The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a new interim rule on hemp and derivative products, such as CBD. The DEA insists that this final rule simply conforms the agency’s regulations to the statutory changes made to the Controlled Substances Act in the 2018 Farm Bill. But our Los Angeles…
As longtime Los Angeles cannabis business lawyers, we recognize that there are significant legal barriers to entry in California’s legal marijuana market. For this reason, an increasing number of smaller farmers are jumping on the bandwagon of something called “contract cannabis farming.” This is a common practice in mainstream agriculture…
The 2018 Farm Bill left no question as to the legality of hemp when it removed the crop – and its derivatives like CBD – from the definition of “marijuana” as listed within the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. The measure gave the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulatory authority over how…
The U.S. Department of Justice is requesting that a federal court intervene to force marijuana regulators in California to turn over records on cannabis business licenses, shipping manifests and other data. The purpose of that request remains unclear. According to L.A. Cannabis News, a petition filed within the U.S. District…
In the four years since marijuana has hit the legal market in California, the legal parameters of the industry have transformed at sometimes breakneck speed. The industry is, in a sense, always looking ahead. But because the laws and regulations have changed so quickly, it’s imperative to consult with your…
Significant reforms in the Los Angeles cannabis business licensing process may be on the horizon, as city council recently approved changes. Tweaks include tightening rules pertaining to the social equity program, implementing a lottery system for newer licenses and imposing new rules for dispensaries operating in neighborhoods that have already…
California businesses operate legally all over the state (under certain licensing and oversight conditions), but that doesn’t mean companies can expect a hassle if they operate near an international boarder. Of course, lack of harmony between the state and federal positions on marijuana is nothing new. But it’s important for…
The COVID-19 pandemic has left much of the country facing some stark economic realities that don’t bode well for many businesses, some of which have already folded. But there could be a bright spot for California cannabis companies. Government agencies – from the federal level on down – are strapped…
A growing number of U.S. companies selling hemp products and hemp-derived CBD products are forming international partnerships with suppliers. These business agreements, which frequently include arbitration clauses, must be carefully drafted by an experienced corporate CBD attorney. As a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh…
It may not seem like the best time to purchase or invest in any business, but cannabis farms throughout California are still being scooped up. While COVID-19 has left the economy in a state of uncertainty, The Los Angeles Times reported the demand for cannabis actually surged in the immediate wake…