Recent Developments in Cannabis Law

Abstract

With a quasi-legal status, the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry faces complex, novel, and constantly changing legal issues. This Article dis- cusses new and noteworthy developments in the cannabis industry, including federal regulations, business issues, and state laws. This Article also includes references to federal and state cases, insurance coverage, advertising requirements, and the overlapping hemp industry. Although cannabis remains an illegal Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act, this Article addresses recent developments toward rescheduling. From 2012 to 2024, twenty-four states, including the District of Columbia, have legalized cannabis recreationally, while forty states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical purposes. This paper addresses recent developments in Cannabis Law through Oct 2023, including state legalization status, new and proposed federal laws and regulations such as the SAFER Banking Act, Federal Clemency Act, the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act along with rescheduling under the Controlled Substances Act. paraphernalia and hemp, labor and employment law, advertising, and finance: bankruptcy, insurance coverage, and tax updates are addressed as part of these recent developments.

Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, Controlled Substances Act, SAFER Banking Act, Federal Clemancy, Hemp, Paraphernalia, Medical Marijauna and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, cannabis case