Earlier this year, we outlined a potential argument concerning hemp-derived CBD oil and its status under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Our argument focused on the CSA’s definition of the term “marihuana,” which excludes mature stalks, oil or cake made from seeds from the list of controlled substances. Last week, the DEA agreed and issued
Lewis M. Horowitz
Tidal Shift or Bump in the Road? The Story of Industrial Hemp
Lost in the rubble left by last week’s noisy collapse of H.R. 2 (the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, commonly known as the Farm Bill) are some significant developments in the United States’ progress towards legalizing the cultivation of industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is the same species as its THC-laden cousin marijuana, Cannabis Sativa L., but…
Oregon US Attorney Releases Priorities in Enforcement of Federal Marijuana Laws in Oregon
If you are involved in the marijuana industry in Oregon, and haven’t yet seen today’s pronouncement from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, then you should stop what you are doing and listen up: the Feds will not continue to look the other way with respect to certain categories of crimes illegal …
A (Truly) Modest Proposal for Compromise on Cannabis
A (Truly) Modest Proposal for Compromise on Cannabis
So many issues in our country are polarized, with each side convinced they have the greater understanding of what our country needs or what their God wants. We would not attempt to suggest a compromise on abortion or deficit spending. But, federal treatment of cannabis seems ripe…
Cannabis Protection Exchanged for Conservative Appointments
Maybe, just maybe, sanity will surface in our nation’s capital — at least with respect to states’ rights in the cannabis space. Pressure from Colorado Republican Senator Cory Gardner seems to have convinced Donald Trump that he can’t sit by while Attorney General Sessions threatens the industry, at least in those states where cannabis has…
What’s the Deal With Oregon’s Cannabis Industry?
Cannabiz & Company — a news and media service providing weekly broadcasts on cannabis business news — launched its inaugural post on January 31 with a guest appearance from our very own Justin Hobson. During the broadcast, the hosts discussed a recent Portland Business Journal article that chronicled the struggles that cannabis producers are…
These Aren’t the Marihuanas You’re Looking For: Potential Products Past the CSA
Here at Pipeline, we aim to keep our readers up to date on developments in the law that affect the cannabis industry. In that vein, we share two interesting articles from the venerable New York Times and wonder how Jeff Sessions might react to these business developments.
First, is the re-imagination of a pothouse —…
Congress Mutes the Impact of 280E
Sometimes the best place to hide something is in plain sight. That’s what Congress did in December when they passed the tax reform. In plain sight they (inadvertently?) muted the impact of 280E for corporate taxpayers.
How? Why? Because Congress lowered the corporate tax rate to 21%. IRC 280E denies deductions for costs associated with…
Valuing a Cannabis Business: Speculation & Risk
Determining the fair market value of an interest in a cannabis business is a difficult task. Existing and potential clients frequently ask us how cannabis businesses should be valued and whether or not there are any “trends” in assessing value. These questions are not surprising given the various instances where a valuation is important. You…
Mind the Gap: Connecting CannaBusinesses and Investors
Lane Powell supports the Cannabis Investor Network (CIN) in Seattle. The mission of CIN is to connect accredited investors with state-legal cannabis businesses that need additional capital. Lane Powell hosted the inaugural event in our Seattle office earlier this year with about 40 guests, and hosted the second event last night with about twice that…