In an era of Theranos, Fyre Fest, FTX and WeWork, cannabis scams, frauds, and scandals probably pale in comparison. However, cannabis scams (and their evolution) are still worth noting, spotting, and avoiding at all costs. I’ve written about cannabis scams in the past (see here), and it’s one of my favorite topics given the still-emerging
On this hallowed 4/20, while consumers and businesses celebrate cannabis near and far (which is great!), it’s important to be mindful that the cannabis industry is getting financially pummeled nationwide. For the cannabis companies able to survive this rocky time, cannabis collections are becoming an increasing headache as other cannabis businesses fold and/or just ignore
FTC Warning letters Marketing CBD products is a challenge. For years we’ve written about risks associated with making health-related claims in marketing. But there’s another avenue that the federal government doesn’t like: unsubstantiated claims. Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) decided to ratchet up enforcement and sent out warning letters to nearly 700 companies
Approval of House Bill 639 New Hampshire is halfway to legal adult use cannabis, following the approval of House Bill 639 on April 6 by a wide margin of 272-109. While the Granite State decriminalized the possession of cannabis in 2017, it is still a fineable offense, and in any case only applies where the
On February 16, I blogged on the new Oregon cannabis testing requirements that were scheduled to take effect (and did take effect) on March 1. I published that particular post for two reasons. First, I anticipated a bunch of failed tests. Second, I felt that the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Liquor and Cannabis
European Union member states tend to be very conservative when it comes to cannabis legalization. With a few exceptions, most member states prohibit cannabis altogether. Other countries decriminalize cannabis and a handful have adopted modest medical marijuana programs. Germany, the EU’s biggest economy and arguably most influential nation, has been on the path towards recreational
Yet another federal court in yet another federal appellate circuit just held that federal cannabis gun rights restrictions are unlawful. Let’s look at why that is, and why this is going to keep happening in federal courts across the country. The cannabis gun rights cases The federal Gun Control Act of 1968 strips all gun
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (“WSLCB”) sent an alert on Thursday, April 6, notifying cannabis licensees of a pattern of pesticide testing failures in Okanogan County. The WSLCB detected several instances of products containing dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (“DDE”) through random pesticide testing and many exceed action levels. The WSLCB is taking the following immediate action
Harris Sliwoski’s Vince Sliwoski (Portland) will present in-person next Friday, April 14 at the 36th annual Northwest Bankruptcy Institute. Vince will join Dominique Scalia of DBS Law (Seattle) as they cover “The Business of Cannabis and Bankruptcy.” This event is co-sponsored by sections of the Oregon State Bar and Washington State Bar. Details on the
As those in the cannabis industry are fully aware, the option of bankruptcy has not been available to cannabis or many cannabis-adjacent businesses to date. The courts have consistently indicated debtors who work in the cannabis industry or derive meaningful income from cannabis activity (directly or indirectly) cannot use bankruptcy, a federal mechanism, so long
