Cannabis Law Blog

The INCBA Monthly Member Meetings are back — a members-only space to hear timely legal insight, connect and share thoughts with colleagues across the cannabis bar, and engage directly with INCBA and industry leadership. Wednesday, July 22 1:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. CT / 4:00 p.m. ET (75 minutes) This Month: Inside the DEA Hearing on Cannabis Rescheduling We're joined by two people with a front-row seat to the most consequential activity in cannabis law this year, hosted by INCBA President David Ruskin (Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP): Gail Rand, CPA/Advisor, Grand Consulting, LLC — Gail attended the DEA hearing after spending more than a decade as an operator (the first licensee in Maryland) and business/financial advisor, helping to push the industry forward every chance she can. She started in cannabis as an advocate for her son with epilepsy. She'll walk through her full pad of notes from inside the room. Jason Adelstone, Attorney/MBA, Harris Sliwoski LL...

Click Here To View And Download The Letter Today, INCBA submitted a formal request to DEA Administrator Terrance C. "Terry" Cole asking the agency to provide live, remote public access to the marijuana rescheduling hearing that began this morning, June 29, 2026. The DEA's current rules bar livestreaming, limit in-person attendance to first-come seats with no overflow and prohibit any recording. A transcript will follow — eventually. For the cannabis attorneys INCBA represents, that isn't good enough. Criminal defense counsel, transactional attorneys, regulatory practitioners, and hemp counsel all have clients whose outcomes turn on what the government says at this hearing — not on what appears in a document weeks later. INCBA takes no position on rescheduling itself. We take a firm position on transparency: a proceeding this consequential, closed to all but a handful of in-person attendees, does not honor the DEA's own stated commitment to openness. We've aske...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The International Cannabis Bar Association Unveils Full Agenda and Speaker Lineup for Cannabis Law Institute 2026 as Cannabis Law Enters a New Era The 2026 Cannabis Law Institute will bring together leading attorneys, regulators, policymakers, and operators to tackle the most pressing legal questions facing the marijuana and hemp industries CHICAGO, IL - June 9, 2026 - The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) today updated the full agenda and speaker roster for the organization’s flagship Cannabis Law Institute (CLI), taking place June 17-18, 2026, in Chicago. Building on the momentum of its recently announced “new legal era” theme, CLI2026 will feature two days of advanced legal and policy programming focused on the rapidly evolving cannabis landscape. Hosted annually by INCBA, CLI has become one of the premier gatherings for cannabis attorneys, regulators, compliance professionals, executives, and policymakers navigating one of the most dynamic legal ...

While the members of the International Cannabis Bar Association join with the multitude of industry operators, service providers and consumers in digesting the momentous rescheduling Order issued today from the DOJ, INCBA leadership wants to take a moment and recognize the significance of today’s news and applaud the step forward. As an association of cannabis lawyers, we fully understand and appreciate the challenges that will come along with this Order, starting with its full and proper interpretation and implementation. There are many questions still to be answered and soon some lawsuits in opposition, undoubtedly. But INCBA wants to congratulate everyone involved and engaged on what we see as progress in our industry and our association’s mission to educate, connect and support cannabis industry lawyers to ultimately provide the critical services needed on the lengthy path to full legalization of the cannabis sativa plant.  DOJ RESCHEDULING ORDER 4.22.26 → https://www.justice....

Where cannabis policy meets business opportunity. Cannabis Europa London 2026 returns to the Barbican Centre on 26–27 May for two days of high-level discussion on the future of European cannabis. Now in its thirteenth edition, the conference brings together over 1,500 policymakers, investors, scientists, and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities across the continent's fastest-evolving market. As Germany scales Europe's first adult-use framework, the Czech Republic moves toward legalisation, and investment into UK and Swiss medical markets hits record highs, Cannabis Europa sits at the centre of the conversation. Through keynotes, panel discussions, and premium networking, delegates leave with actionable intelligence and the connections to act on it.  **Click the graphic below to access INCBA discount codes for Cannabis Europa London 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS BAR ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2026 CANNABIS LAW INSTITUTE AS INDUSTRY ENTERS NEW LEGAL ERA With federal uncertainty and market complexity rising, cannabis attorneys gather to confront what comes next Chicago, IL - April 21, 2026 - The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) announced the return of its flagship annual event, the Cannabis Law Institute (CLI2026), taking place June 17–18, 2026 at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago. Widely regarded as the leading conference dedicated exclusively to cannabis law, the Cannabis Law Institute convenes top attorneys, regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to navigate one of the most complex and rapidly evolving legal landscapes in the United States.  The 2026 program is built around a simple but urgent premise: cannabis law encompasses both “marijuana” and “hemp” and the traditional methods of analyzing and serving the two industries need updating. Over two days of su...

