Federal and International Law & Policy

As cannabis and psychedelics policy reform moves forward federally and continues to spread across the globe, Vicente LLP is at the forefront, supporting reform efforts, providing policy guidance, and assisting cannabis, hemp and psychedelics-related businesses in reaching their goals of federal and international expansion.

Is your business interested in staying up-to-date with national and international cannabis and psychedelics policy, getting licensed to research or manufacture cannabis and psychedelics, DEA registration of scheduled substances, or the import and export of cannabis seeds and genetics into and out of the U.S.? If so, Vicente LLP is here to help with legal planning, regulatory support, corporate guidance, and strategies for your national and international cannabis and psychedelics ventures. Through the firm’s strategic alliances with specialized FDA and DEA counsel, as well as counsel in international jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, the European Union, the Middle East, South America, and the United Kingdom, Vicente LLP clients receive local and specialized expertise and services.

Click the "Services" tab below to learn more about how Vicente LLP can support your goals.

LEADERSHIP

Shawn Hauser

Partner

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Services

  • Working with stakeholders on federal drug policy reform

  • Advising on DEA regulations for cannabis and psychedelic substances

  • Providing guidance related to efforts to reschedule and deschedule substances listed in the CSA

  • Assisting with DEA registration and licensure to research, manufacture, import, and/or export schedule I substances such as marijuana and psilocybin

  • Delivering a full suite of compliance services for federally licensed facilities, including facilities growing, researching, and manufacturing marijuana, psilocybin, LSD, and other substances

  • Working with stakeholders on international drug policy reform

  • Providing strategic guidance and corporate transactional services related to expanding your business internationally

  • Advising on international cannabis laws and business opportunities in global markets

  • Providing guidance relating to international drug treaties and compliance with those treaties, including policy monitoring and navigating the treaties

  • Providing guidance related to cannabis genetics, seed strategy, interstate and international transfer of cannabis genetics

  • Legal and regulatory compliance guidance for imports, exports, and cross-border transactions

  • Delivering regulatory compliance services for companies selling hemp and cannabis products in international jurisdictions

View our broad range of customizable research and analytical services that deliver valuable insights to entrepreneurs, providing them with a data-driven basis for their business.

  • Economic projections of medical and adult-use cannabis markets

  • Demand forecasting for cannabis programs

  • Business pro forma creation and review

  • Supply and demand modeling to predict market capture and opportunities for growth

  • Analysis of competitor market penetration based on publicly available data

  • Growth projections for specific cannabis product categories and market segments

  • Patient population growth models

  • Research on regulatory issues facing different products and services

  • Strategic guidance identifying regions where market conditions provide optimal business opportunities

  • Research on trends for new cannabis products and services

Vicente LLP is uniquely qualified to assist local, state, and national governments with their cannabis and psychedelics policy and economic-related needs. View our full list of Government & Policy services for government and public sector clients.

  • Laws & Regulations

    • We work collaboratively with stakeholders to identify the broad range of interests that exist and to create policies that match the desires of your administration and the needs of your community. Depending on your specific needs, our assistance can be limited to providing recommendations or comments on a single draft or existing policy, or it may cover the entire drafting process from planning to passage, with ongoing advisory, analytical, and drafting services.

  • Market Research & Economic Analysis

    • Our analytical services are customized to meet the individual needs of each public-sector client and provide a data-driven basis for their marijuana policy decisions. We provide a wide range of market, policy, economic, financial, and statistical research, including economic market projections, demand forecasting, tax revenue projections, and more!

People

Shawn Hauser

Partner

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Andrew Livingston

Director of Economics & Research

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Genevieve Meehan

Director of Regulatory Compliance

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News

Cannabis Rescheduling Hearings Postponed: How Did We Get Here and What Happens Next?

