Welcome back to Higher Law, our weekly briefing on all things cannabis. I’m Cheryl Miller, reporting for Law.com from Sacramento, where state government it humming along, unlike its federal counterpart. At least furloughed federal lawyers may be getting a break from the Golden State on late fees for their unpaid bar dues.

This week we’re looking at an engrossing oral argument session on marijuana and taxes in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. A New York federal judge has some thoughts on medical marijuana, and small cannabis farmers in California are giving up their legal fight over permits. Scroll down for Who Got the Work.