California has had laws on its books since 1996 allowing marijuana use for medical reasons, however, it has failed to adopt any regulations for the state and local licensing of marijuana cultivations and dispensaries. After seeing states like Colorado and Washington reap millions in taxes, California has finally developed new regulations. Today, California law makers
Steve Levine
Steve is head of the firm’s Food Systems industry unit, Steve leads more than 45 professionals from numerous practice areas focused on the various food and agriculture industries. He excels in bringing creative, cost-effective solutions to the various challenges that our clients face.
Since 2009, Steve’s major focus has been on the burgeoning cannabis industry, where he guides clients through the tangle of shifting regulations governing the sale and use of cannabis in both the marijuana and industrial hemp sectors across the nation.
Pesticides Continue to be a Problem for the Marijuana Industry
Not only do marijuana centers in Colorado need to be worried about MED inspection of pesticides used in cultivation, but they should be on the look-out for investigative exposes being conducted by journalists. The Denver Post has alleged that MED prohibited pesticides are still being found in marijuana products sold in Denver.
For those of…
10th Circuit Rules Bankruptcy Code Does Not Protect Marijuana Businesses
The 10th Circuit court ruled on August 21, 2015, that neither Chapter 7 nor 13 is available to a marijuana business owner. The court stated that because of “the federally illegal marijuana based income stream, the debtors cannot fund a plan without breaking the law, and are therefore ineligible for relief under Chapter 13.”…
Section 280E – The Downfall of the Cannabis Industry?
We are all aware that a state-legal marijuana business is illegal under federal law and cannabis businesses deal with this dichotomy between state and federal law on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the fact that a cannabis business is federally illegal does not alleviate the obligation to pay federal income tax because the tax code does…
DO NOT Solicit Investment For Your Cannabis Business Like This!
On July 17, 2015, a Colorado man was ordered to cease and desist from soliciting investors for his cannabis business on Craigslist. A sale of securities must be registered at the state or federal level unless one can rely on an exemption from both the state and federal securities laws. One needs to not only…
FDA’s CBD Actions and the Potential Effects on the CBD Market
As many in the marijuana and hemp industry are aware, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently turned its focus on cannabidiol (CBD). In 2015 alone, the FDA has sent 7 warning letters to companies that are currently marketing CBD in various forms as a dietary supplement. While some in the hemp CBD market…