Insights

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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A Progressive Path: The Evolution of Cannabis Laws in the Czech Republic

By Daniel Molina
Nov 11, 2025

Czechia has long led Europe in pragmatic cannabis policy. After years of steady reform, its new adult-use law will take full effect on January 1, 2026, legalizing limited home cultivation and possession. This article traces Czechia’s evolution from early decriminalization through the growth of its medical program to today’s progressive legalization framework.

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Massachusetts FY26 Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program Now Accepting Applications Through December 11, 2025

By David Ullian
Nov 10, 2025

Applications for the Massachusetts FY26 Cannabis Social Equity Grant Program are open now and due by December 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM. This initiative of the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund (CSETF) provides non-repayable grants to eligible cannabis industry entrepreneurs, aiming to expand equitable participation in the state’s cannabis industry by financially supporting licensed and pre-licensed social equity businesses.

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What Spanberger’s Victory Means for Virginia’s Cannabis Market

By Charles Alovisetti, Jack Crain
Nov 5, 2025

Governor Abigail Spanberger’s election marks a turning point for Virginia’s cannabis industry. Her administration is expected to take a more supportive approach to adult-use cannabis legalization, renewing momentum for a regulated retail market first approved, but never implemented, by the General Assembly in 2021. In this article, we discuss what Spanberger’s victory means for Virginia’s adult-use cannabis market, what lawmakers are expected to revisit in 2026, and how these changes could shape the Commonwealth’s cannabis and hemp industries.

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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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Commentary and analysis on cannabis, hemp, psychedelics, and other emerging therapies from the attorneys and policy specialists at the nation’s leading cannabis law firm.

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