Grading the Democratic Presidential Candidates on Marijuana: Bernie Sanders
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized July 6, 2019
Every Saturday, at least for a while, we plan to run a series of blog posts that take a close look at each of the Democratic Party candidates for President in 2020. We are examining each candidate’s historic approach to marijuana law and policy, and also canvas each politician’s current stances on marijuana. Last week,…
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Yes, Washington, You Really Need Cannabis Business Insurance
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized July 2, 2019
In a prior post I discussed some general insurance issues for cannabis business owners to consider. Today we’ll take a deep dive into Washington State insurance for cannabis businesses. As is the case with most emerging industries, the pace of marijuana business continues to outstrip the development of ancillary but crucial services (see California Approves…
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Grading the Democratic Presidential Candidates on Marijuana: Joe Biden
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized June 30, 2019
Every Saturday, at least for a while, we plan to run a series of blog posts that take a close look at each of the Democratic Party candidates for President in 2020. We will examine each candidate’s historic approach to marijuana law and policy, and also canvas each politician’s current stances on marijuana. Today, we…
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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China in U.S. Cannabis Businesses
CaliforniaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized June 25, 2019
If you think your Chinese investor will be able to get your cannabis venture the promised investment funds any time soon, you are in for a long slog. Most companies do not care who provides their investment capital (as long as the investors are content being passive investors), and Chinese households have typically been lauded…
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California Cannabis Legislation: SB 475 Would (Finally) Allow Licensees to Exchange Trade Samples
CaliforniaMedical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized June 25, 2019
An issue our clients have encountered in a variety of transactions, including basic product purchase transactions and intellectual property licensing transactions, is that the California rules governing commercial cannabis licensees currently do not allow the exchange of free samples between licensees. We are unaware of an industry in which the wholesale purchaser of a large…
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Cannabis Law and Policy: What I’ve Learned From Teaching
Medical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized June 11, 2019
For the past three years, I have taught a class called “Cannabis Law & Policy” at Lewis & Clark Law School here in Portland, Oregon. It’s a seminar that meets for two hours a week for upper level students. Per the syllabus, learning objectives for that class are: 1) students should be able to understand…
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Red Tape Alert: Phase 3 Cannabis Delivery Licensing in L.A.
CaliforniaMedical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized June 10, 2019
A lot of attention has been paid recently to brick and mortar retail licenses in the City of Los Angeles for Phase 3 licensing, which is set to commence in early September of this year. While L.A. is trying its best to champion social equity with its Phase 3 storefront licensing, it’s also going to…
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California Bill to Mandate More Cannabis Stores Is Dead, For Now
CaliforniaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized June 4, 2019
California cannabis has a problem: roughly 80% of jurisdictions in the state prohibit cannabis stores of any kind, despite voters approving full legalization with Prop 64 (the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, now the Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, or MAUCRSA) in 2016 by nearly 60%. The result has been “cannabis…
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Cannabis Real Estate Leases: The Roots of Your Cannabis Business, Part 1
Real EstateRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized May 31, 2019
Whether you are a landlord, tenant, or subtenant in the cannabis industry, you need a first-rate cannabis lease. The structure of the leasing relationship and the terms of the lease are key components, both for getting funds out of the primary business and mitigating your risks, of which there can be many. If you are…
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California Cannabis: L.A. Phase 3 Social Equity Window Opens Today
CaliforniaMedical MarijuanaRecreational MarijuanaUncategorized May 29, 2019
The prelude to Phase 3 licensing in the City of L.A. is finally upon us. Today, L.A. will begin accepting applications for Phase 3 social equity applicants for retail and delivery in the City. Specifically, Phase 3 social equity applicants will have from today through July 29th to prove up their Tier 1 or Tier…
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