As we previously reported, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a trademark examination guide last year, broadening the class of cannabis-related goods for which cannabis companies could register their trademarks. The examination guide explained that, because certain hemp-based products with less than 0.3% THC–including CBD–are no longer controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), companies could apply to register trademarks in connection with those goods. The examination guide included a…

Welcome back to the Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana. We’ve got a wide range of news this week.  Members of the Cannabis Caucus asked for consideration of cannabis legalization in the policing reform bill.  Nevada is issuing pardons for marijuana offenses.  Minnesota has introduced a legalization bill, and South Dakota has started the campaign to legalize by ballot initative.  The United Nations will be evaluating…

THC, CBD, CBN…the Cannabis industry is quite familiar with acronyms. But it’s another nasty little four letters, TCPA, that are – or should be – on the top of mind for every dispensary, delivery service, CRM platform, and private equity holding company. This as the US Supreme Court decides what the byzantine 30-year-old law will look like following a landmark decision expected by the end of June or July.…

Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana. Our big news this week is that the American Bar Association asked the Small Business Administration to make marijuana-related companies eligible for relief funds.  There’s plenty of state news also. Iowa votes to reform its medical marijuana program.  Maine faces lawsuits over its out-of-state licensing. New Jersey considers decriminalization.  We have a look at which states…

On May 29, 2020, the Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of an employee’s lawsuit against his former employer after it terminated him for refusing to submit to a reasonable suspicion drug test, even though his “bizarre” behavior could have been attributed to other causes. As employers are becoming increasingly concerned about marijuana use in states with recreational or medical marijuana laws, the decision serves as a reminder to employers to develop a process for…

Welcome back to The Week in Weed, your Friday look at what’s happening in the world of legalized marijuana. Louisiana is expanding medical marijuana, and the United Nations may reschedule cannabis.  Meanwhile, PetSmart faces a lawsuit over pet CBD.  MedMen has campaign finance problems, and the 9th Circuit looks at taxes. louisiana The Louisiana legislature passed two cannabis reform bills this week.  One allows doctors to decide whether to prescribe medical marijuana to patients.  The…

On May 11, 2020, a Pennsylvania court upheld the state Unemployment Compensation Board of Review’s order granting a CBD (cannabidiol) user unemployment benefits after being terminated for testing positive for marijuana (Washington Health System v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review). The decision highlights that employers must tread carefully before taking action against applicants or employees using medical marijuana or CBD products to treat various ailments. The claimant, a licensed occupational therapist, tested positive…