canna law blog

The Top 10 Things You Need to Know to Start a Cannabis Business in Oregon

This is the second installment on our state by state series on “The Top Ten Things You Need to Know to Start a Cannabis Business.” Our first entry, on Washington, is here. Today’s entry covers Oregon, a pot friendly state with two separate programs: a recreational marijuana program run by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC),

canna law blog

The Top Ten Things You Need to Know to Start a Cannabis Business in Washington

This is our first installment in what will be an intermittent state by state series on “The Top Ten Things to Know to Start a Cannabis Business.” We figured we would start with Washington State because that is where our cannabis business lawyers got their start back in 2010. Washington recently combined its medical and

canna law blog

Oregon Marijuana: The Banking Bill

This is the final installment in a four-part series on the new Oregon marijuana bills, all of which arrived in the recently concluded short session. If you wish to catch up, our summary of HB 4014 (abolishing residency requirements) is here, our summary of SB 1511 (medical and recreational co-location) is here, and our summary

canna law blog

Oregon Marijuana: Many More Changes with the Christmas Tree Bill

This is the third installment in a four-part series on the new Oregon marijuana bills, all of which arrived in the recently concluded short session. If you would like to catch up, our summary of HB 4014 (abolishing residency requirements) is here, and our summary of SB 1511 (medical and recreational co-location) is here. This

canna law blog

Marijuana in Spain: Our on the Ground Report

Spain’s cannabis laws have progressively liberalized to the point where Spain is now one of the most cannabis-friendly countries in Europe. Spain is a relatively decentralized country, with independent communities having a great deal of autonomy. Consequently, each region can for the most part set its own laws regarding marijuana. Catalonia, where I am based,

canna law blog

Oregon Cannabis: The Merger of Recreational and Medical has Begun

Welcome to the second piece in what will be a four-part series on the new Oregon marijuana bills, all of which came out of the recently concluded short session. This entry surveys enrolled SB 1511, one of two omnibus bills that make significant improvements to the Oregon marijuana regime. For the other omnibus bill, check

canna law blog

Oregon Opens Its Cannabis Industry to Non-Residents

    On March 3, the Oregon legislative short session ended. Our representatives covered quite a lot in just 35 days, including the passage of four good marijuana bills and one great hemp bill. Governor Kate Brown signed two of the marijuana bills yesterday, March 7, and the others should be endorsed shortly. Because each new bill

canna law blog

Producing Cannabis Extracts in California is a Risky Business

On January 28, 2016, San Diego police narcotics officers along with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Hazmat Unit raided MedWest Distribution, a California manufacturer of concentrated cannabis extracts, also commonly known in the marijuana community as “hash oil,” “honey,” “wax” or “shatter.” Cannabis extracts are produced through complicated methods of extracting cannabinoids (like THC and CBD)

canna law blog

State of Cannabis: Not-So-Sweet Home Alabama

This is number four in our series ranking the fifty states on cannabis from worst to best. This is our fourth in the series. Idaho was last week, ranking as the third worst state for cannabis. This week we head to the heart of Dixie, where good marijuana laws are severely lacking, but especially in Alabama. Alabama Criminal Law. Marijuana

canna law blog

Marijuana and the Federal Trade Commission: When Will the Giant Awake from Its Slumber?

It’s no secret that in the wake of the 2013 Cole Memo federal agencies greatly vary in how they treat marijuana businesses. The Department of Justice has opted to “stand down” for now in those states with “robust state marijuana regulations.” The Internal Revenue Service will not relent on enforcing section 280e against cannabis businesses, even though to do