Cannabis Law Now

Latest from Cannabis Law Now

FDA Announces Criminal Investigations of Vaping-Related Illnesses

By Seth Mailhot on September 20, 2019

Beginning this summer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through its Office of Criminal Investigations, launched a criminal probe to investigate the vaping-related lung illnesses that have affected over five hundred people across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a parallel investigation tracking the incidences of the illness. Both the FDA and CDC are working with state and local health officials to investigate the increasing number of cases nationwide.…

Cannabis Law Now

Cannabis’ Unlawful Status Continues to Frustrate Brand Owners

By Tara Allstun & Kris Kappel on September 17, 2019

A California federal judge recently reminded cannabis trademark owners that the manufacture and sale of cannabis products remain illegal under federal law, so they cannot challenge federal trademark registrations based on common law prior rights.…

Cannabis Law Now

FTC Issues Warning Letters to Three CBD Companies

By Emily Lyons on September 13, 2019

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent Warning Letters to three companies that sell products containing cannabidiol (CBD) and advertise that the products prevent, treat, or cure disease without substantiation of the purported health benefits. In a post on Husch Blackwell’s Food & Ag Insights blog, Emily Lyons explains the FTC’s actions and the effect they have on the advertising of CBD products.…

Cannabis Law Now

Denver Startup Week: A Celebration of Everything Entrepreneurial in Denver

By Stephanie Dorssom on August 29, 2019

Denver Startup Week runs September 16-20, 2019 and Marshall Custer is pleased to join a panel of esteemed speakers to inform startups on how to capitalize on cannabidiol (CBD). The session takes place on Tuesday, September 17 at 10 a.m. To register and learn more about the line-up of educational and social activities, visit the organization’s website.…

Cannabis Law Now

Retail Re-Thought: Opportunity & Innovation in Southern Illinois

By Stephanie Dorssom on August 23, 2019

ProdevSeasons Focal Points© 2000 PhotoSpinwww.photospin.com

Steve Levine, leader of Husch Blackwell’s national cannabis practice, will be in Fairview Heights, IL on August 29, 2019 to speak at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) Downstate Illinois P3 Luncheon. He will moderate a roundtable discussion covering regional industry developments concerning cannabis. To register and learn more about the program, please visit the conference website. Here’s a look at the agenda.…

Cannabis Law Now

Unique Issues with Cannabis-related Patents and Their Enforcement

By Mike Annis & Liam Reilly on August 21, 2019

In our previous post, we touched on some of the interesting issues related to the enforcement of cannabis patents through litigation. In this post, we turn to an alternative to litigation to discuss some of the unique cannabis-related issues that could arise before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”).…

Cannabis Law Now

TTAB Harshes Vibe

By Kris Kappel & Liam Reilly on July 30, 2019

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) reiterated once again that you cannot register marijuana marks at the federal level. The TTAB announced its decision on July 16, 2019, rejecting Canopy Growth Corporation’s, a Canadian corporation, trademark filings for marijuana vaporizers “Juju Rx” and “Juju Hybrid.” In re Canopy Growth Corporation by assignment from JJ206, LLC, Serial Nos. 86475885 & 86475899 (TTAB, July 16, 2019). Marijuana is classified as an unlawful drug under the federal…

Cannabis Law Now

The Gray Areas of Trademark Protection on Cannabis

By Stephanie Dorssom on July 11, 2019

Large Indoor Marijuana Commercial Growing Operation With Fans, Greenhouse, Equipment For Growing High Quality Herb. Cannabis Field Growing For Legal Recreational Use in Washington State

Husch Blackwell’s own Kris Kappel was recently featured in an article, written by reporter James Dornbrook and appearing in the Kansas City Business Journal, on the “gray areas” of securing trademark protection for cannabis-related products, even industrial hemp, cultivation of which was recently approved in 2018 by Congress. …

Cannabis Law Now

Marijuana Use in the Workforce on the Rise – How Should Employers Respond to Safety Risks?

By Stephanie Dorssom on June 27, 2019

According to data by Quest Diagnostics, marijuana use in the workforce is on the rise. Usage increased 10% last year to 2.3% of the U.S. workforce according to an analysis of 10 million urine, saliva and hairs samples. In a post on Husch Blackwell’s Safety Law Matters blog, Donna Pryor explains the safety hazards involved with marijuana use in the workforce and outlines how employers should respond to safety risks. Learn how the Husch Blackwell Safety …

Cannabis Law Now

CBD in your Animal Food or Feed? Not So Fast.

By Mike Annis & Emily Lyons on June 13, 2019

Husch Blackwell attorneys, Mike Annis and Emily Lyons provide an overview on the latest from the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding when and where hemp or hemp produced cannabidiol (CBD) can legally be used which could be of particular interest to animal feed and pet food manufacturers interested in expanding into the so-called green rush. Read the full post here.…

Cannabis Law Now

Blog Authors

FDA Announces Criminal Investigations of Vaping-Related Illnesses

Cannabis’ Unlawful Status Continues to Frustrate Brand Owners

FTC Issues Warning Letters to Three CBD Companies

Denver Startup Week: A Celebration of Everything Entrepreneurial in Denver

Retail Re-Thought: Opportunity & Innovation in Southern Illinois

Unique Issues with Cannabis-related Patents and Their Enforcement

TTAB Harshes Vibe

The Gray Areas of Trademark Protection on Cannabis

Marijuana Use in the Workforce on the Rise – How Should Employers Respond to Safety Risks?

CBD in your Animal Food or Feed? Not So Fast.

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