Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 05 JANUARY 2021

The Year In Weed: 2020 Edition

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Explore more from Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Welcome back to The Year In Weed, our annual roundup of cannabis-related stories.

United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Susan Ryan
Susan Ryan
Author LinkedIn connections

Welcome back to The Year In Weed, our annual roundup of cannabis-related stories. As usual, we'll adopt Dave Barry's Year in Review format and look at stories month by month. Last year, I predicted that ".much will happen in 2020." Little did I know in December 2019 just how true that would turn out to be. Whether you think that 2020 was the worst year ever, or only the worst year in your lifetime, no one is sorry to turn the page on the past 12 months.

So let's get this "Goodbye and Good Riddance to 2020" party started.

High hopes characterized January, when it looked as if both New York and New Mexico would legalize adult-use cannabis this year. Neither of them did.

In February, marijuana was a topic of conversation at the Democratic Presidential debates. Ideas ranged from legalization on day one (Sanders) to decriminalization and expungement (Bloomberg). How the Biden administration will proceed is an open question.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

See more popular content from

Article

The Intoxicating Hemp Products Ban Was Delayed A Month. Now What?

The House has passed a short-term funding bill postponing the federal ban on hemp-derived THC products from November 12th to December 11th. With comprehensive legislation unlikely before the new deadline and competing interests from cannabis sellers, alcohol producers, and state regulators creating policy gridlock, the future of intoxicating hemp products remains uncertain as midterm elections approach.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Harris Sliwoski
Harris Sliwoski
Article

IRC Section 280E And Cannabis Tax Planning: Recent Developments And Practical Considerations

The landscape surrounding Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code continues to evolve with President Trump's Executive Order on medical marijuana rescheduling, advancing litigation in New Mexico Top Organics v. Commissioner, and shifting regulatory signals. Cannabis taxpayers face critical decisions about taking "non-280E" positions on their tax returns while the IRS maintains its enforcement stance and the U.S. Tax Court case addressing common arguments remains pending.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
Article

"Marijuana" Rescheduling Delayed, Again. What It Could Mean, And What Comes Next

The DEA's marijuana rescheduling hearing has been unexpectedly stayed following a motion to admit a new GAO report examining agency scheduling procedures. With the proceeding on hold and the medical marijuana Schedule III order facing legal challenges in the D.C. Circuit, the cannabis industry's path to federal tax relief through rescheduling has become increasingly uncertain.
United StatesCannabis & Hemp
Harris Sliwoski
Harris Sliwoski
Article

DHS Allows Salvadoran TPS Beneficiaries To Work And Remain, For Now

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that Salvadoran Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries remain protected despite the September 9, 2026 expiration date, though no formal announcement has been made regarding the program's future. This development raises critical questions about employer obligations and the potential scenarios that may unfold, including termination with a 60-day notice period or an extension of the designation.
United StatesImmigration
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Article

More Than A Download: Using USCIS’s E-Verify Records Disposal Deadline As A Compliance Checkup

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is permanently disposing of E-Verify records last updated before December 31, 2016, giving employers until January 8, 2027, to download critical compliance documentation. Companies must act now to preserve historical case data needed for audits, government investigations, and Form I-9 system transitions while ensuring their E-Verify account information remains current and accurate.
United StatesImmigration
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Article

A New Price Tag On OPT? DHS Proposes Unprecedented Fees For F-1 Practical Training

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed imposing fees of $70,000 for initial OPT recommendations and $30,000 for second-year extensions on educational institutions, potentially reshaping how international students, universities, and employers participate in the Optional Practical Training program. While framed as a fraud prevention measure, the proposal raises critical questions about workforce access, cost allocation...
United StatesImmigration
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Video

DOJ’s New Fraud Enforcement Hub (Video)

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia has established a new Fraud and Asset Recovery Division specifically targeting False Claims Act matters and federal fund recovery efforts. This organizational shift signals heightened scrutiny of government contractors' compliance practices, particularly regarding certifications, billing accuracy, and representations made to federal agencies.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Article

California Just Expanded Regulation Of Workplace AI Beyond CCPA ADMT

California has enacted three new laws governing employer use of artificial intelligence and automated tools in layoffs, workplace monitoring, discipline, and termination. These laws are separate from the California Consumer Privacy Act’s automated decisionmaking technology (ADMT) rules and apply more broadly to employers and public entities that are not covered by the CCPA. CCPA covered employers may need to integrate compliance with ADMT and Risk Assessment requirements (for sensitive personal information processing activities and automated decisionmaking technology).
United StatesEmployment and HR
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP