Benjamin O. Kostrzewa
Subscribe to Benjamin O. Kostrzewa's PostsBenjamin (Ben) O. Kostrzewa advises clients on international trade and related regulatory matters. This includes matters before the World Trade Organization dispute settlement body, subsidy allegations, import proceedings, market access issues, and free trade agreements, countervailing duty proceedings, local content requirements and export restraints. Read Ben Kostrzewa's full bio.
President Trump Commits to Protect Colorado’s Legal Marijuana Industry
By Benjamin O. Kostrzewa and McDermott Will & Emery on Apr 17, 2018
Posted In Cannabis, Legislation
On Friday, April 13th, Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) announced that President Trump assured him that the Department of Justice’s decision to rescind the Obama-era guidance on marijuana enforcement would not affect Colorado’s legal marijuana industry. President Trump also promised Senator Gardner that he would support a federal legislative fix that takes into account state decisions...
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DOJ Attorneys Explain New Cannabis Enforcement Plans at Summit
By Benjamin O. Kostrzewa on Feb 8, 2018
Posted In Cannabis, Distribution, Legislation, Uncategorized
US Attorneys, state officials and cannabis industry representatives met in Portland, Oregon on February 2 to discuss how to enforcement will change after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced changes to Department of Justice (DOJ) policies on the prosecution of marijuana cases. The answer: a crackdown on illegal overproduction in states where cannabis production is legal...
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Cannabis Chaos: Justice Department Revokes Obama-Era Guidance on Marijuana Enforcement
By Benjamin O. Kostrzewa and McDermott Will & Emery on Jan 4, 2018
Posted In Cannabis, Legislation
Today, Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions announced, in a memorandum to all US Attorneys, the immediate revocation of five Obama Administration policies on federal marijuana enforcement, including Guidance Regarding the Ogden Memo in Jurisdictions Seeking to Authorize Marijuana for Medical Use, Guidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement and Guidance Regarding Marijuana Related Financial Crimes. These three Obama-era guidance...
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RICO Madness: Marijuana Operations Face RICO Challenges in Federal Courts
By Benjamin O. Kostrzewa on Jun 26, 2017
Posted In Cannabis, Uncategorized
Don’t look now cannabis businesses, but your neighbors may be raising a racket. A June decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver may have opened the doors to new legal challenges to marijuana operations: civil suits under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). RICO was originally intended to go after...
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USDA Warns Canada-EU Trade Agreement Could Impact US Alcohol Beverage Exports
By Benjamin O. Kostrzewa on Mar 22, 2017
Posted In Alcohol Excise Taxes, Import/Export, Legislation, Trade Practices
US exporters of alcohol beverages to Canada will soon face stiffer competition from their European rivals. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is expected to come into force by June 1, 2017, and Canadian duties on EU wines, beer and other alcoholic beverages will go to zero immediately. While tariffs on EU...
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