By Shawn Hauser
May 29, 2024
We are at a historic and critical moment for cannabis reform, as the DOJ and HHS/FDA have proposed rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III. The DEA is accepting public comments until July 22, 2024 via the Federal eRulemaking Portal, so now is the time to take action and make your voice heard!
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.
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.
May 7, 2024
On May 8, Vicente’s director of economics and research, Andrew Livingston, is joining Rootwurks for a webinar to break down what it will mean for the cannabis industry now that the DEA is making moves to reclassify cannabis into schedule III—and what work for legalization remains to be done. Register now!
By Shawn Hauser
May 7, 2024
Vicente LLP partner Shawn Hauser argues in a new Marijuana Moment op-ed that the federal decision to reschedule cannabis is “a historic and critically important shift”—with the government “finally (and officially) recognizing the efficacy and safety of cannabis for medical use.”
May 3, 2024
Watch this special briefing featuring Vicente LLP leaders who have been deeply immersed in the federal scheduling issue, along with Mitzi Keating, a CPA and partner at Citrin Cooperman.
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.
By Jason Adelstone
Jan 30, 2024
On August 29, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) sent the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) its recommendation to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). Since then, the marijuana industry has waited in suspense for the DEA to make the final call as to what schedule marijuana will be placed. Read this Insights post that outlines the complex process of marijuana rescheduling in the US and outlines the key steps involved, from rule publication to review and final rule, emphasizing the critical role of stakeholder engagement in securing a Schedule III classification.
By David M. Ullian, Gabriel Amatruda
Oct 5, 2023
Public support for medical cannabis in North Carolina is quite strong and despite being one of only a few states that have legalized medical or adult use, cannabis is finally making headway in the Tar Heel State. Read this article to learn about recent cannabis and hemp developments in NC, including legislation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ vote to legalize adult-use cannabis.
Oct 4, 2023
Watch this special briefing where Vicente LLP leaders share insights on the impacts of the HHS recommendation to reschedule cannabis and outline the road ahead.
Jul 13, 2023
Join ACR for a Roundtable Discussion on SAFE banking in the cannabis industry, specifically focusing on the impact on small and minority-owned businesses. The webinar featuring Vicente attorney Elliot Choi will be held on Tuesday, July 25th, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. ET.
Apr 6, 2023
In this episode of Cannabis Minds, Jen Flanagan interviews her colleague Sahar Ayinehsazian who gives valuable advice for cannabis operators and applicants seeking banking services.
Dec 27, 2022
In a CLE on January 12, 2023, Charles Alovisetti will offer advice on the legal and practical issues borrowers and lenders need to consider when documenting and funding a loan transaction secured by cannabis-related real estate
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?
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.
Oct 5, 2022
VS partners Charles Alovisetti and FL Gorman will discuss debtor-creditor rights pertaining to cannabis at NYSBA’s virtual CRE program on October 6
By Charles Alovisetti, Elliot Y. Choi, and Sahar Ayinehsazian
Sep 29, 2022
Charles Alovisetti, Elliot Y. Choi, and Sahar Ayinehsazian write for the Bloomberg Law, reflecting on the challenges and journey of raising private capital in the cannabis industry
Sep 21, 2022
VS partners Sahar Ayinehsazian and Jerrico Perez will be on a LIVE cannabis banking compliance NHCC Legal Committee seminar on September 28!
By Jennifer Flanagan
Aug 26, 2022
Jennifer Flanagan writes for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, reflecting on the Commonwealth's first major cannabis reform legislation since Massachusetts established a regulated adult-use cannabis market.
Jul 29, 2022
Sahar Ayinehsazian will be speaking at the 2022 PBC Conference on September 8, 2022 to discuss financial investing in the cannabis business space
Aug 18, 2021
VS director of economics and research, Andrew Livingston, joined The Green Rush Live to discuss the Federal CAO Act and more.
By Corey Cox, Caitlin Wightman
May 24, 2021
The Colorado government has enacted several programs aimed at helping businesses and workers adversely impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
By Charles Alovisetti, Cassia Furman
Apr 23, 2021
To many in the cannabis industry, REIT is not a common acronym. Yet, as cannabis businesses seek ways to raise funds, REITs are coming up in more and more conversations.
By Andrea A. Golan, Michelle Bodian
Jan 28, 2021
Cannabis businesses are not eligible for relief under any of the federal COVID-19 aid packages, but members of Congress and industry groups are making significant efforts to include cannabis businesses in federal aid.
Sep 3, 2020
Sahar will present "Curbing Cannabis Cash" at DRI's Cannabis Law Virtual Seminar on September 17, 2020.
Aug 13, 2020
This session explores the complexity of mergers and acquisitions and how to optimize taxes to free cash flow for your cannabis business.
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.
By Charles Alovisetti, Elliot Choi, Sahar Ayinehsazian, Corey Cox
May 5, 2020
The continuing growth of the cannabis and hemp industries has given rise to the need for specifically tailored due diligence.
By Meg Nash, David Gately
Apr 30, 2020
The Massachusetts government has enacted several programs aimed at helping businesses and workers adversely impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
By Andrea A. Golan
Apr 24, 2020
While cannabis businesses are not currently eligible for many federal relief programs established in response to COVID-19, they may be eligible for this form of federal relief.
By Andrea A. Golan and Kelsey Middleton
Apr 22, 2020
By Charles Alovisetti, Phil Silverman, Jason Adelstone
Apr 17, 2020
Bankruptcy law provides advantages for financially distressed companies to restructure debt while continuing to operate. Without access to U.S. Bankruptcy Code protections, marijuana companies must turn to out-of-court restructurings and state law insolvency proceedings.
Mar 6, 2020
Learn about cannabis industry best practices for indirect taxes and 280E by watching this webinar replay with tax firm Ryan LLC and attorney Jordan Wellington.
Dec 13, 2019
Join VS and the tax experts at Ryan LLC for a live discussion on cannabis industry taxation, including 280E and best practices for indirect tax issues in the cannabis industry.
By Sahar Ayinehsazian, Associate Attorney
Dec 12, 2019
On December 3, 2019, a group of federal financial regulators took an important step to enable hemp operators to access banking services by publishing hemp banking guidance.
Oct 29, 2019
Watch Vicente Sederberg LLP attorney Sahar Ayinehsazian and HUB International Insurance Services in this on-demand webinar about investments in the cannabis industry.
By Charles S. Alovisetti, Partner
Oct 7, 2019
In addition to federal securities laws, each state and territory has its own securities laws, often referred to as blue sky laws. Cannabis company compliance with these rules may be more important due to heightened regulatory scrutiny.
By Charles S. Alovisetti, Partner; Phil Silverman, Counsel; Jason Adelstone, Law Clerk
Sep 27, 2019
One of the many issues arising out of the tension between state and federal law in the cannabis industry is whether cannabis companies can access the protections of federal bankruptcy law.
Aug 28, 2019
WeedWeek hosts Alex Halperin and Donnell Alexander recently invited VS attorney Sahar Ayinehsazian to discuss cannabis banking on their weekly podcast.