Category: One-Hit Wonders

Recently, three British MPs went to Canada on a fact-finding cross-party trip to consider the effects of a more relaxed regulatory environment in respect of cannabis. After the trip, the MPs predicted that the UK would follow Canada’s lead and legalise cannabis for adult use within a decade.

Adam Gutman & Anna Wermuth write for Cozen O’Connor, “This new law makes it legal to purchase and consume cannabis in the state of Illinois and includes protections for employees who choose to use cannabis while away from the job. In light of these protections, Illinois employers should take affirmative steps to ensure compliance and to avoid missteps.”

They publish a pretty good week in review via their newsletter

In the third episode of The Joint Status Report, Chicago partners Doug Sargent and David Standa discuss former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s recent op-ed calling on the FDA to take action on CBD & lots more

Jason Paltrowitz, OTC Markets Group writes, “As with any new, developing industry, there are barriers to entry and significant growth challenges to navigate. That said, we’re seeing a perfect storm in this sector, companies being built, market structure and compliance guidelines in place, and investors recognizing the sector is ripe for investment.”

Chandler Armistead & Keya Denner of Ford Harrison write, “In total, 15 states currently have medical cannabis laws that provide some form of explicit employment protection for medical cannabis users. Needless to say, the rapid progression in marijuana legalization has left employers “Dazed and Confused.”

Authored by:  Akshita Singh, Mark Mansour, Ryan Holz |  Aug 9, 2019 | CBD, Enforcement | Federal...

Carlton Fields law firm say, “The cannabis industry is rapidly expanding in the United States, with multiple jurisdictions and corporations seeking to accommodate the evolving cannabis market. Carlton Fields attorneys Kevin McCoy and Jennifer Tschetter discuss the emergence of cannabis as a billion-dollar, mainstream industry; explore its impact on corporate clients; and analyze the ever-evolving legal landscape in this space.”

In the second episode of The Joint Status Report, Chicago partners Doug Sargent and David Standa discuss recent key events that impacted the cannabis industry, including the industry’s response to the FDA’s warning letter to Curaleaf (:46), Cresco’s announcement of its Sunnyside dispensaries (3:42), and the concerning trend of municipalities across the country opting out of permitting recreational marijuana sales (9:05)

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has opened an investigation into CannTrust Holdings, Inc., deepening the problems for the large Canadian cannabis company. CannTrust also announced that it will miss the deadline to file its interim financial reports for second quarter 2019.

“In Italy the cultivation and the industrial use of hemp has a long tradition and recent changes in law have led to a revival. While a law enacted in 2016 promotes the cultivation of hemp as a mean to preserve biodiversity, and to reduce the environmental impact in the agriculture, hemp-derived products for human consumption are still subject to restrictions. A recent judgment of the Italian Supreme Court, delivered in joint session, has the last word on the supposedly legal cannabis.”

An article on Cross-Pollination and Industrial Hemp Production, another on the FDA & Curaleaf and they welcome new attorneys to the firm.

On June 25, 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (“CRTA”), making recreational cannabis use legal for adults 21 and older. Additionally, the CRTA addresses the following topics relevant to facilities currently operating under Illinois’ 2013 Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (the “MCPPA”):

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) reiterated once again that you cannot register marijuana marks at the federal level. The TTAB announced its decision on July 16, 2019, rejecting Canopy Growth Corporation’s, a Canadian corporation, trademark filings for marijuana vaporizers “Juju Rx” and “Juju Hybrid.” In re Canopy Growth Corporation by assignment from JJ206, LLC, Serial Nos. 86475885 & 86475899 (TTAB, July 16, 2019). Write Kris Kappel & Liam Reilly 

The hearing was split into two witness panels. The first panel was a bipartisan pair of Senators representing two of the states with the most mature adult use cannabis industries: Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). As state laws and attitudes around cannabis have evolved, the support that has come from historically left-of-center legislators has expanded across the aisle. Sen. Gardner is the leading Republican voice for federal reform in the Senate and he used the hearing to advocate for federal action.

One of the benefits of hemp and CBD businesses is the increased access to traditional business services, like banking, insurance, payroll, etc.  Our clients are investing a significant amount of time and resources into their hemp and CBD operations.  It is important to protect those investments by obtaining the proper crop insurance.

In the initial episode of the Joint Status Report Chicago partners Doug Sargent and David Standa discuss key events that impacted the cannabis industry between July 22 and July 26 2019.