Janve Sobers

cannabis research

Cannabis Researchers: NIH Wants to Hear From You!

If you’re a cannabis lab, researcher, or scientist, the NIH is interested in hearing your thoughts! Last week, the National Institute of Health (NIH) posted a request for information (RFI)* regarding identifying the barriers to cannabis research. Through this RFI, the NIH aims to address the problems that researchers face in attempting to study cannabis.

L.A. cannabis social equity

LA Cannabis Social Equity Partnerships

The Los Angeles Social Equity Verification period came to an end at 4pm on Monday, July 25th. Recall that verification is required to enter into the Social Equity Retail Lottery this Winter. The verification period will be followed by a 90-day review period. Then, the Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) will notify qualified applicants of

new york cannabis

New York Cannabis Updates: Steady as She Goes

The slow and steady roll-out of New York’s adult-use cannabis rules and regulations continues. The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) has made clear: nothing’s stopping this train. But, delays are a given, much as we might hate them. The CCB met on July 14th to pass revised regulations and update the public on the state of

thailand cannabis

Thoughts on Thailand (Sort of) Legalizing Cannabis

Last month we weighed in on Thailand becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to decriminalize cannabis. We’ve  seen some bad reporting on this since then, along the lines of “weed is legal in Thailand!” The new Thai regime is not that progressive, but we still feel that Thailand has taken a step in the

cannabis business regulations

Advocating for Better Cannabis Business Regulations

Complying with cannabis business regulations presents a challenge for start-ups and smaller firms. Corporate and regulatory attorneys often help clients understand and comply with complex regulations. This is especially true in the cannabis industry. In the United States, many industries lack well thought out regulatory policy. Some industries, like cannabis, suffer from over-regulation, overwhelming smaller

los angeles cannabis retail license lottery

More on the LA Cannabis Retail License Lottery

We have more details for you regarding the Los Angeles cannabis retail license lottery, following last week’s post on the topic. We combed the Department of Cannabis Regulation’s (“DCR”) website and came up with answers to the three most important questions about the retail lottery. 1. When will the retail lottery occur? DCR anticipates that

los angeles cannabis retail license lottery

LA Cannabis Licensing: Retail Round Two is Here!

After many delays, controversies, and changes to the regulations, Los Angeles is getting closer to opening its second (and last) round of retail licensing. Based on the timeline laid out by the LA Cannabis Regulations, Retail Round Two will open either around the end of 2022 or sometime in early 2023. This round will be

california cannabis taxes children

Would Cutting California Cannabis Taxes Hurt Children?

We have been watching the debate on California cannabis taxes, including the arguments from child welfare advocates that cannabis tax reductions would harm children. In this post, I’ll explain why this perspective is flawed, and propose a better path forward. The California cannabis tax headache California is potentially overhauling cannabis taxes, a much-needed reform for

Intersectionality and the Movement to End the War on Drugs

Intersectionality and the Movement to End the War on Drugs

The year 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of the so-called War on Drugs. As states across the country decriminalize and commercialize legal cannabis, some have declared drugs the winner of the Drug War. There is some truth to this assessment. Two-thirds of Americans currently support decriminalizing marijuana, now referred to by its less racialized, scientific

cannabis marijuana legalization map

Updated (and Interactive!) Cannabis Legalization Map

Cannabis legalization continues to sweep the nation. Below, you’ll find an interactive map of the United States and its territories containing information on each state’s cannabis legalization status. The map also includes information about pending cannabis legislation and the locations of Harris Sliwoski offices. Clicking on a state icon will reveal additional information about that