By David M. Ullian
Feb 13, 2024
Massachusetts launched the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund to aid qualified cannabis businesses disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition. Licensed businesses or applicants meeting specific criteria, like Social Equity Program participants, can access grants or loans (up to $50,000 now!). Apply online and learn more about future programs before the February 15th deadline.
By Meg Nash, Bridgette Nikisher
Feb 7, 2024
Maryland's Cannabis Business Assistance Loan/Grant Fund is offering grants to help social equity applicants cover costs associated with obtaining a cannabis business license. The program reimburses up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $5,000. Applications open February 19th and close March 20th. Read this Insights post to learn more about eligibility, qualifying expenses, and how to apply.
Nov 10, 2023
Federal and international law and policy insights, news and events from Vicente LLP.
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.
Oct 26, 2023
This recorded session features members of Vicente LLP’s Federal and International Law and Policy practice group and London cannabis attorney Robert Jappie of Fieldfisher sharing insights into what’s happening with cannabis and hemp-derived cannabinoids across the pond and opportunities for US operators and investors.
By Jason Tarasek
Oct 23, 2023
The Minnesota legislature has established three grant programs designed to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and to create a more equitable cannabis industry. Read more about them in this Insights article.
By Shawn Hauser
Aug 31, 2023
The federal government formally acknowledged the medical use and low potential of abuse for cannabis, with the US Department of Health and Human Services recommending that cannabis be rescheduled to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. While placement in Schedule III still criminalizes commercial cannabis activity at the federal level, it is a significant step on the path to ending prohibition. This rescheduling would eliminate the application of 280E tax penalties, reduce the level of criminal liability for cannabis-related activity, reduce barriers to research, legitimize the industry through gaining credibility and engagement by physicians and the medical community, and support a growing industry for the American economy.
By Shane Pennington
Apr 4, 2023
Cannabis researchers can study the dispensary strains and products people are actually using around the country right now... without violating federal law… and without Congress lifting a finger. Read this article for two simple tricks to do so.
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 Shane Pennington
Oct 21, 2022
President Biden’s scheduling directive is enormously important. In fact, if permitted to run its course, it could revolutionize federal drug control law to a far greater degree than any of the many pending cannabis legalization bills.
Aug 20, 2021
VS attorney Michelle Bodian discusses the hemp industry's environmental challenges and opportunities in this on-demand CLE from the INCBA
Mar 29, 2021
An updated overview and FAQ of the federal stimulus bills for coronavirus, with specific guidance for marijuana, hemp and ancillary businesses.
By Charles Alovisetti
Jan 25, 2021
Like anything in the cannabis industry, getting a debt deal done requires navigating unique regulatory challenges. Here are seven regulatory considerations that cannabis borrowers and lenders should keep in mind when pursuing a debt transaction.
Nov 25, 2020
Update on hemp legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Oct 22, 2020
Update on hemp legislation, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Oct 21, 2020
An overview and FAQ of the federal stimulus bills for coronavirus, with specific guidance for marijuana, hemp and ancillary businesses.
By Charles Alovisetti, Elliot Choi, Sahar Ayinehsazian
Sep 18, 2020
Raising private capital continues to be a challenge for the nascent cannabis industry, but there are proactive steps companies can take to maximize the chance of a successful raise.
Aug 24, 2020
Update on hemp legislation, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Aug 5, 2020
Learn about grant and loan opportunities for hemp farmers and hemp-related businesses in this session with VS's Michelle Bodian and Eric Steenstra of Vote Hemp.
Jul 13, 2020
Update on hemp legislation, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Apr 20, 2020
Shawn Hauser and Dwight Clark talked about SBA loans for cannabis businesses and political advocacy during Texas NORML's 420 Stream-A-Thon.