If you’re the owner of a dispensary in California, not only will you have to deal with California small business laws, you’ll need to contend with cannabis law in California as well. Even for occasional consumers of marijuana products, educating yourself on cannabis regulations in California is a smart idea. Although cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in the state, it is still governed by federal law. Cannabis Use Dos and Don’ts Cannabis is legal to purchase and consume in California but this fact comes with many caveats. For example, only licensed establishments are allo ..read more

Merill, Arnone & Jones has served Sonoma County businesses, and more for over 40 years. Our attorneys provide expert legal advice and services in a variety of areas, including business law. Business law deals with everything from the creation of new business to any issues that can arise while operating, such as tax law, intellectual property, real estate, sales, employment, bankruptcy, contracts, and more. As businesses and business owners interact with the public, other companies, or the government, legal assistance is always beneficial. Through Northern California, businesses have to op ..read more

The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the world. The aviation industry was affected early on by the risks associated with the virus. Although aspects of life are returning to normal, air travel has to adapt to protect their passengers, crew, and business. At Merrill, Arnone & Jones, our team has comprehensive knowledge of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rules and regulations and can assist in legal matters regarding the FAA and other federal agencies. With COVID-19 still being a very real threat, it is vital that air carriers take steps to address passenger and crew safety as well ..read more

California is home to sunshine, beautiful beaches, incredible scenery, and an abundance of weird, hyper-specific laws. There are numerous old laws still technically on the books, although they are rarely actually enforced. From strange to silly, these weird laws in California are guaranteed to make you scratch your head and wonder, “what was the story here?”. Below is our list of 10 weird laws in California Women are not allowed to drive a motor vehicle while wearing a houseboat. It is illegal to hunt any game while in a moving vehicle except whaling. However, whaling is also illegal. No veh ..read more

Estate planning can feel like a very complicated and lengthy process, but at Merrill, Arnone & Jones, we want to make it easy for you, as it is a necessary thing to do to protect yourself, your family, and your finances. An estate plan is much more than a will. It is what an individual chooses to do with their personal belongings, real estate, and holdings should something happen to them. We want to ensure that your property will be divided according to you as opposed to the California Probate Code. Probate can be a lengthy and expensive process that will cause your loved one’s more pain ..read more

In recent years, the American Bar Association (ABA) has started to allow law students the opportunity to take more online courses. A growing number of law schools are expanding their curriculum, blending online classes, and on-campus learning to offer a hybrid program. While there are no fully online ABA-accredited programs yet, the educational landscape is continuously changing. Now, is it possible to become a lawyer online? That depends on your state’s requirements. California Requirements The American Bar Association has not accredited any law schools offering a J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree ..read more

There are 1.3 million lawyers in the United States, but not all lawyers are the same. We become licensed to work in a specific state, focus on a particular area of the law, and manage our firms differently. When you begin speaking to attorneys, one topic you should always ask about is the cost. The lawyer you hire should be able to explain their fee structure clearly. One phrase you might hear is “retainer”. Read this guide to understand what a lawyer retainer is and what it means for you. What Is a Lawyer Retainer? There are several ways a lawyer can charge for their services ..read more

Becoming a California lawyer is one of the most prestigious and well-paid jobs sought out by millions of people all over the world. But wanting to become a lawyer and actually working towards achieving this long-term goal are two different things. So, what does it really mean to be a lawyer and which steps need to be taken to become one? What is a California Lawyer? A California lawyer’s job is to act as a legal defense representing different types of clients in civil or criminal proceedings, as attorneys for a plaintiff in civil proceedings, or they can also act as prosecutors representing t ..read more

The fact that marijuana is still illegal under Federal law was reinforced against an Airman, who lost his pilot’s certificate (revocation) and will not be able to reapply for a new certificate for at least 1 year (14 CFR, Sec. 61.13d (2)). Mr. Siegel had an engine malfunction and crashed landed his airplane on a road in Kansas. The Kansas state troopers did a routine inventory of the aircraft and found THC infused chocolate bars in his briefcase that was in the aircraft. Mr. Siegel admitted to ownership of the chocolate. Mr. Siegel stated he had obtained the marijuana legally in Colorado, and ..read more

Since 1861, the United States has had an assortment of federal, state, local, and special-purpose government jurisdictions that impose taxes to help fund their operations. Taxation in America is not going away, so why not consider a career in this highly-specialized field? Similar to our popular California Law Schools article, we have comprised this list of the best Tax Law Schools throughout the country. Merrill, Arnone & Jones is here to help you make an informed decision, so feel free to call us at (707) 528-2882 anytime.     Boston College Tax Law School 885 C ..read more