Navigating the Cannabis and Psychedelic Patent Landscape: Trends, Challenges and Future Directions

Sterne Kessler Directors Deborah Sterling, Ph.D. and David Holman, Ph.D. presented “Navigating the Cannabis and Psychedelic Patent Landscape: Trends, Challenges and Future Directions,” a CLE program hosted by BARBRI on December 11, 2025.

The webinar guided IP counsel through the complexities of patenting cannabis-related inventions and psychedelic innovations, particularly within regulated therapeutic applications. Deborah and David examined the current patent landscape in these emerging product areas by highlighting trends, challenges, and effective strategies for securing and protecting patent rights as the legal and regulatory environment continues to evolve.

Event Overview

Unlike trademarks, the legal status of cannabis is not relevant in the patent context. The number of patent applications for cannabis-related inventions continues to rise, and the USPTO is issuing an increasing number of cannabis-related patents. The resurgence of interest in cannabis and psychedelics for therapeutic use has driven remarkable growth in the regulated therapeutics field. Cannabis patent portfolios have been critical pieces in several acquisitions.

As the cannabis industry grows, counsel needs to understand how best to protect the IP rights involved.