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Cannabis
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July 23, 2024
Cannabis Industry Stakeholders Weigh In On Rescheduling
As the period for public comment on the Biden administration's proposal to reclassify marijuana came to a close Monday, anti-legalization activists, marijuana industry advocates and state cannabis regulators each submitted their thoughts on the potential policy shift.
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July 23, 2024
The Biggest Trademark Rulings Of 2024: A Midyear Report
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a California attorney's arguments that registering "Trump Too Small" as a trademark constituted speech protected by the First Amendment, and a split Ninth Circuit concluded district courts have the power to cancel trademark applications during litigation. Here's a look at some of the most notable trademark decisions so far this year.
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July 23, 2024
Senate Dems Roll Out Bill To Codify Chevron Deference
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., led a group of Democratic senators Tuesday in introducing a bill to codify the now-defunct doctrine of Chevron deference after it was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court last month.
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July 23, 2024
4 Firms Guide SPAC Mergers Targeting AI, Cannabis Sectors
An AI-powered startup that vows to combat "disinformation" and a medical cannabis developer have agreed to go public by merging with special purpose acquisition companies through separate deals unveiled this week, guided by four law firms and a law office.
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July 23, 2024
Disney Cruise Can't Pause Suit As It Awaits Arbitration Ruling
A Florida federal judge won't let Disney Cruise Line postpone filing a required case management report until after the court rules on the company's pending motion to compel arbitration in a case over an ex-employee who was fired for testing positive for marijuana use.
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July 23, 2024
Wyoming Hemp Regulations Not Preempted By 2018 Farm Bill
A Wyoming federal judge won't block enforcement of a newly enacted law regulating hemp-derived intoxicating products, saying the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp products doesn't preempt the regulation.
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July 22, 2024
Iowa Defends New Hemp Law From CBD Cos.' Challenge
A federal court should not interrupt Iowa as it continues to roll out new restrictions on consumables infused with hemp-derived THC, the state argued, saying there's been "no arbitrary enforcement" of the law, nor has its language proven to be "unconstitutionally vague."
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July 22, 2024
What Attorneys Need To Know About JD Vance
Vice presidential nominee JD Vance's brief legislative record shows he is aligned with his fellow Republicans on hot-button issues like abortion and immigration, but it also indicates that the senator from Ohio may be willing to break with the GOP mainstream when it comes to regulating big business. Here's what attorneys should know about the vice presidential candidate.
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July 22, 2024
Nebraska AG Stops Shops From Selling Synthetic THC
Six Nebraska smoke shops have agreed to stop selling synthetic THC products, according to an announcement by the state's Attorney General's Office, which has sued more than a dozen retailers for violations of state consumer protection and food safety laws.
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July 19, 2024
Pa. Court Asked To Weigh Rahimi Against Pot Patient Gun Ban
The U.S. Attorney General's Office said that a Pennsylvania federal court considering the constitutionality of a federal ban on gun possession by medical cannabis patients should consider the U.S. Supreme Court's recent U.S. v. Rahimi ruling that upheld a gun ban for domestic abusers.
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July 19, 2024
RJ Reynolds Unit Gets FDA Approval For 7 Vuse Vapes
A subsidiary of the tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds has secured permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell seven Vuse-branded vapes, with the agency saying the tobacco-flavored products could "benefit" smokers looking to quit cigarettes.
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July 19, 2024
Ex-Bronco Linebacker Sues NFL Over Denied THC Exemption
A former linebacker for the Denver Broncos is suing the team and the National Football League, alleging they're violating the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by denying him an exemption to use synthetic THC to treat his disabilities.
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July 19, 2024
Prince Lobel Fires Atty Following Misconduct Investigation
A former general counsel for the Boston Cannabis Board turned chair of Prince Lobel Tye LLP's restaurant and hospitality group has been terminated by the Boston firm following an investigation, the firm confirmed to Law360 Pulse on Friday.
