5 Cannabis Laws That Can Land You in Jail (Even Where It’s Legal)
5 Cannabis Laws That Can Land You in Jail (Even Where It’s Legal) The scent of freedom is in the air—or is that just the dispensary down the street? With cannabis legalization sweeping the nation, it’s easy to think the days of looking over your shoulder are gone. You bought it legally. You plan to […]
Utah Independent Medical Cannabis Pharmacy Application (2025 Licensing Round)
Utah will award one new Independent Medical Cannabis Pharmacy license in the 2026 special round created by House Bill 54 (2025 Session). Missing this window could mean waiting years for another opportunity—so every point on the 600-point scorecard matters. Table of Contents for Utah Independent Medical Cannabis Pharmacy Application Overview of the 2026 Special Licensing […]
From Conditional Approval to Final OCM Plan of Record Submission – Your Legal Roadmap to Minnesota Cannabis License
Minnesota’s move to legalize adult-use cannabis presents immense opportunities, but navigating the path to an operational license is a complex legal undertaking. If your cannabis business has received conditional approval or pre-approval from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), congratulations are in order. This initial success means your preliminary plans have met the OCM’s initial […]
How to Open a Cannabis Dispensary: The Essential 2025 Playbook
By Thomas E. Howard, Cannabis Industry Lawyer & Host of Cannabis Legalization News dishing on How to Open a Cannabis Dispensary. TL;DR — Licenses are scarce, deadlines are savage, and regulators have zero chill. But with the right prep—and this playbook—you can actually pull it off. Introduction: Why So Many Dream (and Fail) to Open […]
Federal Cannabis Legalization in 2025: Why Schedule III Rescheduling Won’t Save the Industry (Yet)
Federal Cannabis Legalization turns 50 this year—if you start counting from 1975, when decriminalization first splashed across a handful of progressive states before stalling for two decades. Half a century later, marijuana is still a Schedule I controlled substance, legally equated with heroin and LSD. That stubborn classification blocks research, inflates taxes under Internal Revenue […]
Missouri Cannabis Rule Amendments in 2025
Missouri Cannabis Rule Amendments in 2025. Missouri rewrote microbusiness regulations in early 2025 to close ownership loopholes that plagued prior rounds. Amendment highlights: stricter designated‑contact rules, broadened document subpoenas, a 60‑day post‑issuance revocation power, and codified “predatory practices” tests. This article dissects the amendments line‑by‑line, cites controlling CSR sections, and provides practical defenses for licensees facing […]
Truckers Lose Jobs for THC Test: Clash of Federal and State Cannabis Laws in 2025
Federal Regulations and the Zero-Tolerance Policy As cannabis legalization spreads across the United States, a paradox emerges for commercial truck drivers. Despite state-level approvals, many truckers lose jobs for THC tests due to stringent federal regulations. This article delves into the intricate interplay between federal mandates and state laws, shedding light on why CDL holders […]
How Elected Officials Undermine Voter-Approved Cannabis Laws
Legalizing cannabis in the United States has never been a straightforward journey. Even when voters overwhelmingly support medical or recreational marijuana initiatives, some elected officials find ways to override or undercut those hard-won laws. From Arizona’s controversial “Prop 200” rollback to Ohio’s recent legislative maneuvers in 2025, this article explores how democracy can be sidestepped—and […]
Rhode Island’s New Cannabis Rules
Key Dates, Application Process, and Social Equity Highlights Rhode Island’s cannabis industry is set to expand significantly with the upcoming introduction of new cannabis regulations. Expected to become effective in May 2025, these regulations will pave the way for 24 new Rhode Island cannabis dispensary licenses. This article covers crucial dates, the application process, eligibility […]
How Cannabis Businesses Can Use IRC 471(c) to Navigate Around IRC 280E
The Challenge of IRC 280E for Cannabis Businesses For cannabis business operators, IRC 280E is a tax code that can feel like an insurmountable barrier. Introduced during the War on Drugs, IRC 280E disallows standard business deductions for companies trafficking in controlled substances, including cannabis. This restriction can result in effective tax rates as high […]