The hemp-derived CBD market is a tough one right now. From uncertainty in when and how the FDA may begin regulating products, to the downturn in the stock markets as result of the coronavirus affecting the hemp industry, the problematic interim rules concerning hemp production and increasing state regulation, CBD companies face a plethora of
Litigation
Girl Scouts Allege Misappropriation by Cannabis Edibles Company
As usual, we’ve been monitoring both brewing and active trademark disputes in the cannabis space, and the most recent example involves the institution that is the Girl Scouts. For background, here are some of the other disputes we’ve covered in the past:
- Kiva Lawsuit Highlights the Cannabis Industry’s Ongoing Trademark Troubles
- Cannabis Trademark Litigation: Web
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California Cannabis Litigation: Airing the Dirty Laundry Edition
We’ve written a good amount on how ugly litigation will be. There’s federal illegality and the possibility that a court refuse to rule on a contract dispute because cannabis is federally illegal. Companies can be sued for false advertising and have all of their profits attributable to the false advertising disgorged by competitors. Allegedly false…
California Cannabis Claims: Unfair Competition
Welcome to the final post in our litigation series on California cannabis claims. For our last post, we’ll be touching on California’s Unfair Competition Law.
Introduction
California’s “Unfair Competition Law,” also known as the Unfair Competition Act, Unfair Business Practices Act, or the Unfair Practices Act, is codified at Business & Professions Code § 17200,…
California Cannabis Claims: Intentional Interference with Contractual Relations
Welcome back to our litigation series on California cannabis claims. Today, we’ll be discussing intentional interference or “tortious interference” – which may apply to your situation if you find that a third party is improperly interfering with you and your contractual relationships.
Introduction
This claim stems from California’s basic recognition that contractual relationships are worthy…
Power to the People: Kern County Measure D Will Give Voters Control of Medical Cannabis
Last week, I presented oral argument to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in support of the people’s right of referendum. Long story short, the Kern County Board of Supervisors banned medical marijuana dispensaries in 2011, the people protested via referendum petition, and to this day the County has refused to comply with the…
Why Handshake Cannabis Deals Are BAD
A lawyer I know once told me that the primary motivation behind drafting a contract should not be making each party’s obligations clear or negotiating better terms, but instead should be ensuring that when there is litigation, that party is in the best possible position to win. Having written and litigated numerous contracts, I could…
California Cannabis Claims: Fraud
Welcome back to our litigation series on California cannabis claims. Fraud is one of those claims that clients believe will be easy to pursue, but it actually requires a lot of factual development and proof, even just to assert it in a complaint. Below is a primer.
Introduction
A fraud claim requires six elements: (1)…
Hemp CBD: Will Federal Courts Wait to Decide CBD Cases Until the FDA Issues Regulations?
Not long ago Hemp Industry Daily reported on a decision by U.S. District Judge Ursula Ungaro in the Southern District of Florida in which the Court stayed a putative class action lawsuit against a seller of CBD products until the FDA completes rulemaking regarding the marketing, including labelling, of hemp-derived ingestible products. The case is…
Cannabis Arbitration: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
As each state’s cannabis industry matures past the licensing and permitting phases, expect to see a huge uptick in internal and external issues with cannabis businesses: promising partnerships turn into bitter rivalries, companies go broke, permits and licenses get voided, etc. All of these issues need to be resolved, and many companies or their execs…