Articles Posted in California marijuana criminal defense

When marijuana legalization laws first began to gain traction in the U.S. (California being the first state, of course), there was considerable concern about what this would mean for road safety. After all, there is little question that driving under the influence of marijuana is unsafe. However, analysis of auto insurance premiums in states that…

Federal authorities with the U.S. Treasure Department want banks to begin collecting – and turning over – data from their marijuana clients so investigators can uncover potential money laundering schemes. Although our Los Angeles marijuana business lawyers know this news might cause wariness among those in the pot industry, it’s worth pointing out that such…

The U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to return more than $1 million in seized marijuana funds to settle a lawsuit filed last year by a California cannabis business lawsuit alleging “highway robbery.” Funds at issue belonged to Empyreal Logistics, an armored car company based in Pennsylvania that was targeted by local and federal task…

When voters in California legalized recreational use cannabis six years ago, a major component included a legal pathway through which courts could clear most past marijuana convictions – or at least lower the charges to something less severe. This made good sense for several reasons: Most marijuana convictions were for non-violent, low-level offenses. Minorities and…

The majority of states in the U.S. – California included – allow legal marijuana cultivation, production and adult use and sales (with some restrictions) within their jurisdictions. But that hasn’t entirely shielded people from the potential for serious criminal charges for cannabis violations under federal law. Existing statute classifies marijuana as a schedule I narcotic,…

California businesses operate legally all over the state (under certain licensing and oversight conditions), but that doesn’t mean companies can expect a hassle if they operate near an international boarder. Of course, lack of harmony between the state and federal positions on marijuana is nothing new. But it’s important for marijuana businesses in cities close…

Three separate law suits have been filed, alleging that a Californian-based marijuana company and its key executive defrauded $1.2 million in loans from investors. The suits allege that Case Mandel and his Cannadips business operations, used fictional projections — inflated by as much as 2,000 percent — to deliberately mislead lenders into investing in his…

California’s cannabis tourism may look a little different in 2020. That’s because the Golden state’s lawmakers recently closed a loophole with Assembly Bill 1810, to prevent passengers from smoking or vaping cannabis products while inside moving vehicles. For some time, state legislators had been pushing for a bill that protects limousine and party bus drivers…

With 2020 being the third year Californians enjoy the legal use and sale of recreational cannabis, stakeholders expect new laws kicking in, big court cases taking place, and major reforms to criminal justice, all to make this a big year for the cannabis industry. While 2019 was a challenging year for many cannabis business operators,…

This month, California has shown an increase in law enforcement activity targeting illegal marijuana growers. A statement from the California Attorney General’s Office said that on November 4, 148 people were arrested by local, state and federal law enforcement officers. During the raids, California Police seized $1.5 billion worth of illegally grown marijuana. Under California’s…