From Illegal to Essential: Cannabis Regulations and Operations in the Time of COVID-19
After Governor Gavin Newsom issued a Safer-At-Home order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians in the face of COVID-19, cannabis businesses were deemed an essential business in California and Los Angeles and were allowed to remain operational. The COVID-19 pandemic is drastically altering our lives, but these difficult times expose many truths, […]
What Impact has Coronavirus had on the Capitol?
April is usually one of the busiest months for the Legislature, with lobbyists and advocates filling the halls of the Capitol to work with elected officials on pending legislation. But since mid-March, Sacramento has been eerily quiet as legislators try to help flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Under the recently passed […]
The State of Independent Contractors after Dynamex and AB5: Where do we go from here?
Independent contractors are a beneficial tool for companies, especially new or growing organizations that are not yet equipped to manage employees. However, recent rulings and the legislature have severely restricted the ability to properly classify workers as independent contractors in California. Companies are encouraged to seek legal advice for any independent contractor relationships. Because independent […]
LA Phase 3 Update: DCR Has Authority to Process Invoiced Applicants
Last week, ahead of the March 5th Cannabis Regulation Commission hearing, our office sent a letter to the City of Los Angeles describing the irreparable harm invoiced Phase 3 Round 1 Applicants are suffering and proposing legally viable solutions. The letter was sent to: DCR / Cannabis Regulation Commission / Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee / City Attorney’s Office […]
Los Angeles Licensing Comes to a Halt – What’s Next for the DCR, Licensees and Desiring Applicants?
Over 160 days have passed since Phase 3 Round 1, and the DCR has paused all processing of applications due to a pending audit and stakeholders are getting desperate. While they hang in limbo, DCR has provided an update of the status of all licensing matters. Read below for the full LA licensing update and […]
Political Struggles in Sacramento Add to Industry’s Policy Challenges
By now, legislators have introduced most of the bills that they will try to pass through in 2020. The illicit market, lack of access, and financial concerns have come out as top concerns for the industry this year. While some legislators have started by pushing old bills forward, others are trying to implement more innovative […]
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Makes an Example of Lowell: A Look Ahead at Enforcement in 2020
With the opening of Lowell Cafe (which has been recently redubbed the “Original Cannabis Cafe”), the first nationally-recognized cannabis consumption restaurant that opened in October 2019 in West Hollywood, Lowell’s position as one of the state’s biggest cannabis players seemed untouchable. However, similar to many of the bigger names in the industry, Lowell has recently […]
Looking Through the Crystal Ball – 2020’s Cannabis Law Predictions
In California, 2019 was an interesting year and 2020 will continue to challenge cannabis business operators almost to a breaking point, but the hardships suffered this year will pave the way for major regulatory reform and tax reform. Those that survive this year’s struggles will reap the benefits. For over twenty years, cannabis business owners […]
New Year, New Regulator? Newsom Proposes Big Changes for California
Governor Newsom and his Administration are starting out the new decade strong with a proposed budget that benefits from a generous surplus. The $222.2 billion budget plan includes new funding for many programs and restructuring of others, including the regulatory framework for the cannabis industry. The proposals don’t include many specifics yet, but they will […]
Newly Enacted Employment Laws Your Cannabis Business Needs to Follow
California Legislature and Governor Newsom were busy in 2019 passing many new laws directly affecting California employers and employees. Please remember, only summaries are provided herein and legal advice should be sought prior to enactment of any new employment policy. Independent Contractors Following the California Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Dynamex Operations West v. Superior […]