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 ...

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...

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 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 April 30th, 2024, INCBA's Students Committee , in collaboration with INCBA's Ethics Committee , presented a special webinar entitled; "SO YOU WANT TO BE A CANNABIS ATTORNEY?" Our speakers, Student Committee Co-Chairs Alexis Lazzeri and Callie Hoffman , along with Ethics Committee Chair Marialle A. Bell discussed what it means to be a cannabis attorney, ways to pursue a career in this dynamic field, and unique ethical considerations for attorneys practicing in this industry. Please feel free to share with anyone you know who may be considering this career path!

  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 .

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 ...