News & Insights
Courtney Barnes attends World Business Leaders Cannabis Business Europe Conference
Courtney Barnes is currently in Frankfurt Germany representing Feldman Legal Advisors at the World Business Leaders Cannabis Business Europe Conference. Already having met with industry operators and policy advocates from Romania, Colombia, South Africa, Canada, and Germany, she reports that, “we are delighted to be here learning about international markets and to expand our global collaborative footprint.”
Courtney Barnes represents Feldman Legal Advisors at International Conference on Psychedelic Research
Feldman Legal Advisors’ Courtney Barnes represented the firm in the Netherlands at the International Conference on Psychedelic Research where she reconnected with some of the U.S.’s most influential thought leaders in psychedelic policy and science and met numerous creatives and researchers pushing the movement forward across the pond.
Navigating Psychedelic Policy in the Northeast
As psychedelic substances gain recognition for their therapeutic potential, policy in the Northeast is rapidly evolving, reflecting a growing acknowledgment of the benefits these substances can offer, particularly in mental health treatment. States across this region are taking varied approaches to regulating psychedelics, from therapeutic programs and decriminalization efforts to comprehensive studies and commissions.
Local Cannabis Reform Gains Momentum in Texas
In a pivotal move for local cannabis policy reform, Dallas voters may decide to decriminalize cannabis via an initiated charter amendment in November 2024. Activist groups Dallas Action and Ground Game Texas successfully collected more than 50,000 signatures to present the “Dallas Freedom Act” to Dallas City Council.
Feldman Legal Advisors Ranked as a Band 1 Psychedelics Law Firm by Chambers and Partners
Feldman Legal Advisors is proud to announce its recognition as a Band 1 Psychedelics Law Firm by Chambers & Partners. This prestigious accolade highlights our firm’s expertise and unwavering dedication to providing top-tier legal services in this evolving field of law. Being acknowledged by Chambers & Partners, a leading global authority in legal rankings, demonstrates the high standards we uphold and the impactful work we have accomplished.
New York Cannabis Leader Resigns Following Critical Internal Review
In a dramatic turn of events for New York’s cannabis industry, Chris Alexander, the Executive Director of the State’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has resigned. This decision comes in the wake of a thorough examination of his oversight of the tumultuous rollout of New York’s adult-use cannabis market. Governor Hochul had previously announced that Alexander would step down at the end of his term in September 2024, but on May 24, Alexander resigned. He will leave his position on June 7, 2024.
Colorado Passes Natural Medicine Health Act Clean-Up Bill
On May 13, 2024, Colorado passed Senate Bill 24-198, a clean-up bill designed to assist with the implementation of the Colorado Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA). Among technical fixes to add more clarity to the statute, the NMHA was amended to shift the responsibility of approving facilitator education and training programs from the Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS), within the Colorado Department of Higher Education, to the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). SB 24-198 exempts facilitator education and training programs from regulation as private educational schools in hopes of making the licensing process less burdensome for aspiring educators and practitioners.
Proposed Rule to Reschedule Cannabis Officially Published in Federal Register
On May 16, 2024, President Joe Biden published a video providing his long-awaited announcement that the Biden administration is actively taking steps to reschedule cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Hours later, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published its Proposed Rule to Reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.