Fred Cawthon and Developing a More Equitable Hemp Industry Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Frederick Cawthon
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp Industry questions covered in this episode:

1. How have Americans of color struggled over the past few centuries when it has come to issues of hemp and cannabis?
2. What steps are the US Hemp Roundtable taking to redress these wrongs and promote justice and equality in the hemp industry?
3. What legislation is being sponsored to promote hemp research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities?
4. How does a person of color enter the hemp industry and overcome obstacles presented to small businesses?

Joel Stanley and the Birth of the CBD Industry Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Joel Stanley
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp Industry questions covered in this episode:

1. Who was Charlotte Fygi, and what role did she play in the development of the hemp and CBD industries?
2. When did medical marijuana pioneers, the Stanley Brothers, hit on the idea that hemp could be a solution both for ailing children as well as promoting wellness in healthy adults?
3. What was behind the Stanleys’ decision to take Charlotte’s Web public, and how should we assess the progress?
4. What’s on the immediate horizon for the Stanleys in the health and wellness space?

Promoting Justice and Equality in the Hemp Industry Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Dr. Marielle Weintraub
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp Industry questions covered in this episode:

1. Why did the hemp industry create the US Hemp Authority and what is its purpose?
2. How does USHA develop standards, and who is involved in the process?
3. How do farmers, processors, and manufacturers get certified in the program?  Why should they do so?
4. How do consumers learn which products are USHA certified?  Why should they care?

If you have questions about the episode or ideas for Hemp related topics, email us at [email protected]. 

Promoting Justice and Equality in the Hemp Industry Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Amber Littlejohn
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp industry questions covered in this podcast episode:

1. On this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, what are the challenges confronted by the hemp industry in addressing King’s vision for justice and quality?
2. What is the hemp industry doing to foster diversity, inclusion and equity?
3. Why is passage of the SAFE Banking Act so important to small and minority-owned hemp businesses and farmers of color?
4. What can our listeners do to reflect Dr. King’s values in their businesses and professional lives?

Hemp Policy: 2021 Year-in-Review and 2022 Preview Episode Resources

Host: Jonathan Miller
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Questions covered in this episode:

1. What actions did the FDA take (or fail to take) in developing a regulatory pathway for CBD in 2021, and what will Congress do in 2022 to force the agency’s hand?
2. Why didn’t the SAFE Banking Act pass in 2021, and what are its prospects in 2022?
3. How much progress was there in state legislatures on hemp and CBD issues in 2021, and what’s expected in the new year?
4. What’s the debate ranging over delta-8 THC, and how will policymakers address it in 2022?
5. What progress has been made on hemp fiber, and what are the prospects for its emergence as a solution for sustainable agriculture?

Hemp's International Trade Laws Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Jan de Beer
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Questions covered in this Episode:

1. For businesses looking to sell products overseas, what are the general concerns and procedures about exporting products?
2. What are the particular concerns when it comes to hemp, both leaving the US and then being imported into another country?  How are they different between raw hemp/hemp extract and finished products like CBD?
3. Are there special codes/descriptions that I need to use to export products?
4. What do I do if my products get seized at US Customs?  What do I do if my products get seized by the customs of another country?
5. What are other international trade considerations for exports?  Taxes? Tariffs?
6. What should I consider if I want to import raw hemp or hemp extract into the country?  What are considerations for importing finished products such as CBD?

Capitalizing a Hemp Business Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Alan MacDonald
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp industry questions covered in this episode:

1. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of companies in the hemp space seeking growth capital.  It’s not as simple as asking people for money.  What are the big picture issues and concerns that a business needs to consider?
2. We’ve spoken with Olivia Snyder about business formation. Are there any particular business organizations you should consider or avoid when seeking capital?
3. What would be appropriate considerations for raising your initial round of funding? 
4. Say I need to raise $1M to purchase key equipment for my firm.  How would I go about that? 
5. Say I need to raise $5-10M to ramp up my manufacturing and/or distribution?  What would be the appropriate strategy?
6. You have advised hemp companies that have gone public. What big picture factors should a hemp/CBD company consider before electing to go public?

If you have questions about the episode or ideas for Hemp related topics, email us at [email protected].

Establishing a Hemp Business Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Olivia Snyder Bryant
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp industry questions covered in this episode:

1. What’s in a name?  What are the considerations I have with naming my company?
2. What do I need to do to ensure my name doesn’t get be into any hot water?  Searches, registration?
3. How do I protect my name? 
4. What are the different entity types from which I can choose?  What are the distinctions?
5. What are the tax consequences of my choices?
6. How many officers/directors do I need?
7. How do I prepare bylaws?
8. How should I prepare articles of incorporation?
9. How do I set up a bank account?
10. What do I need to consider before I start hiring employees?
11. What are special considerations for hemp businesses?  CBD businesses?

If you have questions about the episode or ideas for Hemp related topics, email us at [email protected].

Hemp Class Action Suits Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Martin Rose
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp industry questions covered in this episode: 

1. What is a class action lawsuit – what are some common examples?
2. What is your experience in defending class action lawsuits?
3. Why are so many of these suits being brought in California?
4. What has been the subject matter of class action lawsuits brought in the hemp/CBD space?
5. What were some of the hemp class action lawsuits you defended?
6. What was the result of the lawsuits?  What are the prospects of future developments on these lawsuits?
7. When the FDA finally issues regulations, what would we expect in terms of class action lawsuits?
8. What can companies do now to take themselves out of the crosshairs of future class action lawsuits?

If you have questions about the episode or ideas for Hemp related topics, email us at [email protected].

Hemp Trademarks Episode Resources:

Host: Jonathan Miller
Guest: Karlyn Schnapp
Blog: Hemp Legally Speaking

Hemp industry questions covered in this episode:

1. Explain in general why getting a trademark is a good idea.
2. Explain the different kinds of trademarks – names, marks, etc.
3. Explain the difference between a trademark and patent.
4. What agency(ies) handle intellectual property issues – how do you typically engage with them?
5. What’s the general federal trademark policy when it comes to hemp – how has that changed in recent years?
6. What’s the federal trademark policy when it comes to CBD?
7. If I am a CBD manufacturer and I want to secure a trademark, what are the strategies that I can follow in light of the current policy?
8. What general advice would you give to a CBD manufacturer when it comes to intellectual property?

If you have questions about the episode or ideas for Hemp related topics, email us at [email protected].