Israel flag on cannabis background

Israel: Cannabis Powerhouse

Israel is among the world’s leaders in the medical and non-medical cannabis research and development (R&D). Israeli scientists made breakthrough discoveries in the mid-twentieth century, paving the way for the country being one of the early adopters of a medical cannabis program. Now, Israel is gearing up to legalize recreational cannabis and export cannabis across

HERBS R US vs. TOYS R US TRADEMARK

Toys “R” Us Succeeds in Trademark Lawsuit for “Depreciation of Goodwill” Against Canadian Dispensary Herbs “R” Us

Earlier this month the Canadian Federal Court handed retail toy store Toys “R” Us a victory in its trademark lawsuit alleging “depreciation of goodwill,” among other causes of action including trademark infringement and “passing off,” against B.C., Canada-based dispensary, Herbs “R” Us. For reference, the two logos can be seen above. Toys “R” Us was

canna law blog

Global Law and Business Podcast: The Uruguay Cannabis Industry

Listen above or stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher! Every Thursday, international attorneys Fred Rocafort and Jonathan Bench discuss legal and economic developments around the world with the help of their international guests. No topic is too big, too small, too simple, or too complicated. They cover continents, countries, regimes, governance, finances, legal developments and whatever is trending in

Map of World and cannabis

The World Trade Organization and Cannabis

Last year, we helped a client take a hard look at an issue related to cannabis and the World Trade Organization (WTO). It was a fascinating project and WTO lawyers took preliminary interest in the issue. We were told that cannabis had not come before the WTO in any formal or informal context to that

Blue shoes on yellow line with words start here

International Cannabis: Guidance for Companies Entering the U.S. Market

As I mentioned in a prior post (see here), we have been fielding regular inquiries from international cannabis companies that want to engage with the U.S. market by selling raw hemp or cannabis, distillates (including cannabinoids), and products, including products that have been proven in their home markets. How to Enter the U.S. Market High-Level

Global Cannabis

International Cannabis Continues to Look to the U.S. Market

Although COVID-19 is causing much of the world to slow down, business deals in many industries continue. Companies continue to seek strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and investments as they enter new international markets or seek to relocate a portion of their business or supply chain from higher-risk markets, such as China, to lower-risk markets in Southeast

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Hemp CBD Across Europe: Spain

The enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill and the legalization of hemp and hemp derivatives, including cannabidiol (“CBD”), has led to a massive CBD craze in the United States. The highly coveted cannabinoid is infused with everything: bath bombs, dog treats and even workout clothes (yes, workout clothes!). According to a recent study by Cowen, the

Do you have what it takes question printed on piece of scraped paper

European CBD Sales: Securing a Novel Food Authorization

Last year, the European Union reclassified extracts of Cannabis sativa L. and derived products containing cannabinoids, including CBD, as a “Novel Food” under the EU Novel Food Catalogue. The reclassification was based on the lack of demonstrated history of human consumption of these extracts and of any product to which they might be added. Indeed,

Germany flag on cannabis background

Hemp CBD Across Europe: Germany

We’ve been writing about various European countries’ approaches to regulating hemp (or auf Deutsch, Hanf) and hemp-derived cannabidiol (which I’ll refer to as “CBD”). While readers of the blog know that the legalization of hemp via the 2018 Farm Bell led to a massive CBD explosion in the United States, it’s only starting to dawn