Newly Introduced States Reform Act Proposes to End Current Federal Prohibition on Marijuana

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced The States Reform Act, which is aimed at becoming the first prominent policy push by a House Republican to end the current federal prohibition on marijuana.

Rep Mace said the following regarding her legislation in a newly released press statement:

“Today, only 3 states lack some form of legal cannabis. My home state of South Carolina permits CBD, Florida allows medical marijuana, California and others have full recreational use, for example. Every state is different. Cannabis reform at the federal level must take all of this into account. And it’s past time federal law codifies this reality,”

“This is why I’m introducing the States Reform Act, a bill which seeks to remove cannabis from Schedule I in a manner consistent with the rights of states to determine what level of cannabis reform each state already has, or not. 

“This bill supports veterans, law enforcement, farmers, businesses, those with serious illnesses, and it is good for criminal justice reform. Furthermore, a super-majority of Americans support an end to cannabis prohibition, which is why only 3 states in the country have no cannabis reform at all.  

“The States Reform Act takes special care to keep Americans and their children safe while ending federal interference with state cannabis laws. Washington needs to provide a framework which allows states to make their own decisions on cannabis moving forward. This bill does that.”

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture would oversee growers 

• The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would oversee the cannabis industry. 

• Medical marijuana would be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration,

• There would also be a 3% federal excise tax on all cannabis products, where these proceeds would be reinvested in small businesses, mental health and law enforcement

Lanton Law is a national boutique law and lobbying firm that focuses on healthcare/life sciences and technology. Specifically we have expertise in cannabis and CBD related issues.

If you are an industry stakeholder with questions about the current landscape or if you would like to discuss how your organization’s strategic initiatives might be impacted by either Congress, regulatory agencies or legal decisions, contact us today.

New Lanton Law Blogcast with Cannabis Insider David Vaillencourt

Lanton Law is excited to announce its new Blogcast with cannabis industry insider David Vaillencourt; CEO and Founder of The GMP Collective. David will be answering questions about the cannabis industry such as:

• What are the main challenges?

• Lessons learned from his experiences in the industry

• What are the emerging regulatory issues?

Click here for the blog cast.

New York Enacts Legislation Legalizing Adult Use Cannabis

New York Governor Cuomo (D-NY) has signed (S.854-A/A.1248-A) which legalizes adult-use cannabis. According to the Governor’s press release the “bill signing comes after the Governor, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced this past Sunday, March 28, that an agreement had been reached on the legislation. The bill establishes the Office of Cannabis Management to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework that covers medical, adult-use and cannabinoid hemp. The bill also expands New York State's existing medical marijuana and cannabinoid hemp programs. The legislation provides licensing for marijuana producers, distributors, retailers, and other actors in the cannabis market, and creates a social and economic equity program to assist individuals disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement that want to participate in the industry.”

Lanton Law is a national boutique law and lobbying firm that focuses on healthcare/life sciences and technology. Specifically our cannabis practice helps all supply chain entities from growers, financiers, suppliers, dispensers to ancillary services.

If you are an industry stakeholder with questions about the current landscape or if you would like to discuss how your organization’s strategic initiatives might be impacted by either Congress, regulatory agencies or legal decisions, contact us today.

New Congressional Cannabis/Marijuana Bill Introduced

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) have introduced the Cannabidiol and Marijuana Research Expansion Act. This proposed legislation seeks to improve the process for conducting valid medical research on marihuana, and to streamline the development of safe and effective FDA-approved medicines. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Lisa Murkowski (R- Alaska). A one page summary of the proposal can be found here.  

Lanton Law is a national boutique law and lobbying firm that focuses on healthcare/life sciences and technology. Specifically our cannabis practice helps all supply chain entities from growers, financiers, suppliers, dispensers to ancillary services.

If you are an industry stakeholder with questions about the current landscape or if you would like to discuss how your organization’s strategic initiatives might be impacted by either Congress, regulatory agencies or legal decisions,contact us today.

Virginia Votes to Legalize the Sales & Recreational Use of Marijuana

Virginia has taken one step closer to becoming the first southern state to legalize marijuana. If enacted Virginia would follow Washington D.C. along with fifteen other states to do so. The proposed legislation would allow the possession of up to one ounce of marijuanato become legal starting January 1, 2024. This would be at the same time as sales and a regulatory scheme overseeing the new marijuana marketplace would take off. The bill is awaiting Governor Northam’s signature who is expected to sign the measure into law.

Lanton Law is a national boutique law and lobbying firm that focuses on healthcare/life sciences and technology. Specifically our cannabis practice helps all supply chain entities from growers, financiers, suppliers, dispensers to ancillary services.

If you are an industry stakeholder with questions about the current landscape or if you would like to discuss how your organization’s strategic initiatives might be impacted by either Congress, regulatory agencies or legal decisions, contact us today.

Lanton Law Opens Cannabis Practice

Lanton Law believes that the cannabis market will continue to evolve and expand. Notwithstanding this market potential is the fact that medical and adult-use cannabis operations are confronted with a complex patchwork of state and federal laws and regulations that we assist a variety of businesses with. 

Whether you are a public or private cultivator, processor, distributor, dispensary, or an ancillary service related to the medical and/or adult-use cannabis business, we can help. 

Lanton Law assists our cannabis clients with the following services:  

• Offer strategic advice on the federal and state outlook

• Contract and lease drafting

• Corporate formation & governance

• Shareholder agreements

• Administrative representation

• Trademarks and copyrights

• FDA, USDA and FTC regulatory compliance 

• Banking and finance

• Licensing

• State and local permits

• Lobbying 

• Investor & early stage company issues

• Mergers and acquisitions

• Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure agreements

• Labor and employment

• General counsel services