Andrew Marto’s Post

🌿 Cannabis Rescheduling FAQ: What Now? 🌿 The DEA’s proposal to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is a significant development, though the process is still ongoing and could face various challenges before finalization. While this move aligns with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recommendations, it does not legalize cannabis federally. 🚀 Jonathan Havens, managing partner at Saul Ewing, emphasizes the importance of this potential change, highlighting it as the most significant federal reform since the CSA’s enactment. He notes that the rulemaking process is swift by Washington standards but still complex, with a public comment period and potential legal challenges expected. 💼 Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III would alleviate some restrictions, notably removing the burdensome Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, allowing state-legal cannabis companies to take standard business tax deductions. However, it won’t fully integrate cannabis into the legal framework enjoyed by other industries like alcohol and tobacco. ⚖️ Legal experts like Sander Zagzebski caution that Schedule III reclassification won’t immediately normalize cannabis business operations. The industry would still face regulatory challenges, and banking legislation such as the SAFER Banking Act remains crucial. While rescheduling marks progress, comprehensive federal legalization and regulatory clarity are still needed. 📈 As a Cannabis Franchise Broker with Cannabis10X, I see this as a pivotal moment. We have numerous red-hot opportunities in the cannabis market. Reach out to me directly to capitalize on this rapidly growing sector and secure your investment in the future of cannabis. 🌱 #CannabisIndustry #CannabisInvestment #CannabisRescheduling #CannabisBusiness #CannabisReform Orginal art by: HaraLine

🌿 Cannabis Rescheduling FAQ: What Now? 🌿 The DEA’s proposal to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is a significant development, though the process is still ongoing and could face various challenges before finalization. While this move aligns with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recommendations, it does not legalize cannabis federally. 🚀 Jonathan Havens, managing partner at Saul Ewing, emphasizes the importance of this potential change, highlighting it as the most significant federal reform since the CSA’s enactment. He notes that the rulemaking process is swift by Washington standards but still complex, with a public comment period and potential legal challenges expected. 💼 Rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III would alleviate some restrictions, notably removing the burdensome Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, allowing state-legal cannabis companies to take standard business tax deductions. However, it won’t fully integrate cannabis into the legal framework enjoyed by other industries like alcohol and tobacco. ⚖️ Legal experts like Sander Zagzebski caution that Schedule III reclassification won’t immediately normalize cannabis business operations. The industry would still face regulatory challenges, and banking legislation such as the SAFER Banking Act remains crucial. While rescheduling marks progress, comprehensive federal legalization and regulatory clarity are still needed. 📈 As a Cannabis Franchise Broker with Cannabis10X, I see this as a pivotal moment. We have numerous red-hot opportunities in the cannabis market. Reach out to me directly to capitalize on this rapidly growing sector and secure your investment in the future of cannabis. 🌱 #CannabisIndustry #CannabisInvestment #CannabisRescheduling #CannabisBusiness #CannabisReform Orginal art by: HaraLine Cannabis10X 5

One more example of why it is crucially important to demand a "slower roll" with regard to the issue of Cannabis Rescheduling. The Controlled Substances Act is an established law, passed by Congress & signed by a President. It's as "iron clad" as it gets. All those who believe that the Federal Bureaucracies will work this out in a way that benefits the industry are going to woefully mistaken. "Rules" are largely worthless and "The Federal Government will never" is no guarantee at all & certainly a risk we should not be willing to take. Cannabis is a highly contentious issue with most of the country. Whatever path the Federal Government takes? It better have the full force of the law behind it, and we need to have every question answered BEFORE anything is voted on. Which, BTW? Should be the Congress in the form of a Bill that is sent the President's office for signature. Otherwise? The industry will descend into chaos while the infighting, politicking, & uncertainty continues to destabilize our fragile progress. We can't take that risk. Let's hit the "pause" button, get real answers to all our questions, and pass a law that allows our industry to continue to grow. But these sorts of bureaucratic "pissing matches" & "turf wars" at this early stage does not bode well for the future of our industry! MJBiz New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA) New Jersey CannaBusiness Association VICE News CNN Dave Charnick Caleb Teske Benzinga Cannabis #cannabis #cannabisindustry #cannabisbusiness https://lnkd.in/e3_VD22n

California's legal cannabis industry is being obliterated by a massive and growing illegal market. As I write this, there are thousands of illegal grows, delivery businesses, and even brick-and-mortar retail businesses (yes, you heard that) that are essentially allowed to flourish because the regulators don't try to stop it. Cue the DCC's newest campaign, the Real CA Cannabis campaign. While scrolling through its webpage, I see many quotes like this: "Many people aren’t aware unlicensed dispensaries exist, while others don’t see an issue with shopping at unlicensed dispensaries. Unfortunately, because these businesses are unlicensed, they aren’t obligated to follow any of the regulations designed to keep consumers, workers, and communities safe." You don't say! Maybe it would be more helpful for the agency that is in charge of regulating the industry to actually try to do something about the illegal market, rather than public education which does not and will not work. There are two alternatives California could adopt: (1) enforce existing laws against illegal businesses, or (2) make legal cannabis businesses easy and cheap to operate. For reasons I still don't get, California doesn't seem to want to do either of those things. [This post is informational only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.]

