News and Insights
Articles 4 results
6.14.24
“Do medical marijuana companies need to comply with HIPAA?”
John Fraser, Matthew Hays, and Gerald Aben co-authored the MJBizDaily article, “Do medical marijuana companies need to comply with HIPAA?”.
Winter 2023
"Estate Planning Considerations for Cannabis Business Owners"
John Fraser co-authored the article, "Estate Planning Considerations for Cannabis Business Owners," for the Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal. The article appeared in the Winter 2023…
July 2023
Cannabis Law Update: Second [Amendment] Edition
John Fraser co-authored the article, "Cannabis Law Update: Second [Amendment] Edition," which appeared in the July 2023 issue of the Ingham County Bar Association's Briefs publication.
Blog Posts 24 results
10.03.25
Michigan Cannabis Tax Passes: Numbers
At 3:00 a.m. on October 3, 2025, Michigan’s Legislature passed a 24% wholesale tax on legal marijuana sales, without hearing a single second of testimony and just eight days after the bill’s language…
10.01.25
The Real Impact of Michigan’s New Wholesale Marijuana Tax
Takeaways After failing to enact annual appropriations bills by the start of the new fiscal year, Michigan legislators have taken the unprecedented step of passing a short continuation budget.…
9.29.25
Bucking the Trend: Michigan Wholesale Tax Nightmare at Hand
Takeaways As everyone in Michigan’s cannabis industry is all too painfully aware, Michigan’s Legislative leaders and Governor have agreed to create a new (minimum) 24% wholesale tax on the state’s…
One Minute Matters Video Series 2 results
10.28.24
Influenced by regulatory uncertainty, shifting consumer demand, and the evolving capital landscape, it’s been a capricious couple of years for M&A activity in the cannabis industry. John Fraser breaks…
5.08.24
When the DEA proposed a reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III substance, most of the headlines focused on the tax breaks businesses would recieve with the…
Podcasts 9 results
8.19.25
What happens when a cannabis business can’t pay its debts?
How do you measure success in an industry where operators need to evaluate their business plans based on regulatory trends, tax limitations, and (sometimes illegal) competition?
8.20.24
How challenging is it to secure a trademark for your cannabis brand?
Picture this: Your cannabis business is thriving, sales are through the roof, and you’ve developed a loyal, passionate following for your brand. And yet… you still haven’t been able to register a…
4.30.24
What happens if cannabis moves to a lower-risk drug tier?
UPDATE: In light of the breaking news on April 30, 2024, that DEA will move to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III, it is critically important that cannabis operators begin to take steps to prepare…
Press Mentions 19 results
4.03.25
“3 Crucial Tips for Drafting Cannabis Contracts”
Lance Boldrey and John Fraser co-authored the Cannabis Business Times article, “3 Crucial Tips for Drafting Cannabis Contracts.”
2.19.25
“Cannabis Group Of The Year: Dykema”
Law360 profiled Dykema’s Cannabis Industry Group as part of its recognition as a “Practice Group of the Year” in Cannabis Law for 2024. Dykema was one of only a select few firms recognized in this…
2.17.25
John Fraser Quoted Extensively by Media Outlets Regarding Michigan Marijuana Tax Proposal
John Fraser was quoted extensively by media outlets following proposed tax plans by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on marijuana.
Press Releases 18 results
9.02.25
Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Lance Boldrey, John Fraser, and Brett Gelbord were each selected for inclusion in the 6th edition of the “Global Top 200 Cannabis…
9.01.25
Dykema Named a 2025 Michigan Powerhouse by Law360
Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that the firm was recognized as a 2025 “Michigan Powerhouse” by Law360. The recognition comes through the publication’s annual listing of…
8.21.25
210 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”
Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 210 of its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 guide and the Best…
Speaking Engagements 12 results
10.09.25
Lance Boldrey, John Fraser, and Brett Gelbord will each serve as featured speakers at the Cannabis Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan’s 10th Annual Cannabis Law Conference, which takes place…
7.19.25
Dykema Presents at CannaCon Midwest in Lansing
Lance Boldrey and John Fraser will serve as featured presenters at CannacCon Midwest, discussing “During Hemp for Victory? Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids and a Struggling Marijuana Market.” Brett Gelbord…
3.06.25
“Hazy Hodgepodge: Navigate the Cannabis Trademark Landscape”
John Fraser and Marsha Gentner will be co-presenters for the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Intellectual Property Law…
Webinars 2 results
6.11.25
Navigating Funding Unit Disputes for Trial Courts
John Fraser and Erin Sedmak served as featured speakers for the webinar, “Navigating Funding Unit Disputes for Trial Courts,” Hosted by: Michigan Judicial Institute on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
1.25.23
John Fraser Participated in ICLE Community Webinar on Current Marijuana Law
John Fraser participated in an ICLE Community virtual panel on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. In the webinar, Fraser discussed current issues in marijuana law, including case updates, supply…
