Episode Details

The legal ground under the cannabis industry just shifted. On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a final order moving medical marijuana licensed under state law from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. A broader DEA administrative hearing on rescheduling all marijuana begins June 29, 2026. Reclassification reaches well beyond drug policy. It changes how cannabis businesses are taxed under Section 280E, reshapes banking and investment options, and raises fresh questions about compliance, licensing, and federal enforcement risk. Shay Aaron Gilmore of The Law Office of Shay Aaron Gilmore and Aaron C. Lachant, Partner at Leech Tishman, break down what the change means for operators, investors, and the attorneys who advise them. Lavonne Lawson of Leech Tishman moderates. Attendees will leave knowing how to counsel cannabis clients through reclassification and what to watch as the broader rescheduling process unfolds. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.