Canna Law Blog™

Stacks of legal documents, gavels, and padlocks in front of a city skyline, palm trees, cannabis leaves, and checklists, with a colorful, graffiti-style background.

Published: August 26, 2026

Five Bills Every California Cannabis Operator Needs to Track in 2026

Five bills moving through the California legislature right now could reshape how DCC investigates violations, what gets tested and disclosed at retail, and what cannabis packaging can even look like. This post breaks down AB 1826, AB 1965, AB 2249, AB 2532, and AB 2537 in plain terms, explains how they interlock, and offers a practical compliance checklist for operators who want to get ahead of these changes before final enactment.

Two documents flank a map of California: one with a marijuana leaf and an X, the other with a checkmark. A scale of justice symbol is shown in the background.

Published: August 14, 2026

California Cannabis Contracts After Rescheduling: Why Your Contracts Need a Second Look

Rescheduling has reshaped the legal landscape for California Cannabis businesses, but many existing contracts haven't caught up. This post breaks down where supply, licensing, and investment agreements now fall short—covering gaps in DEA registration language, license conversion triggers, and 280E-related representations—and offers a practical framework for reviewing and updating agreements before those gaps become disputes.

A colorful marijuana leaf is centered over a stylized city skyline with palm trees, set against a vibrant, split-color background of blue, yellow, pink, and orange—capturing the lively spirit of California cannabis culture.

Published: August 4, 2026

DCC License Conversions After Rescheduling: How and When to Split A/M Licenses in California

Federal rescheduling turned California cannabis license designations into real strategy decisions, not just paperwork. This post explains when and how to convert or split A/M licenses, why medical vs adult-use separation now matters for 280E and DEA planning, and why every link in the supply chain needs its own clearly defined medical channel.

u.s. international cannabis marijuana hemp

Published: August 3, 2026

The Contradictions of Cannabis Law: From the United States to International Treaties

Cannabis law has never been more contradictory. In the U.S., federal and state governments often regulate identical products under completely different legal frameworks. Hemp and marijuana can produce the same intoxicating effects, yet lawmakers treat them as fundamentally different. Medical marijuana now occupies a unique place under federal law while adult use marijuana remains prohibited.

california medical marijuana rescheduling

Published: July 28, 2026

What California Operators Must Do After Rescheduling: DEA Registration, License Restructuring, and 280E

Federal rescheduling has finally arrived, but it didn’t magically solve everything for California cannabis businesses. Instead, it created a new set of decisions: whether to pursue DEA registration as a medical operator, how and when to restructure DCC licenses, and what 280E relief actually looks like for mixed medical/adult use companies. This article walks through the concrete steps California operators should take now — including what to do if you missed the initial DEA registration window.

Published: July 24, 2026

Medical Marijuana Schedule III Litigation: The D.C. Circuit's First Major Test

While most attention has focused on the recently concluded marijuana rescheduling hearing, an equally significant legal battle has unfolded in the D.C. Circuit over the final rescheduling order ("Final Order"). Petitioners, the Department of Justice, newly intervening parties, and amici participants have exchanged a series of briefs over the past month. Those filings may ultimately

Published: July 23, 2026

Celebrating Martin Jelsma's Retirement and Extraordinary Legacy

When I first met Martin Jelsma (retiring as Programme Director Drugs & Democracy at the Transnational Institute) in 2019, I was a law clerk who, from day one, began following developments in international cannabis policy. At the time, I was trying to understand the intricate architecture of the international drug control treaties—how they functioned, how

Event banner for “Rescheduling After the Hearing” with four speakers' photos, event details, and information on a live cannabis industry discussion, scheduled for Wednesday, July 22nd, 10-11am PST.

Published: July 21, 2026

Join Jason Adelstone Tomorrow for The Cannabis Brief LIVE: Cannabis Rescheduling After the Hearing

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. PT, Harris Sliwoski attorney Jason Adelstone will join fellow cannabis industry professionals for a live webinar, The Cannabis Brief LIVE: Cannabis Rescheduling After the Hearing. The discussion will examine where federal cannabis rescheduling stands following the DEA administrative hearing process, what recent developments mean for the industry, and what cannabis

Jared Schwass is welcomed to the Harris Sliwoski California office, with his photo in front of a cityscape background and company branding.

Published: July 20, 2026

Harris Sliwoski Welcomes Jared Schwass

Harris Sliwoski is pleased to announce that Jared Schwass has joined the firm as an attorney in our California office. Jared advises entrepreneurs, investors, startups, and established companies operating in highly regulated industries, with a particular focus on the cannabis sector. His practice includes corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, licensing, land use, and

Published: July 14, 2026

The Quietest Fight of DEA’s Life: Reflections on the Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing

The hearing on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the rescheduling of “marijuana” commenced on June 29, 2026 and will end tomorrow, July 15th. The Government brought two witnesses to the stand on the first day, and then seven prohibitionist organizations had the floor for the remaining seven days of the hearing. As I discussed