"beat down" tattoo on knuckles

Federal Court: California Must Share Cannabis Licensee Records with Feds

In an inevitable conclusion, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and Department of Justice (“DOJ”) won their federal court case against the California Bureau of Cannabis Control (“BCC”) pursuant to which the BCC must now comply with a recent DEA subpoena regarding alleged criminal activity by certain state-licensed distributors hailing out of (what’s probably) San Diego

thumbs down neon sign with the word dislike

California’s Toughest and Worst Cannabis Rules

California’s three cannabis agencies–the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and California Department of Public Health (CDPH)–aggressively regulate every aspect of the state’s licensed cannabis industry. Most of the agencies’ rules make sense or have some justifiable purpose. Today, I want to talk about some of the rules that

words on torn newspaper emphasizing the urgency of "now!"

Will California Ever “Legalize” CBD?

It’s been a while since we’ve discussed the status of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) in the Golden State, and unfortunately, it may be a while before we have finality on its legal status. The bulk of the issues that the state faces today go back more than two years and amazingly, still have not been solved.

California Ban Flavor Vapes

California May Ban Flavored Cannabis Vapes

The California legislature is considering a new law (AB-1639) that, if passed, would restrict how cannabis vape products are made and sold. AB-1639 would change California law for tobacco and cannabis businesses (for the purposes of this post, we’ll just focus on the cannabis side of the law), and would effectively prohibit almost any kind

SEC Sues Cannabis

SEC Sues Cannabis Players for $25 Million Offering Fraud

In the most basic terms, offering fraud occurs when a person (or entity) makes material misrepresentations or omissions to potential investors in a new company (most commonly, promising those investors large “guaranteed” returns on their investments). Offering fraud cases have become more prominent in recent years, and it looks like the U.S. Securities and Exchange

Federal Government Cannabis

Here We Go! Feds Sue California for Cannabis Business Records

State legal cannabis businesses are used to the specter of the federal government in the rear view mirrors of their lives and businesses. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that cannabis remains federally illegal. And it’s not so much the case anymore that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or Department of Justice

California Hemp Production

Where’s California’s Hemp Production Plan?

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) legalized hemp by removing the crop and its derivatives from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and by providing a detailed framework for the cultivation of hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill gives the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulatory authority over hemp

handholdingupfingers

Top Four Concerns for Tri-Party Cannabis Supply Chain Agreements

Cannabis supply chain agreements (e.g., manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements, license agreements, supply agreements) can be difficult enough to draft and negotiate when there are just two parties. The immense amount of over-regulation in the cannabis world can make contract drafting a headache, and even more difficult for attorneys who are not well-versed in cannabis. That

california state made from puzzle pieces

Ketamine Management Services Organizations (MSOs): The California Puzzle

Our law firm has seen an uptick in ketamine clients lately. And it’s no surprise as the drug picks up considerable speed with its off-label infusion applications for a slew of serious ailments, including depression and mood disorders. We’ve also been handling several M&A deals around ketamine clinics and the management companies that serve them.

Venice Beach City of Los Angeles Fire truck

L.A. Cannabis Update: Little Fires Everywhere

The City of Los Angeles is no stranger to change and struggle around its local cannabis industry. Since the passage of Proposition M back in 2017, the City has made great strides but also suffered significant setbacks in building its licensed cannabis marketplace. Even through the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend continues for Los Angeles and