Bianchi: Medical marijuana is a regulated program benefiting patients

By Laura Bianchi | YourValley.net Peoria recently approved its fifth medical marijuana dispensary within city boundaries, a sign of the evolving perceptions surrounding the beneficial drug. When voters approved the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act in 2010, there was already support for the program, but there was also a significant fear of the unknown among community stakeholders, who looked at less …

Fired Wal-Mart worker wins case under Arizona Medical Marijuana Act; ‘an important decision’ says Laura Bianchi, Rose Law Group partner and director of Cannabis 

By David B. Weisenfeld | XpertHR A federal judge has ruled that a fired Walmart employee who had a state medical marijuana card has a valid discrimination claim under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA). The company had suspended the employee without pay and then terminated her after a post-accident drug screen came back positive. The AMMA provides that an employer cannot discriminate in hiring, termination …

Marijuana banking finally ranks a congressional hearing; Laura Bianchi, Rose Law Group partner and director of Cannabis Department, comments

By Meg Ellis | Pot Network Banking in the cannabis industry has been a contentious issue due to marijuana’s current classification as a federal Schedule I drug. A hearing in Congress may mark the beginning of a change in federal policy. Federal financial policies that is. On February 13, a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on …

California bills could give marijuana companies a legal boost; ‘time is ripe,’ says Laura Bianchi, Rose Law Group partner and director of Cannabis Department

By Andrew Sheeler | The Sacramento Bee Unfriendly banks, high taxes and black-market competitors are some of the obstacles that licensed cannabis companies say hold them back as they try to cultivate a new industry in California. Some California lawmakers want to give them a hand, and they’re considering a set of bills that would in ways great and small …

How the largest marijuana retail space in the U.S. plans to revamp a district; “history in the making,” says Rose Law Group partner, Medical Cannabis department director, Laura Bianchi

By Amy Dobson | Forbes For a while it looked like the best thing to bring to a neighborhood was a new Whole Foods grocery store. One study showed that homes in these neighborhoods would appreciate at a much faster rate than if they were near a Trader Joe’s (and both were better than a Starbucks). Another sign a neighborhood is on the cusp of …

Lawyer up: dreaming of the Apple Store of cannabis? Don’t hold your breath

The cannabis industry wants to see bold and beautiful dispensaries, but the various state rules and regulations around the plant often turn sleek visions into clunky realities. Disclaimer: This column is written for educational purposes only. It does not provide specific legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. This column should not be used as a substitute for …

Laura Bianchi, Rose Law Group partner and attorneys Thomas Galvin, and Logan Elia to present at Arizona Association for Economic Development Fall Forum, Thursday October 18th

Laura Bianchi, partner and director of Medical Cannabis Department, Land Use Attorney, Thomas Galvin, and Litigator, Logan Elia to present Thursday, October 18th at 10:45 a.m. Arizona Association for Economic Development Fall Forum, on “Understanding and Navigating Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Industry” at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. For More information click here: 

Laura Bianchi, Rose Law Group partner, director Medical Cannabis Department talks to Leafly about Phoenix scrapping proposed cannabis tax

By Ben Adlin | Leafly Phoenix patients can breathe a sigh of relief this week after a unanimous vote by the Phoenix City Council to scrap a proposal that would’ve imposed heavy taxes on medical cannabis. The plan, floated last week by Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams, offered several possible tax options. Each was so steep that dispensary operators warned it …

Lawyer Up: Where is the Starbucks of Cannabis

The rise of national marijuana brands is still a long way off. How is that ever going to change — and do we even want it to? By Laura Bianchi | Merry Jane Disclaimer: This column is written for educational purposes only. It does not provide specific legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. This column should not …

Lawyer up: Why is it so hard to promote cannabis online (and everywhere else)?

By Laura Bianchi | Merry Jane Anything goes on the Internet, it seems – except when it comes to cannabis. Over the past month, many producers of cannabis-related YouTube channels have seen their carefully curated accounts shut down. Those impacted have ranged from Marihuana Television in Spain and Urbanremo in Canada to U.S. cannabis website Leafly. It’s the latest in a series of online cannabis prohibitions …