Author Info for Vicente LLP

Charles Alovisetti

How Cannabis Companies Use ESOPs for Tax Savings and Ownership Transition

What Are ESOPs and Why Do They Matter for Cannabis Operators - Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are federally authorized retirement benefit structures designed to hold company stock in a trust on behalf of employees… more

C-Corporation, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Change of Ownership, Employee Benefits, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

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Gabriel Amatruda

Cannabis and Hemp Developments in North Carolina

Public support for medical cannabis in North Carolina is quite strong. In fact, according to a Meredith College poll conducted in February 2023, 73% of North Carolina voters, including 64% of Republicans, support a law allowing… more

Advertising, Business Licenses, Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Decriminalization of Marijuana

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Tim Callahan

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Releases Draft Social Consumption Establishment Regulations for Formal Public Comment

On August 14, 2025, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (the “Commission”) voted to formally release its draft amended Social Consumption Establishment regulations, marking a significant step towards finally launching… more

Business Licenses, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), License Applications, Licensing Rules

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Yolanda Clarke

Kentucky Medical Cannabis Licensing Update: New Bill and Regulations

First, on April 17, 2024, Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 829, which establishes a clear timeline for new medical cannabis licensing and moves up the application process from January 1, 2025 to July 2024. Then, just the… more

Agribusiness, Business Licenses, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Dispensaries, Governor Beshear

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Travis Copenhaver

Minnesota Cannabis Market Projections

Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis bill was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz on May 30, making The North Star State the 23rd to legalize cannabis. Soon after establishing its Office of Cannabis Management (OCM or the “Office”), the… more

Agribusiness, Business Licenses, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Decriminalization of Marijuana, Governor Walz

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Jen Flanagan

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Proposes Draft Amended Regulations: What You Need to Know

On August 11, 2022, then-Governor Charlie Baker signed Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022, An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry, into law. This new statute went into effect on November 9, 2022, and will significantly… more

Agribusiness, Comment Period, Controlled Substances, Governor Baker, Licenses

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Samantha Joule Fow

How HB25-1209 Streamlines Colorado Cannabis Laws

On May 16, the Colorado legislature sent HB25-1209 to Governor Jared Polis to sign into law. The prime sponsors of the bill—Representatives William Lindstedt and Jenny Willford, as well as Senators Julie Gonzales and Robert… more

Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Colorado, Government Agencies, Marijuana

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Cassia Furman

Cannabis Crossing State Lines: California Dept. of Cannabis Control Pushes for Interstate Commerce

In 2022 the California legislature passed Senate Bill 1326, now codified at Section 26301, et seq. of the California Business and Professions Code, authorizing California to enter into “agreement(s) with another state or states… more

Business Licenses, California, Cannabis Products, Controlled Substances Act, Interstate Commerce

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Sarah Grande

New Jersey Passes Law to Regulate ‘Intoxicating Hemp Products’

As of September 12, 2024, New Jersey is the latest state to regulate “intoxicating hemp products” with the passage of Senate Bill 3235. The new law prohibits the sale of THC-containing hemp products to minors and only allows… more

Hemp, Intoxication, Minors, New Jersey, New Legislation

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Emily Hackman

Oklahoma Cannabis Operators Should Be Alert of Increased Enforcement and Heightened License Application Scrutiny from OMMA

As can occur with any new statewide medical marijuana program, there was an expected ramp-up period in Oklahoma whereby regulators and operators alike became familiar with implementing the rules and regulations of the program,… more

Agribusiness, Business Licenses, Fraud, Inspections, Marijuana

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Shawn Hauser

Trump Signals Cannabis Rescheduling: Schedule III Marijuana Decision Expected Soon

Key Takeaways - • President Trump’s administration is actively reviewing a proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and a decision on rescheduling is expected… more

Banking Sector, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Controlled Substances Act, Department of Justice (DOJ)

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Joshua Kappel

Understanding ESG Requirements for Licensing Colorado Natural Medicine Businesses

Aspiring psychedelic business licensees in Colorado now have clarification on the ESG criteria required for natural medicine license applications, as the Colorado Natural Medicine Division (NMD) has finalized the rules for… more

Agricultural Sector, Benefit Corporations, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Disclosure Requirements

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Brandon Kurtzman

New York Accepting Cannabis Business Applications for Adult-Use Processor Type 3 Branding Licenses

The Adult-Use Processor Type 3 Branding license (Brand License) authorizes the license holder to market their brand(s) in New York State's adult-use cannabis market by entering into white labeling agreements with other licensed… more

Agribusiness, Brand, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Dispensaries

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Casey Leaver

Rhode Island Cannabis Update: Current Market, Proposed Rules and New Business Opportunities

Cannabis policy reform in Rhode Island has spanned nearly two decades, starting with the legalization of medical marijuana in 2006. Then, after years of determined advocacy and legislative debate, the Rhode Island Cannabis Act… more

Agribusiness, Business Entities, Business Licenses, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs)

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Andrew Livingston

Cannabis Rescheduling Hearings Postponed: How Did We Get Here and What Happens Next?

The much-anticipated hearings on the proposed rulemaking to reschedule cannabis, which were scheduled to begin on January 21, have been postponed for at least three months as a result of an appeal granted by DEA Administrative… more

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Agribusiness, Appeals, Controlled Substances Act, DEA

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Barine Majewska

Training Program Applications Now Open for Colorado's Natural Medicine Program

With the Approved Facilitator Training Programs (AFTP) rules in effect as of June 30, The Office of Natural Medicine Licensure (the "Office") has opened applications for AFTP. These are the first applications available under… more

Agribusiness, Applications, Attestation Requirements, Business Licenses, Education Requirements

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Genevieve Meehan

How HB25-1209 Streamlines Colorado Cannabis Laws

On May 16, the Colorado legislature sent HB25-1209 to Governor Jared Polis to sign into law. The prime sponsors of the bill—Representatives William Lindstedt and Jenny Willford, as well as Senators Julie Gonzales and Robert… more

Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Colorado, Government Agencies, Marijuana

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Colleen Mitchell

Minnesota Draft Cannabis Rules Provide Clarity on Licensed Cannabis Business Operations

The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently published a notice of intent to adopt expedited rules and opened a 30-day public comment period… more

Agribusiness, Business Licenses, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Dispensaries

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Meg Nash

Rhode Island Cannabis Update: Current Market, Proposed Rules and New Business Opportunities

Cannabis policy reform in Rhode Island has spanned nearly two decades, starting with the legalization of medical marijuana in 2006. Then, after years of determined advocacy and legislative debate, the Rhode Island Cannabis Act… more

Agribusiness, Business Entities, Business Licenses, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs)

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Bridgette Nikisher

New York Accepting Cannabis Business Applications for Adult-Use Processor Type 3 Branding Licenses

The Adult-Use Processor Type 3 Branding license (Brand License) authorizes the license holder to market their brand(s) in New York State's adult-use cannabis market by entering into white labeling agreements with other licensed… more

Agribusiness, Brand, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Dispensaries

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Sally Kent Peebles

Florida Medical Cannabis Business Licensing Process: What Happens Next for MMTC Applicants?

Florida has the nation's largest medical cannabis market, and its Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) licenses are some of the most valuable cannabis licenses in the world. It's been over a year since applications were… more

Decriminalization of Marijuana, Dispensaries, Florida, Marijuana, Marijuana Related Businesses

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Jeremy Shaw

Corporate Transparency Act Compliance: What You Need to Know

Beginning on January 1, 2024, certain reporting companies are now required to comply with the disclosure requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This law aims to enhance transparency in corporate ownership,… more

Beneficial Owner, Corporate Transparency Act, Domestic Corporations, Financial Services Industry, FinCEN

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Chelsie Spencer

How to Choose a Trademark for Your Cannabis Brand

Building a strong and distinctive brand identity for your business is crucial for driving sales, fostering consumer loyalty, and standing out in any industry, and more so for emerging and rapidly evolving sectors such as… more

Agribusiness, Arbitrary Marks, Brand, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Descriptive Trademarks

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Jason Tarasek

How to Buy or Sell a Cannabis License in Minnesota’s Adult-Use Market: M&A Guide (2025)

More than two years after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis, and eleven years after the establishment of the state’s medical cannabis program, adult-use cannabis businesses are finally… more

Business Ownership, Business Strategies, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Change in Ownership, Investors

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Juliana Todeschi

Frequently Asked Questions About Hemp Beverages: How Federal and State Laws Are Reshaping the THC Drink Market

What Are Hemp-Derived Beverages? There is no universal definition, but generally, a hemp beverage is any drink, typically a seltzer, soda, or mocktail, containing hemp-derived cannabinoids or terpenes. Common cannabinoids in… more

Cannabis Products, DEA, Farm Bill, Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), Hemp

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David Ullian

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Releases Draft Social Consumption Establishment Regulations for Formal Public Comment

On August 14, 2025, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (the “Commission”) voted to formally release its draft amended Social Consumption Establishment regulations, marking a significant step towards finally launching… more

Business Licenses, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), License Applications, Licensing Rules

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Brian Vicente

Cannabis & Psychedelics On the 2024 Ballot

Next week, voters will have a chance to push large-scale reforms on cannabis via statewide ballot initiatives in Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and South Dakota and to advance psychedelic reform in… more

Agribusiness, Cannabis Products, Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRBs), Controlled Substances, Controlled Substances Act

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Neil Willner

Virginia’s ‘Total THC’ Hemp Law Upheld by Fourth Circuit: What It Means for the Hemp Industry

On January 7, 2025, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its long-awaited decision in Northern Virginia Hemp & Agriculture v. Commonwealth of Virginia, holding that Virginia could implement “total THC” standards for hemp… more

Agribusiness, Appeals, Appellate Courts, Cannabis Products, Constitutional Challenges

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