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July 19, 2024
Cannabis Co. Gets Investor Fraud Suit Thrown Out
A New York federal judge has thrown out a consolidated class action alleging Canopy Growth Corp. misled investors about the financial prospects of a newly acquired subsidiary, saying the complaint fails to show that the company knew it was misleading investors.
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July 18, 2024
FDA Sends More Warnings Over THC 'Copycat' Snacks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned six companies to stop selling delta-8 edibles that resemble brand-name snacks such as Skittles, Chips Ahoy, Cheetos and Oreos, saying the lookalikes can fool "children or unsuspecting adults" and pose a real health hazard.
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July 18, 2024
Court Denies Bid To Halt NYC Crackdown On Illicit Pot Shops
A New York federal judge on Thursday rejected a bid from 27 retailers to halt city officials' enforcement efforts aimed at closing stores that sell cannabis without a license, saying the shops were unlikely to prevail on claims their due process rights were violated.
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July 18, 2024
Cannabis Co. Can't Snuff $300K Judgment In Contract Row
A Washington state appeals court has rejected a bid by cannabis company Royal Concentrates LLC and its owners to throw out a $300,000 judgment against them in a contract dispute with an investment partner, saying any error in the exclusion of a last-minute witness and evidence was harmless.
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July 18, 2024
Co-Op Employee Gets Win In $450K Hemp Property Fraud Suit
A farm cooperative employee scored a win in a case accusing a Florida businessman of swindling her out of a nearly $500,000 deposit meant for a hemp processing and growing facility, with a Virginia federal judge saying a criminal investigation into the entrepreneur should follow.
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July 17, 2024
Calif. Judge Admonished For Saying Victim Smelled Of Pot
A California state judge was publicly admonished for making a series of inappropriate remarks in court, including one instance where he said a victim smelled of marijuana, according to a decision by the California Commission on Judicial Performance.
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July 17, 2024
Chamber Of Commerce Urges Justices To Limit RICO's Reach
Business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to extend the scope of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to include personal injury-related claims in civil suits, in a case over alleged false advertisement of hemp-derived CBD products.
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July 17, 2024
ADA Can't Shield Worker From Failed Drug Test, Co. Says
A chemical transportation company urged a South Carolina federal court to toss a former lift operator's lawsuit alleging he was fired for taking legal CBD because of cysts on his brain and spinal cord, arguing disability law doesn't protect workers from positive drug tests for THC.
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July 16, 2024
Cannabis Patients And DOJ Offer Dueling Reads On Rahimi
A group of Floridians and the U.S. Department of Justice have advanced dueling interpretations of whether a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on gun laws justifies stripping medical cannabis patients of their right to bear arms.
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July 16, 2024
Ex-CBD Exec Gets $533K In Fla. Investment Fraud Suit
A Florida federal judge has awarded $533,600 to a former executive of a CBD company who alleged he was duped by his family members into investing, following a jury trial that ended with a mixed verdict.
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July 16, 2024
Ex-CBD Cos. GC Says Owner Hasn't Paid What Deal Promised
The former general counsel of several CBD companies has told a Pennsylvania federal judge that their owner failed to keep up her end of a settlement agreement that ended his suit to obtain over $600,000 in back pay and benefits he and his wife felt they were owed.
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July 16, 2024
The 2024 Diversity Snapshot: What You Need To Know
Law firms' ongoing initiatives to address diversity challenges have driven another year of progress, with the representation of minority attorneys continuing to improve across the board, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years. Here's our data dive into minority representation at law firms in 2023.
Expert Analysis
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Don't Use The Same Template For Every Client Alert
As the old marketing adage goes, consistency is key, but law firm style guides need consistency that contemplates variety when it comes to client alert formats, allowing attorneys to tailor alerts to best fit the audience and subject matter, says Jessica Kaplan at Legally Penned.
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Drafting Calif. Cannabis Management Services Agreements
Meital Manzuri and Alexis Lazzeri at Manzuri Law explore the ways in which management services agreements function in the California commercial cannabis industry, and highlight a few specific terms and conditions that are crucial when drafting these agreements.
