Minnesota Hemp Farmer Facing Charges for High THC Content
Wed / Jun 19th
The Minnesota hemp farmer who is suing the state over a cease and desist order has been charged with two… Read More
Legal Issues
Laws involving marijuana are changing frequently as states expand legality and acceptance. As business owners and entrepreneurs, staying up to date on legal issues can make the difference between success and failure. Below are articles and updates on the changing legal environment in the cannabis industry.
California Court: Cannabis Possession In Prison Not a Felony
Wed / Jun 12th
The California Court of Appeals for the Third Appellate District has overturned the convictions of five men for possessing cannabis… Read More
Seattle Hempfest Sues Washington Liquor & Cannabis Board
Fri / Jun 7th
Seattle Hempfest’s parent company, Seattle Events, and two licensed businesses are suing the Washington State Liquor Control board (WSLCB), contending… Read More
Federal Court: DEA Must Reconsider Cannabis Schedule
Fri / May 31st
Last year the Southern District Court of New York threw out a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Schedule I… Read More
Law Firm Sues U.S. Customs Over Lifetime Bans for Canadian Cannabis Workers
Wed / Mar 13th
The American law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is suing U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the organization’s failure to… Read More
Judge: “Accidental” Cannabis Use Still a Fireable Offense for Federal Agencies
Wed / Feb 6th
A federal judge has ruled that the government is able to fire employees who test positive for cannabis — even… Read More
Trump Taps Drug War-Era AG William Barr to Replace Sessions
Mon / Dec 10th
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that his next nominee for U.S. Attorney General will be William Barr, who… Read More
Utah Advocates Sue State Gov. Over Cannabis Replacement Bill
Fri / Dec 7th
Two groups representing Utah patients are suing the state legislature over its replacement of a voter-backed medical cannabis initiative with… Read More
Tom Howard: The Many Legal Hurdles of Cannabis Commerce
Thu / Sep 27th
Tom Howard is an Illinois-based attorney who specializes in banking and cannabis business, and he is an author who has… Read More
Massachusetts Growers Could Sue the State’s Cannabis Control Commission
Wed / Sep 12th
Cannabis cultivators in Massachusetts are considering a lawsuit to make the state’s Cannabis Control Commission review the statutorily-required agreements between cannabis… Read More
Michigan Court of Appeals: “Wet Marijuana” Is Illegal
Thu / Jul 26th
A Michigan Court of Appeals decision makes it impossible for medical cannabis cultivators to legally harvest their plants, according to… Read More
Okla. Attorney General: Board of Health’s MMJ Rules Surpass Its Authority
Thu / Jul 19th
The Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has advised the state’s Board of Health that emergency rules passed last week regarding… Read More
Massachusetts’ U.S. Attorney Announces Limited Cannabis Enforcement Policies
Thu / Jul 12th
Massachusetts‘ top federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, announced on Tuesday that he will focus his cannabis enforcement efforts on… Read More
Oklahoma Gov. Circumvents Voters, Signs Strict Cannabis Rules Into Effect
Thu / Jul 12th
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) ratified strict emergency medical cannabis rules on Wednesday, flouting voters’ wishes on the issue, SF… Read More
Florida Judge Upholds MMJ Decision, Says Smoking Ban is Unconstitutional
Wed / Jun 6th
Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers on Tuesday upheld her May 25 ruling, lifting a stay on her decision that… Read More
Doug Esposito: Business Insurance for the Cannabis Industry
Wed / May 16th
Doug Esposito is the Cannabis Practice Leader for Owen-Dunn Insurance Services, a Sacramento-based shared partners brokerage. In the following interview,… Read More
Likely Outcomes of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Siding with the DEA
Fri / May 4th
The Federal Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in an unpublished Memorandum of Disposition this week that the Drug… Read More
Judge Rules Florida MMJ Patient Can Home-Grow; Stay Ordered as State Appeals
Fri / Apr 13th
A Florida judge has ruled that strip club owner Joe Redner, a stage 4 lung cancer survivor, can legally grow… Read More
Arkansas Judge Rules MMJ Cultivation Licenses ‘Null and Void’
Mon / Mar 26th
Arkansas Judge Wendell Griffen has declared the state’s medical cannabis cultivation licenses “null and void” finding that the state Medical… Read More
Michigan Regulators Deny First Two MMJ Industry Licenses
Fri / Mar 23rd
The first two applications for Michigan’s new medical cannabis business licenses – one dispensary and one transport service – were… Read More
Judge Tosses Case to Deschedule Cannabis; Appeal Likely
Tue / Feb 27th
U.S. Southern District of New York Judge Alvin Hellerstein has dismissed the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Schedule I… Read More
Detroit to Challenge Voter-Approved MMJ Industry Reforms in Court
Mon / Feb 19th
Detroit, Michigan officials intend to file a lawsuit against the voter-approved medical cannabis dispensary rules that relaxed restrictions on businesses,… Read More
Federal Case Challenging Constitutionality of Cannabis Prohibition Heads Back to Court on Valentine’s Day
Mon / Feb 12th
In case you missed it, there is a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Attorney… Read More
California Growers Association Sues California Over Large-Scale Cannabis Cultivation Concerns
Thu / Jan 25th
The California Growers Association is suing the state, contending that the Department of Food and Agriculture defied the will of… Read More