9 Key Takeaways From LA’s Newest Ordinance Amendments
On June 22, 2021, Los Angeles City Council adopted an ordinance replete with substantive amendments to the City’s Cannabis Procedures Ordinance. Assuming that the Mayor signs this into law, there are several new rules for LA you should know about. The Ordinance Amendments are quite comprehensive and aim to refine sections of the ordinance, provide […]
Hemp & CBD in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics – Federal and CA Landscape
Although California has legalized cannabis despite federal illegality, on the issue of hemp-derived foods, current state law conforms to federal law. And under federal law, most hemp derivatives are currently not permitted as food additives for several reasons. Hemp in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics under Federal Law One reason is the “drug exclusion rule”, of […]
California Flush With Cash But Bill Limits May Dampen Progress
May brought a rush of activity for cannabis policy in Sacramento. The Administration published its May revision of the Governor’s Proposed Budget, the state Cannabis Advisory Committee met several times, and the Appropriations Committees in both houses of the Legislature held their notorious suspense hearings, during which several bills were killed or forced to be […]
Legislative Update: Wins and Losses as First House Deadline Approaches
The end of April marks the deadline for policy committees to hear all legislation identified as having a fiscal impact on the state (which includes most bills). If bills are not heard by then, they are automatically turned into two-year bills and are stuck in their existing location until next year. With the Legislature forced […]
New York Cannabis – The Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act
Guest Author: Alexis Lazzeri, Esq. I. The Legalization of Cannabis in New York Will Have A Far Reaching Impact. On March 31, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act into law. This immediately legalized adult-use and possession of up to three ounces of cannabis, or up to 24 grams […]
The Benefits of Market Expansion Through SB 398
For years, cannabis advocates, entrepreneurs, and legislators have worked, with limited success, to expand the regulated market in California. Most legislative proposals have taken a forceful approach with local jurisdictions, mandating cities and counties to regulate based on various factors, such as how their constituency voted on Proposition 64. These tactics resulted in strong pushback […]
New Year, Old Battles: California’s Latest Cannabis Legislation
With the COVID-19 pandemic throwing a wrench in their plans for cannabis policy last year, lawmakers and state regulators are pushing for big changes in 2021. The Newsom Administration is working towards a consolidation of the three licensing authorities (see the latest analysis by the Legislative Analyst’s Office). At the same time, legislators continue to […]
Meital Manzuri’s Article “Legal Consequences for Using or Acting as an Unregistered Broker-Dealer in the Cannabis Industry” published in California Lawyers Association’s Real Property Journal
This article discusses the rise of unregistered broker-dealers in the cannabis industry. The focus of this article is defining what are broker-dealers and the potential legal consequences for both the cannabis businesses who engage unregistered broker-dealers and the unregistered broker-dealers themselves. Read the article in the Real Property Journal Vol. 38 #4 (subscription required), or view […]
LA Update – What will 2021 licensing opportunities be in the biggest market in the world?
The first Cannabis Commission hearing of 2021 was packed with information for LA operators and applicants. Here are the key takeaways from the Executive Director’s Report impacting all applicants: Across the board, cannabis businesses are being impacted by the Office of Finance’s COVID-19 safety procedures. In an effort to reduce some of the impact, DCR […]
CA Cannabis License Citations and Suspensions: Your Regulatory Rights When Facing Enforcement and Disciplinary Proceedings
Due to the cannabis industry’s developing nature, licensed California cannabis operators may find themselves in violation of constantly-changing rules and standards implemented by cannabis regulators, namely, the California Department of Cannabis Control, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the California Department of Public Health (collectively, the “Licensing Agencies”). From citations and fines to […]