What does it look like to practice cannabis law while navigating federal limitations and real business considerations at every turn? For David Ruskin, Partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP and President of the International Cannabis Bar Association , it looks like a career that keeps getting more interesting. Ruskin recently sat down with Heather Allman and Tyme Ferris on Through the Oculus — a podcast dedicated to exploring cannabis from every angle, policy, culture, law, and lived experience. The hosts titled the episode " The Patchwork Problem: Cannabis Across Borders with David Ruskin ," and it's an apt description. The full episode is embedded below, and if you have the time, it's worth a listen start to finish. But if you've got a motion due and only ten minutes, here's what stood out. From Business Litigator to Cannabis Counsel Ruskin didn't start in cannabis. He spent roughly two decades as a business litigator before a client engagem...

Yesterday, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing completion of the rulemaking process started under the Biden Administration to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act “in the most expeditious manner in accordance with Federal Law.” While this is a significant policy shift that should be widely recognized, the Order largely advances an already-pending process and does not, on its own, immediately resolve many core legal and regulatory barriers facing patients, providers, or the cannabis industry. The Order follows years of federal review acknowledging credible scientific support for medical uses of marijuana, including treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, intractable pain, including from migraines, cancer, degenerative disc disease, central pain syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, anorexia related to certain medical conditions, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. This Order does not itself complete the process of...

For immediate release  November 20, 2025  Last week, after the longest shutdown in US history, Congress re-opened the federal government after passing the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 . One effect of the bill is to recriminalize hemp-related activity previously made lawful under the 2018 Farm Bill by banning most hemp products that contain THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids. The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) recognizes that this new law will have a significant impact on the legal work of its attorney members and the businesses of their clients, in addition to the ongoing challenges to the cannabis industry as a whole and is prepared to meet the moment head on.   The legislative language requires, among other things, that upon the one-year anniversary of its enactment the definition of “hemp” will change to encompass total THC—including delta-9, delta-8...

  WEBINAR FREE for Members $30 for Non-Members November 5, 2025 | 12pm PT / 3pm ET The Indispensable Role of ADR in Cannabis Disputes As more states regulate the use of adult-use or medical cannabis, including hemp, the quantity and variety of disputes is increasing nationwide. Many of these disputes are complex and nuanced and may be unlike those in any other industry. Deals in the cannabis industry are often made informally, may not be properly papered, and often rely upon what we think of as traditionally unavailable or unreliable witnesses. Traditional litigation is lengthy, divisive, expensive, and risky. The cost and outcome of litigation in this industry can destroy businesses, reputations, and chances for expansion into new markets. Moreover, the parties to civil disputes are often unable to afford to take even solid cases to trial, and the winners often come up empty-handed, with uncollectible judgments because of the instability of many businesses. In this environment, Al...

As we honor Black History Month , it's a time to celebrate the incredible Black trailblazers who have shaped the American landscape, particularly in fields like cannabis law and criminal justice reform. The contributions of Black attorneys, judges, and legal scholars have been essential in challenging systemic inequities, advocating for fair policies, and advancing the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis. Meet ten visionaries whose bold advocacy has forever changed the fight for cannabis justice and equality.  Natacha Delinois Andrews – Founder and Executive Director of the National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL) As Founder and Executive Director of the National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL), Natacha Delinois Andrews leads the charge in diversifying the cannabis legal sector. Her pioneering work focuses on recruiting and training Black legal professionals for the rapidly expanding cannabis industry, while providing crucial legal resources t...

  On May 21, 2024, the United States Department of Justice through the DEA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to transfer "marijuana" from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to Schedule III. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Rescheduling of Marijuana, 89 Fed. Reg. 44597, 44597 (2024).    In an order dated August 29, 2024 (General Notice of Hearing or GNoH) , the DEA Administrator determined that in-person hearing proceedings are appropriate and fixed a December 2, 2024 commencement date at the DEA Hearing Facility.   On October 29, 2024, the DEA Administrator released a list of twenty-five “participants” (Designated Participants or DPs). However, the Hon. John J. Mulrooney, II, Chief Administrative Law Judge, issued a Preliminary Order on October 31 , stating that the DP list failed to specify whether the “participants” support or oppose the NPRM or how the “participants” satisfy the “interested person” definition set forth in th...

