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On August 9, 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law Illinois Senate Bill 2023, which amends and makes permanent the State’s pilot medical cannabis program. The amendment will expand the number of patients who qualify for treatment under the program and include a social equity component. READ MORE
With the passage of the June 25, 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, Illinois has legalized recreational cannabis use for adults 21 and older. The Act outlines new regulations for medical dispensaries, cultivation centers, and social equity components for medical facilities already operating under Illinois’ medical cannabis program. READ MORE
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has released another set of proposed rules regulating medical cannabis in Missouri. The proposed rules set forth requirements for all medical cannabis facilities and also lays out specific rules for particular types of medical cannabis businesses. READ MORE
While some Missouri communities are welcoming access to medical cannabis, others may be more resistant and could look to zoning codes to restrict the establishment of cannabis businesses. Amendment 2 prohibits communities from flatly excluding medical cannabis businesses, but it does allow for some restrictions. READ MORE
With the passage of Amendment 2 by Missouri voters in November 2018, businesses will be able to apply for licenses to operate medical cannabis facilities in Missouri. While the date for businesses to apply for such licenses is still more than four months away, the timeline for starting the application process has already begun. READ MORE
On February 13, 2019, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services held a forum to hear suggestions regarding the drafting of preliminary medical cannabis regulations. Suggestions covered quality control and testing, fees and profits, startup logistics, distribution issues, and more. READ MORE
Despite a recent setback for the cannabis industry at the federal level, an Illinois judge has ordered that intractable pain be added to the state's list of conditions approved for medical cannabis treatment, potentially widening the patient pool for cannabis. READ MORE
Today, just four days after recreational cannabis became legal in California – Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the long-standing “Cole Memorandum” issued in 2013 by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole. READ MORE
The collaboration between Constellation Brands and Canopy Growth is the first sign that the alcoholic beverage industry has publicly recognized the value that cannabis might bring to companies’ portfolios. READ MORE
The fate of crucial federal legislation protecting medical cannabis producers, retailers and consumers from prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice has recently become uncertain due to differences in House and Senate spending legislation. READ MORE
With the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment set to expire on Dec. 8, the future of its protections now hinges on the work of the House-Senate conference committee. READ MORE
More and more cities in California are allowing the once-banned delivery of medical marijuana directly to consumers. Learn about the latest developments statewide, including in Los Angeles. READ MORE
Session topics will address the current medical cannabis program in Illinois and provide updates on national and local industry developments. READ MORE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published a new guideline for prescribing opioid pain medication by primary care clinicians for chronic pain in outpatient settings for other than active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. READ MORE
A new study by Australian researchers published in the journal Psychological Medicine examined the narrower issue of whether frequency of cannabis use was associated with rates of metabolic syndrome among study participants, all of whom had been diagnosed with psychotic illness. READ MORE
In a recent study that has been accepted for publication in The Clinical Journal of Pain, researchers assessed the long-term effect of medical cannabis treatment on pain and other outcomes (including sleep problems) in people suffering from chronic pain that was resistant to other treatments (including opioid consumption). READ MORE
Brand loyalty builds businesses. That’s why most businesses need successful brands, and, ideally, brands backed by a federal trademark registration. But because of the federal laws affecting marijuana and related products, marijuana growers and distributers don’t have access to the same avenues of brand protection. READ MORE
Cannabis industry hopefuls in Illinois are poised to begin the application process after the three state agencies administering Illinois’ medical marijuana law released long-awaited metrics on Aug. 8. READ MORE
Thompson Coburn advises clients on state laws governing the business of cannabis to facilitate compliance with those state laws. Federal laws concerning cannabis currently conflict with state laws in states that have legalized cannabis or possession of cannabis. Although federal enforcement policy may at times defer to these states’ laws and not enforce conflicting federal laws, interested businesses and individuals should be aware that compliance with state law in no way assures compliance with federal law, and there is a risk that conflicting federal laws may be enforced in the future. In addition to this Cannabis-specific note, readers should review Thompson Coburn’s Conditions of Use / Disclaimers page containing other important information.
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