota's study on the expected size and growth of the state's cannabis industry will not be complete until January 15, 2025, Vicente LLP's Economics & Research Department recently made some general predictions about the market. Read this Insights article to dive into the numbers.

Join Vicente LLP at Psychedelic Science 2023 in Denver

Jun 7, 2023

The largest psychedelic gathering in history is coming to Denver June 19-23 and Vicente LLP is ecstatic to sponsor the conference and welcome the global psychedelic community to our hometown. Let’s connect at the conference and the many networking events that week!

Legal Guide to Decriminalized Natural Medicine in Colorado

May 29, 2023

Colorado is the first state to decriminalize natural psychedelics for personal and communal use. This guide contains information on personal use, civil protections, and Colorado's regulated natural medicine access program. Natural psychedelics remain illegal under federal law. Please be conscientious and know the laws.

The Ultimate Guide to SB23-290, Colorado’s Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization Bill

By Joshua Kappel, Juliana Todeschi, George Winfrey
May 24, 2023

Another key step in bringing natural psychedelic medicine to Colorado was completed this week. Governor Polis signed SB23-290, the Natural Medicine Health Act’s implementation bill. This bill is the most comprehensive piece of legislation ever passed by a state government related to a state-authorized natural psychedelic medicine program. It builds upon the values of the NMHA with a renewed focus on indigenous voices, safety, and regulatory efficiency. The measure goes into effect on July 1, 2023. Read our full analysis of the bill.

Upcoming Cannabis Business Licensing Opportunities Across the U.S.

By Jerrico Perez
May 22, 2023

Opportunities for growth across the nation are currently abundant for cannabis businesses, and our experienced team is here to help you navigate these increasingly complex and competitive licensing processes. With more winning merit-based applications than any other law firm in the country, our team’s work ethic, dedication, and experience will help elevate your application above the competition and set your business up for long-term success.

Colorado Psychedelics Update: State House of Representatives Passes Natural Medicine Health Act Implementation Bill SB23-290 with Amendments

By Joshua Kappel
May 1, 2023

Since its introduction on April 18, SB23-290, the implementation bill for the Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA), made its way through the Colorado House and has now passed with amendments that have generally brought this bill even closer to the original intent of Prop 122! Read this Vicente Insights post for the latest updates and next steps for the bill.    

Colorado Psychedelics Update: Natural Medicine Health Act Implementation Bill SB23-290 Engrossed, Reengrossed, and Heading to the House

By Joshua Kappel, Juliana Todeschi
Apr 25, 2023

Since its introduction on April 18, SB23-290, the implementation bill for the Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA), has gone through the Colorado Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees and several amendments have been made. The reengrossed version of the now 91-page bill heads to the state House with a new sponsor, Representative Judy Amabile. Read this Vicente Insights post for the latest updates and next steps for the bill.    

Minnesota Cannabis Legalization Bill Amended to Lessen Potential Impact on Breweries Manufacturing THC Beverages

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.

[Webinar] Psychedelic Opportunities in Oregon and Colorado

Jan 12, 2023

As states like Oregon and Colorado develop regulated pathways for people to get involved in the regulated psychedelics industry, possibilities—and questions—are increasing: What are the opportunities now, what’s next, and where? Get answers by watching this recorded session.

[Webinar] Cannabis & Psychedelics On the Ballot

Nov 1, 2022

The November 2022 ballot has those interested in cannabis and psychedelic policy reform on their toes. From supporting adult-use cannabis initiatives in Arkansas, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Maryland, to potential psychedelic reform in Colorado, there is plenty of excitement!

Colorado Prop 122: A Transformative Measure Grounded in Equity and Healing

By Joshua Kappel and Tucker Wentz
Oct 11, 2022

Vicente Sederberg LLP is proud to stand with Natural Medicine Colorado and support Proposition 122. This measure not only provides safe access to natural psychedelic medicines, but does so in a way that is grounded in equity and conscious capitalism while also protecting legacy communities and existing medicine keepers.

The Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022: A Measure to Access Psychedelic Medicine in Colorado

By Colleen Mitchell, Yolanda Clarke
Oct 10, 2022

Prop 122 would create a regulated system for adults aged 21 and older to access natural psychedelic medicine, such as psilocybin, in a supervised setting to treat various mental health conditions. It would also allow for the cultivation, possession, personal use, and gifting of psychedelic medicine for adults aged 21 and older. Read this for an overview of the proposition’s key components.