Harris Sliwoski LLP’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 Cannabis10X 5

Later today, Hirsh Jain and I will talk about whether California's cannabis industry can be saved. If you've got an hour, please tune in at the link below.

🌿 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

A report by the Minority Cannabis Business Association claims the cannabis industry could create over 50,000 jobs by 2030 if the federal government reschedules cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. This change would ease restrictions and lift tax burdens, like the Section 280E tax code that prohibits deductions for cannabis companies. “Our comprehensive survey and detailed economic analysis projects that rescheduling and the resulting [tax] reform would result in the creation of 55,500 jobs by 2030, generating as much as $2.7 billion in wages and $5.6 billion in new economic activity. We therefore encourage DEA to act with deliberate speed in publishing a final rule moving marijuana to schedule III.” — Statement signed by Johnson and McClary Easley, in the report #cannabisindustry #jobgrowth #cannabisnews

The cannabis industry is over-taxed. Here's the reality: - Studies consistently show that legal cannabis does not lead to increased youth access. - Contrary to common misconceptions, our presence does not increase crime rates. - We don't bring down home values; we revitalize dilapidated buildings and improve neighborhoods. - Cities and counties with access to legal cannabis often experience fewer opioid overdoses. Yet, despite our positive contributions, cities and states are taxing us to the brink of extinction. Excessive taxes and predatory development agreements are forcing cannabis businesses to shut down across the state. We aren't asking for special treatment—just fair treatment. It's time for policymakers to recognize the value we bring and stop treating us like a cash cow.

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

UPDATE: The judge amended the order to narrow his ruling, only the sections that were challenged by Leafly are null and void. Never a dull moment in New York cannabis For the foregoing reasons, the petition is granted, and the following sections are hereby declared null and void as arbitrary and capricious; The Third-Party Marketing Ban, Parts 9 N.Y.C.R.R. $$123.10(g)(21) and l24.5(a); the Pricing Ban, 9 N.Y.C.R.R. $124.1(bxsxii) the Third-Parf Order Ban,9 N.Y.C.R.R. $123.10(9)(23); the Third-Party All-Licensee Listing Mandate, 9 N.Y.C.R.R. $12a.lOX2); and the Third-Party Distributor Listing Mandate, 9 N.Y.C.R.R. $12a.1(cXl)-(2). Moreover, insofar as argued by Petitioners, based on the record before the court, it is the finding of this Court that the aforementioned regulations constitute impermissible restrictions on Petitioners right to free speech and that they are unconstitutionally vague. https://lnkd.in/eP5ufkeD --- BREAKING (from LEAFLY HOLDINGS, INC. et al v. NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT et al), the judge just invalidated most of the adult-use cannabis regulations....it is likely OCM will immediately file an appeal and request a stay of the order or a narrowing of the order (since leafly didn't challenge the entire reg package)....stay tuned.... The following regulation sections are hereby declared unlawful and void as arbitrary and capricious Part 118 – Definitions Part 119 - Municipality Rulemaking Part 120 - Application and Licensure Part 121 - Social and Economic Equity Rules Part 123 - License Specific Authorizations, Requirements and Prohibitions Part 124 - General Business Requirements and Prohibitions Part 125 - General Operating Requirements and Prohibitions Part 131. Severability and Reference Materials

Cannabis companies have doubled their lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., spending nearly $4 million in the first half of 2024, driven by growing interest in federal cannabis legislation and potential regulatory changes. This surge reflects a broader industry shift, with cannabis increasingly seen as a bipartisan issue and attracting attention from other sectors like tobacco and alcohol. Click below to learn more about what this means for the industry 👇 https://lnkd.in/eaY333PE

Cannabis reform always feels like it's on the verge of a breakthrough with policy. We know some policies can pass both the House & Senate yet it doesn’t , but it ends up feeling like a pawn in the horse trading by policymakers who all know that ~70% of Americans are in favor of cannabis legalization. So why does policy that has support from both sides of the aisle struggle to make progress? "Behind the Scenes of Cannabis Lobbying: How it REALLY Works ft. The Liaison Group" Simplecast: https://lnkd.in/g2EN2Syb Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gYvzQqza Apple: https://lnkd.in/g-DZCzYr About The Liaison Group The Liaison Group (TLG) is a DC-based federal lobbying firm dedicated to shaping the federal legislative and policy landscape for the Cannabis Industry. TLG focuses its efforts and expertise in both the House and Senate with the overarching goal of protecting and preserving state-authorized Cannabis programs. Guest Links https://lnkd.in/gdVJG7s8 https://lnkd.in/gXZGd5AS https://lnkd.in/gTiYYKxk David Mangone, J.D. Erin Moffet Follow us: Our Links. Bryan Fields on Twitter Kellan Finney on Twitter The Dime on Twitter At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry. 8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here: https://lnkd.in/exmhhFEw 🎥 YouTube: The Dime 📸 Instagram: The Dime