Last month, we hosted a webinar on federal cannabis law and policy in 2026. While things are not where we’d like them to be, it’s amazing to consider everything that has happened over the years. From a lawyering perspective, it’s almost unbelievable. I have worked as a business lawyer in the cannabis industry for over
U.S. federal cannabis law is at a pivotal moment heading into 2026. In a January 15th webinar, attorneys Jason Adelstone and Vince Sliwoski examined two major federal developments that are poised to reshape the industry: the Executive Order directing the rescheduling of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, and new Congressional legislation redefining “hemp,” effective
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
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.
You may have seen this article or some other article yesterday or today, covering the Ontario Supreme Court’s recent certification of a national class action lawsuit against Aurora Cannabis. The defendant entities are all part of the same conglomerate, with Aurora Cannabis Inc. being the parent. You can view their vast array of cannabis products
After attending the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin at the end of April, I was reminded, yet again, of how draconian U.S. marijuana laws truly are. The excitement throughout the event was palpable. Much of it was driven by Germany’s newly formed government keeping its quasi-legalization policy intact, even if adult-use trials remain
Our cannabis business attorneys regularly handle transactions involving the purchase and sale of licensed cannabis businesses. These deals often move fast, with brokers rushing both sides toward closing—frequently without regard for applicable diligence and cannabis regulations. The worst-case scenario is when a company comes to us after executing a seller drafted purchase agreement without having
DEA Registrants could be the real winner if cannabis is rescheduled
It’s been a wild week in the rulemaking around marijuana rescheduling, to say the least. I’ve started writing about it a couple of times, only to be whipsawed by filings, rulings, prominent hot takes, prominent rebuttals, and more. All while trying to do my real job here at the firm. Below are my thoughts on
