Vicente LLP Partner Jennifer Cabrera Selected to 2023 Super Lawyers New York List
Oct 20, 2023
Vicente LLP partner Jennifer Cabrera was recognized by Super Lawyers for her exceptional legal work in New York! Congratulations Jennifer!
Archive
US Officially Recognizes Medical Use and Safety of Cannabis: The Top 6 Things to Know About Schedule III and the Process Ahead
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.
Elliot Choi Joins Asian Cannabis Roundtable to Discuss SAFE Banking in the Cannabis Industry
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.
Sahar Ayinehsazian and Jen Flanagan Discuss Cannabis Banking on The Cannabis Business Minds Podcast
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.
Tips for Cannabis Researchers Who Want to Study Dispensary Marijuana Now Without Violating Federal Law
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.
CBD Products Liability Lawsuits Could Be Revived After FDA Declines to Regulate Cannabidiol
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?
Financing Cannabis-Related Real Estate CLE Features Charles Alovisetti
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
President Biden's Cannabis Scheduling Directive: Part 3
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?
President Biden's Cannabis Scheduling Directive: Part 2
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.
President Biden's Cannabis Scheduling Directive Is a Game Changer
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.
Charles Alovisetti and FL Gorman to Present ‘Cannabis and Insolvency: Debtor Creditor Rights & Remedies Under State and Federal Law’ on NYSBA Program
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
Raising Private Capital in the Cannabis Industry
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
Banking Compliance in the Cannabis Industry NHCC Legal Committee Roundtable features Jerrico Perez and Sahar Ayinehsazian
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!
Sahar Ayinehsazian scheduled to join the 2022 PBC Conference for a Cannabis Banking Panel
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
VS Attorneys Will Present CLEs at INCBA Cannabis Law Institute
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.
HIA v DEA Lawsuit: The Hemp Industry Needs Your Support to End DEA Overreach
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.
Shane Pennington Slated to Present at SXSW 2022 'Cannabis Industry Evolution Summit' with Dr. Sue Sisley and Matt Zorn
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."
Sahar Ayinehsazian Joining Cannabis Litigation and Insurance Panel at 2021 NAPABA Convention
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.
Jennifer Cabrera Featured in INCBA CLE: Litigation When Your Client’s Cannabis Business Investment Goes Up In Smoke
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.
NIDA Monopoly is Over: New DEA-Registered Cannabis Growers Can Supply Researchers with Product
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.
Vicente Sederberg LLP Hemp Update: September 2021
Sep 14, 2021
Update on hemp-related legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
The Battle to Allow Smokable Hemp in Texas
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.
SXSW 2022 Panelpicker is Open! Vote for 'Sue 'n the DEA: Breaking the 50-Year NIDA Monopoly'
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!
sxsw
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!
7 VS Attorneys Included in The Best Lawyers in America 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.
Andrew Livingston Discusses Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act on The Green Rush Live
Aug 18, 2021
VS director of economics and research, Andrew Livingston, joined The Green Rush Live to discuss the Federal CAO Act and more.
Psychedelics As Medicine: Right To Try Case Versus DEA
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.
Vicente Sederberg LLP Hemp Update: June 2021
Jun 10, 2021
Update on hemp legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy hemp news and events.
Shane Pennington Interviewed About Marijuana's Schedule 1 Drug Classification by the DEA
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.
Shane Pennington Discusses Hemp Industry Litigation in Response to DEA Overreach in HIA Webinar
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.
A Closer Look at Colorado COVID-19 Relief Programs
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).
What is a Cannabis REIT?
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.
Tips for Appealing a Cannabis License Denial
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.
What Efforts Are Underway to Include Cannabis Businesses in COVID-19 Relief Packages?
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.
The Cannabis Business: Understanding Law, Finance, and Governance in America's Newest Industry
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.
Litigation Funding for Cannabis and Hemp Businesses
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.
Cannabis Litigation vs. Arbitration
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.
[Webinar] Challenging a Cannabis License Denial
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.
Sahar Ayinehsazian to Discuss Cannabis Banking at DRI Virtual Seminar
Sep 3, 2020
Sahar will present "Curbing Cannabis Cash" at DRI's Cannabis Law Virtual Seminar on September 17, 2020.
Jennifer Cabrera Slated to Present Cannabis Litigation Session at NECANN Online
Sep 3, 2020
Jennifer will present "Litigation is Coming! What Cannabis Businesses Need to Know Now" at NECANN Online on September 26, 2020.
California Hemp Company Files Lawsuit Against Colorado Hemp Seed Producer
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.
Brian Vicente to Speak at ADTA Denver Annual Meeting
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.
[Webinar] How Can Cannabis Businesses Maximize Tax Savings During Times of Uncertainty?
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.
Jennifer Cabrera Discusses Cannabis in Interview with New York Real Estate Journal
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.
Lessons Learned from Recent Hemp and CBD Litigation: They Went to Court so You Can Stay Home
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.
Sahar Ayinehsazian Talks Cannabis Banking on Hashtag Finance Podcast with Barrington Miller
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.
How to Prepare for Cannabis Business Ownership Disputes in Colorado
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.
Preparing for the Rising Demand for Due Diligence in Cannabis Transactions
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.
A Closer Look at Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Programs
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).
Can Cannabis Businesses Defer Employment Taxes Due to the Coronavirus?
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.
A Closer Look at California COVID-19 Relief Programs
By Andrea A. Golan and Kelsey Middleton
Apr 22, 2020
Exploring Alternatives to Bankruptcy for Cannabis Businesses
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.
[Webinar Replay] Taxation in the Cannabis Industry
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.
[Webinar] Best Practices for Minimizing Tax Liabilities in the Cannabis Industry
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.
Hope for Hemp Banking: Federal Guidance Clarifies and Eases Reporting Requirements
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.
On-Demand Webinar: Investing in the Cannabis & Hemp Industries
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.
Blue Sky Laws and 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.
Can Hemp Companies Declare Bankruptcy?
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.
Sahar Ayinehsazian Chats with WeedWeek About the Great Cannabis Banking Thaw
Aug 28, 2019
WeedWeek hosts Alex Halperin and Donnell Alexander recently invited VS attorney Sahar Ayinehsazian to discuss cannabis banking on their weekly podcast.