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.
Oct 20, 2023
Vicente LLP partner Jennifer Cabrera was recognized by Super Lawyers for her exceptional legal work in New York! Congratulations Jennifer!
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.
By Catie Wightman
Feb 13, 2023
In recent years, several CBD companies faced product liability lawsuits brought by consumers. Many of these cases were dismissed without prejudice or stayed until the FDA takes action to regulate CBD products. Now that the FDA said it will not take action to regulate CBD, could these cases be revived?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Dec 4, 2021
VS attorney Sahar Ayinehsazian is slated to speak at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention on December 10, 2021.
Nov 22, 2021
The legal cannabis industry is expanding rapidly worldwide. But where there is smoke, there is fire. Watch this on-demand CLE with VS counsel Jennifer Cabrera for a discussion on the good, the bad, and the ugly of cannabis finance and investment litigation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Jennifer Cabrera, Andrea Golan, Brandon Kurtzman, Jerrico Perez
Feb 3, 2021
Regulatory agencies can deny cannabis license applications for various reasons, but a denied application is not the end of the line.
By Vicente Sederberg LLP
Dec 18, 2020
Vicente Sederberg attorneys wrote the book on cannabis law — and now you can own it! This comprehensive primer on all things cannabis law is a must-have for anyone seeking to understand the major practical legal issues facing the marijuana and hemp industries.
By Jennifer Cabrera, David Kramer
Nov 30, 2020
As anyone who has been involved in a legal dispute knows, litigation can be very costly. Thankfully, litigation funding is an option and lenders are increasingly willing to lend to cannabis and hemp businesses.
By Jennifer Cabrera
Nov 20, 2020
While it’s best to avoid litigation and arbitration in the first place, disputes happen and are occurring more frequently in the maturing cannabis sector. Here's a primer on both.
Oct 27, 2020
If you operate in the cannabis industry, chances are you’ll need to challenge a regulatory decision at some point. Watch this session to learn about your options.
Sep 3, 2020
Jennifer will present "Litigation is Coming! What Cannabis Businesses Need to Know Now" at NECANN Online on September 26, 2020.
Sep 2, 2020
Exotic Canopy Solutions LLC, represented by Vicente Sederberg LLP, filed a complaint against Eastern Colorado Hemp Operations, Inc. and Curnativ Farms LLC.
Aug 31, 2020
VS founding partner Brian Vicente will discuss litigation and regulation in the cannabis industry as part of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys Denver Annual Meeting.
Jul 30, 2020
Watch this to hear about unique business issues in the cannabis industry, including real estate difficulties, in this interview with Rick Kaplan of NYREJ.
By Michelle Bodian, David Kramer
Jul 13, 2020
The past year has seen an uptick of hemp and CBD-related lawsuits across the country. This article explores the valuable lessons for hemp and CBD businesses to learn from a few of the cases.
By Justin Johnson
Jun 19, 2020
Many licensed Colorado marijuana businesses unfortunately experience disputes among their owners. Reasons vary, but almost all of them trigger regulatory issues that must be navigated.
Apr 23, 2019
The 2019 list of "Cannabis Law Trailblazers" published this month by National Law Journal includes three attorneys from Vicente Sederberg LLC: Adam Fine, Shawn Hauser, and Valerio Romano.