Cannabis legalization - yes, no, in-between? 🌿 A mere 12 years ago, cannabis legalization was a fringe idea in the most progressive parts of the world. Today, we are witnessing initiatives even in more conservative areas like Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota, signaling major shifts in perception. In the US, currently both major-party presidential candidates are inclined toward support: Kamala Harris recently confirmed her stance, while Donald Trump has backed Florida's initiative and advocated for federal leniency. What is driving this change? 🤔 For many, it is rooted in frustration with the war on drugs and a desire to shift away from ineffective punitive policies. Today, people overwhelmingly see cannabis as less harmful than many other substances, and support has grown from just 31% in 2000 to around 70%. Federal reform could impact even states where cannabis is already legal. Banking issues, for instance, leave many dispensaries dealing solely in cash, exposing them to security risks. Federal policy could help alleviate such obstacles and foster a safer, more regulated industry. It is an interesting moment in history. What do you think: 🔹 Should cannabis be regulated on a more global level (not just in the US)?  🔹 Would large-scale legalization improve research, product development, safety? 🔹 Or is it be better to keep it to smaller, local governments to decide?  🔹 Was it better when it was much less available?  🔹 How would federal legalization affect the economy? Every opinion is welcome❗️ Image credit: The New York Times #cannabis #cannabislegalization #marijuana #substanceuse #warondrugs

Cannabis Reform Advocates Push Trump for Federal Legalization Two major cannabis reform groups, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and NORML, have urged President-elect Donald Trump to prioritize federal cannabis reforms during his upcoming term. In a detailed memo, the organizations outlined key proposals, including ending federal cannabis prohibition to allow states to set their own policies, protecting Second Amendment rights for cannabis consumers, ensuring banking access for cannabis businesses, and expanding clemency for individuals with federal cannabis-related convictions. They also advocated for removing barriers to cannabis research, restoring access to federal housing and employment for cannabis users, and permitting Washington, D.C., to establish an adult-use cannabis sales framework. Highlighting widespread public support for legalization, the memo cited the STATES Act 2.0 as a roadmap for sensible federal policy, which includes legalizing interstate commerce and normalizing tax regulations for the industry. The groups argued that ending prohibition would reduce federal overreach and empower states while ensuring safety and equity in cannabis regulation. Both MPP and NORML emphasized Trump’s opportunity to lead on a national level by modernizing outdated policies and advancing liberty through cannabis reform. #CannabisReform #EndCannabisProhibition #FederalCannabisPolicy #CannabisLegalization #CannabisRights

ICYMI: Dope piece in Green Market Report featuring Marino. client International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) on their recent #CannabisLawInstitute event in #Chicago! At the heart of every evolving industry is a need for clarity, especially when it comes to #cannabis and #federalrescheduling. That's why the INCBA is leading the charge on navigating the legal uncertainties surrounding cannabis reform. 🌱⚖️ Recently at the INCBA conference, some of the top legal minds gathered to discuss the implications of potential #rescheduling – and the message is clear: there’s still a long road ahead. From challenges in banking access to concerns about #DEA enforcement, this was a deep dive into the future of the #cannabisindustry. While many see rescheduling as a step forward, the conversation highlighted a bigger need for well-defined laws and guidance to truly unlock the market's potential. "The federal marijuana rescheduling process is far from complete, and major questions over the timeline still loom large over the U.S. cannabis industry. That was the sentiment from a bevy of legal experts and industry insiders during several panels at a gathering of the International Cannabis Bar Association in Chicago last week." #cannabis #cannabislaw #cannabisbusiness #cannabisindustry #cannabisreform #cannabiscommunity #MarinoCannabis Jason Horst Nastasia M. #cannabispr

Several northern California cities and counties have recently taken steps to expand and strengthen the regulated cannabis markets operating within the borders of these jurisdictions. Check out my latest blog post to learn more.

Taxation and the Cannabis Black Market The legalization of cannabis has been a contentious issue for many years, with proponents arguing that it would lead to a reduction in the black market and opponents arguing that it would have the opposite effect. There is some evidence to support both sides of the argument. On the one hand, legalization has led to a decline in the black market in some countries, such as Canada. On the other hand, legalization has not had a significant impact on the black market in other countries, such as the United States. One of the main reasons why legalization does not always lead to a decline in the black market is that the legal market is often more expensive than the black market. This is because legal cannabis is subject to taxes and regulations, which increase the cost of production. As a result, some consumers may prefer to buy cannabis from the black market, where they can get it for a lower price. Another reason why legalization does not always lead to a decline in the black market is that some consumers may prefer to buy cannabis from the black market for reasons other than price. For example, some consumers may prefer to buy cannabis from the black market because they can get it in a wider variety of strains and potencies. Others may prefer to buy cannabis from the black market because they do not want to be associated with the legal market. Ultimately, the impact of legalization on the black market is likely to vary from country to country. In countries where the legal market is more expensive than the black market, the black market is likely to continue to thrive. In countries where the legal market is more affordable and offers a wider variety of products, the black market is likely to decline. #cannabis #legalization #blackmarket #taxation #prices #availability #cannabisculture #cannabisindustry #cannabislegalization

The state of Illinois confirmed to me that gifting of cannabis is allowed, just in time for 4/20🎁 Important fact: Cannabis is not completely legal in Illinois. At best, it has been partially decriminalized*. As a result, navigating the nuances of “legalization” is the key to avoiding the continued criminalization of cannabis in Illinois. Check out my article for the finer details on this subject: https://lnkd.in/gN_8grXG *In Illinois, lawmakers created a system that allows cannabis to be taxed and regulated by a limited number of state-ordained individuals. Lawmakers partially decriminalized the possession of small-amounts of cannabis. In many ways, simple possession, cultivation, and use of cannabis remains a criminal offense in the state of Illinois. (The criminal law (ILCCA of 1978) is the main enforcement mechanism for the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.) “This reflects a failure on the part of lawmakers to appreciate the meaning of *meaningful* cannabis reform.” - Defense Attorney Evan Bruno