Tom Howard: The Many Legal Hurdles of Cannabis Commerce
Tom Howard is an Illinois-based attorney who specializes in banking and cannabis business, and he is an author who has… Read More
Cannabis News & Information
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.
Massachusetts Growers Could Sue the State’s Cannabis Control Commission
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Federal Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in an unpublished Memorandum of Disposition this week that the Drug… Read More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
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’
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
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
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
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
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
The California Growers Association is suing the state, contending that the Department of Food and Agriculture defied the will of… Read More
Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Won’t Rule Out Federal Charges Against Canna-Businesses
Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and assumed office in December, told reporters yesterday… Read More
West Virginia Attorneys Seek Amendment to MMJ Law Allowing them to Serve Canna-Businesses
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment to the Rules of Professional… Read More
U.S. Attorney in Oregon Shares Cannabis Industry Concerns in Op-Ed
In an op-ed in the Oregonian, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Billy J. Williams said that while “national… Read More
Federal Judge Rules Illinois Student Can Use & Store MMJ on School Grounds
Federal U.S. District Court Judge John Blakely on Friday ruled that an 11-year-old medical cannabis patient in Illinois can be… Read More
Parents of 11yo Illinois MMJ Patient Sue to Allow Use of Meds at School
The parents of a Schaumburg, Illinois elementary school’s student are suing the district and the state after officials denied their… Read More
Detroit MMJ Licensing on Hold After Lawsuit Filed Against City
Detroit, Michigan’s medical cannabis licensing process is on hold after a business group filed suit against the state claiming they… Read More
How to Use (or Lose) a Cannabis Trademark
In a nascent industry like cannabis, becoming familiar to customers is essential to sales growth. Marketing experts will tell you… Read More
Consultant Linked to Tribe’s Cannabis Resort Has Drug Case Dismissed
Jonathan Hunt, one of the cannabis consultants prosecuted in South Dakota for their role in the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe’s… Read More