Last September, the 2nd European Cannabis Law Conference took place in Dortmund, organized by the INCBA Europe conference team with Kai-Friedrich Niermann, Daniel Haymann, Marie Sanchez and Robert Jappie. The conference took place alongside the Cannabis Business Expo and Intertabac, the largest global tobacco trade fair. With 7 tracks and 28 speakers, current topics in global cannabis law were discussed over two days, from the reclassification of cannabis in the USA and its global consequences, semi-synthetic cannabinoids in the USA and Europe, GMP requirements, to the emerging market for medical cannabis in Ukraine and much more. The conference was accompanied by an extensive social program for networking, which the international cannabis legal scene thoroughly enjoyed.  Here are some session highlights:  Ukraine recently legalized medical cannabis and significantly de-regulated industrial hemp. The government and Ministry of health of Ukraine have approved subordinate legis...

Las Vegas, NV – The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) is excited to announce the 2024 Cannabis Law Sessions at MJBizCon, taking place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center . This series of expert-led cannabis Continuing Legal Education (CLE) sessions will explore the evolving legal landscape surrounding both cannabis and hemp, offering crucial insights for professionals navigating these industries. Co-chaired by Nastasia Mora, Executive Director of INCBA, and Kyle Finnegan, attorney at Ice Miller LLP, the Cannabis Law Sessions 2024: The Intersection of Cannabis and Hemp Under the Law and In The Marketplace, will bring together more than 30 legal experts and thought leaders, addressing key regulatory and business challenges faced by those involved in the cannabis and hemp industries. David Ruskin, President of INCBA, highlighted the importance of this year’s event: "As the cannabis and hemp industries grow, the legal landscape continues t...

INCBA's Voter Registration Drive The goal: The goal of ROLL TO THE POLL is to inspire and facilitate voter participation within the cannabis community by helping industry professionals, businesses, consumers, and advocates register to vote, verify their registration status, and understand the voting process. By fostering civic engagement in a non-partisan manner, we aim to strengthen our collective voice and drive meaningful change within the industry and beyond.  How you can help: We are asking all cannabis industry stakeholders to encourage civic engagement by adding the INCBA's  ROLL TO THE POLL graphic ( download graphic here ) to your website or blog & link the graphic to INCBA's ROLL TO THE POLL voter registration tools here: https://incba.org/#vote .   Encourage others to use these free tools on their own websites to spark continued civic engagement across the cannabis space. “ Roll to the Poll ” was created by the International Cannabis Bar Association...

Chicago, IL – July 10, 2024 – The International Cannabis Bar Association  (INCBA) announced today that the Cannabis Law Institute sm  (CLI 2024) will feature Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker as the keynote speaker on Thursday July 25th. The event is scheduled to take place on July 25-26, 2024, at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. CLI 2024 aims to provide critical insights for law professionals, particularly in light of federal rescheduling in the cannabis industry. Governor J.B. Pritzker is recognized for signing House Bill 1438, the nation's most equity-centric law legalizing adult-use cannabis. This initiative positioned Illinois as the first state to fully legalize adult-use cannabis through legislation and serves as a model for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis nationwide. “It is a great honor to have the Governor deliver the keynote speech at CLI 2024,” said Jason Horst, President of the INCBA. “Governor Pritzker's l...

"INCBA commends President Biden for leading the push to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. This is a historic turning point that marks the most significant progress in the national cannabis legalization movement to date. This move marks a crucial step towards harmonizing federal law with states and the will of the majority of Americans that continue to call for cannabis legalization. By taking this critical step, we can begin to foster a cohesive national regulatory landscape and a sustainable cannabis industry.   The decision will eliminate the unfair tax burdens imposed on state-regulated cannabis operators and could pave the way for greater access to financial services and resources to build a sustainable industry and improve access to safe and effective plant medicine. In recognizing cannabis’ therapeutic benefits and revisiting unfounded narratives surrounding its purported harm, HHS and DEA have dealt a major blow to the stigma that has justified cannabis prohib...

  INCBA Europe Co-Chair, Kai-Friedrich Niermann from Germany , provides an overview of the changes and the expected consequences, moderated by INCBA Europe co-chair Daniel Haymann from Switzerland and INCBA UK member Robert Jappie . Please feel free to enjoy the recording below, and be sure to follow our blog and our YouTube channel for more, great free cannabis law content.