Ian A. Stewart

Ian Stewart (Partner-Los Angeles) and Daniel Tranen (Partner-St. Louis, MO) coauthored the article “What Rescheduling Means for Cannabis Labels, Marketing,” published in the February 11, 2026, posting of Law360’s Expert Analysis. The article examines how the potential reclassification of cannabis to Schedule III would intensify U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission scrutiny of labeling, advertising, and product claims. The authors explain that while state programs will not be displaced, federal standards governing misbranding, disease claims, substantiation, manufacturing practices, and digital marketing will likely take on greater significance – particularly for products making therapeutic or implied health claims. Drawing on prior trends in CBD enforcement, Ian and Daniel outline practical risk-management steps, including strengthening claim substantiation, implementing stricter labeling controls, updating warnings, and aligning operations with pharmaceutical-style compliance expectations. They note that as federal oversight and plaintiff activity converge, “the brands that tighten evidence, standardize operations and professionalize marketing controls now will navigate heightened scrutiny with fewer surprises and better outcomes when it matters most.”