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Series
Walking With My Dog Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Thanks to my dog Birdie, I've learned that carving out an activity different from the practice of law — like daily outdoor walks that allow you to interact with new people — can contribute to professional success by boosting creativity and mental acuity, as well as expanding your social network, says Sarah Petrie at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
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Think Like A Lawyer: Follow The Iron Rule Of Trial Logic
Many diligent and eager attorneys include every good fact, point and rule in their trial narratives — spurred by the gnawing fear they’ll be second-guessed for leaving something out — but this approach ignores a fundamental principle of successful trial lawyering, says Luke Andrews at Poole Huffman.
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The Art Of Asking: Leveraging Your Contacts For Referrals
Though attorneys may hesitate to ask for referral recommendations to generate new business, research shows that people want to help others they know, like and trust, so consider who in your network you should approach and how to make the ask, says Rebecca Hnatowski at Edwards Advisory.
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Wave Of Final Rules Reflects Race Against CRA Deadline
The flurry of final rules now leaping off the Federal Register press — some of which will affect entire industries and millions of Americans — shows President Joe Biden's determination to protect his regulatory legacy from reversal by the next Congress, given the impending statutory look-back period under the Congressional Review Act, say attorneys at Jenner & Block.
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Series
Being An Equestrian Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Beyond getting experience thinking on my feet and tackling stressful situations, the skills I've gained from horseback riding have considerable overlap with the skills used to practice law, particularly in terms of team building, continuing education, and making an effort to reset and recharge, says Kerry Irwin at Moore & Van Allen.
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4 Ways To Refresh Your Law Firm's Marketing Strategy
With many BigLaw firms relying on an increasingly obsolete marketing approach that prioritizes stiff professionalism over authentic connection, adopting a few key communications strategies to better connect with today's clients and prospects can make all the difference, say Eric Pacifici and Kevin Henderson at SMB Law.
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Series
Whitewater Kayaking Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Whether it's seeing clients and their issues from a new perspective, or staying nimble in a moment of intense challenge, the lessons learned from whitewater kayaking transcend the rapids of a river and prepare attorneys for the courtroom and beyond, says Matthew Kent at Alston & Bird.
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Cannabis Ruling Lights Path For Bankruptcy Protection
A recent Massachusetts bankruptcy appellate court ruling in Blumsack v. Harrington leaves the door open for those employed in the cannabis industry to seek bankruptcy relief where certain conditions are met, but rescheduling marijuana as a Schedule III drug may complicate matters, say Jane Haviland and Kathryn Droumbakis at Mintz.
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This Earth Day, Consider How Your Firm Can Go Greener
As Earth Day approaches, law firms and attorneys should consider adopting more sustainable practices to reduce their carbon footprint — from minimizing single-use plastics to purchasing carbon offsets for air travel — which ultimately can also reduce costs for clients, say M’Lynn Phillips and Lisa Walters at IMS Legal Strategies.
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Practicing Law With Parkinson's Disease
This Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Adam Siegler at Greenberg Traurig discusses his experience working as a lawyer with Parkinson’s disease, sharing both lessons on how to cope with a diagnosis and advice for supporting colleagues who live with the disease.
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Series
Playing Hockey Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Nearly a lifetime of playing hockey taught me the importance of avoiding burnout in all aspects of life, and the game ultimately ended up providing me with the balance I needed to maintain success in my legal career, says John Riccione at Taft.
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Considerations For Evaluating IP Risks In Cannabis M&A
Due to the patchwork of state cannabis laws in the U.S., investors and businesses acquiring intellectual property must assess whether a trademark portfolio possesses any vulnerabilities, such as marks that are considered attractive to children or third-party claims of trademark infringement, say Mary Shapiro and Nicole Katsin at Evoke Law.
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9th Circ. TM Ruling Expands Courts' Role In Application Cases
The Ninth Circuit’s recent ruling in BBK Tobacco v. Central Coast Agriculture is the first time a federal appeals court has explicitly authorized district courts to adjudicate pending trademark applications, marking a potentially significant expansion of federal courts' power, says Saul Cohen at Kelly IP.