Jason Adelstone is a seasoned business lawyer, international policy advisor, and problem solver. Based in Denver, Colorado, he provides domestic and international legal counsel to a diverse clientele, including entrepreneurs, corporations, religious organizations, and federal and international cannabis operators. His practice spans corporate law, international policy, and cannabis regulatory compliance, helping clients navigate the complexities of the global cannabis industry and beyond.
The hemp industry faces its biggest shake-up since 2018 Effective November 13, 2025, Congress fundamentally rewrote the laws governing hemp in America. Buried within the government funding bill (starting at pg. 64) is language that will reshape the entire hemp industry, including a critical shift in how marijuana seeds are treated under federal law. See
Last week at the International Asian Hemp Expo in Thailand, I witnessed the remarkable energy and potential of a country that has boldly positioned itself at the forefront of cannabis reform in Asia. The conversations I had with operators, policymakers, and international stakeholders revealed extraordinary innovation and entrepreneurship, while also highlighting opportunities to strengthen Thailand’s
On October 8th, voters of Caye Caulker will make history as they head to the polls for Belize’s first-ever community cannabis referendum. This grassroots initiative, spearheaded by the “Legalize It Caye Caulker” campaign led by village councilor Ilya Rosado, asks voters whether the Government of Belize should establish a regulated, taxable cannabis industry on the
Thailand’s political landscape shifted decisively on September 5, 2025, when Anutin Charnvirakul secured appointment as Prime Minister with support from 311 of 492 House Representatives. Under an agreement with the People’s Party, Anutin will serve a four-month term before calling new elections—a brief window that could prove pivotal for the nation’s cannabis industry. For cannabis
Effective August 1, 2025, the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) issued emergency amendments to New Mexico’s Hemp extraction, production, transportation, warehousing, and testing administrative code. These amendments were created to address concerns with the production and use of synthetic hemp cannabinoids found in finished products. The primary goal of NMED appears to be the protection
With so much discussion around the potential rescheduling of marijuana to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), we must have an honest conversation about what such a move will—and more importantly, won’t—accomplish. Let me be clear: marijuana absolutely needs to be removed from Schedule I. In fact, it should not be scheduled at
If the cannabis industry wants to truly normalize cannabis use in American culture, it’s time to start shaping public perception through entertainment, not just policy. For decades, alcohol and tobacco didn’t just grow their markets through lobbying; they embedded their products into the cultural fabric through Hollywood. From James Bond’s vodka martinis to Marlboro’s cowboy
Three years after Thailand became the first Asian nation to decriminalize cannabis, its groundbreaking policy may collapse under political turmoil. The recent exit of the pro-cannabis Bhumjaithai Party from the ruling coalition, has left prohibitionists in control. Political instability threatens everything Thailand’s Parliament faces potential dissolution amid calls for Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s removal following a
In the never-ending loop of federal marijuana reform debates, one crucial fact keeps getting overlooked: the Attorney General (AG) has the power to reschedule marijuana. Right now. No act of Congress. No HHS review. No rulemaking marathon. Just a signature. Under 21 U.S.C. § 811(d)(1), the AG can unilaterally reschedule marijuana to better align U.S.
In yet another setback for hemp and marijuana-adjacent businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has quietly reintroduced a policy that effectively disqualifies most of them from critical federal loan programs. The updated policy, effective June 1, has far-reaching consequences for small businesses operating in compliance with state law (and for some, in compliance with
