Cannabis Law Blog

The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) hosted  its   inaugural Global Cannabis Intellectual Property Symposium in September 2023 in Montreal, Canada.  The Symposium  convened  cannabis IP  legal  thought leaders and delved into the nuts  and  bolts of IP,  e.g.,   patents, trademarks, licensing and  litigation/ disputes , drilling down into the illegality doctrine and other nuances that impact the inconsistent treatment of cannabis IP  by governmental agencies and courts . In addition, the summit hosted an informative in-house counsel panel, a session  that focused  on the  science of the  plant  ( for non-scientists ) , an illuminating presentation on international treaties, and an ed i fying  exposition on the unusual impact of federal illegality on professional responsibility.  A hybrid event, attendees  were   in   person  at McGill University  and  on Zoom ,  and the program included  speakers from Canada, Europe, Mexico, United Kingdom, United States, and elsewhere. T

INCBA Director Shay Gilmore's Summary of 2023 California Cannabis Legislation  Featured in the Daily Journal INCBA Director Shay Aaron Gilmore, The Law Office of Shay Aaron Gilmore, prepared a comprehensive summary of key legislation impacting the California cannabis industry signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 13, 2023. Check out the full article here: https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/375420

  In a recent Law360 article , Meital Manzuri , the Board Secretary of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) , and INCBA Students Committee Chair, Alexis Lazzeri , delved into the changing landscape of California's hemp and CBD regulations. The article dissects the impact of new laws like AB 45 and AB 420 on hemp product manufacturers across the nation. Manufacturers aiming to sell their hemp products in California must now adhere to state-specific regulations in addition to federal requirements. The article also highlights updates to hemp testing procedures, effective January 1, 2024, making it mandatory for products to undergo testing at a DEA-registered laboratory. A practical case study is included, demonstrating compliance standards for a hypothetical company. For more insights on the authors, please explore Manzuri Law . To learn more about the International Cannabis Bar Association , visit: https://incba.org .

Current INCBA Executive Committee The International Cannabis Bar Association ( INCBA ) is proud to announce the appointment of our esteemed Board of Directors for the 2023-2025 term. Comprised of seven exceptional individuals, this distinguished group brings a wealth of experience and expertise to INCBA. The newly appointed Board of Directors will join Jessica McElfresh, Zach Kobrin, Meital Manzuri Lauren Rudick, Andrea Steel, and Katy Young. Their collective knowledge and dedication will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of INCBA. We extend our warmest congratulations and gratitude to the following accomplished professionals: Richard Cheng Shay Gilmore Jason Horst Amber Littlejohn David Ruskin Shoran Williams Jana Weltzin Click here to view board member details. INCBA looks forward to their invaluable contributions as the organization strives to raise the standard of legal services available to the cannabis industry, advocate for the rights of lawyers representing cannabis

International Cannabis Bar Association Welcomes  Shahiedah Shabazz as New Executive Director San Francisco, CA – The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) is pleased to announce and welcome Shahiedah Shabazz as its new Executive Director. Shahiedah joins INCBA after working as a municipal attorney in Southern California and as an Associate in top law firms, including at ArentFox Schiff LLP, where she was the firm’s cannabis regulatory expert and co-lead of the firmwide Cannabis Industry Group. With her 15-year career as an attorney, training in organizational leadership, and deep knowledge of the cannabis industry, Shahiedah brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the organization. In prior roles, she worked as a transactional attorney and regulatory attorney, helping cannabis operators obtain and maintain state and local licenses, respond to enforcement actions, and successfully complete mergers and acquisitions. She also regularly facilitated communication between pri

Jessica McElfresh, INCBA Member who also holds a seat on our Board of Directors , was interviewed by 10News ABC in San Diego (KGTV) regarding a new California law banning employers from marijuana screening.  "This is a big step." Jessica McElfresh is a criminal defense attorney specializing in cannabis law. She says there's been a push for a law like this for years. "In 13 years I've gotten hundreds of calls from people who were denied a job even when they disclosed it up front it didn't make a difference that it was medical." Click here to read the full story and watch the interview on the KGTV website.

  On the weekend of September 10th, INCBA hosted the first ever Conference for Cannabis Lawyers in Europe at the CB Expo. Over the course of two days, seventeen attorneys from Europe and the US presented seven sessions on the main legal issues facing the European cannabis market. Topics included the principle of free movement of hemp and cannabis products within the EU, the legal classification of CBD products as food or cosmetics, contractual aspects of importing cannabis products into the EU, the legal hurdles in the legalization of recreational cannabis, and much more. The active and participatory audience included both lawyers as well as interested entrepreneurs who could take away valuable insights for their businesses. In addition to the unparalleled education, there was plenty of networking to be found, including the social reception at Cannavigia sponsored by INCBA on the eve of the conference, at the after-party of the conference itself, or at the closing dinner with INCBA Lea