In With SB837 and Out With Vertical Integration

The vertical integration model that LA MMJ businesses follow has been redefined by SB837. Read on to find out what this means and how it could affect the cannabis industry going forward. Definition: Vertical integration is when a business does not get its products from a wholesaler or distributor but sells what it produces. In […]

DCR Recommends Various Changes to LAMC to Address Holes in Current Ordinance

Last week DCR recommended the substantive changes to the ordinance which were accepted by City Council and the proposed ordinance (actual text to become law) was published Friday. City Council will be voting on this Tuesday June 30, 2020. A pathway for temporary approval has finally been created for Phase 3 Round 1 Invoiced Applicants and an […]

Restructuring Tax Systems and Budgets in light of Covid-19 and BLM

On June 15, 2020, California legislators passed their version of the 2020 state budget. It differs from the Governor’s May Revision, which assumes that multiple programs will be cut unless the federal government provides $14 billion in financial support. The Legislature’s budget supports their “Invest. Don’t cut.” strategy, arguing that severe cuts to programs that […]

LA Phase 3 Update: Manzuri Law’s Response to DCR Recommendations to Council

Yesterday, our office sent a letter to the City of Los Angeles describing the further delay and undue harm invoiced Phase 3 Round 1 Applicants would suffer from if the DCR’s Recommendations are adopted and implemented as suggested.  We have recommended the following:  The DCR Recommendations  Should ONLY be Applicable to Round 2;  DCR Should Issue Local Authorization Immediately to Round […]

LA Update – Lawsuit, Audit Results, DCR Recommendations, What Now?

The highly anticipated results of the controversial Phase III, Round 1 Audit were released to the public and auditors reportedly found the process “fair and unbiased”.  Thereafter, on or around March 27, 2020, the City Administrative Officer (“CAO”) recommended that the DCR be instructed to “complete the processing of Phase III Round 1 license applications […]

Fiscal Relief for California Cannabusinesses: Possibility or Pipe Dream?

While most of California is still sheltering in place, the state Assembly and Senate are set to go back to work on May 4 and 11, respectively, to hold committee hearings and try to pass the state budget by June 15. Surprising no one, the fiscal outlook for this year is not pretty. While California […]

US v Campbell – Ninth Circuit to Consider Whether Hashish is Marijuana

In a very interesting case, the Ninth Circuit is considering whether the criminal defendant in United States v. Campbell is exempt from federal prosecution due to compliance with Montana’s medical marijuana laws. The case further considers a unique paradox in the law whereby “hashish” is excluded from the State’s definition of “marijuana” thus precluding Mr. […]

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 […]

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 […]