Vicente LLP

As New York’s cannabis market evolves, regulators are ramping up enforcement. Licensees must have a proactive compliance strategy for their business to avoid fines and penalties. In this insights post, Brandon Kurtzman and Neil M. Willner dive into the key areas of compliance risk under the newly established Trade Practices Bureau, including ownership violations, license stacking, and fraudulent practices. We also highlight proactive steps businesses can take to stay ahead of regulatory changes and protect their licenses: https://lnkd.in/gXtstWnX #CannabisCompliance #CannabisIndustry #CannabisRegulations #NewYorkCannabis

Don't miss Michelle Bodian at NECANN Boston on March 21 during her session, “Sip and Sell Smart: Legal Strategies for the Hemp Beverage Boom.” Michelle will examine the latest developments in hemp beverage regulations, particularly in the Northeast. With recent changes in CT and NJ regarding the sale of hemp beverages, Massachusetts businesses must learn about each state’s unique framework to stay ahead of shifting compliance requirements. Learn more & register for the conference: https://lnkd.in/dXJrDdJw

Vicente partner Joshua Kappel joined Healing Advocacy Fund and the National Psychedelics Association during a webinar which provided insights for business license applicants navigating Colorado’s regulated natural medicine program, including regulatory requirements, business structuring, and legal considerations. Watch the replay: https://lnkd.in/gkKZ3MYK #NaturalMedicine #PsychedelicTherapy #Psychedelics #ColoradoPsychedelics

We're #hiring a new Business Development, Executive Assistant in Denver, Colorado. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Colorado’s Natural Medicine Division has finalized its ESG requirements for Natural Medicine Business licensing. These guidelines help applicants create plans that promote sustainability, social impact, and ethical governance. Notably, the rules emphasize honoring Indigenous communities and ensuring transparency in business operations. In this Insights post, Joshua Kappel and Juliana Todeschi discuss the key ESG criteria, including environmental sustainability efforts, social impact initiatives like Benefit Honoring, and governance practices that promote ethical business operations. Understanding these requirements can help applicants craft strong licensing applications while fostering responsible industry growth: https://lnkd.in/gniXajYF

Have you heard about Colorado SB25-076? While the bill was introduced with good intentions to protect public health and safety, its provisions are misguided. Rather than effectively advancing public health and safety goals, it imposes measures that could significantly impact businesses and consumers in Colorado. If you want to take action on this bill, we recommend that you contact your lawmakers today: ?Visit https://lnkd.in/g7uQZUWV and enter your address to find out what Senate district you live/work in. ?Call or email your senator. Senator contact information and a sample script from Colorado Leads here: https://lnkd.in/g5MracfB ?Submit this form from Marijuana Policy Project to ask your senators to oppose SB25-076: https://lnkd.in/g34Dpy7g ?Learn more on our website: https://lnkd.in/geUFw9rz #SB25076 #ColoradoCommunity #ColoradoPolitics #ColoradoLegislation

Corporate Transparency Act Update: FinCEN Suspends Enforcement The DEA's cannabis rescheduling may be grabbing headlines, but there's another major regulatory shift that business owners need to know about: The U.S. Treasury Department has temporarily suspended enforcement actions against businesses failing to meet Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting deadlines. 4 Key Implications of this Development: 1. Enforcement Halt: Companies that miss the March 21, 2025, deadline for BOI reporting will not face penalties or enforcement actions. FinCEN confirmed on February 27 it would defer all enforcement until a new interim final rule becomes effective. 2. Scope Reduction Coming: Treasury plans to issue an emergency rule that would significantly narrow the CTA's applicability to exclusively foreign reporting companies. U.S. citizens and domestic reporting companies would be exempt from compliance obligations. 3. Political Support: President Trump described the BOI rule as "outrageous and invasive" and applauded the Treasury's decision, noting via Truth Social that an emergency regulation is being finalized to suspend requirements for American companies. 4. Congressional Action: The House unanimously approved H.R. 736 proposing an extension of BOI reporting deadlines for existing "small business concerns" to January 1, 2026. A similar measure remains under Senate review. What's next? While enforcement is currently suspended, staying informed about regulatory changes is critical. The Treasury cited its intention to support "hard-working American taxpayers and small businesses" while ensuring regulation is "appropriately tailored to advance the public interest." For businesses operating in regulated industries like cannabis, this represents yet another example of the complex and rapidly evolving compliance landscape we navigate daily. What's your take on these CTA developments? Has your business already completed its BOI reporting? Thanks to my Vicente LLP colleague Bridgette Nikisher for helping with this.

The Treasury Department recently suspended enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act’s Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements meaning that businesses failing to submit or update their BOI reports by the March 21 deadline will not face fines, penalties, or enforcement actions. Read the latest developments surrounding CTA enforcement, the Treasury’s plans to limit its scope, anticipated regulatory changes from FinCEN, and ongoing legislative and legal challenges that could reshape compliance obligations: https://lnkd.in/gk5NCcN4 Charles Alovisetti, Bridgette Nikisher

Today at 12 p.m. MT, Vicente founding partner Joshua Kappel is joining Healing Advocacy Fund to discuss Colorado Natural Medicine Business license applications. If you're considering entering this new state-regulated market, now is the time to ask the tough questions about: ? Liability insurance ? 280E and federal tax implications ? Banking options ? Local zoning requirements ...and more! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gi5eKTwT

Cannabis-related legislation is once again on the move in South Carolina with the filing of a bill that would establish a regulated medical cannabis program and several bills that would officially regulate consumable products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids, including the increasingly popular beverages containing hemp-derived Delta-9 THC. Read this post by Vicente partner David Ullian: https://lnkd.in/g3F7cSkP