Running a cannabis business is difficult and many people fail. These ventures bottom out for myriad reasons, although owners tend to blame federal law issues first of all. It’s true that federal law creates a tough environment for cannabis
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Jason Adelstone to Speak at the 2025 Cannabis Law Institute in Denver
We’re proud to share that attorney Jason Adelstone will be a featured panelist at this year’s Cannabis Law Institute (CLI 2025), hosted by the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA). Taking place June 12–13, 2025 at the University of Denver…
Oregon Cannabis Roundup: June 2025
Time for another Oregon cannabis roundup. Time to cover some important legislative and OLCC updates, specifically.
Legislative updates
Senate Bill 558
Governor Tina Kotek signed this bill into law last week, on May 28th. There are some key differences to…
Locked Out: SBA’s New Lending Policy Targets Hemp and Marijuana-Adjacent Businesses
In yet another setback for hemp and marijuana-adjacent businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has quietly reintroduced a policy that effectively disqualifies most of them from critical federal loan programs. The updated policy, effective June 1, has far-reaching consequences…
First Circuit Holds the Line Against Cannabis Businesses
In fall of 2023 I wrote about the lawsuit to end federal prohibition that wouldn’t really end federal prohibition. Last July, a federal district court ruled against Canna Provisions et al. in that case. On Wednesday, May 27th, the First…
Cannabis Transactions: I ❤️ Letters of Intent
In cannabis contract negotiations, it’s common for the parties to execute an early-stage document called a letter of intent (“LOI”). An LOI may also be called a term sheet; naming it one over the other has no legal significance. I…
Memorial Day — Honoring Those Who Served
Please join us in taking the day off to honor all who have served, so we can do things like have a Canna Law Blog and say whatever we want.
We will be back tomorrow with our regular programs.
BREAKING NEWS: Oregon’s Ballot Measure 119 is Defeated
The Oregon District Court issued a ruling today which “PERMANENTLY ENJOINS AND RESTRAINS” the OLCC and other State actors from enforcing Measure 119 against Bubble’s Hash and Ascend Dispensary, the plaintiffs that sued over BM 119’s constitutionality. You can view…
Colorado Continues Enforcing Intoxicating Hemp Regulations – Will More States Follow?

In June 2023, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed SB 23-271 (codified in C.R.S. 25-5-427 and regulated by 6 CCR 1010-24), a landmark bill regulating intoxicating hemp products in the state. This legislation followed recommendations from the Intoxicating Hemp Task…
Separation Anxiety: Veil Piercing, Alter Ego and the Bounds of Corporate Separateness
Hardly a week goes by without a client asking us: Can we sue the owners of a cannabis company personally for the company’s failure to pay our invoice / transfer us the license / sell us the land?
In other…