Blog

Cannabis & the Law

Foley Hoag has been at the forefront of the medical and adult-use cannabis industry since the very early stages of its regulation and legalization in specific U.S. states and beyond. Our leading, full-service Cannabis Practice is comprised of attorneys with unique insight and experience to assist cannabis and cannabis-related operators and investors with all aspects of their business. Our practice is national and international in scope, as we represent cannabis clients in transactions in a variety of states and Canada.

Federal Court Declares New Jersey's Cannabis Labor Peace Agreement Mandate Preempted by Federal Law: What Every Licensed Operator Needs to Know
Blog August 18, 2026
On August 10, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey entered final judgment in Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. v. New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, No. 25-cv-16397 (D.N.J.), declaring that the labor peace agreement ("LPA") requirement in the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act ("CREAMMA") and its implementing regulations is preempted by the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA") as applied against plaintiff Curaleaf…
Rhode Island CCC Application Reset
Blog July 28, 2026
Rhode Island's adult-use cannabis retail licensing process has been the subject of a roller coaster ride in the last half year since the submittal deadline, and the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission’s (“CCC” or “Commission”) Friday, July 24, 2026 update gave the clearest picture yet of not just where things stand, but most importantly, where this process is  headed…
Update – Governor Spanberger Vetoes Adult-Use Cannabis Bill
Blog May 20, 2026
Yesterday, Governor Spanberger vetoed HB642/SB542, dashing the hopes of legislators and cannabis advocates alike and yet again casting uncertainty on the future of adult-use cannabis in the Commonwealth…
Stalemate over Virginia Adult-Use Cannabis Bill – Governor Faces May 22, 2026 Deadline
Blog May 13, 2026
The Virginia legislature and Governor Abigail Spanberger remain at a stalemate over a bill that would make the Commonwealth the latest state to approve an adult-use cannabis market…
Virginia Legislature Advances Competing Bills to Launch Adult-Use Marijuana Sales
Blog February 17, 2026
The Commonwealth of Virginia has inched closer to (finally) launching an adult-use marijuana marketplace nearly 5 years after it legalized adult-use possession and home grow activities…
New Year's Resolution for VA Governor-Elect: Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in 2026
Blog December 31, 2025
Virginia will ring in the New Year with renewed momentum toward adult-use cannabis sales. After years of roadblocks following the legalization of adult-use cannabis possession and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia finally appears poised to launch a regulated adult-use cannabis market with statewide license caps, robust proximity protection and setback requirements among awarded licensees and adult-use product sales commencing as soon as November 1, 2026…
Rhode Island Launches Application Round for up to 24 New Adult-Use Dispensaries
Blog September 16, 2025
After months of anticipation, on September 12, 2025, the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission opened the application window for up to 24 new adult-use cannabis retail licenses statewide, which will be divided equally across six geographic zones…
Lone Star State Takes Texas-Sized Leap Forward on Medical Cannabis
Blog August 11, 2025
While the world is watching Texas’ special legislative session for its high drama on redistricting and hemp, on Friday, the Texas Department of Public Safety (“DPS”) released information on the required Supplemental Application Narrative and Forms that must be completed to remain eligible to receive a Dispensing Organization license for all 139 applicants that applied for licenses in 2023 and prior…
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About Our Blog

Foley Hoag has been at the forefront of the medical and adult-use cannabis industry since the very early stages of its regulation and legalization in specific U.S. states and beyond. Our leading, full-service Cannabis Practice is comprised of attorneys with unique insight and experience to assist cannabis and cannabis-related operators and investors with all aspects of their business. Our practice is national and international in scope, as we represent cannabis clients in transactions in a variety of states and Canada.

We have developed this blog specifically to track the regulatory framework for the cannabis industry and provide insight on legal issues of concern to cannabis businesses.

Our focus will include reporting legal developments and providing commentary on:

  • Legislative developments;
  • Regulatory and policy enactments;
  • The appointment and constitution of the Cannabis Control Commission;
  • The impact of recreational cannabis regulation on the existing medical marijuana regulatory framework;
  • Developments in federal law;
  • Municipal issues;
  • Corporate considerations;
  • Employment issues; and
  • Policy matters.