Michelle Mabugat

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The Grass is Always Greenberg

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Welcome to The Grass is Always Greenberg® – the podcast of the Cannabis Industry Group at Greenberg Glusker.

Roundup of New Cannabis Laws in California

In a step towards shaping California's cannabis landscape, Governor Gavin Newsom took action on a series of bills related to the industry. His decisions, encompassing both approvals and vetoes, reflect the evolving regulatory framework within the cannabis sector. Cannabis Bills Signed Into Law: SB 700 : Prohibits employers from questioning...
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Michelle Mabugat and Alexa Steinberg Discuss the Business of Cannabis in L.A. Times B2B Publishing

Cannabis attorneys Michelle Mabugat and Alexa Steinberg share insights regarding the latest developments within the business of cannabis. Q: Are cannabis sales still climbing? Michelle Mabugat, Counsel, Greenberg Glusker LLP:  No. Legal sales in California are on a declining trend, hitting their lowest quarterly point since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The...
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California's Debt Bubble Threatens the Viability of Cannabis Retailers

The cannabis industry in California is facing a severe financial crisis, with debt problems potentially leading to the closure of hundreds of shops across the state. This article explores the factors contributing to the crisis, including the state's tax payment change, over-regulation, and high compliance fees, and highlights the...
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Five Years of Legal Recreational Cannabis in California: Are Smoother Roads Ahead?

Episode 24
We recently passed the five-year anniversary of recreational cannabis being legal in California.  But the industry isn’t exactly popping the (CBD-infused) champagne.  There are a lot of lessons to be learned from California’s roll out of legal pot.  Join Greenberg Glusker attorneys Steve Stein and Michelle Mabugat as they...
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(C)CRE: An Intro To Cannabis Commercial Real Estate

Episode 23
On September 20, 2022, Greenberg Glusker’s Michelle Mabugat moderated “Entering The Cannabis Industry: Licensing, Regulatory Policy & Getting Projects Off of the Ground,” part of BISNOW’s California Cannabis CRE Conference. The panel, which included Michelle Garakian (Interim Exec. Director, City of LA Dept. of Cannabis Regulation), delves into topics...
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Have Employer Drug Tests Gone Up in Smoke?

Episode 22
Greenberg Glusker Employment Partner Karina Sterman joins Priya Sopori, Steve Stein and Michelle Mabugat to discuss new legislation enacted in California, AB 2188, which affects the ability of employers to discharge or refuse to hire employees based on their off-duty use of cannabis. While the law does not take...
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A Changed Legal Landscape? Analyzing California’s New Cannabis Laws

Episode 20
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a slew of laws that could reshape California’s cannabis industry. In the first of a series of episodes analyzing these laws, Greenberg Glusker attorneys Priya Sopori, Steve Stein, and Michelle Mabugat provide an overview of what Governor Newsom signed and how it will impact...
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The Impact of the Wrigley Lawsuit on Cannabis IP Rights

Episode 19
Greenberg Glusker intellectual property lawyer Elizabeth (Liz) Sbardellati joins cannabis practice colleagues Michelle Mabugat, Priya Sopori and Alexa Steinberg to chew over a landmark case in intellectual property law in this edition of “The Grass is Always Greenberg.” Liz examines the recent federal trademark infringement lawsuit concerning famed candy...
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Lower Taxes, More Problems? Unpacking the Impact of AB195 on California’s Cannabis Industry

Episode 16
California has finally enacted a law, AB195, that provides tax relief for cannabis distributers.  But what might seem at first glance to be a win for the cannabis industry potentially complicates things for retailers and consumers.  On this edition of The Grass is Always Greenberg, Greenberg Glusker attorneys Priya...
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Proposition 65 – Changes That Will Impact the Cannabis Sector

