Doing compliance work in the cannabis industry, we often hear people complain about the rules, regulations, regulatory bodies, and individual regulators governing the industry. “The costs are outrageous,” “these regulations make no sense,” “that Marijuana Enforcement Division Inspector is too strict,” the list goes on. And sometimes, these complaints are … Read More
Simplifya’s MED Rulemaking Wishlist
As we’ve mentioned before, Colorado is about to usher in some big changes to its regulated cannabis industry. During the last legislative session, Colorado legislators passed bills that: Expanded the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis Legalized deliveries Legalized consumption lounges (also known as hospitality establishments) Took a stab at social … Read More
Cannabis Banking: The Prospects for Legal Protection
The trend of states legalizing cannabis – 33 states and counting – while it remains illegal under federal law poses a dilemma for U.S. financial institutions. While some banks and credit unions have chosen to serve cannabis businesses, most refuse to do so given the ongoing legal uncertainty. With limited … Read More
U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter Discusses Cannabis Banking Reforms in 2019
Federal cannabis banking reform will likely pass the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) recently explained to an industry group in Denver. Several of my Simplifya colleagues and I heard Perlmutter discuss his vision for the future of cannabis banking at the Aug. 22 … Read More
Simplifya’s 2019 Mid-Year Cannabis Roundup
It might be hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through the year. So far, 2019 has been a big year for cannabis in the US. Keeping up with the constant change throughout the industry can be exhausting. That’s why I’ve compiled the most important and impactful developments from the … Read More
2019 Cannabis Industry Developments: Tracking Cannabis Bills Part 2
Welcome to my second cannabis industry developments of 2019! In the second legislative roundup of 2019 we’ll look at the most significant cannabis bills that have been introduced in the following states: Colorado, California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Scroll down to see a summary, the current … Read More
Immaculate Conception: The Mystery of Start-up Genetics
Last November, two more states joined the cannabis movement and at least partially did away with their antiquated cannabis laws. Both Missouri and Utah legalized medical cannabis during the midterm elections, although to varying degrees of legality. As I made the pilgrimage home to St. Louis last week for the … Read More
Tribes and Cannabis: Federalism is Messy
Today’s “legal” cannabis industry grew out of the cracks in our federalist system (a system where other states or governments operate in addition to the federal government). In the US, we have state government powers and federal government powers. Sometimes they overlap; sometimes they conflict. Cannabis is only legal because … Read More
The FDA’s stance on hemp CBD
The cannabis industry heralded the approval of recent legislation that legalized the growing of hemp and the marketing of products derived from it. Actually, to say industry proponents heralded hemp’s return to legality is likely an understatement. Based on the deluge of press releases that came pouring into my inbox … Read More
Cannabis Legalization & The Presidential Campaign: How They Overlap
The 2020 presidential campaign will be a competitive one, with President Donald Trump running for re-election and 535 other candidates (as of February 19, 2019) running against him. Major issues that candidates will be running on include the economy, immigration policy, healthcare, climate change … the usual. But as I … Read More
Regulators send message that compliance matters
Knock Knock! Who’s There? Your Licensing Authority. State agencies across the country are revving up cannabis law enforcement efforts, and the number of businesses now bearing the hefty cost of non-compliance is growing as a result. In Different States In just the last month, administrative agencies in Massachusetts, California, and … Read More
2019 Cannabis Industry Developments: Tracking Cannabis Bills Part 1
Welcome to Bill’s first legislative roundup of 2019! The 2019 legislative session is only a few weeks old, but plenty of cannabis bills are already on our radar. In the first legislative roundup of 2019, we’ll look at the most significant cannabis bills that have been introduced (so far) in … Read More
BCC Regulations: What Retailers Should Know!
You’ve read our blog about the new rules for California’s cannabis cultivators. Then you were rapt by our summary of California’s new cannabis manufacturing regulations. But we’re not done telling you about the new cannabis regulations in California yet! Those on the front line of the cannabis industry, retailers and distributors, have … Read More
New CA Regs: What Cannabis Manufacturers Need to Know
After a year of confusion and change, The Golden State has finally adopted permanent regulations for the industry. This is a bittersweet victory for many California operators as they now have a stable set of rules to follow; but many are still left wanting more. And in that same vein, … Read More
CDFA Regulations: What’s Changing (but mostly what’s not)
Happy 2019, everyone! As the cliche goes: New Year, New Me…Rules. After being notified in early December, it looks like California just approved a new set of cannabis regulations! Effective immediately! So what does this mean for all you Emerald Trianglers and other California growers under the newest CDFA regulations? Not … Read More