Why the Hemp Loophole Defense Just Failed in Federal Court
Why the Hemp Loophole Defense Just Failed in Federal Court If you’ve been told that the hemp loophole defense will protect your THCA or “Farm Bill compliant” business in federal court, the Lucas Sirois case out of Maine should make you very uncomfortable. In November 2025, a federal jury convicted Sirois on every major count—conspiracy […]
Hemp Clone Loophole: How Congress Missed It In 2025
The new hemp clone loophole appears in Congress’s latest hemp rewrite, where “hemp” is defined by total THC at the time of testing but largely ignores clones, mother plants, and tissue culture. A young cannabis clone that tests under 0.3% total THC is treated as legal hemp—even if it will later produce high-THC flower—creating a […]
Hemp banking after FinCEN guidance
The new federal funding bill didn’t just tweak hemp’s definition—it rewired hemp banking. Congress added a 0.4 mg total THC cap per container, banned most synthetic or converted cannabinoids, and told FDA/HHS to classify “THC-like” compounds. When that new definition kicks in, FinCEN’s existing hemp and marijuana guidance will push many intoxicating hemp brands out […]
2025 Federal Hemp Law Update: What the New Definition Means for Your Business
I’ve been talking about this day since 2019, back when I did my first “hemp is legalized” bit and walked through the THCA loophole that blew that video up. Now it’s here in black and white. Congress has finally rewritten the federal definition of hemp in a way that doesn’t just “tighten” the rules; it […]
Cannabis Regulatory & Compliance Litigation: Defending Businesses Against Enforcement, Rulemaking, and Zoning Actions
Introduction: When Compliance Becomes Combat Every cannabis operator learns fast—compliance isn’t optional; it’s survival.But when regulators overreach, rules conflict, or enforcement turns arbitrary, your business deserves more than compliance. It deserves a defense. At Howard Law Group, we represent cannabis licensees and stakeholders in regulatory and compliance litigation—from defending administrative actions to challenging unconstitutional agency […]
Cannabis Licensing Litigation
When your cannabis license application, renewal, or transfer hits a bureaucratic wall, litigation is sometimes the only way through. Whether you’re fighting a protest, a scoring dispute, or an arbitrary administrative decision, the right legal strategy can mean the difference between opening your doors—or losing everything you’ve built. At Howard Law Group, we represent cannabis […]
Wisconsin Cannabis Laws (2025 Update)
Wisconsin Cannabis Laws Last updated: October 21, 2025 Wisconsin remains one of the few states in the Midwest that has not legalized adult-use or medical cannabis. Despite ongoing debates in Madison and increasing pressure from neighboring states with regulated markets, marijuana possession is still a criminal offense under state law. Understanding Wisconsin cannabis laws in […]
Variscite Changed New York Cannabis Licensing: What Applicants Should Do Now
Variscite New York cannabis is the focus of a pivotal appellate ruling that upended the state’s licensing regime. The landscape of New York cannabis licensing was turned upside down when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit decided Variscite NY Four, LLC v. New York. The panel ruled that the state’s extra-priority rules—designed […]
New York Dispensary Siting (2025–2026): LOCAL Map, Proximity Rules & Municipal Notice
New York Dispensary Siting (2025–2026): LOCAL Map, Proximity Rules & Municipal Notice Before you lock in a lease, validate your New York dispensary siting decision using the state’s official tools and rules. This guide walks you through using the LOCAL map, confirms proximity buffers and explains the required municipal notice. For hands-on support or document […]
Canada’s Cannabis Laws vs. The U.S.: 7 Big Differences & What’s Next
A side-by-side look at federal and local rules shaping the cannabis market in Canada and the U.S. Canada’s Cannabis Laws vs. The U.S. isn’t just a headline—it’s the core tension driving how North American cannabis is grown, packaged, advertised, and sold. In this expanded, practical guide—built from a video conversation between U.S. cannabis attorney Tom […]