SACRAMENTO—California judges and their spouses should not hold a financial interest in marijuana enterprises, even though medical and recreational cannabis use is legal in California, a state Supreme Court ethics committee said in a formal opinion Wednesday.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, the opinion said, and a judge who has a stake in a related business or nonprofit risks violating canons that require compliance with all laws and avoidance of the appearance of impropriety. Financial ties to marijuana, even indirect ones, may also cast doubt on a judge’s ability to act impartially, the committee said.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
