Marijuana Enforcement: By The Numbers

Marijuana Enforcement: By The Numbers

Over the past decade, a growing number of states have enacted marijuana legalization laws or have moved toward discretionary or non-enforcement policies for marijuana offenses, resulting in an overall decrease in arrests related to the substance. But how do the numbers differ from area to area or from race to race? Earlier this year, the American Civil Liberties Union (the “ACLU”) detailed a research report entitled A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform to examine racial disparities at a national, state, and county level regarding marijuana enforcement. Below, we take a closer look at the report and provide a detailed overview to further explore marijuana culture in the United States. 

July 6, 2020 , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCMarijuana Enforcement: By The Numbers
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Seven Problems with the DSHS Proposed Rules

Seven Problems with the DSHS Proposed Rules

Our hemp attorneys recently sat down to identify seven issues with the Texas Department of State Health Services (“DSHS”) Proposed Rules for Texas’ consumable hemp program. If you are a consumable hemp manufacturer, processor, distributor, or retailer, it is not too late to submit your comments directly to DSHS. Comments can be submitted to DSHS until June 7, 2020.

May 29, 2020 , , , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCSeven Problems with the DSHS Proposed Rules
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What To Look For In A Hemp Lawyer

What To Look For In A Hemp Lawyer

As the cannabis, hemp, and cannabidiol (CBD) industries continue to boom, legal cannabis businesses often find themselves in need of legal counsel. But how do you choose a hemp lawyer? The answer may depend on your specific situation. However, there are a few critical things to look for in a cannabis or hemp attorney. Below, we break down three key characteristics to help you identify an experienced hemp lawyer for all of your legal cannabis, hemp, or CBD needs. 

May 27, 2020 , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCWhat To Look For In A Hemp Lawyer
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Coronavirus and Cannabis: Force Majeure Litigation

Coronavirus and Cannabis: Force Majeure Litigation

Rocky, troubling, tumultuous, uncertain, uncharted, unprecedented, and unpredictable times: due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, we continue to see these ominous descriptions in coronavirus coverage. Society has had to adapt as this pandemic ravages our way of life. Businesses throughout the world are dealing with the economic fallout COVID-19 has caused, and the cannabis industry is no exception. Numerous cannabis companies, already plagued by financial woes prior to this pandemic, are struggling or are unable to perform contract obligations. A prime example of this is illustrated in the ongoing lawsuit between Kentucky hemp company Third Wave Farms, LLC (“Third Wave”) and Oregon CBD processor Pure Valley Solutions, LLC (“Pure Valley”). Third Wave sued Pure Valley to get out of their contract based on obligations Pure Valley allegedly was unable to meet and based on the force majeure clause of the contract coming into effect.

May 5, 2020 , , , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCCoronavirus and Cannabis: Force Majeure Litigation
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Chelsie Spencer Selected as Super Lawyers Rising Star of 2020

Chelsie Spencer Selected as Super Lawyers Rising Star of 2020

We are pleased to announce that attorney Chelsie Spencer has been selected by Thomson Reuters as a Super Lawyers Rising Star of 2020. 

Super Lawyers is a rating service for exceptional lawyers that covers over 70 areas of practice. Only 2.5% of lawyers in each state are selected as Rising Stars by Super Lawyers. These lawyers are selected based on independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. 

March 16, 2020 , , , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCChelsie Spencer Selected as Super Lawyers Rising Star of 2020
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David Ritter Featured in The Deal on the Restructuring of Cannabis Businesses Facing Bankruptcy

David Ritter Featured in The Deal on the Restructuring of Cannabis Businesses Facing Bankruptcy

As the legality of cannabis products becomes more complex with differing state and federal regulations, the experts at Ritter Spencer PLLC are able to provide insight and guidance on reorganization and bankruptcy proceedings for cannabis companies. David Ritter is thrilled to share his expertise in cannabis law in an exclusive article on The Deal discussing the challenges faced by cannabis companies considering bankruptcy. This article highlights the complicated landscape of cannabis under federal and state laws, which is especially important as businesses in this industry attempt to restructure or file for bankruptcy.

March 9, 2020 , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCDavid Ritter Featured in The Deal on the Restructuring of Cannabis Businesses Facing Bankruptcy
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Revised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Violations, Hemp Transportation, and Hemp Seed Requirements

Revised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Violations, Hemp Transportation, and Hemp Seed Requirements

By: Paul Stevenson

After learning the application and hemp license holder requirements in Part I of this Series and the rules and procedures regarding the sampling and testing of hemp in Part II, it is now time to turn to the TDA plan’s provisions covering violations, license suspension and revocation, hemp transportation, and hemp seed requirements. 

As a hemp license holder, if you violate the TDA plan, it is imperative to comply with any enforcement action or corrective action plan imposed by the TDA in order to avoid any further negative consequences for you and/or your hemp operations.

January 22, 2020 , , , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCRevised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part III: Violations, Hemp Transportation, and Hemp Seed Requirements
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Revised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp

Revised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp

By: Paul Stevenson

Now that you have read Part I of the Revised TDA Hemp Production Plan series on the application and license requirements for hemp producers, it is crucial to understand the rules and methods for the sampling and testing of hemp for tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) concentration levels. 

January 22, 2020 , , , , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCRevised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part II: Sampling & Testing of Hemp
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Revised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part I: License Requirements

Revised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part I: License Requirements

By: Paul Stevenson

To conform with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) hemp production plan, the Texas Department of Agriculture (“TDA”) proposed its own hemp production rules and regulations (the “TDA plan”) to the Texas Register in December of 2019. The proposed rules were then revised and released on Friday, January 10th, and they are open to public comment until Monday, February 10th. Comments are to be submitted to Philip Wright, Administrator for Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711, or by email to [email protected]. If dissatisfied with any provision of the TDA plan, it is highly recommended to raise and send concerns to the TDA during this window for public comment.

January 22, 2020 , , , , , ,
Ritter Spencer, PLLCRevised TDA Hemp Production Plan Part I: License Requirements
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