Welcome to The Rollup—a snapshot of the legal wins, industry leadership, and momentum driving Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Cannabis, Hemp & Psychedelics Practice Group forward. From landmark matters in 2025 to early 2026 recognition, our team continues to help clients navigate change, seize opportunity, and move the industry ahead.  We’ve rolled together some of the standout moments shaping our momentum.

We are fired up to announce that our Cannabis, Hemp & Psychedelics Group has been named “Practice Group of the Year” for 2025 by Law360!

According to Law360, the honor highlights teams that delivered “impactful litigation victories and significant transactional achievements that resonated across the legal industry over the past year,” a distinction that highlights Mandelbaum Barrett’s commitment to strategic advocacy, innovation, and results-driven counsel.

A new investigative feature from the Times Union is drawing attention to the significant NEW governmental harassment facing licensed hemp retailers across New York. In the article, Josh discusses the constitutional concerns and financial devastation caused by New York State’s recent raids and aggressive tax assessments targeting compliant licensees – usually, small business owners.

🔗 Read the full story →

Our Cannabis, Hemp & Psychedelics practice continues to lead the national dialogue as federal policymakers move toward a new ban on hemp-derived products.

In a new Forbes article, Josh warns that Congress’s last-minute decision to re-criminalize hemp-derived THC risks destabilizing a “robust, growing, billion-dollar industry employing hundreds of thousands.”

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Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Cannabis, Hemp & Psychedelics practice was named “Cannabis Law Firm of the Year” in 2025 by the New Jersey Law Journal.

Our practice provides the full spectrum of support cannabis entrepreneurs need, including licensing, regulatory compliance, real estate, tax, banking, and high-stakes litigation. Our goal is to keep your business protected while the rules continue to change. Whether we are winning precedent-setting constitutional cases or educating communities and policymakers, our team is actively shaping the legal landscape across New Jersey, New York, and beyond.

This recognition reflects the hands-on counsel we provide throughout the entire supply chain, helping licensees stay compliant and keep their operations burning bright. 

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Cannabis, Hemp & Psychedelics Chair Joshua S. Bauchner and Associate Natalie C. Diaz representing the Firm’s Cannabis, Hemp, and Psychedelic Practice at the New Jersey Legal Awards ceremony on October 30, 2025.

In a major win for New York’s hemp industry, our team secured a landmark ruling blocking the NYC Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Cannabis Management from conducting warrantless raids on licensed hemp businesses. 

This decision marked a pivotal moment for the hemp industry in New York, sending a strong message about the need for fair and lawful regulation.

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High Spirits & High Honors at the Budtenders Ball

We’re still buzzing from the energy of the Budtenders Ball, held on December 30, 2025 at the Waterside in North Bergen, NJ. What an unforgettable evening celebrating the people and ideas driving the cannabis industry forward! We loved hosting the VIP room and having the chance to connect, catch up, and experience the strong sense of community that makes this industry so special.

One of the true highlights of the evening was celebrating our associate Natalie C. Diaz, whose recognition as Lawyer of the Year made an already incredible night even more meaningful. Natalie’s work continues to set the bar high, and this well-deserved honor reflects her sharp legal insight, steady guidance, and deep roots in the cannabis space. We couldn’t be prouder to see her shine on stage.

Top right photo: associate Natalie C. Diaz accepting the Lawyer of the Year award. Bottom photo: Joshua S. Bauchner and Associate Natalie C. Diaz representing the Firm’s Cannabis, Hemp, and Psychedelic Practice at the 2025 Budtenders Ball.

In the New Jersey Monitor, Josh weighs in on Senate President Scutari’s newly proposed bill that would significantly alter cannabis licensing, ethics rules, and regulatory oversight. Josh raised serious concerns about provisions that would loosen restrictions on CRC members and allow private meetings with applicants outside formal settings — calling it “opening up the floodgates for misconduct.”

🔗 Read the full story →

On August 13, 2025, the Firm scored a key victory in ROC It Out Wellness, LLC—a ruling that shifts the landscape for OCM enforcement across New York. 

This ruling applies not just to cannabis enforcement—it affects all New York State administrative hearings. Although non-binding, it establishes that state agencies should allow certain constitutional objections to be heard directly in administrative proceedings.

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Featured in New Jersey Business Magazine, Josh explains why cannabis legalization has left employers struggling to tell impairment from lawful off-the-clock use. With WIRE standards still undefined, he stresses the need for smart, updated workplace policies that balance safety, fairness, and compliance.

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🔗 Explore our cannabis banking insights →

Cyberattacks are rising fast in the cannabis space, and dispensaries are prime targets. With POS systems, seed-to-sale data, customer records, and medical information all in play, one breach can shut down sales, trigger licensing trouble, and expose sensitive data. Many operators are expanding quicker than their security can keep up, which makes ransomware, phishing, and payment-redirect scams especially dangerous.

Our Cannabis and Cybersecurity teams help dispensaries stay protected and compliant by strengthening policies, training staff, reviewing vendors, and guiding you through response and reporting if something goes wrong. Whether you want to prevent a breach or recover from one, we help safeguard your operations and your license. 

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Our Cannabis and Tax teams broke down how cannabis business owners can legally wipe out the brutal 280E tax problem by using a special structure that turns the company into an employee-owned business on paper (called an ESOP).

In this setup, the company pays no federal or state income tax, which makes 280E basically disappear, and owners can even sell their business with major tax advantages. It also helps keep employees long-term because they share in the value if the company grows or sells.

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Josh has been named Chair of the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce’s Northeast Region—one of the most complex and fast-moving cannabis markets in the country. The role spans New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and D.C., where regulatory change is constant and getting compliance right is critical.

“We are proud and excited to have Josh involved as a key leader in our organization,” said Chris Boudreau, Executive Director of the Chamber. “His leadership, steep cannabis experience, and tireless commitment to the industry bring tremendous value.”

🔗 Read the full story →

Browse our list of licenses, equipment, real estate, or jobs—free on our Cannabis Clearinghouse.

🔗 List or Browse Opportunities →

The future looks lit in 2026!

As we kick off 2026, it is already shaping up to be a year of opportunity, growth, and new challenges for the cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics industries. From navigating evolving regulations to securing wins for our clients across the region, our team remains dedicated to helping licensed operators thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

We are grateful to our clients, colleagues, and partners for trusting us to provide the insight, strategy, and support you need to grow and succeed. Together, we’ll keep things rolling and growing all year long. 

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