Psilocybin Spores in the US:  What Operators and Consumers Need to Know

Psilocybin Spores in the US

The laws governing psychedelics can be confusing, with legal “grey areas” arising due to ambiguous or conflicting laws. Confusion about what’s legal, and what’s not, can increase the risk of legal consequences for operators and consumers alike. The legality of psilocybin and psilocybin spores has long been debated and misunderstood. As laid out below, a […]

An Update on Federal Cannabis Policy Reform: The Cannabis Movement Calls for Complete Descheduling

Cannabis Policy Reform

Having worked in the California cannabis legal industry since 2008, we’ve helped state-legal cannabis operators make sense of federal policy discussions calling for changes to the classification of cannabis, and how potential changes could impact them, for years. In October 2022, President Biden famously requested the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) conduct […]

Corporate Transparency Act – FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements 

BOI Reports

As of January 1, 2024, U.S. domestic small businesses are required to report the individuals who indirectly and directly maintain “ownership and control” over the entity to the U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). The mission of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is to safeguard the financial system from illicit use, combat money laundering […]

Psychedelic Decriminalization Vetoed in California:  What Happened & What’s Next

Psychedelic Decriminalization

California Governor Vetoes Psychedelic Decrim Bill Last month, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 58, which would have decriminalized the personal possession and use of certain psychedelic substances. The bill also would have laid the foundation to create a regulated adult-use program, whereby individuals above the age of 21 could have consumed psychedelics under […]

New California Cannabis Retail Opportunities Opening in Southern California

Cannabis Retail Opportunities

Is a commercial cannabis license on your New Years’ Resolution list? Several cities plan to open applications for new retail licenses throughout Southern California in 2024. Entering the retail market is generally high pressure, as applicants must compete for a capped number of licenses. Having procured and maintained over 300 commercial cannabis licenses in California, […]

Potential Impact of Schedule III: Everything Cannabis Operators and Consumers Should Know

In October 2022, President Biden requested a U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)  administrative review of cannabis’s classification under federal law. After conducting a scientific and medical review of cannabis, HHS issued a recommendation to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) that cannabis should be recategorized from Schedule I to Schedule III, recognizing […]

New California Hemp, CBD Rules Affect Nationwide Compliance

Cannabis Operators and Consumers

Well known to the industry by now, the Federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, or the 2018 Farm Bill, legalized hemp as defined, with a Delta-9 THC concentration of no more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis, and altered the Controlled Substances Act’s definition of “marihuana” to exclude hemp as a Schedule I substance. […]

A Legal Guide to Natural Medicine Regulation in Colorado

Natural Medicine Regulation

In November of 2022, Coloradians voted to approve Proposition 122, known as the Natural Medicine Health Act, a citizen-initiated measure to decriminalize certain psychedelic substances and create a regulated facilitated use program. In May of 2023, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 23-290 (SB 23-290) into law, which effectively replaced Proposition 122 and formally […]

California Psychedelic Initiatives on the Ballot in 2024

Psychedelic Research Institute

In the State of California, laws may be enacted by the California state legislature or through a citizen-driven ballot initiative. Whereas laws passed through the legislature require the majority of California legislators’ support, the ballot initiative process gives California voters the power to propose new laws or amendments without the oversight or support of any […]