Hoped-for guidance for cannabis companies affected by Section 280E of the federal tax code won’t be published anytime soon, an IRS attorney said recently. According to Bloomberg Tax, the federal agency is more focused on coronavirus-relief issues…
National Medical Cannabis Business & Marijuana Legal News
With Democrats in charge, cannabis advocates upbeat about US reforms – but legalization uncertain
Now that President Joe Biden has been sworn in and Democrats have taken control of Congress, many cannabis industry executives might expect some reform of federal marijuana policy within the next two years – and perhaps even full legalization. Th…
Cannabis sales records smashed or set in 2020, and insiders expect the gains to continue
The COVID-19 outbreak that began about a year ago has proved devastating for many mainstream industries – including airlines and restaurants, for starters – but for those in the cannabis business, 2020 turned out to be a record-setter. Sale…
Biden health nominees have history of supporting legal marijuana
Two of President-elect Joe Biden’s top picks to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have track records of defending and supporting state-legal marijuana programs, positions that could prove positive for the overall MJ industry. …
Biden to tap Merrick Garland for attorney general, offering stark contrast to anti-cannabis AGs under Trump
President-elect Joe Biden has settled on Merrick Garland as his nominee for U.S. attorney general, multiple news organizations reported Wednesday, tapping a federal judge who is likely to be less hostile to the marijuana industry than President Trump’s…
DEA might start issuing cannabis cultivation permits in early 2021
After years of delay, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration could soon begin issuing licenses to businesses and institutions to cultivate cannabis for scientists researching the plant. “I expect them to start issuing licenses no later than the first…
Senate approves marijuana research bill similar to House measure
A bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate to expand marijuana and CBD research was approved by the upper chamber on a unanimous voice vote, less than a week after the House of Representatives passed its own MJ research legislation. The question now becomes …
University of Mississippi’s federal pact for cannabis R&D to be renewed
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) said it again intends to award a federal contract to the University of Mississippi to grow cannabis for federal research purposes. To date, the university has been the only institution granted such permission…
Marijuana advocates bullish on banking reform, less hostile DOJ under Biden presidency
The incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden has major ramifications for marijuana businesses – ranging from possible banking access to a less hostile Department of Justice or perhaps new federal memos that make it easier for state-legal MJ…
US marijuana reform leaders lower post-election expectations, including legalization hopes
In the wake of yet another surprising electoral outcome – in which national Republicans are now favored to retain control of the U.S. Senate – national marijuana reform organizations are weighing their prospects for the next Congress. The c…