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Social Equity Programs

Vicente LLP

2026 Adult-Use Cannabis Business Opportunities in Virginia Under HB 642

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On January 13, 2026, the Virginia House of Delegates prefiled House Bill 642 (HB 642), which establishes a proposed framework for the creation of a regulated commercial adult-use marijuana market in the Commonwealth. Changes...more

Vicente LLP

Navigating Cannabis Regulation in Washington, D.C.: A Complex Market Shaped by Federal Oversight

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Washington, D.C.’s cannabis market operates under one of the most complex regulatory structures in the United States. Shaped by limited home rule, congressional oversight, and a series of evolving local reforms, D.C.’s...more

Carr Maloney P.C.

Virginia’s Cannabis Retail Roadmap: Key Proposed Changes

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In December 2025, Virginia’s Joint Commission released a draft of legislative changes to guide the state’s transition to a regulated adult-use cannabis market....more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Update: Last Call for Rhode Island Adult-Use Retail License Applications!

In approximately three weeks’ time, the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission’s adult-use retail license application window will close at 4:00 p.m. EST on December 29th, 2025. Interested parties that have not already filed...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Lawsuit Challenges Racial + Ethnic ‘Social Disadvantage’ Presumption in SBA and Other Federal Supplier Diversity Programs

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On Nov. 17, 2025, Revier Technologies, Inc. and Young America’s Foundation (YAF) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana seeking to invalidate the Small Business Administration (SBA)...more

Shipman & Goodwin LLP

2025 Cannabis Amendments Receive a Tepid Reception from Industry

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After an active (and long) session, on June 4, 2025, legislators approved modest changes to the cannabis statutes through HB7181, now Public Act 25-166 titled “An Act Concerning the Regulation of Tobacco, Cannabis, Hemp and...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Rhode Island Launches Application Round for up to 24 New Adult-Use Dispensaries

After months of anticipation, on September 12, 2025, the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission (“Commission”) opened the application window for up to 24 new adult-use cannabis retail licenses statewide, which will be...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Maryland Appellate Court Upholds State Hemp-Derived Products Restrictions

In another decision upholding the validity of state-enacted restrictions over the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products, a Maryland Appellate Court in Governor Wes Moore, et al. v. Maryland Hemp Coalition, et al....more

Harris Beach Murtha

Federal Court Rules NY Cannabis Licensing Preference for In-State Convictions is Unconstitutional

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On August 12, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that New York’s adult-use cannabis licensing scheme, which gives “Extra Priority” to applicants (or certain relatives) with New York State marijuana...more

Cozen O'Connor

The State AG Report – 07.24.2025

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Here are curated AG and federal regulatory news stories highlighting key areas in which state and federal regulators’ decisions are having an impact across the US: • Latest Texas AG Food Probe Puts Mars in a Sticky...more

Vicente LLP

How to Buy or Sell a Cannabis License in Minnesota’s Adult-Use Market: M&A Guide (2025)

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More than two years after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis, and eleven years after the establishment of the state’s medical cannabis program, adult-use cannabis businesses are...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Minnesota to Hold Cannabis Retail License Lottery For Social Equity and General Applicants on July 22

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The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is set to conduct its second lottery for Minnesota Cannabis Retail Licenses. On June 5, 2025, the OCM held its first round of lotteries, conducting social equity applicant lotteries...more

Husch Blackwell LLP

OCM Guidance Regarding Ownership Transfers Provides Pathway for Funding Social Equity Licensees

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The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) conducted its license lottery for social equity applicants on June 5, 2025. Lottery winners received preliminary approval and must secure a business location and, in many...more

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

President Trump Declares End of $2.75 Billion Digital Equity Act Programs

On May 8, 2025, President Donald Trump declared in a post on his Truth Social platform that the Digital Equity Act was unconstitutional and that he would be ending the "Digital Equity Program" immediately. The President...more

Harris Beach Murtha

Minnesota Finalizes Cannabis Rules and Orders Social Equity Lottery to Proceed

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On April 7, 2025, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) received final approval from an administrative law judge (ALJ) for its comprehensive adult-use cannabis regulations. The finalized rules, which take effect...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Minnesota Adopts Final Cannabis Rules

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Today, Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management announced that Minnesota’s final set of adult-use cannabis rules have been approved, will be publish in the State Register, and will go into effect later this month. After the...more

Cozen O'Connor

Illinois Insights: An update from Cozen O'Connor (2/24)

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Pritzker proposes $500M to turn state properties into development-ready sites - “A $500 million proposal by Gov. JB Pritzker to turn state-owned properties into shovel-ready real estate projects is part of a proposed $55.2...more

Vicente LLP

Rhode Island Cannabis Update: Current Market, Proposed Rules and New Business Opportunities

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Cannabis policy reform in Rhode Island has spanned nearly two decades, starting with the legalization of medical marijuana in 2006. Then, after years of determined advocacy and legislative debate, the Rhode Island Cannabis...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Governor Shapiro and Legislators Revive Push for Adult-Use Cannabis in Pennsylvania

Is this the year that Pennsylvania finally legalizes adult-use cannabis? While some battle-scarred skeptics remain, there is fresh optimism in the Commonwealth with both the Governor and several key legislators pushing for...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

The Federal Funding Freeze and its Effect on Health Equity Programs

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A string of executive orders and an OMB memorandum from the Trump Administration left the status of almost all federal funding in a state of limbo. In particular, funding from the National Institutes of Health and for Health...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

Last Call for Minnesota Social Equity and General Applicants for Cannabis Business Licenses – Applications Go Live on February...

We are now less than one week away from the long-awaited commencement of Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis business licensing round and prospective applicants are earnestly preparing to file business license applications as...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

BREAKING NEWS: President Trump Revokes a Long List of Biden Executive Orders

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In one of numerous Executive Orders signed on January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an order entitled, “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions.” The Executive Order revokes a long list of Executive...more

Vicente LLP

New Jersey Cannabis Dispensaries Can Now Apply for Consumption Lounge Licenses

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The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) began accepting applications for cannabis consumption area endorsements on January 2, 2025. The Commissioners adopted the Notice of Application Acceptance for cannabis...more

Mandelbaum Barrett PC

New Jersey CRC to Open Applications for Cannabis Consumption Areas: Key Details You Need to Know

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Applications for cannabis consumption area endorsements are set to open on January 2, 2025, creating regulated spaces for adults aged 21 and older to consume cannabis products purchased at licensed dispensaries. The New...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Cannabis and the Law

New Jersey Opens Applications for Consumption Lounges

While the pace of adult-use applications in New Jersey has steadied from its initial peak between 2021-2023, a new wave of applications has just opened for consumption lounges in the Garden State. Who May Apply? Any...more

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