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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
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 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
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…
Barr Proposal To Legalize and Regulate Hemp-Derived Consumer Products Enters Crowded Field of Hemp Legislation
Blog June 03, 2026
After months of anticipation, on May 28, 2026, Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced a bill to legalize and tightly regulate consumable hemp products…
Update – Governor Spanberger Vetoes Adult-Use Cannabis Bill
Blog May 20, 2026
Yesterday, Governor Spanberger vetoed HB642/SB542, dashing the hopes of legislators and cannabis advocates alike and yet again casting uncertainty on the future of adult-use cannabis in the Commonwealth…
Stalemate over Virginia Adult-Use Cannabis Bill – Governor Faces May 22, 2026 Deadline
Blog May 13, 2026
The Virginia legislature and Governor Abigail Spanberger remain at a stalemate over a bill that would make the Commonwealth the latest state to approve an adult-use cannabis market…
DEA Application Portal for Expedited Registration of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries is Now Open
Blog April 30, 2026
As previewed in our recent blog posts (here and here), the DEA application portal for expedited registration of medical marijuana dispensaries is now open and businesses are currently able to submit applications…
Massachusetts House and Senate Conferees Agree on Compromise Bill to Implement Significant Changes to Commonwealth's Cannabis Industry
Blog April 06, 2026
Earlier today, Massachusetts legislators agreed on a compromise bill to reform the Cannabis Control Commission (“Commission”) and implement certain meaningful reforms to help businesses still standing after a few years of strong market downturns…
Massachusetts Legislators Skeptical of Prohibitionist Ballot Initiative
Blog March 31, 2026
Nearly a full decade after Massachusetts voters approved the legalization of recreational cannabis, the Commonwealth’s cannabis industry is staring down an existential threat in the form of ballot initiative No. 25-10, known as “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy.”…
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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.