Creative solutions for cannabis industry IP
The cannabis industry is growing exponentially in the US but it’s doing so without traditional federal trademark protection. Although marijuana-related brands are flourishing and fortunes are being made, marijuana is still illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Accordingly, current US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) policy is to refuse all cannabis-related trademark applications other than hemp-derived products that contain less than 0.3% THC. This policy has forced the cannabis industry to use creative alternatives to protect their brands.
In 2019, the cannabis industry has become a multibillion-dollar industry and 33 states including the District of Columbia have some form of legalised cannabis, whether medical, recreational, or both. More than 35 million US citizens use marijuana on a monthly basis, which is more than the number of Americans who smoke cigarettes. Research indicates that the number of cannabis users is growing at over 15% a year.
This rapidly expanding consumer base has spawned an industry that includes growers, distributors, retailers, equipment suppliers, manufacturers of cannabis-infused edible products, magazines, websites, media outlets, clothing lines, and paraphernalia manufacturers, including vaporiser companies.
Already registered?
Login to your account
If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.
For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.
To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk