Vicente LLP Federal and International Cannabis and Psychedelics Law and Policy Update: November 2023
Nov 10, 2023
Federal and international law and policy insights, news and events from Vicente LLP.
Nov 10, 2023
Federal and international law and policy insights, news and events from Vicente LLP.
By Jason Adelstone
Nov 6, 2023
While the cannabis industry in the United States awaits a marijuana scheduling decision from the DEA, many countries around the world continue to move forward with liberalizing their cannabis policies as a superior method of promoting the health and welfare of their citizens. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at five countries poised to make waves in the cannabis landscape in 2024, including Germany, Thailand, Colombia, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.
Oct 26, 2023
This recorded session features members of Vicente LLP’s Federal and International Law and Policy practice group and London cannabis attorney Robert Jappie of Fieldfisher sharing insights into what’s happening with cannabis and hemp-derived cannabinoids across the pond and opportunities for US operators and investors.
By Emily Hackman, Ashley Davies
Sep 12, 2023
Cannabis storefront retail and microbusiness license opportunities in Southern California have largely been few and far between. However, the City of Redondo Beach and the City of Santee are two great opportunities to expand or establish a foothold in the Southern California cannabis retail market. Read this article for a summary of the current status of each jurisdiction's application and licensing process.
By Michelle Bodian, Shawn Hauser, Shane Pennington
May 11, 2023
At a DEA supply chain conference last week, Terrance Boos, Section Chief, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, stated that the DEA will be releasing a rule to reschedule certain hemp-derived cannabinoids.
Apr 27, 2023
Attend this Vicente LLP session to learn about how asset-light business models can help expand your business and bring products to market faster and with less capital.
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.
Mar 10, 2023
Hear Shane Pennington discuss the latest developments on cannabis law litigation at the INCBA Litigation Symposium on March 20. Register now!
By Shane Pennington
Mar 1, 2023
How TGA's rescheduling of psilocybin and MDMA shines a bright light on DEA delinquency
By Cassia Furman, Jason Adelstone
Feb 24, 2023
A bill passed in 2022 authorized California to enter into agreements with neighboring states allowing for interstate transfers between cannabis licensees, so long as the cannabis products don’t pass through a non-legal state. Could this be implemented? What are the risks?
By Andrea Golan
Jan 25, 2023
At the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, several notable changes in California cannabis law took effect. In this article, we compiled five key regulatory changes impacting cannabis packaging and labeling, recyclability claims, and inhalable cannabis products.
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.
Dec 7, 2022
Join Habeeb Syed on December 16 for a panel titled, "Legal Considerations for Launching Your Blockchain, NFT, or Crypto Project," at the IDEAS Global A.I. Conference.
Nov 10, 2022
VS unpacks the cannabis- and psychedelics-related results of the 2022 election and discusses the implications of President Biden’s recent Executive Scheduling reform.
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?
Nov 9, 2022
Watch this recorded session to learn about California's latest cannabis rule changes and how to comply.
Nov 8, 2022
We're excited to announce that Vicente Sederberg LLP was ranked in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" 2023 Edition! VS is ranked nationally for Land Use & Zoning Law and regionally for Corporate Law in Colorado and Land Use & Zoning Law in Massachusetts.
Oct 26, 2022
On October 30, VS counsel Shane Pennington will be joined by other cannabis attorneys and consultants on a panel about New York’s cannabis licensing process.
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.
By Andrea Golan
Aug 22, 2022
California OEHHA adopted new regulations which include new non-mandatory Proposition 65 warning language for products that can expose consumers to cannabis smoke or delta-9-THC.
Aug 19, 2022
VS is pleased to announce that 14 attorneys from national cannabis law firm Vicente Sederberg LLP (VS) were recognized this week by Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.
Jul 21, 2022
Congratulations to the VS attorneys selected to the 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists in Massachusetts and New York!
By Andrea Golan
Jul 11, 2022
California cannabis cultivation tax was eliminated, along with additional significant reforms to Golden State cannabis laws. Read this article for noteworthy changes from Gov. Newsom's recently-signed budget trailer bill.
Jul 6, 2022
VS is excited to announce that the prestigious international legal directory Chambers & Partners awarded VS with the 'Cannabis Law Firm of the Year' award once again, extended VS a Band 1 ranking for the fourth straight year, and recognized five VS attorneys as top cannabis lawyers.
By Andrea Golan
Jul 6, 2022
CDPH published Industrial Hemp Enrollment and Oversight Authorization and registration for each hemp product type.
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 Andrea Golan
May 6, 2022
CDPH published proposed emergency regulations detailing the registration requirements and annual fees for manufacturers of hemp extract and hemp products. CDPH is accepting public comments through May 31, 2022.
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 8, 2022
Cassia will join the panel "The Current Legal Cannabis Landscape: An Overview and Comparative Study" on April 12 at 9:15 a.m.
Apr 8, 2022
Don't miss the panel next week at the Cannabis Packaging Conference (CannPack) in Anaheim, California.
Apr 4, 2022
Update on hemp-related legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
By Shane Pennington
Mar 25, 2022
Reps. Nancy Mace and Barbara Lee recently filed a resolution imploring President Biden to push the UN to remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961. Taking this proposal seriously may prevent the DEA from placing hemp back on the federal CSA schedules.
By Andrea Golan
Mar 4, 2022
DCC unveiled its proposed changes to the cannabis regulations in a public meeting on March 3, 2022. The proposed rules are expected to be published today. VS will analyze the full text once the proposed regulations are released—so stay tuned for further updates.
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."
By David Kramer
Feb 7, 2022
California is hoping that this will be the year that its hemp industry emerges from the shadows and takes its place among the nation's hemp leaders. Read this article for an outline of what hemp operators should expect from the CDPH and California's hemp program in the coming months.
By Genevieve Meehan, Emily Hackman, Andrea Golan, Amanda Kilroe
Jan 14, 2022
Our team compiled a list of five resolutions to ensure your California cannabis business is focused on operational compliance for years to come.
Dec 13, 2021
Update on psychedelics-related legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy psychedelics news and events.
Nov 19, 2021
VS attorneys Charlie Alovisetti, Sahar Ayinehsazian, and Marc Ross are slated to present at the event in San Francisco, December 16-17, 2021. Be our guest! Use discount code SBrody100 for a complimentary pass to the forum and expo.
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.
Nov 4, 2021
We're excited to announce that Vicente Sederberg LLP was ranked in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" 2022 Edition! VS was named a Tier 2 firm in Colorado for Corporate Law.
By Shane Pennington
Oct 18, 2021
An introduction to the different registrations available for schedule I substances such as psilocybin and psilocin.
Oct 11, 2021
The spread of legalization means a growing practice area for law firms. Two VS Columbia Law alumni were interviewed in this article.
Oct 11, 2021
VS partner Cassia Furman will join the LA County Bar Association on October 14, 2021 to review the adopted rules and critically engage with the new regulatory landscape.
By Cassia Furman, Andrea Golan, Genevieve Meehan
Oct 7, 2021
DCC filed emergency rules for cannabis operators. Read this VS Insight for the need-to-know changes and information on submitting a public comment.
By Andrea Golan, David Kramer
Oct 6, 2021
California AB-45 was signed into law by Governor Newsom, finally putting the California Department of Public Health’s infamous July 2018 FAQ in the rearview mirror—meaning foods, beverages, dietary supplements, pet products, and cosmetics containing CBD can be sold under California state law!
Oct 5, 2021
We look forward to seeing our colleagues, clients, and friends at MJBizCon in Las Vegas, October 19-22!
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.
By Emily Hackman
Sep 9, 2021
In the first post of a three-part series focused on California cannabis, we will highlight the impact of the 2021 Budget Trailer Bill and the upcoming end of provisional licensing on California cannabis operators, as well as strategies to reduce delays in new license issuance and annual license transitions.
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.
Aug 18, 2021
VS counsel Shane Pennington discusses the current state of federal cannabis regulation, how it came about, and what lessons we've learned so far in this on-demand CLE.
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.
Aug 2, 2021
VS partner Jeffrey Welsh recently sat down with host Sara Payan for a conversation about cannabis policy across the U.S., the intersection of entertainment and cannabis, and his music.
Jul 28, 2021
This CLE, featuring Shane Pennington, provides an overview of the appellate process.
Jul 22, 2021
Gov. Newsom signed the Cannabis Trailer Bill on July 12, creating the Department of Cannabis Control. Read this for an overview of the most significant provisions of the trailer bill impacting the cannabis industry.
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.
Jun 8, 2021
The prestigious international legal directory awarded VS with the 2021 'Cannabis Law - Law Firm of the Year' award, once again extended VS a Band 1 ranking, and recognized two more VS attorneys as top cannabis lawyers.
May 27, 2021
VS counsel Shane Pennington joined attorney Marc Hauser to discuss the legal and regulatory landscape surrounding Delta-8 in this recent podcast.
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 Vicente Sederberg LLP
May 24, 2021
Read the memo VS delivered to the International Narcotics Control Board, which gives draft guidelines on control requirements for medical and scientific cannabis and discusses the implications and important issues for consideration.
May 5, 2021
Watch as we explore the stark differences and key similarities between east coast and west coast cannabis licensing.
Mar 29, 2021
Vicente Sederberg is monitoring local, state, and federal responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how they may impact cannabis businesses, service providers, and consumers.
By Andrea Golan
Mar 17, 2021
On January 8, 2021, OEHHA proposed significant changes to its Prop 65 short form warning requirements. Public comments on the proposed changes can be submitted through March 29, 2021.
By Charles Alovisetti
Jan 25, 2021
Like anything in the cannabis industry, getting a debt deal done requires navigating unique regulatory challenges. Here are seven regulatory considerations that cannabis borrowers and lenders should keep in mind when pursuing a debt transaction.
Dec 30, 2020
VS partner Jeffrey Welsh discussed the state of cannabis in California with To Be Blunt: The Podcast for Cannabis Marketers.
