Legal Insights

The City Council of the City of Pomona approved the City’s cannabis overlay zone map on its first reading.
Rogoway Law Group

City of Pomona Update! Cannabis Permitting Coming in 2020.

In April of 2019, the Pomona City Council adopted Ordinance 4257, which made it possible for the City to issue permits for commercial cannabis businesses within City limits. Since April, the City has been working to put together an application packet, zoning regulations, and other requirements for commercial cannabis businesses. On November 4, 2019, the Pomona City Council approved the

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20 Things to Do in 2020- New Year’s Resolutions for Cannabis Businesses!
Rogoway Law Group

20 Things to Do in 2020- New Year’s Resolutions for Cannabis Businesses!

1. Reconsider Corporate Structure: Is the entity type right for your business? Are investors indicating different preference (e.g. a corporation instead of a limited liability company)? Consider changing things up this New Year, subject to compliance considerations and limitations around permits and licenses, to align with general preferences and limitations on liability for cannabis businesses. 2. Ensure Written Policies and

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Licensee Timely Notification to California Cannabis Industry Regulators
Rogoway Law Group

Tick Tock: Licensee Timely Notification to Regulators

Managing all of the notifications required under applicable law to regulators for licensed cannabis companies can be challenging.  Many companies aren’t aware of required timelines or events requiring notification in order to appropriately notify the applicable regulatory bodies governing their licenses.  Keep in mind that any and all of the following events can trigger required notifications to regulators (this is

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How California cannabis companies can earn more money in 2020.
Rogoway Law Group

Clean the Slate: Ways to Make Money in 2020

As we get ready to ring in the New Year, we know cannabis businesses would like to hear their cash registers ringing as well. California cannabis companies have struggled recently with over-valuations, over-promised performance forecasts and under-delivery on revenues and forecasts. Investors have struggled to fully comprehend why their investments have not panned out as expected in the emerging legal

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Sonoma County's Draft Industrial Hemp Ordinance
Rogoway Law Group

Sonoma County’s Draft Industrial Hemp Ordinance: Thoughts and Takeaways

Sonoma County has released a draft industrial hemp ordinance, which, if passed, will lift the moratorium on hemp cultivation in the county. This is great news for the County. With wine grapes only fetching, on average, $3,000 per ton, the increasing popularity of plant-based milks (e.g., almond milk) and resulting dip in dairy sales, and the continued decline of local

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Trademark Infringement in the Cannabis Industry
Josh Zetlin

Trademark Infringement in the Cannabis Industry – What is it and What Can You Do About It?

As the cannabis industry grows and evolves, building a recognizable brand will become increasingly important. Strong and well-respected brand identities will help cannabis companies distinguish themselves from their competitors.  Because of this, trademarks (the intellectual property constituting a brand and its related goodwill) will undoubtedly become some of the most valuable assets owned by successful cannabis companies.   As trademarks gain

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Fast Funds For Cannabis Companies: Promissory Note Financings
Rogoway Law Group

Fast Funds for Cannabis Companies: Promissory Note Financings

Many cannabis companies are finding themselves strapped for cash and in need of emergency funding or interim financings between larger equity raises. Often these fast funds come in the form of loans from either existing investors or family and friends. These loans, more often than not, tend to take the form of a promissory note. Promissory notes are instruments that

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Labor Peace Agreement Requirement for Cannabis Operations in California as required by AB 1291
Rogoway Law Group

Getting “Real” About Labor Peace Agreements: Assembly Bill No. 1291 And Its Implications

Earlier this month, Governor Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill No. 1291 (“A.B. 1291”), which amends Section 26051.5 of California’s Business & Professions Code to strengthen California’s pro-union requirements for cannabis companies. Specifically, the new law, which will go into effect on January 1, 2020, rewrites the express union organizing commitments cannabis companies must make as part of their state

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Key Takeaways from USDA's Interim Final Rule For Hemp Production
Rogoway Law Group

Key Takeaways from USDA’s Interim Final Rules For Hemp Production

This morning, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) released a draft of its interim final hemp rules. The interim rules for hemp production are effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register, however the published version may include “changes” from the draft Interim Rules. The published USDA interim rules for hemp production will be effective for two years after publication

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