As the United States continues to take action to limit the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve of infection, the closure of non-essential businesses by numerous state governments has left residents wondering whether their local dispensary will be deemed an “essential business” and remain open. At least 17 states, 14 of which have cannabis programs, have issued statewide shelter [...]
Whether in gummies, face cream, candles, or dog food, CBD seems to be everywhere these days. Even so, there remains considerable confusion as to the legality of CBD and CBD products. A patchwork of evolving federal and state regulations has complicated matters even more, making it difficult for businesses and consumers to sift through the noise and understand products in [...]
Cannabis companies Harvest Grows and Harvest of Ohio have inked a settlement to open a cultivation site, a processing facility, and three dispensaries in Ohio. Harvest Grows is majority owned by Ariane Kirkpatrick and minority owned by Harvest Health & Recreation CEO Steve White. Ariane Kirkpatrick is also the majority owner of Harvest of Ohio. Harvest Grows and Harvest of [...]
An Ohio appellate court declined to entertain cannabis company Aphira’s challenge to the way the state awards marijuana licenses, noting any issues Aphira had with the process should have been resolved through administrative procedures. Canadian marijuana company Aphira’s Ohio licensing entity Schottenstein Aphira, LLC first sued the Ohio Department of Commerce in 2018 alleging flaws in the licensing process after [...]
A massive data breach from cannabis software provider THSuite has exposed the private information of approximately 30,000 medical and recreational cannabis users. The breach affected dispensaries belonging to Amedicanna, Bloom Medicinals, and Colorado Grow Company. THSuite is a provider of point-of-sale and inventory management software targeted toward the marijuana industry. On December 24, 2019, THSuite experienced a data breach which [...]
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill this week that would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019 (“MORE Act”) was passed 24-10 after more than two hours of debate and now makes its way to a full House vote. Below is a brief summary of the Act’s major provisions and what [...]
On October 29, 2019 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) released its hotly anticipated interim rule establishing the Domestic Hemp Production Program (“DHPP”). The interim rule follows on the heels of the 2018 Farm Bill (“Farm Bill”) which permitted production of hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol (“CBD”) products under certain circumstances. The Farm Bill legalized hemp production as long as it [...]
Last week, Ohio joined the growing list of states that have raised the age requirement to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21. The “Tobacco 21” law applies to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vaping products. The change in Ohio’s age requirement comes in light of the substantial increase in vaping-related illnesses being reported across the country. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) [...]
Endorsements from celebrities can boost a business’ sale through increased exposure and brand credibility. To that end, cannabis-based businesses have increasingly utilized celebrities to endorse their products through testimonials and other marketing efforts. Although the potential of these initiatives is undeniable, they do not come without risk. Cannabis currently operates in a legal grey area since it remains classified as [...]
Despite its slow start, Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program (OMMCP) continues to grow with more than 50 dispensaries now fully operational and active. Regulators are keeping close watch on businesses in this sector, with particular focus on ensuring consumer protection laws are being followed. The marketing of these products to consumers remains a high priority and the Ohio Board of [...]
