The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and defense attorneys are working to dismiss or reduce thousands of marijuana convictions.
Tag Archives: Attorney
Massachusetts Federal Prosecutor: Opioids, Not Pot, Are Priority
Massachusetts’ new federal prosecutor said on Wednesday he will not rule out prosecuting marijuana businesses in a state that has legalized the drug, but stressed that his focus is on the opioid epidemic.
Bipartisan Group of Senators Urges FinCEN to Stay the Course on Cannabis Banking
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2018 /Weed Wire/ – A bipartisan group of Senators, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), today urged the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to keep in place guidance that has enabled some financial institutions to provide banking services for legitimate cannabis businesses in states that have legalized medical or recreational cannabis.
L.A. County Cannabis Advisory Team Begins Work in June
LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Los Angeles County’s cannabis regulation efforts have entered an important new phase with the convening of a diverse advisory group made up of health and policy experts, community leaders, cannabis industry representatives and other key stakeholders.
John Morgan Plans to Sue Florida Over Medical Marijuana Smoking Ban
With the Florida Legislature’s passage of a medical marijuana bill, Orlando trial attorney John Morgan has announced plans to sue the state over its medical marijuana smoking ban.
NYSSCPA Marijuana Symposium: Neil Kaufman Talks Industry
Corporate cannabis lawyer Neil Kaufman talks about the challenges and prospects for CPAs who get involved in New York’s medical marijuana industry in its early stages.
Reno to Stop Prosecuting Simple Marijuana Possession
In light of Nevada legalizing recreational marijuana, Reno City Attorney Karl Hall announced on Nov.16, 2016, that his office would likely stop prosecuting low-level marijuana possession.
More Ballots in Florida Missing the MMJ Question
In Florida, more ballots appearing to omit Amendment 2, a ballot amendment that would legalize medical marijuana in the state, have surfaced.
Federal Court Upholds Ban on Medical Marijuana Patients Purchasing Firearms
On Aug. 31, 2016, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a federal ban that prohibits medical marijuana cardholders from purchasing firearms.
Landlords, Tenants, and Marijuana Law in Oregon and Washington
HFO Real Estate Investment, an Oregon-based multifamily real estate investment firm, talks with attorney Charles Kovas for an update on what recreational marijuana legalization means for landlords and tenants.
Republican Says Daughter’s Pain Is Why South Carolina Needs Medical Marijuana
For five years, Republican state Rep. Peter McCoy of James Island was a state prosecutor in Charleston, working hundreds of drug cases along the way.
South Dakota Judge Denies Ballot Access to Medical Marijuana Petition
Organizers behind New Approach South Dakota, a campaign to legalize medical marijuana, has suffered a serious setback. On August 9, 2016, Circuit Judge Mark Barnett denied the group’s lawsuit to place a voter initiative legalizing medical marijuana on the November ballot.
How to Manage Risk in Cannabis: Make Sure Good Things Happen to Good People
As business owners, managing risk is something we are all aware of, but it’s often pushed to the side, especially with new businesses, in the battle for cash flow and stability. We tell ourselves that we will work on risk once we are making money.
Detroit Dispensaries Drop Medical Marijuana Lawsuit
On April 8, 2016, a lawsuit challenging Detroit’s new medical marijuana laws was dropped by the group of medical marijuana dispensaries that had filed the case. Under the new rules, medical marijuana dispensaries are barred from operating within 1,000 feet of a school, park, church or day care.
CCBExpo at the Junction of ‘Grows Meet Pros’ With Margolis
Join Amy Margolis, founder of Emerge Law Group, on March 4, 2016, at the California Cannabis Business Expo in San Francisco, as she explores the challenges, barriers and benefits of partnerships between industry members and traditional investors.
CCBE to Cover Navigating Sales and Use Tax Laws in Obtaining State Licenses
In the session “How California Sales and Use Tax Law Can Prevent Your Business From Obtaining a State License” at the California Cannabis Business Expo on March 5, Mike Parnes will discuss California’s sales and use tax law’s applicability to cannabis-related businesses.
California Sales and Use Tax Law Applicability to Cannabis: Part 1
Sales and use tax compliance represents a substantial risk to cannabis enterprises seeking to prosper in California.
37 Days Until Bob Morgan Talks Medical Marijuana Policy
Bob Morgan, a healthcare attorney at Much Shelist, a law firm based in Chicago, will be discussing medical marijuana policy in March at the California Cannabis Business Expo.
Is the Fight Over Federal Preemption Inevitable?
If the legal marijuana industry has to go into a dirt fight about federal preemption, the results may not be favorable. But Fourth Corner’s stated goal is clarity.
Sparks Fly in Fourth Corner Hearing
On Dec. 28, 2015, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado heard oral arguments in Fourth Corner Credit Union v. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Are Michigan’s Crime Labs Undermining State Medical Marijuana Laws?
A Michigan attorney is claiming that prosecutors pressured state crime labs to alter the way THC is reported in tests.
Cannabis Attorney David Kotler Joins the Advisory Board of The Cannabis Marketing Lab
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., June 18, 2015 /Weed Wire/ — The Cannabis Marketing Lab is pleased to announce that Attorney David Kotler has joined our advisory board.
Recreational Cannabis in Oregon: Who Can Participate?
Oregon’s recreational cannabis market will become legal on July 1, 2015, but some would-be entrepreneurs and investors still don’t even know if they are eligible to participate.
CannaRegs Launching Regulatory Database in May
Amanda Ostrowitz, attorney, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of CannaRegs Ltd, winner of last fall’s Marijuana Tech Startup Competition, has announced that it will launch its web-accessible database of medical, retail and hemp regulations in late May 2015.
Legislative Issues to Watch
At the Marijuana Investor Summit on April 22, 2015, attorneys Marc Ross, partner at Sichensia Ross Friedman Ference LLP, and Michael McGrory, partner at SmithAmundsen LLC, explored the history of marijuana laws and the factors that will shape future marijuana legislation.
Marijuana Investor Summit Takes on 280E
Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code sharply limits the deductions legal marijuana businesses can take against federal income tax liability. It may be the biggest threat to the financial viability of many fledgling cannabusinesses.
The Truth About the US Government’s CBD Patent
The American government owns a CBD patent even though the plant that it comes from isn’t exactly legal on a federal level.
Illinois State Bar Association Issues Opinion on MMJ Counseling
The Illinois State Bar Association has issued a Professional Conduct Advisory Opinion concluding that Illinois lawyers who counsel medical cannabis industry businesses can do so without running afoul of ethics rules.
How to Hire a Marijuana Business Attorney
Budding entrepreneurs of all strains need two kinds of advisers: an accountant and an attorney. Leaving accounting aside for the moment, let us focus on what to look for in a marijuana business attorney, given the friction between federal and state law where marijuana businesses are legal and regulated.