Grading the Presidential Candidates on Marijuana: Michael Bloomberg
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized February 23, 2020
Last fall, we ran a 13-part series taking a hard look at each of the 2020 presidential candidates’ history and views related to marijuana. We assigned each candidate a letter grade corresponding with our analysis (for the final summary post, go here). In that popular series, grading criteria was as follows: Current stance on marijuana:…
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Two Pending Bills Could Substantially Change Washington’s Cannabis Advertising Laws
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized February 12, 2020
Last month, two pieces of legislation were introduced to the legislature that could substantially alter Washington State’s advertising laws: HB 2350 and HB 2321. Each bill would tighten advertising restrictions for cannabis businesses, particularly with regard to advertising that could appeal to youth. Both bills were filed pre-session, and both already have moved into the…
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Oregon Cannabis 2020: Legislative Forecast and Report
Medical MarijuanaOregonRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized February 11, 2020
Last week, Oregon kicked off the 2020 legislative session. Because we are in an even-numbered year, this will be a 35-day session. In short sessions, we tend to see fewer pieces of introduced legislation. The prospects for a productive session may also be lower than usual in 2020, given that House and Senate Republicans are threatening…
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California Cannabis: DCR Issues City of Los Angeles Licensing Update
CaliforniaMedical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized February 4, 2020
On Friday, January 31, the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation (“DCR”) issued an updates bulletin to stakeholders via email that outlines some important highlights and reminders for licensees and would-be licensees in the City. Below are the key points, with analysis. 1. Round 1, Phase 3 license applicants move forward. The initial 100 winners…
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State of the State: Washington Regulators Turning a New Leaf (Part 2)
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized January 31, 2020
In Part 1 of this two-part series we discussed the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s (“LCB”) new rules stemming from SB 5318, which passed last year and forced the LCB to transition from an enforcement-first policy to a compliance-first policy when handling violations. We covered how the LCB will handle Notices of Correction (“NOC”) and…
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Is Tribal Cannabis on a Comeback Tour?
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized January 29, 2020
For people in the know, the cannabis industry is an unpredictable roller coaster for a number of reasons having to do with federal illegality, evolving state regulations, and market volatility. One faction of the industry that many thought would immediately take off is cannabis being grown and sold in Indian Country by Native American Tribes….
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State of the State: Washington Regulators Turning a New Leaf (Part 1)
Recreational MarijuanaUncategorized January 23, 2020
Last year brought significant changes to Washington cannabis via the legislative session. Today I’ll outline some of the ways the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (“LCB”) plans to regulate marijuana in 2020. Before I get into the details, let me please encourage you to check out Cannabis Observer, who goes to every LCB meeting and…
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It’s MLK Day. Don’t Forget Cannabis is a Civil Rights Issue.
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized January 20, 2020
Happy MLK Day! For our international readers, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal U.S. holiday marking the birthday of its eponymous civil rights hero. Dr. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. Dr. King was assassinated in…
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The Hemp Standard is 0.3% THC. That Should Be Changed.
Recreational MarijuanaUncategorized January 11, 2020
We are heading into the first decade of scaled commercial hemp production in the United States since the 1920s. As a law firm that has been helping cannabis businesses succeed since 2010, we couldn’t be more excited. And for good reason: the recreational market is expanding. Hemp is legal. CBD and other cannabinoids are fast becoming…
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BREAKING: Newsom Proposes California Cannabis Regulatory Consolidation
CaliforniaMedical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized January 10, 2020
On Friday, January 10, 2019, the California Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) issued an email press release entitled, “Consolidation of California Cannabis Licensing Authorities” concerning a budget proposal released by Governor Gavin Newsom. Per the press release: Newsom intends to combine all three California cannabis agencies into one single Department of Cannabis Control by July…
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