The Canna Law Blog is a forum for discussing the practical aspects of cannabis law and its impacts on the cannabis industry. We provide insight into how cannabis businesspeople can use the law to their advantage and in plain language we tell you what works and what does not. We aim to help you strategize how to wield the law as both a shield and a sword.

cannabis reform

The Future Looks Better for Cannabis Reform

Earlier this year, the DEA initiated rulemaking to reclassify cannabis as a schedule III narcotic. This is probably the biggest news in cannabis reform since the Controlled Substances Act became law. A lot of folks had hoped that cannabis would be rescheduled in advance of the 2024 election. Those hopes were dashed when the DEA

California cannabis lease lawyers

A Guide to Leasing to California Cannabis Tenants

Leasing commercial property to a cannabis business in California presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for landlords. Understanding the potential risks and rewards is essential to making informed decisions. This guide examines various questions our cannabis landlord clients frequently ask my law firm's attorneys regarding leasing California properties to cannabis businesses.

A traffic light displays a red cannabis leaf symbol instead of the usual red light, subtly hinting at the presence of intoxicating hemp products.

Intoxicating Hemp Products: The Future Isn't Bright

Whether you support them or not, intoxicating hemp products are probably not going to be around for much longer in their current form. States, municipalities, and even the federal government have begun a clampdown on these products. In no particular order, I'll address a few reasons why the back half of 2024 will be a

entity type

What Entity Type is Best for a Cannabis Startup?

At our firm, we've helped numerous cannabis startups navigate the complexities of choosing the right business entity. Because every startup is unique and has different goals and needs, a one-size-fits-all approach just won't work. Below, I'll explore some of the key considerations we focus on when finding the optimal entity type and structure for a

corporate transparency act

What Does the Corporate Transparency Act Mean (CTA) for the Cannabis Industry?

On January 1, 2024, the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) took effect. The CTA requires a host of both domestic and foreign entities to disclose their beneficial ownership to the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Compliance with the CTA is required for all businesses, including those in the cannabis industry. In this post, I'll overview

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July from all of us here at the Canna Law Blog! We hope you have a fun, safe and not-too-hot holiday celebrating with family and friends. We'll be back tomorrow with our regular programming.

california state fair

Breaking New Ground: Cannabis at the 2024 California State Fair

Move aside deep-fried Oreos—this year’s California State Fair is making history with the introduction of cannabis! For the first time in its 170-year history, California is inviting fair-goers to purchase and enjoy cannabis products directly on site. The decision celebrates the state’s vibrant agricultural and cannabis heritage, and showcases winners of the 2024 California State

gun rights

Cannabis Law and Gun Rights: News from SCOTUS

Last week, the US Supreme Court decided its most recent Second Amendment case, United States v. Rahimi. Earlier this month, SCOTUS decided Garland v. Cargill, which could also spell changes for the cannabis industry later down the road. I wrote about the Rahimi case in earlier posts, as the outcome of the case could have affected

minnesota social equity

Minnesota Social Equity Verification: Key Dates Start June 21

The Minnesota cannabis social equity initiative As Minnesota continues to develop its legal cannabis industry, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has taken significant steps to ensure that the process is inclusive and equitable. One of the most notable advancements in this area is the recent update to the social equity application and verification