Cannabis Law Blog

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....

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...

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...

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...

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. 

On September 11th, 2023, leading legal experts, INCBA President Jason Horst , Managing Partner of Horst Legal Counsel, PC, Amber Littlejohn , Of Counsel at Ice Miller LLP, Shane Pennington , Partner at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, and Khurshid Khoja , Founder of Greenbridge Corporate Counsel discussed the Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Agency to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III, what its potential implications could be for the industry and the legalization movement, and what still needs to happen before rescheduling becomes a reality.

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 ...