Walter (Chad) Blackham

September 8, 2026
FCC Moves to Score Voice Providers on Illegal Robocall Prevention

On September 2, 2026, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau released a Public Notice seeking comment on a proposed “Robocall Mitigation Scorecard,” a public rating system meant to grade

August 27, 2026
Not So Private After All: Your Next AI Chat Could Become Exhibit A in Court

Generative AI has quickly become part of everyday business. Employees are now regularly using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot, and turning to AI for help in summarizing documents,

August 12, 2026
When Federal and State Rules Diverge: What Ohio’s Hemp Ruling Means for Compliance Teams Everywhere

On August 7, 2026, a federal judge in Ohio blocked the state from enforcing its newly tightened hemp/THC standard against a group of hemp product manufacturers, ruling that the law’s

April 4, 2025
Ohio AG & FCC Send Message to Illegal Robocallers

A recent case filed by a state attorney general, in cooperation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), puts illegal robocallers that don’t play by the rules on notice that not

March 26, 2025
Ohio Senate and House Offer Competing Cannabis Reform Bills
With a practical approach, Chad provides compliance guidance and litigation defense on matters related to cannabis, advertising and marketing, teleservices, and other consumer protection issues.
September 16, 2024
A Q&A on Ohio Homegrown Cannabis

With the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Ohio, many residents and consumers have questions regarding growing their own cannabis plants at home. This guide aims to answer some of the

August 9, 2024
FTC and FDA Send Second Set of Warning Letters to Delta-8 Companies

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission issued a second set of cease-and-desist letters to five companies currently marketing edibles containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),

June 20, 2024
South Dakota Set to Vote on Adult-Use Cannabis for Third Time

South Dakotans are set to vote – for the third time – on a new ballot measure that would legalize adult-use or recreational cannabis. Adult-use cannabis first appeared on South

May 21, 2024
What Reclassified Cannabis Really Means for Your Business

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has officially made the move to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances

May 2, 2024
How the FTC’s Non-Compete Ban Will Impact Cannabis Businesses

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission issued its final rule prohibiting employers from engaging in non-compete agreements with their employees. Passed by a 3-2 vote, the Commission anticipates