Dealing with creditors is never a fun experience. However, some creditors are more severe than others, especially in the cannabis industry. One of those is the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA), which administers California’s sales and use, fuel, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis taxes, as well as a variety of other taxes and fees that fund specific state programs. It’s no secret that CDTFA cannabis taxes are crippling the California cannabis industry. For example, I recently recorded a Cannabis Law Now podcast episode with Anthony Almaz, general counsel for Catalyst. Catalyst is challenging various emergency rules promulgated and adopted by CDTFA that would further expand taxable items in California’s cannabis industry. This post though is about the CDTFA cannabis creditor relationship and the myths and truths around it.
California
Husch Blackwell Expands Nationally Recognized Cannabis Team with Addition of Partner Hilary Bricken
National law firm Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce that Hilary Bricken has joined the firm as a partner in the Los Angeles office and as a member of its Food Systems industry group.
Bricken is a highly regarded cannabis law attorney who joins Husch Blackwell’s nationally recognized Cannabis practice team. She has more than a decade of experience in guiding clients of all sizes in cannabis licensing; marijuana and industrial hemp regulatory compliance; mergers and acquisitions; corporate and transactional matters, including negotiating management services agreements, fee slotting agreements, cultivation supply agreements, and intellectual property licensing agreements; receiverships; dissolution and wind downs; and financing and debt restructuring.
California Laws Regarding Health and Safety Warnings for Cannabis Have Changed: Are You In Compliance?
A new California Proposition 65 mandate took effect on January 3, requiring health warning labels for all cannabis products sold in the state. Failure to comply with the requirements can and will result in enforcement against cannabis producers and sellers, resulting in hefty penalties. Here’s what you need to know.
Cannabis-Related Local Ballot Measures Hit All-Time High in California
Ballotpedia.com maintains a database of local ballot measures extending back to the beginning of the century. According to the website, there have been 164 cannabis-related local ballot measures in California since 2000. Amazingly, 77 of them—or 47 percent—appeared this year, a remarkable spike in number.
Husch Blackwell Featured in Sacramento Business Journal
Husch Blackwell Partner Steve Levine and the Cannabis team were featured in the Sacramento Business Journal on September 19, 2018. In the article Steve explores California’s laws and regulations on the emerging cannabis industry. Husch Blackwell opened our Sacramento office doors on January 2 of 2018.
Husch Blackwell Sponsors Q4 Northern California Cannabis Caucus
Husch Blackwell is proud to support @TheNCIA Northern California #CannabisCaucus on Tuesday, October 9 in Santa Rosa, CA. NCIA’s Cannabis Caucus event series has quickly become the gold standard event for professionals serving the cannabis industry! Join the industry’s most influential leaders for an evening of hors d’oeurves, cocktails (cash bar) and the latest organizational and federal…
Husch Blackwell Sponsors Q3 Northern California Quarterly Cannabis Caucus
Husch Blackwell is a lead sponsor of the Northern California Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses – next of which is to be held on Tuesday, July 10 in San Francisco, CA at the Hilton Financial District. The 3rd Quarter Cannabis Caucus will bring together executive level industry professionals, policymakers, regulators, and movement leaders to network, learn about …
State-Legal Marijuana Sales in Colorado Reach $1.51 Billion in 2017
The state’s marijuana shops raked in $1.51 billion sales of medical and recreational flower, edibles and concentrate products during 2017, according to Colorado Department of Revenue data released last Friday. Adult-use sales topped $1.09 billion in 2017, with the remaining $416.52 million coming from medical marijuana. Cannabis sales in the state were up 15.3 percent in…
Marijuana industry estimated to be $24 billion by 2025
While these numbers are a best guess, exciting to see the projected growth for the marijuana industry over the next few years. Check out the Cannabist article:
http://www.thecannabist.co/2017/02/22/report-united-states-marijuana-sales-projections-2025/74059/
Legal Adult-Use Marijuana in California – The Next Step Towards a Change in Federal Law
While I am sure we are all fed up with the current presidential election cycle, the upcoming vote in California to approve recreational marijuana has the potential to be a watershed moment for the national marijuana industry and warrants discussion. In addition to California, Massachusetts and Maine both have legalization initiatives on the ballot next…