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Cannabis & the Law

Foley Hoag has been at the forefront of the medical and adult-use cannabis industry since the very early stages of its regulation and legalization in specific U.S. states and beyond. Our leading, full-service Cannabis Practice is comprised of attorneys with unique insight and experience to assist cannabis and cannabis-related operators and investors with all aspects of their business. Our practice is national and international in scope, as we represent cannabis clients in transactions in a variety of states and Canada.

Mass Voters Reject Prohibitionist Ballot Initiative in Landslide
Blog November 04, 2026
Mass Voters Reject Prohibitionist Ballot Initiative in Landslide
On an evening featuring what many are calling a “Blue Wave” with Democrats seizing back control of both the Senate and House, proponents of Question 8 in Massachusetts encountered a “Green Wall” stretching from Boston to the Berkshires as voters in the Commonwealth rejected a ballot initiative that would have deprived them of safe, regulated, and tested adult-use marijuana…
DEA Guidance Raises Hard Questions for Applicants in Dual Use States
Blog November 03, 2026
DEA Guidance Raises Hard Questions for Applicants in Dual Use States
DEA released new guidance on what state medical marijuana licensees that filed timely DEA registration applications may, and may not, do while those applications are pending…
UPDATE: DEA Publishes Registration Applications for Medical Marijuana Manufacturers, Distributors, and Analytical Labs
Blog October 08, 2026
UPDATE: DEA Publishes Registration Applications for Medical Marijuana Manufacturers, Distributors, and Analytical Labs
In the past 48 hours, DEA has now published registration links specific to medical marijuana manufacturers, distributors, and analytical labs on its Diversion Control Division online registration portal…
Federal Court Declares New Jersey's Cannabis Labor Peace Agreement Mandate Preempted by Federal Law: What Every Licensed Operator Needs to Know
Blog August 18, 2026
Federal Court Declares New Jersey's Cannabis Labor Peace Agreement Mandate Preempted by Federal Law: What Every Licensed Operator Needs to Know
On August 10, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey entered final judgment in Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. v. New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, No. 25-cv-16397 (D.N.J.), declaring that the labor peace agreement ("LPA") requirement in the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act ("CREAMMA") and its implementing regulations is preempted by the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA") as applied against plaintiff Curaleaf…
Medical Marijuana in Health Facilities: Colorado's New Law and What It Means for Your Organization
Blog August 07, 2026
Medical Marijuana in Health Facilities: Colorado's New Law and What It Means for Your Organization
On August 12, 2026, Senate Bill 26-007 (Colorado’s non-mandatory version of California’s “Ryan’s Law”) will take effect. This new law permits (but does not require) a health facility to allow certain patients who are terminally ill to use medical marijuana within the health facility, subject to certain parameters…
Rhode Island CCC Application Reset
Blog July 28, 2026
Rhode Island CCC Application Reset
Rhode Island's adult-use cannabis retail licensing process has been the subject of a roller coaster ride in the last half year since the submittal deadline, and the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission’s (“CCC” or “Commission”) Friday, July 24, 2026 update gave the clearest picture yet of not just where things stand, but most importantly, where this process is  headed…
DEA Inspections and Information Requests: What You Need to Know
Blog July 24, 2026
DEA Inspections and Information Requests: What You Need to Know
While the medical marijuana rescheduling order made clear that the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”) would prioritize the review of medical marijuana applications submitted during the first sixty (60) days of the application window, we are watching now the details and process of that review come into picture…
Barr Proposal To Legalize and Regulate Hemp-Derived Consumer Products Enters Crowded Field of Hemp Legislation
Blog June 03, 2026
Barr Proposal To Legalize and Regulate Hemp-Derived Consumer Products Enters Crowded Field of Hemp Legislation
After months of anticipation, on May 28, 2026, Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced a bill to legalize and tightly regulate consumable hemp products…
Cannabis Rescheduling and the Path to U.S. Exchange Listings: What Management Teams Need to Know Now
Blog May 28, 2026
Cannabis Rescheduling and the Path to U.S. Exchange Listings: What Management Teams Need to Know Now
The federal regulatory landscape governing cannabis in the United States is undergoing its most significant transformation in over fifty years…
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About Our Blog

Foley Hoag has been at the forefront of the medical and adult-use cannabis industry since the very early stages of its regulation and legalization in specific U.S. states and beyond. Our leading, full-service Cannabis Practice is comprised of attorneys with unique insight and experience to assist cannabis and cannabis-related operators and investors with all aspects of their business. Our practice is national and international in scope, as we represent cannabis clients in transactions in a variety of states and Canada.

We have developed this blog specifically to track the regulatory framework for the cannabis industry and provide insight on legal issues of concern to cannabis businesses.

Our focus will include reporting legal developments and providing commentary on:

  • Legislative developments;
  • Regulatory and policy enactments;
  • The appointment and constitution of the Cannabis Control Commission;
  • The impact of recreational cannabis regulation on the existing medical marijuana regulatory framework;
  • Developments in federal law;
  • Municipal issues;
  • Corporate considerations;
  • Employment issues; and
  • Policy matters.

Related Services

We have been at the forefront of the medical and adult-use cannabis industry since the very early stages of its regulation and legalization across the U.S. Learn more about our practices and focus areas within the cannabis industry:

Industry
Cannabis
We have been at the forefront of the medical and adult-use cannabis industry since the very early stages of its regulation and legalization across the U.S.
Practice
Mergers & Acquisitions
Our experienced M&A attorneys handle transactions of all sizes; clients tell us that we add value to their deals because we understand their business, the market in which they compete and how the transaction fits into their larger business goals.
Practice
Real Estate & Development
We represent owners, developers, landlords and tenants on the full range of development projects from residential to commercial to public infrastructure. Our real estate and development lawyers help our clients develop successful strategies, obtain government approvals and secure project financing.
Practice
Tax
Leveraging decades of experience gained in private practice, Big Four tax consulting and government practice, our Tax Group can advise you on myriad complex domestic and international tax matters.
Practice
FDA
We provide the innovative counsel and constant diligence that companies need to bring products to market and have a voice in regulatory processes
Practice
Labor & Employment
We offer decades of experience helping companies manage their workplace legal issues.

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