Unmasking the Post-COVID Criminal Court Room
The Challenges and Changes Needed to Balance a Defendant’s Rights and Overall Safety Jury trials are more than a standard in the American criminal justice system; they are a right. Specifically, the Sixth Amendment states: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state and...
“Zero-Tolerance” for Cannabis in Pennsylvania DUI Offenses May Soon End
State Senator Proposes Bill To Remove DUI Penalties for Registered MMJ Patients Without Proof of Impairment Despite the legalization of medical marijuana (MMJ), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania still has a “zero-tolerance” statute. The current law prohibits the operation a motor vehicle with any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance, which includes...
Update: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says “Yes” to Probationers with Valid Medical Marijuana
The Commonwealth’s Highest Court Reaffirms Immunity to Individuals Under State and County Supervision Earlier this year, we discussed the status of cannabis law and the inconsistencies in matters of individuals who violate state and county supervision (probation or parole). Whereas the Commonwealth position is (and has been) clear at the state level,...
I’m on Probation with a Valid Medical Marijuana Card – What Are My Rights?
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Takes Up This Question Governor Tom Wolf legalized medical marijuana in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2016. THC-laden products became available two years later. Since then, there has been no shortage of questions and legal challenges surrounding its usage. One of the matters facing courts today is the question of...
COVID-19 and the Financial Implications for the Cannabis Industry
Congress Takes Steps In Supporting State-Legal Cannabis Companies In The Newest HEROES Act Package To say COVID-19 has changed the world is an understatement. It has impacted everyone, everywhere. No business or industry is immune, including cannabis. Congress has been working overtime to enact various financial relief packages yet for the most part,...
Recording Videoconferences — Ask Permission
Best Practices in Gaining Consent Before Hitting the Record Button Videoconferencing is not new. We’ve been “face-timing” with family, friends and colleagues for years. Yet over over the past few months, it has taken on greater prominence and questions surrounding its use in business have become the topic of many discussions, blogs and the like. Be aware,...
White Collar Cases Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Delay Delay Delay
New and Existing Federal Investigations Stall Including Fraud and Other Criminal Complaints Before the DOJ We’ve all seen the “Expect Delays” signs when driving through a snow storm or road construction. When it comes to the white collar docket, the writing is on the wall. This includes federal investigations of fraud and other such criminal complaints...
Cannabis and Sports: Recent Updates to Drug Testing Policies in NFL and MLB
The Legalization of Marijuana Brings Dramatic Changes to Professional Sports We’ve all heard it before … Philly is a sports town. Despite a lack of play on the field and the dire daily updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, news from the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB) and other professional sports organizations continue to make...
New Jersey Employers Cannot Fire Approved Medical Marijuana Users for Failed Drug Test
Patients approved for medical marijuana use under the state’s program are protected by the Law Against Discrimination.