Texas Consumable Hemp Program Rules Are Under Review

By Daniel Molina, Shawn Hauser
Apr 9, 2024

Every four years, Texas agencies must review adopted rules and that time has come for the Lone Star State's Consumable Hemp Program. As businesses and consumers navigate the Texas hemp market, it's important to understand the rules, rulemaking process, and impending deadlines. If you participate in Texas' booming hemp market, now is the time to make your voices heard as the comment period for this rule review is open through April 22, 2024.

New Year, New Rules: Updated Oregon Psilocybin Services Regulations Now in Effect

By Yolanda Clarke
Feb 27, 2024

Oregon's psilocybin program has updated its regulations, clarifying existing rules and addressing new areas like data reporting and facilitator training. Key changes involve distinguishing between mandatory anonymized data collection and optional personal information from clients, requiring state licensing or specific exemptions for facilitator training programs, and emphasizing nondirective facilitation with support resources instead of advice. Read this Insights post to learn more about the recent rule changes for psilocybin in Oregon.

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!

Colorado Marijuana Rulemaking Is Underway

By Genevieve Meehan
Jul 24, 2023

The 2023 rulemaking process will run through the fall and address a wide range of topics, including marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, and testing standards; fee increases; regulatory efficiency; implementation of legislation enacted earlier this year; intoxicating hemp; and hospitality.

Michelle Bodian Will Discuss Connecticut Cannabis Licensing and Regulatory Updates at Xpocanna Cannabis Convention

Mar 15, 2023

Are you ready to jump into the Connecticut cannabis market? Attend this Xpocanna session with Vicente partner Michelle Bodian on March 25 for reflections on the Nutmeg State’s 2022 licensing lottery process, guidance for applying in 2023, and insight into what’s might be coming during this year from the legislature, Dept of Consumer Protection, and the Social Equity Council.

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?

5 Things to Know About New California Cannabis Packaging and Labeling Regulations, Inhalable Products, and Recycling Claims in 2023 and Beyond

By Andrea Golan
Jan 25, 2023

At the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, several notable changes in California cannabis law took effect. In this article, we compiled five key regulatory changes impacting cannabis packaging and labeling, recyclability claims, and inhalable cannabis products.

Regulating Intoxicating Hemp Products: Recent Reports and Recommendations from Vermont, Maryland, Virginia and Oregon

By Sam Kovach-Orr
Jan 23, 2023

Vermont, Maryland, Virginia, Oregon, and Colorado recently issued reports containing policy recommendations relating to intoxicating hemp-derived products.

New York's Draft Cannabis Regulations: 10 Key Aspects that Will Impact the Market

By Michelle Bodian, Sam Kovach-Orr, Bridgette Nikisher
Dec 16, 2022

Draft regulations to implement New York's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act have been published. While the draft regulations are over 280 pages, we summarized ten key items that will most directly impact hopeful and existing New York cannabis businesses.

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Now Allows Pesticide Use on Marijuana Plants

By Michelle Bodian, Casey Leaver
Dec 2, 2022

In an important policy change affecting Massachusetts marijuana operators, MDAR now allows the use of pesticides on marijuana plants, provided conditions are met.

How to Run a Cannabis Dispensary in New York: Guidance for New York Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries

By Michelle Bodian, Bridgette Nikisher, Sam Kovach-Orr, Meg Nash, Elliot Choi
Nov 3, 2022

Notable provisions from the New York Office of Cannabis Management's recently published "Guidance for Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries."

Cannabis Reform in Massachusetts a Win-Win for Industry, State

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.

Charles Alovisetti to speak on Cannabis & Regulations in New York City

Aug 17, 2022

Charles Alovisetti will be attending Empire State of Law: Hosted by LVLUP Legal in NYC for a panel titled, "Legalize It: Cannabis & Regulations" in NYC!

Why It’s Crucial for New York Cannabis Entrepreneurs to Communicate with Government Officials

By Jen Flanagan
Aug 4, 2022

One of the most overlooked components of applying for a cannabis license is the importance of interacting with your local and state officials. In this article, former cannabis regulator Jen Flanagan offers some guidance on building rapport with elected officials and government employees.

Recap: Cannabis Regulators Association External Stakeholders Meeting

By Jen Flanagan
Jun 16, 2022

CANNRA recently convened the first-ever External Stakeholders Meeting in Seattle, Washington. VS's Jen Flanagan recalls her experience at the event in this blog post.

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.

Cultivating Cannabis Industry Relationships: 7 Tips for Effective Communications with Public Officials

By Jen Flanagan
Mar 9, 2022

Utilizing these tips can make a world of difference in your interaction with local and state governments.

California Department of Cannabis Control Releases New Proposed Regulations Today

By Andrea Golan
Mar 4, 2022

DCC unveiled its proposed changes to the cannabis regulations in a public meeting on March 3, 2022. The proposed rules are expected to be published today. VS will analyze the full text once the proposed regulations are released—so stay tuned for further updates.

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."

Cannabis State Regulatory Agencies

By Jennifer Cabrera, Jen Flanagan
Jan 29, 2022

This LexisNexis practice note offers a greater understanding of the varied processes that impact the legalization of cannabis at the state level and discusses how evolving state statutes and regulatory structures impact the adult-use cannabis industry.

Vicente Sederberg LLP Entheogens Update: December 2021

Dec 13, 2021

Update on psychedelics-related legislation and rulemaking, regulatory changes, and other noteworthy psychedelics news and events.

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.

Jennifer Flanagan to Speak at Vermont Dept. of Health Youth Cannabis Policy Conference

Sep 17, 2021

Based on lessons learned from other New England states and exploring Vermont’s own legislation for a legal retail market, keynote presentations, panels and workshops will provide an opportunity to explore community-based education, policy development, youth messaging and other topics to implement at the regional or local level.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.