Video 1 KTLA Channel 5 News Story June 18, 2010: Lake Forest Medical Marijuana Dispensary Appealing Injunction Order Video 2 KTTV Channel 11 News Story June 4, 2010: Los Angeles Medical Marijuana Dispensary Challenges LA's Ordinance Video 3 Cannabis Law Group's Attorney Damian Nassiri Sues the City of Los Angeles To Block It's Ban on Medical Marijuana as Featured on PBS's So Cal Insider - Part 1

Articles Posted in California marijuana business lawyers

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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. hemp cbd lawyers

But our Los Angeles CBD lawyers know that those in the hemp processing business still need to use special care. The 2018 Farm Bill did in fact legalize hemp, its derivatives and extracts. Yet nothing in the bill expressly covers processing of hemp, and the new DEA regulations don’t address it either. This creates some concern that hemp processing companies may face criminal actions because the chemical effect of the hemp extraction process can push the THC concentration above the legal limit. Continue reading

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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 that is just starting to gain steam in the cannabis market.Los Angeles cannabis contract lawyer

These types of contracts diverge from the normal model of cultivation employment, and they can even vary significantly from contract to contract. Basically land owners gain the appropriate cultivation permits from local and state authorities. From there, they contract with experienced cannabis crop growers who conduct the actual farming. Many of these farmers are legacy growers who weren’t successful in landing their own state cultivation permits due to so many barriers to entry. The land owners and the growers then split the profits. Additionally, farmers get their foot in the door of an industry they may not have otherwise. That could result in more opportunities down the line.

Cultivation contracts vary in length and scope, but they typically last a year or so, but some continue in perpetuity until one or both parties dissolves the relationship. Neither should enter such an agreement until having it carefully examined by a California cannabis business lawyer experienced in contract drafting and review. The importance of this is underscored by the fact that there have been numerous lawsuits stemming from these arrangements, with allegations including fraud, breach of contract and labor law violations. Continue reading

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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 hemp could be grown under federal guidelines. That said, states were given the option to assert primary regulatory authority over hemp growth and production inside its own borders. States that wanted to do this needed to submit plans to the USDA. Los Angeles CBD Lawyer

Although states weren’t given a strict deadline for submission of their own plans, it was noted in USDA interim rules that previous federal statute governing cultivation of hemp (the 2014 Farm Bill) expires at the end of October. That means hemp industry insiders in states that don’t turn in their hemp cultivation and production plans prior to Oct. 31, 2020 may have issues if their practices are not consistent with federal law.

As a longtime Los Angeles CBD lawyer, I have been closely watching these developments in California. In 2019, state lawmakers passed SB-153, a measure that required the state’s attorney general and department of food and agriculture to team up and put forth a hemp production plan to the federal agriculture department by no later than May 2020. However, that did not happen. According to the USDA, the feds are still waiting on California’s plan. Continue reading

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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. Los Angeles marijuana business lawyer

According to L.A. Cannabis News, a petition filed within the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California shows the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in January issued a subpoena to the California Bureau of Cannabis Control for records pertaining to cannabis companies and owners. Regulators refused to turn the records over, citing the federal government’s failure to specify the relevancy of their request. Furthermore, the agency said they risked violation of privacy laws by turning over the records.

What is not clear to our Los Angeles marijuana business attorneys is what type of federal investigation is occurring such that would require records pertaining to legal cannabis operations. Overall, the current administration has taken a hands-off approach with respect to state-legal marijuana laws, even after they had rescinded the Obama administration memorandum directing federal prosecutors to generally avoid meddling in state-legal marijuana markets. The president has said he supports the right of state governments to set their own cannabis laws, regardless of federal-level prohibition. Continue reading

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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 Los Angeles marijuana business attorney to periodically look back at older agreements and contracts – ensuring you aren’t overlooking any previous obligations or restrictions. Los Angeles marijuana business attorney

This point was underscored recently in the California Appellate Court decision in Metsch v. Heinowitz. In this case, the appellate court refused to enforce a contract to produce and distribute marijuana edibles. The contract had been drafted in 2014 – at a time when cannabis wasn’t legal for recreational use in California. This factored significantly in the court’s ability to enforce it. Continue reading

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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 reached their limit.marijuana business lawyer

The initial approval of these significant changes to Los Angeles’ marijuana business licensing and social equity program marks the end of months-long delays that halted permitting and had resulted in significant frustration among stakeholders.

The changes aren’t final until council approves them one more time and the mayor signs off, but it’s a significant step. A separate motion was adopted to allow 100 of those who won social equity licenses in the lottery last year to be placed on an immediate track for approval.

The vote, however, doesn’t completely make it up to those affected by the extensive delays. Many note they’ve been paying hefty rents on marijuana business properties they have yet to be able to open. Continue reading

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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.Los Angeles marijuana business attorneys
Of course, lack of harmony between the state and federal positions on marijuana is nothing new. But it’s important for marijuana businesses in cities close to international borders to use extra caution, and consult with a California cannabis lawyer for insight on how best to protect their investment, operation and employees from legal headaches. As The Los Angeles Times reported recently, those in Imperial and San Diego counties especially need to beware due to the closeness of the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Boarder Patrol has the authority to establish checkpoints that stretch as far north as 100 miles past the international line.

In one reason case, a small van transporting about $15,000 of marijuana wholesale – locally grown, certified and state-legal – from Imperial County to a state-licensed dispensary about three hours north. However, it was stopped at a Border Patrol checkpoint on the highway – 20 miles from the actual U.S.-Mexico boarder. The distributor reports federal agents seized the entire load.

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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. Los Angeles corporate cannabis lawyer

Government agencies – from the federal level on down – are strapped for cash too. There is enormous pressure for politicians to get the economy back on track, and that has many looking for creative ways to stimulate fiscal growth, reduce the unemployment rates and offset lost tax revenues.

This hasn’t escaped local marijuana businesses looking to expand and entrepreneurs exploring a new launch. Continue reading

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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 Circuit showed, arbitration agreements and awards are likely to be enforced. Los Angeles corporate CBD lawyer

Why Cannabis Companies, CBD Corporations Use Arbitration Agreements

As our Los Angeles corporate CBD lawyers can explain, many cannabis company contracts contain arbitration clauses. Some examples include sales contracts, operating agreements, employment contracts and intellectual property licenses. Dispute resolution should never be an afterthought, so this provision is important. Continue reading

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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. cannabis farm lawyer

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 of state closures, with some . Gov. Gavin Newsom deemed cannabis businesses essential, and sales rose again.

Some theorize the uptick in sales has to do with people largely being stuck at home with not much else to do. Mounting anxiety likely also plays a role. Continue reading

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