Dec 23, 2020
Updates on proposed reforms, 2021 cannabis and hemp bills, new metrc restrictions, and branded merchandise guidance.
Dec 16, 2020
VS partner Jeffrey Welsh discusses his path from professional saxophonist to cannabis lawyer.
By Christina Sava
Dec 11, 2020
A brief history of cannabis regulation in The Golden State over the last decade.
Dec 7, 2020
In this interview, Jeffrey discusses the California cannabis industry, including the role of entertainers and celebrities in cannabis.
By Kelsey Middleton
Dec 2, 2020
A recent ruling determined that the Bureau of Cannabis Control exceeded its rulemaking authority by allowing any advertising to be seen on interstate highways and state highways crossing the California border.
By Vicente Sederberg LLP
Dec 1, 2020
For our 10th anniversary, we take a look back at VS's history of leadership in cannabis law, the marijuana and hemp industries, and drug policy reform.
By Christina Sava, Kelsey Middleton
Nov 24, 2020
California Bureau of Cannabis Control issued proposed amendments in response to AB 2138 that would remove licensure barriers for Californians with past criminal convictions.
By Andrea Golan, Kelsey Middleton
Nov 18, 2020
On Election Day 2020, Californians voted on a remarkable number of cannabis-related ballot measures—39 to be exact. Of those, only six were rejected by voters.
Nov 13, 2020
VS partner Jeffrey Welsh was recently a guest on the Lit & Lucid podcast. Listen here!
Nov 2, 2020
Jeffrey Welsh recently chatted with host Bruce Eckfeldt about his work in cannabis and entertainment law, as well as cannabis branding and more.
By Andrea Golan
Oct 1, 2020
If you sell products to California consumers that contain delta-9 THC or that can expose individuals to cannabis smoke, those products require a Proposition 65 warning.
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.
By Christina Sava
Sep 10, 2020
Attention cannabis business owners! Don't forget to do your due diligence before leasing a space for your operations.
Sep 3, 2020
Sahar will present "Curbing Cannabis Cash" at DRI's Cannabis Law Virtual Seminar on September 17, 2020.
Sep 3, 2020
Andrea will present "What Attorneys Should Know About the Legal Status of Hemp and CBD Products in California and Beyond" on September 15, 2020.
By Genevieve Meehan, Christina Sava
Aug 28, 2020
Helpful resources for California cannabis businesses regarding wildfires, power outages, and remote agency audits due to COVID-19.
By Andrea, Golan, Sahar Ayinehsazian, Tim Long, Christina Sava, Kelsey Middleton
Aug 27, 2020
Vicente Sederberg is monitoring the potential impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on cannabis businesses, service providers, and consumers in California.
Jul 9, 2020
VS attorney Sahar Ayinehsazian discusses cannabis industry banking and the many reasons why there is a demand for cannabis legal advice during the COVID-19 pandemic on CSE's Hashtag Finance podcast.
Jul 1, 2020
Learn best practices for California cannabis packaging and labeling, common mistakes to avoid, tips for new product launches, and much more from members of VS's licensing and compliance teams.
Jun 25, 2020
VS partner Jeffrey Welsh talks about normalizing cannabis, social equity in the cannabis industry, CBD, and the effects of COVID-19 in this interview with Montel Williams.
Apr 23, 2020
The prestigious international legal directory once again gave VS a Nationwide Band 1 ranking, and this time around it also individually ranked three of the firm's partners.
By Andrea A. Golan and Kelsey Middleton
Apr 22, 2020
Apr 17, 2020
Vicente Sederberg is monitoring the potential impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on hemp businesses, service providers, and consumers.
By Andrea A. Golan
Apr 13, 2020
In early 2020, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added Δ9 THC and marijuana smoke to the Proposition 65 list of chemicals known as reproductive toxins. What does this mean for cannabis businesses?
Mar 27, 2020
Watch the replay of this timely discussion on coronavirus (COVID-19) regulatory updates affecting the cannabis industry.
Mar 16, 2020
VS is open for business and communicating with regulators to help answer your questions.
By David Kramer, Senior Associate
Mar 3, 2020
California employers beware: as of January 1, 2020, it is increasingly likely that any person who performs services for your company will be classified as an employee. The reason for this seismic shift is Assembly Bill 5 (AB-5).
Jan 22, 2020
VS attorneys Charles Alovisetti and Sahar Ayinehsazian sat down in Business of Cannabis's Canada's Scene Booth at MJBizCon 2019 to discuss the state of the cannabis industry.
By Tim Long, Counsel
Dec 9, 2019
With the passing of Assembly Bill 37, legal cannabis businesses can now take advantage of more state tax deductions in California.
Dec 4, 2019
Vicente Sederberg is thrilled to announce that leading California cannabis business attorneys Luke K. Stanton and Jeffrey D. Welsh have joined the firm as partners!
By David Kramer, Associate Attorney
Jun 21, 2019
A number of hemp bills are passing through the California legislature. VS Attorney David Kramer dives deeper into AB-228 and SB-153.