Insights

The Ultimate Guide to Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act (SB23-290 Psychedelics Law)

By Joshua Kappel, Juliana Todeschi, George Winfrey, Will Denney
Aug 22, 2025

Colorado’s groundbreaking psychedelics law, the Natural Medicine Health Act (SB23-290), continues to take shape. Originally signed into law in 2023, the Act established the country’s most comprehensive framework for natural psychedelic medicine. Since then, Colorado regulators have finalized rules for facilitator licensing, healing centers, cultivators, and testing facilities, with the program officially launching on January 1, 2025. This updated guide reflects the latest regulatory developments, including compliance requirements, Indigenous inclusion, and public health protections.

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Trump Signals Cannabis Rescheduling: Schedule III Marijuana Decision Expected Soon

By Shawn Hauser
Aug 20, 2025

President Trump has confirmed that his administration is actively reviewing a proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. If approved, this change would officially recognize medical use for the first time in over 50 years and could bring major shifts for the cannabis industry. In this article, we’ll break down what Schedule III would mean, the opportunities and limits of rescheduling, and what cannabis businesses should keep in mind as these changes unfold.

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Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Releases Draft Social Consumption Establishment Regulations for Formal Public Comment

By David M. Ullian, Tim Callahan
Aug 19, 2025

On August 14, 2025, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission released draft rules for Social Consumption Establishments, outlining three new license types, four categories of consumption areas, and detailed operational standards. The proposed regulations also update agent registration requirements and open an exclusivity period for Social Equity and Economic Empowerment applicants. Public comments are now being accepted ahead of a September 8 hearing.

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New Mexico Issues Hemp Emergency Rules

By Emily Hackman
Aug 8, 2025

New Mexico’s Environment Department (NMED) has passed emergency rules for hemp producers to address safety concerns over synthesized cannabinoids. The new regulations prohibit hemp facilities from handling semi-synthetic and synthetic cannabinoids unless specific purity standards are met. Read on to learn more.

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How Cannabis Companies Use ESOPs for Tax Savings and Ownership Transition

By Charles Alovisetti, Jack Crain
Aug 7, 2025

As the cannabis industry matures, more operators are exploring alternative ownership structures that support both long-term growth and successful exits. One powerful yet underutilized option is the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). In this article, we discuss how cannabis companies can use ESOPs to create tax-efficient exit strategies, reduce the impact of Section 280E, and build long-term value through employee ownership. We also outline the structure, tax benefits, regulatory considerations, and practical execution of ESOP transactions in the cannabis space.

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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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