The firm's articles by state, the Federal Cannabis File, and where the reference library lives.
Everything Kocot Law publishes for operators, in one place: articles sorted by California, Massachusetts, New York, and federal; the Federal Cannabis File newsletter and its archive; and a pointer to the Cannabis Reference Library, which is published separately by cannabislaw.ai for use inside ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot. No email wall.
Attorney advertising. Everything here is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Articles, sorted by state
Enforcement decisions, rule changes, and practical guides, pulled live as they publish. Pick your jurisdiction; the federal layer applies to every operator. See the whole blog.
California
All California articles →- DCC Is Seeking to Revoke Your Cannabis License. Can You Keep Your Business Open?
TLDR: An accusation from California’s Department of Cannabis Control requesting revocation does not mean your license has already been revoked.… Read more: DCC Is Seeking to Revoke Your Cannabis License. Can You Keep Your Business Open? - DCC Accusations in California: Deadlines, Defense, and Your Cannabis License
Last reviewed September 23, 2026, against the Business and Professions Code, the Administrative Procedure Act, the current DCC regulations and… Read more: DCC Accusations in California: Deadlines, Defense, and Your Cannabis License - California Cannabis Recalls: What Licensees Must Do and WhenTLDR: In California, a recall labeled “voluntary” can still be legally required. If a licensee’s complaint investigation evidences adulteration or… Read more: California Cannabis Recalls: What Licensees Must Do and When
- California Just Told You Its Cannabis Enforcement Strategy. Licensed Operators Should Read It Closely.By Ryan Kocot, cannabis attorney licensed in CA, NY & MA. California compliance and enforcement defense for licensed operators. The… Read more: California Just Told You Its Cannabis Enforcement Strategy. Licensed Operators Should Read It Closely.
- California Just Tightened the Rules on Cannabis Packaging. Time to Audit Your Labels.By Ryan Kocot, cannabis attorney licensed in CA, NY & MA. California compliance and federal cannabis matters for licensed operators.… Read more: California Just Tightened the Rules on Cannabis Packaging. Time to Audit Your Labels.
- A DCC Emergency Decision and Order Can Shut You Down the Day It’s Issued. Here’s An Overview.By Ryan Kocot, cannabis attorney licensed in CA, NY & MA. Federal and state cannabis enforcement defense for licensed operators.… Read more: A DCC Emergency Decision and Order Can Shut You Down the Day It’s Issued. Here’s An Overview.
Massachusetts
All Massachusetts articles →- A Missing Agent Card, An Inspection, And A Massachusetts Cannabis SuspensionTLDR: Employee onboarding and inspection readiness belong in the same compliance conversation. This Massachusetts matter offers two practical review questions:… Read more: A Missing Agent Card, An Inspection, And A Massachusetts Cannabis Suspension
- A Burglary Led to a Massachusetts Cannabis Investigation, and a $30,000 PenaltyTLDR: An October 8, 2026 CCC settlement addresses employee discounts, samples, off-site storage, and theft reporting. It includes a $30,000… Read more: A Burglary Led to a Massachusetts Cannabis Investigation, and a $30,000 Penalty
- Massachusetts: Your Age-Gated Menu Can Still Get You CitedReviewed against the regulations posted on the CCC regulations page (June 18, 2026 versions), G.L. c. 94G, § 4 as… Read more: Massachusetts: Your Age-Gated Menu Can Still Get You Cited
- Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Certifications: Legal Guide for Physicians, CNPs & PAsMassachusetts allows registered certifying healthcare providers, including physicians, certified nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, to issue written certifications for qualifying… Read more: Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Certifications: Legal Guide for Physicians, CNPs & PAs
New York
All New York articles →- New York Orders $30k In Cannabis FInes. Can Untested Label Claims Jusitify Highter Penalties?TLDR: In OCM v. Dankies Glass Shop, New York’s Office of Cannabis Management recovered thousands of cannabis products from an… Read more: New York Orders $30k In Cannabis FInes. Can Untested Label Claims Jusitify Highter Penalties?
- New York Medical Cannabis Certifications: Legal Guide for Healthcare ProvidersNew York healthcare providers who are licensed to prescribe controlled substances, qualified to treat the patient’s condition, and who complete… Read more: New York Medical Cannabis Certifications: Legal Guide for Healthcare Providers
Federal and DEA
All federal articles →- Washington State LCB Moves to Address DEA Registration UncertaintyTLDR: On October 7th, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board agreed to begin rulemaking on a proposal that could… Read more: Washington State LCB Moves to Address DEA Registration Uncertainty
- Marijuana Rescheduling Is Delayed. But What Are Cannabis Operators Actually Waiting For?TLDR: DEA’s broader marijuana rescheduling proceeding has been paused. For adult-use operators, that matters, most obviously because moving the remaining… Read more: Marijuana Rescheduling Is Delayed. But What Are Cannabis Operators Actually Waiting For?
- DEA Tells Mississippi Dispensary: Address Employees’ Felony Records or Risk Registration DenialTLDR: Marijuana Moment has reported that a Mississippi dispensary owner is now facing a choice no operator wants: fire two… Read more: DEA Tells Mississippi Dispensary: Address Employees’ Felony Records or Risk Registration Denial
- The DEA’s 26 Questions for Medical Marijuana Registration ApplicantsBy Ryan Kocot, cannabis attorney licensed in CA, NY & MA. DEA registration and compliance for state-licensed cannabis operators. Call… Read more: The DEA’s 26 Questions for Medical Marijuana Registration Applicants
- An Overview Of What My Inspection Checklist Would Look Like if I Were a DEA InspectorBy Ryan Kocot, cannabis attorney licensed in CA, NY & MA. DEA registration and federal compliance for state-licensed cannabis operators.… Read more: An Overview Of What My Inspection Checklist Would Look Like if I Were a DEA Inspector
- The Lowest-Hanging Fruit for a Federal Investigator: Your Ownership Disclosures Don’t MatchBy Ryan Kocot. Esq.— DEA registration and federal compliance counsel for state-licensed cannabis operators. The short answer: If a federal… Read more: The Lowest-Hanging Fruit for a Federal Investigator: Your Ownership Disclosures Don’t Match
The Federal Cannabis File
The firm's newsletter on the federal side of cannabis: DEA registration under § 1301.13(k), inspections, the ownership-disclosure mismatch, and what changes for a state licensee that stays outside the federal system. Every issue is archived with its related articles.
The Cannabis Reference Library, inside your own AI tools
Operators and advisers who draft in ChatGPT, Claude, or Microsoft 365 Copilot can reference a library of cannabis compliance checklists, contract clause libraries, and playbooks from inside those tools. It is published by cannabislaw.ai, a separate company that is not a law firm. Ryan Kocot wrote the material and is credited as its author. Kocot Law does not operate the library, and using it is not a service of the firm.
What the separation means for you. Using the library creates no attorney-client relationship with Kocot Law. Nothing you type into your assistant reaches the firm. A document your assistant drafts from the library is your assistant's output, not a Kocot Law draft, and it is general information rather than legal advice; have a licensed attorney in your state review anything before you rely on it. The firm's own services are below.
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Attorney advertising. Everything on this page is general information and is not legal advice. Reading it, calling, or submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship; none is formed unless and until Kocot Law completes a conflict check and both parties sign an engagement letter. Deadlines described in any article are general; the deadline in your matter is controlled by your notice and the applicable statute or regulation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.