WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Federal rescheduling of marijuana seemingly on the horizon, potentially marking an end to 85 years of prohibition, the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation (CFCR) announced today that the topic of this month’s upcoming webinar will focus on the overall role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relative to that process. The webinar will take place online this Thursday, April 27, from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. ET.
“This month’s webinar will describe the process of reviewing the scheduling starting with FDA , and its subsequent referral to DEA and it will also touch on the treaty obligations imposed by the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotics,” said CFCR Founder and Board Chair Sheri Orlowitz. “Another issue the webinar will address are the expected effects on the FDA rescheduling of marijuana on state programs, including a concern about stepped up enforcement.” The 60-minute interactive session will also focus on the DEA Grows initiative, “and interesting piece to the rescheduling puzzle,” Orlowitz says. The DEA Grow element will focus on whether or not medical cannabis will be limited solely to products endorsed by that program, while also taking an in depth look at the status of DEA Grows; specifically how the new research bill – the first standalone cannabis bill signed into law by President Biden – emerges as part of the equation.
Co-hosted by Orlowitz, along with Council Advisory Board Member Jack Jacobson, a cannabis, energy and education practices advisor for Thompson Coburn LLC; the webinar will feature Andrew J. Kline, Firmwide Co-Chair of the Cannabis Industry Group at the law firm of Perkins Coie, LLP; Eric P. Berlin, Partner and Co-Head of the Cannabis Group at the world’s largest law firm, Dentons US, and Richard Shain, Founder of Maridose LLC, an FDA-licensed bulk cannabis manufacturer.
CFCR’s monthly webinars take place on the last Thursday of every month (depending on holidays), with each one spotlighting a wide range of regulators, legislators and industry professionals with a focus on preparing to regulate today’s legal cannabis molecules and products. Each webinar will consist of a 40-minute interactive conversation followed by approximately 20-minutes of moderated audience Q&A for a total run-time of approximately one hour.
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To register for the CFCR’s webinar series, please visit: uscfcr.org/events/announcements / for additional information, please visit uscfcr.org.
Speaker Profiles for the April 27, 2023 Webinar
Andrew J. Kline, Firmwide Co-Chair, Cannabis Industry Group, Perkins Coie, LLP
Andrew Kline co-chairs the Cannabis Law Industry Group at Perkins Coie and has overseen matters involving almost all aspects of cannabis law and policy. Andrew serves as a trusted advisor to companies in highly regulated industries, particularly in the areas of cannabis, psilocybin, alcohol, and gaming. In this capacity, Andrew focuses on regulatory compliance, due diligence, litigation, internal investigations, white collar criminal defense, public policy development, and privacy. Andrew brings a rare combination of legal, public policy, regulatory enforcement, rulemaking, and prosecutorial experience to the firm, following decades of service in the highest levels of government and in the private and nonprofit sectors. Andrew also has a deep and celebrated background in coalition creation and management. Drawing on his nearly 15 years of experience as a federal prosecutor, policy advisor to then Vice President Biden, and counsel to then Senator Biden, and service in the Enforcement Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Andrew represents clients in some of the most sensitive and challenging areas of law and policy.
Eric P. Berlin, Partner, Co-Head Cannabis Group, Dentons
Eric Berlin leads the US and global Cannabis teams at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. Widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on cannabis and hemp law, Eric dedicates 100 percent of his work to clients involved in, or impacted by, the legal cannabis or hemp industries. He has worked on some of the industry’s biggest deals and counsels several of the top companies in the cannabis ecosystem. Eric’s own involvement in this area goes back more than a decade, when he worked pro bono with legislators and other interested parties to help draft and pass legislation creating medical cannabis programs in Illinois and Ohio. His groundbreaking efforts for businesses and industry organizations have been well recognized. He is ranked in Tier 1 for Cannabis Law by Chambers USA, earned “MVP of the Year in Cannabis Law” by Law360 in 2020, and was named a “Leading Lawyer in Cannabis” by Legal 500 US in 2021. Eric graduated from Dartmouth College in 1989 and from Wisconsin Law School, Order of the Coif, in 1993.
Richard Shain, Founder, Maridose LLC
Richard Shain is the Founder of Maridose LLC one of only 7 DEA Licensed Bulk Manufacturers of cannabis. Richard was the Founder/President of Performance Analysis Group, a pioneer in the media auditing industry. PAG’s clients included Disney, DreamWorks, Domino’s, Burger King, Subaru, VW/Audi, Pfizer and Fidelity Investments among others. Prior to founding PAG, R.A.Shain & Associates consulted on strategy and management issues across a diverse client roster including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, and General Mills, The Pointer Sisters, Rick James and David Crosby. Previously as Vice President of FCB Advertising his clients included The Clorox Company and Levi-Strauss. Richard began his career at Procter & Gamble in various marketing positions. After attending the Wharton School of Finance and Columbia University, he served as a reporter for US Army Headquarters in Vietnam. A Bronze Star recipient his work appeared in the Associated Press, NY Times, Stars & Stripes.
ABOUT CFCR
The Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation (CFCR) is 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Washington, DC. The mission of CFCR is to assist the government, and specifically federal regulatory agencies, to rethink, develop, and implement evidence-based cannabis regulations. Our overarching goal is the de-stigmatization, normalization, and legitimization of cannabis on behalf of consumers, the professions, organizations, and businesses who support and serve them. We do this by serving as a conduit for informed scientific research, inclusive education, and by mainstreaming the best practices that enable the industry to maximize its potential. For additional information please visit www.uscfcr.org and follow us on social media @USCFCR.
