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.

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…
Last Call for Delaware Applications: Some tips for Applicants
Blog September 11, 2024
License hunters may have whiplash with state application processes in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Ohio (10(b) licenses) barely in the rearview mirror, but Delaware’s new license application deadline is fast approaching…
Virginia Prepares to Accept Applications for a Single Medical Cannabis License for Health Service Area 1, Which Includes the Shenandoah Valley
Blog February 05, 2024
Effective January 1, 2024, the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) assumed regulatory oversight of Virginia’s medical cannabis program. The CCA was established in 2021 and has been recognized as Virginia’s “principal source of government expertise on cannabis,” but until this year, Virginia’s medical cannabis program has been overseen by the Board of Pharmacy…

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.