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 […]
Marijuana Legalization and Crime: Data-Backed Safety Gains
Last updated: September 16, 2025 How Legal Cannabis Is Actually Making Our Communities Safer: A Lawyer’s Analysis Direct Answer: Decades of data show marijuana legalization and crime trends do not support a surge in violence. Legal markets free police resources for serious offenses, undercut illicit cartels, substitute some alcohol use with a less violence-linked option, […]
Illinois Cannabis Earn-Out Litigation: How to Win the Approvals, Accounting, and Control Fights
When a price functions like an earn‑out, approvals and accounting drive the outcome.Illinois cannabis earn-out litigation arises because earn-outs are supposed to bridge valuation gaps. In Illinois cannabis, they can also become the most expensive line item in litigation. Whether your deal was an equity sale, asset purchase, royalty, or management services structure, the pattern […]