Cannabis Law Journal

Cannabis Law Journal

February 2020 Edition

Cannabis – Outlook on manufacture and distribution in Switzerland

Cannabis – Outlook on manufacture and distribution in Switzerland

Switzerland also participates in European market surveillance and the European single market for medical devices through the EU-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA, Chapter 4). Once the MDR enters into force, negotiations will be needed to update the MRA. Whether this process can be completed before MDR is effective remains to be seen. Failing a timely update of the MRA, Swiss manufacturers will have to comply with third country requirements as of May 2020 and take corresponding measures. For Swiss manufacturers of currently approved medical devices with a European conformity marking (CE), however, access to the EU market will remain guaranteed for the time being.

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California: Death and Taxes

California: Death and Taxes

In 1716, English playwright Christopher Bullock first inked the sentiment; Ben Franklin later paraphrased it; and to this day, over 300 years later, it still rings true: “Tis impossible to be sure of anything but Death and Taxes.”  But what happens when death is intertwined and arguably begot by taxes?

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A Comprehensive Cannabis Program for New York State: The Second Act

A Comprehensive Cannabis Program for New York State: The Second Act

On January 21, 2020, as part of his 2021 Executive Budget, New York State Governor Cuomo released his proposed Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act (CRTA)—his vision of a regulated cannabis market in New York State and second bite at the apple. In the 2019 New York State legislative session, which runs from January through June of each year, comprehensive cannabis legislation failed to garner enough support to pass as part of the budget or as standalone legislation. The current version of the bill includes more detail than the prior year’s, no doubt benefiting from a year’s worth of additional consideration and discussion among the Governor’s office and legislature. This year’s proposed legislation also reflects that New York’s time remaining on the sidelines of adult-use cannabis was well-used to learn from the challenges and shortcomings of other adult-use programs in the country.

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What Is The New CBD Bill? A Quick Summary

What Is The New CBD Bill? A Quick Summary

The hemp industry has been abuzz about the introduction of a new bill regarding cannabidiol (CBD). I do not generally comment on pending federal cannabis-related legislation since it rarely gets passed and the end product is often much different from the original bill. However, given the interest and confusion generated by this bill I think it is important to summarize its salient points.

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Traveling Safely with Cannabis In The USA

Traveling Safely with Cannabis In The USA

My previous series The Medics discussed how our current U.S. cannabis climate requires brave, willing participants to maneuver carefully in accordance with the medical marijuana rules of engagement for each respective state.    

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Robert Greenberg:  Recent supreme court Trademark decisions and  Cannabis Registrations

Robert Greenberg: Recent supreme court Trademark decisions and Cannabis Registrations

The prohibition on immoral trademarks has been steadily eroding as a result of First Amendment litigation at the United States Supreme Court. In light of recent Supreme Court decisions on trademark registrations and free speech, the question then becomes: Is the Lanham Act’s ban on cannabis trademark registrations justifiable in light of the First Amendment in view of these recent cases?

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