Vicente LLP

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission released draft regulations for social consumption establishments this week and will hold an informal public comment period through January 23, 2025! Three license types are proposed, including one for currently licensed cannabis businesses, one for new or existing non-cannabis businesses, and one for event organizers. Read this article for a breakdown of each license type and what comes next: https://ow.ly/423V50Uvb1N #massachusettscannabis #cannabislawfirm

Henry Winslow at Tricycle Day recently interviewed Vicente founding partner Joshua Kappel about Colorado’s natural medicine program, how facilitators and entrepreneurs can get ready for the regulated market, and what it’ll take to make safe microdosing products available to the masses. Read now: https://lnkd.in/g9xpstWT

Compliance is key! Creating a culture of compliance in the cannabis industry starts with strong, engaging training protocols that meet regulations and empower your team. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and set the gold standard for cannabis employee training in this Vicente LLP session featuring Cannabis Trainers, and Rootwurks: https://ow.ly/eCbx50UsZxW

An extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is likely as key programs are set to expire on December 31, 2024. Lawmakers are racing to finalize a one-year extension amid disagreements. Read more: https://ow.ly/UGAU50UsZ0q

Henry: You also co-authored Colorado's Prop 122, which created the nation’s second state-regulated, legal access model for natural psychedelics. How will Colorado’s program be different from Oregon’s? Joshua: There are three main components to Colorado's measure. First, there's the regulated access model similar to Oregon's, but with better integration into our medical and mental health system. Second, there's a personal communal use model that allows people to grow, possess, share and engage in community-based ceremonies. That doesn’t exist in Oregon; Colorado is actually the only state with these sorts of freedoms. The third part includes civil protections around child rearing, probation, parole, professional licensing, employment, housing, organ transplants, etc. for people who use natural medicines. One big difference in Colorado’s therapeutic model is we have a two-tiered facilitator system. You have regular facilitators, similar to Oregon, and clinical facilitators who can treat or diagnose medical and mental health illnesses. Instead of treating psychedelic care as a standalone business like Oregon, we treat it as a modality of care. We also allow for natural medicine services outside of healing centers, including private residences with certain requirements. Oregon is currently dealing with a lawsuit about home access for disabled or end-of-life patients. We got ahead of that issue; however, DORA is pushing back on this provision, which is really unfortunate for many people in Colorado who could benefit more from psychedelic care at their home than at a standalone business. Lastly, our advisory board can recommend adding other substances like DMT, mescaline, or ibogaine to the regulated model in the future.

"Even as more states have legalized marijuana, rates of teen use are on the decline. There was also a significant drop in perceptions by youth that cannabis is easy to access in 2024 despite the widening adult-use marketplace," according to Marijuana Moment. Read more: https://ow.ly/8hLc50UsWM1

Are you ready to embark on a new career as a licensed natural medicine facilitator in Colorado? Licensing applications open in January 2025, and Vicente LLP is here to guide you every step of the way. Join Vicente on January 10, 2025, for an in-person workshop in Denver, where you’ll gain an understanding of the pathways to licensure, learn how to navigate key legal and regulatory considerations, and get personalized support to prepare your license application. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers on the same journey. Interested? Let us know by filling out this quick questionnaire: https://ow.ly/ZO9c50UpxZ2

New York Cannabis Control Board and Office of Cannabis Management officials reported that the state will surpass $1 billion in marijuana sales by the end of this year, according to Marijuana Moment. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g88p--Xu?

Catch the replay of our "Bringing Your Cannabis Brand to New York" webinar where Vicente attorneys and special guests from Wyld and Eaton Botanicals discuss New York cannabis regulations and how major brands are getting into the country's largest new cannabis market: https://ow.ly/3UTc50UmLva

Calling all Colorado Psychedelics Professionals! If you’re interested in hearing how Colorado’s Natural Medicine Program will unfold in 2025, join Vicente LLP and Healing Advocacy Fund for this live session and Q&A on December 12! Register now: https://ow.ly/EmkW50UliAZ #PsychedelicsCommunity #NaturalMedicine #ColoradoWebinar #PsychedelicsEducation