Episode 15
The Grass is Always Greenberg welcomes Greenberg Glusker Environmental Law Partner, Sedina Banks, to discuss changes to California’s Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Sedina shares her views with colleagues Priya Sopori, Michelle Mabugat, Alexa Steinberg and Steven Stein on...
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A Path Toward Legalizing Interstate Cannabis Sales? Analyzing California Senate Bill 1326

Episode 14
Cannabis remains illegal federally and in many states.  The states that have legalized cannabis have a confusing patchwork of rules and regulations.  As such, crossing state lines can create major problems in the cannabis space.  California Senate Bill No. 1326 proposes to help address this issue by allowing licensed...
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Four Takeaways for 4/20

Episode 13
4/20 is considered a national holiday for cannabis. It has become a big business day for the cannabis industry and a day to mark how far the cannabis sector has come. This edition of “The Grass is Always Greenberg” celebrates the occasion with four updates on significant regulations and...
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Overview of California’s New Proposed Cannabis Regulations

Episode 11
California’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) has set forth proposals aimed at simplifying and streamlining regulations to refine and strengthen the Golden State’s cannabis framework. In this edition of “The Grass is Always Greenberg,” Greenberg Glusker’s Alexa Steinberg, Michelle Mabugat and Steve Stein discuss the proposed regulations and what...
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Insert Your Prediction for 2022 Here

Episode 9
2022 marks the 5-year anniversary of recreational legality in California, but the Golden State is still trying to figure out how to regulate the market and play catch up with the industry. In our inaugural episode of the year, “The Grass is Always Greenberg” looks at what we can...
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Mississippi’s Burning Issue

Episode 8
Does the punishment fit the crime? That is the burning issue in a Mississippi case that “The Grass is Always Greenberg” examines in depth. Greenberg Glusker’s Michelle Mabugat, Priya Sopori, Alexa Steinberg and Steven Stein discuss the matter of a 36-year old black man convicted of possessing slightly over...
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Eastward Bound: Cannabis Market Trends, Taxation, and More

Episode 7
The Cannabis industry is expanding all over the country, especially towards the east coast where more and more states are legalizing its use. In this edition of “The Grass is Always Greenberg,” Mike Goral, National Cannabis and Hemp Tax Partner in Charge at Armanino LLP joins Greenberg Glusker’s Michelle...
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MJBizCon is Back: Takeaways from the 2021 Conference

Episode 6
MJBizCon is the largest and most anticipated event of the cannabis business year, and was held in person for the first since the start of the pandemic. Greenberg Glusker’s Michelle Mabugat, Priya Sopori and Steven Stein participated in the events surrounding this year’s conference in Las Vegas. In this edition of...
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M&A in the Cannabis Sector

Episode 4
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em? In the wake of the industry’s evolution, many cannabis companies are contemplating corporate consolidation. In this edition of  The Grass is Always Greenberg podcast, Alexa Steinberg and Michelle Mabugat investigate the reasons behind the rise of mergers and acquisitions in the cannabis space...
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Federal Regulation and Cannabis: Will Uncle Sam and Aunt Mary Jane Live Happily Ever After?

Episode 3
Now that many states have legalized recreational cannabis, hosts Priya Sopori, Michelle Mabugat, Alexa Steinberg and Steven Stein debate whether federal legalization is on the horizon in this edition of The Grass is Always Greenberg . Over/unders are offered on when it will happen, while the hosts ponder whether...
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Cannabis During and After the Pandemic

Episode 2
Join us on the “Grass is Always Greenberg” podcast for an essential look back at how the cannabis business survived, and even thrived, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out how cannabis became an essential business leading to a record-breaking year with a “crazy increase in retail sales.” Hosts Priya...
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Getting to Know Us and Our Podcast

Episode 1
The first episode of our podcast introduces you to our hosts, Priya Sopori, Michelle Mabugat, Alexa Steinberg and Steven Stein, along with the Cannabis practice at the law firm of Greenberg Glusker. Tune in while they chat a bit about themselves and the firm’s Cannabis practice and answer the...
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