The laws, regulations and public attitudes on cannabis are changing so rapidly it’s hard to keep up.
Consider: in 2021, a sweeping draft bill titled the ‘‘Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act” was introduced in the US Senate. For the first time in history, leaders in the Senate have proposed legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and effectively end federal prohibition. The bill would, among other things, remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances, impact a range of federal agencies from the National Forest Service to the Federal Aviation Authority, and provide for expungement of certain marijuana offenses.
Although the ultimate fate of the bill is unclear, its mere existence marks a sea change in cannabis law.
For lawyers, this poses a number of challenges:
Understanding the laws of their state – which may differ significantly from those of neighboring states – in order to represent their clients competently.
Understanding the interplay between federal laws and those in their respective states.
Navigating the emerging ethical considerations of cannabis law.
Assessing the risks and opportunities for their own law practice.
Keeping up with changes in the law, which is evolving at light speed.
Cannabis issues touch on every area of legal practice, from criminal defense to zoning law. Having at least a basic grasp of the key issues is essential.
60 Minutes | 1.0 Regular Credit
* CLE credit pending