By Shawn Hauser, Andrew Livingston
Jan 31, 2025

The much-anticipated hearings on the proposed rulemaking to reschedule cannabis, which were scheduled to begin on January 21, have been postponed for at least three months as a result of an appeal granted by DEA Administrative Law Judge John Mulrooney. In this article, we examine a timeline of progress on rescheduling so far and discuss what may happen next and how the new administration may affect the process.

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Cannabis Rescheduling Hearing Set: What Happens Now?

By Jason Adelstone
Sep 9, 2024

The DEA Hearing on Proposed Rulemaking for cannabis rescheduling will take place on December 2, 2024. What happens next? Read this insights article to learn about the importance of "interested persons" and the administrative law judge appointed to oversee the hearing, the anticipated timeline, the potential impact of the presidential election, and more.

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The Current State of Cannabis Reform and Marijuana Policy in European Union Nations

By Jason Adelstone
Jul 24, 2024

Despite growing public support, EU nations face significant legal hurdles in establishing commercial marijuana markets due to international drug treaties and EU regulations. This Insights post highlights the various approaches toward cannabis reform taken by countries like Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, and how this could potentially impact future cannabis policies in Europe.

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Cannabis Rescheduling: The DEA's Proposed Rule and the Supporting OLC Opinion

By Jason Adelstone
May 21, 2024

The DEA published its proposed rule to move marijuana from schedule I to schedule III on May 21, and the 60-day public comment period has officially opened. The DEA also published an opinion from the Office of Legal counsel that provides a thorough analysis supporting why placing marijuana in schedule III is appropriate and legally justified. Read this insight for a high-level overview of the proposed rule and the OLC Opinion.

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Marijuana Rescheduling Part II: Why Opponents Continue to Have No Idea What They Are Talking About

By Jason Adelstone
May 20, 2024

In a recent House Committee meeting with DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, Rep. Andrew S. Clyde voiced his opposition to removing marijuana from Schedule I based on public safety reasons, but then contradicted himself by stating marijuana is “not as dangerous as some of the others we have talked about” (the meeting focused primarily on fentanyl’s harms to communities). This blog post addresses the false narratives and misconceptions that opponents of cannabis reform continue to promote.

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Key Takeaways for the Hemp Industry from the House's Draft Text for 2023 Farm Bill and DEA's Proposed Rules to Reschedule Marijuana

By Michelle Bodian
May 17, 2024

This was a big week for hemp (as well as marijuana)! The proposed rules to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) were released and will be officially published in the federal register on May 21, 2024. Some of the language is relevant to hemp and hemp products. Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives released draft text for the 2023 Farm Bill. Read this insight for key takeaways.

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Marijuana Rescheduling: Why Opponents Have No Idea What They Are Talking About

By Jason Adelstone
Apr 29, 2024

After listening to the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Hearing with the Commissioner of the FDA on April 11, one conclusion was reinforced—opponents of marijuana reform are misinformed and rely on misstating facts to support their position. Those against moving marijuana into schedule III are making their voices heard, but almost universally, those voices simply do not understand what schedule III would mean.

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International Narcotics Control Board’s Use of “May” in 2023 Report Hints at Evolving Global Cannabis Stance

By Jason Adelstone
Mar 21, 2024

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) may be taking a more measured approach to cannabis. In their 2023 report, INCB used the word "may" when discussing potential inconsistencies between US state legalization and international treaties. This subtle shift in language suggests a more open-minded approach. This blog post explores the significance of this change in the report’s language and what it might mean for the future of global cannabis legalization.

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International Cannabis Update: Germany Joins Malta and Luxembourg in Liberalizing Marijuana Policy

By Jason Adelstone
Feb 27, 2024

Germany's recent enactment of a marijuana decriminalization bill marks a significant development in European drug policy. While falling short of full legalization, the new law allows for decriminalized possession, home cultivation, and participation in cannabis clubs. This blog post provides a concise overview of the new legislation, its potential impact, and its wider implications for the evolving European cannabis landscape.

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Top Five Countries to Watch for International Cannabis Reform in 2024

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.

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