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As the cannabis industry is growing across much of Western Europe and North America, businesses would be wise to familiarise themselves with the UAE framework to avoid any unintended consequences as seen in the recent case of Billy Hood (see here). The UAE maintains a strict zero tolerance policy on the use of cannabis as further explained below. UAE Framework: Federal Decree-Law No. 30/2021 On Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (the “Law”). The Law prohibits the procurement, import, export, manufacture, extraction, separation, production, possession, acquisition and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Cannabis is specifically mentioned and its definition includes cannabis-derived products (including…

There have been multiple headlines concerning the recent imprisonment of a British football coach (Billy Hood) in the UAE who was found to be in possession of CBD vape oil that contained elements of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. Whilst legal in the UK and other western countries it is strictly prohibited in the UAE. In connection with this case, the General Directorate for Drug Control (”GDDC”) stated that Mr. Hood was found to have ”quantities of cannabis oil intended for trafficking in return for financial gain.” The GDDC report that Mr. Hood was found to have various…

The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) implementing regulations at 31 CFR Chapter X require covered financial institutions to file reports of suspicious transactions with the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) in circumstances where the bank knows, suspects, or has reason to suspect that the transaction “involves funds from illegal activities.”  The requirement to file such suspicious activity reports or “SARs” arises under federal law.  Marijuana-related business activity that has been legalized under certain state laws—e.g., recreational cannabis dispensaries in Colorado—remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act.  The conflict between state and federal law is, in the…

In August, the FBI announced that it would be focusing on public corruption in state marijuana licensing. In September, the Mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts was indicted for extorting more than $250,000 in bribes from cannabis businesses in return for assistance with licenses.  In October, alleged Rudolph Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman were indicted for, among other things, a scheme to make illegal campaign finance donations in connection with a planned recreational marijuana business in Nevada.  Last week, the US Department of Justice announced charges against two officials of the city of Calexico, California (a small city about…

Adam Schleifer is a candidate for Congress in New York’s 17th congressional district. He previously worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles where he prosecuted violent drug cartels. In this podcast, he talks about why he believes that federal legalization of marijuana would be an effective means of combating drug cartels. Please join us for a fascinating discussion. Global Cannabis Compliance Podcast · Episode 4 – Legalization as a strategy to combat drug cartels?

How to eliminate the marijuana black market? As the COVID-19 crisis continues to ravish state budgets, this question has become even more important, particularly in states like California, which have legalized marijuana but have not seen the expected tax revenues due to the persistence of the “tax exempt” black market. Increased enforcement would help, of course. But the best way to eliminate the illegal market is to support market entry by legitimate businesses. Several states have declared marijuana businesses “essential” and exempt from COVID lockdown requirements. Congressional appropriations riders prevent DOJ from prosecuting medical marijuana businesses that comply with state…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) announced on February 27, 2020, that it would give hemp farmers a 20-month reprieve from a regulation requiring growers of hemp to have crop THC levels tested at laboratories registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”). The requirement had raised concerns in the industry that DEA-registered labs would be overwhelmed with crop samples at harvest time, leading to delays that could cost farmers sales. Delay in Requirement for DEA Lab Registration The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (known colloquially as the “2018 Farm Bill” or simply the “Farm Bill”) removed hemp, defined as cannabis containing…

January 4, 2020 marked the two year anniversary of the “Sessions Memorandum” in which (then) Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum and other Obama era DOJ guidance which essentially stated that DOJ would not prosecute state-compliant marijuana-related activity.  Many saw the statement as a declaration of a new “War on Drugs.” However, a review of DOJ cases brought over the last two years reveals that the Trump Justice Department has largely adhered to the Obama Administration’s enforcement priorities. The Cole Memorandum The Cole Memorandum stated that federal cannabis enforcement resources would be concentrated on cases involving: Revenue from…

The prospective relaxation of cannabis regulations in jurisdictions around the world offers opportunities for investment for UK businesses. However, investors should be wary of potential exposure under UK anti-money laundering (“AML”) legislation and consider taking appropriate safeguarding actions prior to any transaction. Pot luck: cannabis law in different jurisdictions In the UK, it is a criminal offence to produce or supply cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, punishable by up to 14 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. There is a limited exception relating to supply for certain medicinal purposes which may be supplied under licence. However,…

The risk of corruption in state cannabis licensing has once again been highlighted by recent reports that a federal grand jury has subpoenaed at least seven Massachusetts cities, including Boston, for information about contracts between cannabis firms and municipalities. The subpoenas apparently relate to “host community agreements,”  a contract between individual cannabis operators and their host community that is required by state law in Massachusetts.  Host community agreements, and similar arrangements in other states that have legalized cannabis, are well intentioned.  But like any arrangement that involves payment for permission to operate, they can be abused for corrupt ends.       …