Duane Morris partner Michael Schwamm has been named to Green Market Report’s 2023 list of Notable Leaders in Cannabis, which recognizes industry professionals who have demonstrated a willingness to effect meaningful change in a dynamic industry.

Read Mr. Schwamm’s profile in the publication.

Duane Morris Partner Michael Schwamm Named a “Notable Leader in Cannabis”

A Michigan businessman on Thursday was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for bribing the former head of the state cannabis licensing board, the Associated Press reports. John Dalaly pleaded guilty to the charges in April, admitting that he had paid Rick Johnson at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits, including two private flights to Canada, and hired Johnson’s wife, who helped him fill out forms that would end up in front of the state Medical Marihuana Licensing Board, as a consultant for $4,000 a month. 

Johnson, a Republican who served as House speaker from 2001 to 2004 chaired the board for two years before it was disbanded in 2019. He has admitted to accepting at least $110,000 in bribes while head of the board and is currently awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors are recommending a six-year prison term for Johnson.

Two lobbyists have also pled guilty in the scheme.

Following Dalaly’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said, “Public corruption is a poison to our democracy, and we will hold offenders accountable whenever and wherever we find them.”

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Michigan Businessman Sentenced to 2+ Years In Prison for Cannabis Industry Bribes

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Joshua Bauchner Ansell Law  co-chair of the Litigation Department, head of the Controlled Substances and Regulatory Law Department, and a member of the Community Association and Bankruptcy departments. He devotes his practice to complex commercial, class action, bankruptcy-related and securities litigation

The NJ Monitor writes

The first battle in the war over whether New Jersey law enforcement officers can use cannabis when they’re off duty is over, and the cops who want to partake in legal weed are winning.

Recent decisions from a state administrative law judge and the Civil Service Commission found in favor of a Jersey City cop who was fired after she used cannabis, with the judge ruling against the city’s claim that it can fire officers even if they use the substance legally and not on duty.

The decisions are significant not just because they appear to be the first to wade into this controversy after a handful of local leaders came out against letting their officers partake in legal weed. They are also noteworthy because Jersey City’s Democratic mayor, Steve Fulop, is seeking to become the state’s next governor. Fulop has ignored a 2022 memo issued by Attorney General Matt Platkin that says cops can use cannabis when they’re off duty.

The attorney for the officer in question did not respond to a request for comment. He is also representing three other Jersey City police officers who were fired after using cannabis. Those three cases have yet to make it to the Civil Service Commission.

Joshua Bauchner, a Woodland Park-based lawyer who specializes in civil and cannabis litigation, called the city’s actions here “distasteful.”

“It’s a travesty that Jersey City would press this case. There’s no rational basis for it,” Bauchner said.

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New Jersey cops are winning fight to use cannabis while off duty