Latest news with #Bordas
Business Wire
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
DLA, LLC Continues Expansion of Leadership Team, Names Isabelle Bordas Partner in Accounting Advisory
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DLA LLC (DLA), a leading accounting and advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Isabelle Bordas as partner in its Accounting Advisory practice. In her role, Ms. Bordas will lead efforts to support finance leaders in addressing complex accounting, reporting, and operational challenges. Drawing on her deep technical accounting knowledge and leadership experience, she will guide DLA's clients through a wide range of initiatives including audit preparation, financial reporting, technical accounting, and transaction support. Isabelle will also play a key role in the continued expansion of DLA's offerings in IPO readiness, SOX compliance, and outsourced operational accounting. Her addition strengthens DLA's commitment to helping clients navigate regulatory complexity and scale their finance functions for growth. Ms. Bordas brings more than 25 years of experience as a trusted adviser to accounting and finance executives, navigating complex accounting and reporting requirements, transactions and operational change. Prior to joining DLA, she held leadership roles at major accounting firms, first through her 20 years at Deloitte where she led the reporting transformation offering for the Advisory function, and Marcum, as the Accounting Advisory leader for the New York region. She most recently served as Managing Director at Riveron Consulting, where she led accounting and finance transformation projects for high-growth and middle-market clients and spearheaded strategic partnership initiatives across the New York region. 'Isabelle's track record speaks for itself — she is an outstanding leader with deep technical expertise and an exceptional ability to drive transformation at scale,' said David Landau, founder and CEO of DLA. 'Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for our firm as we continue expanding our presence in high-growth advisory areas and delivering impactful, forward-looking solutions to our clients.' 'What drew me to DLA is the firm's clear commitment to excellence and its ability to adapt with speed and precision in an ever-changing business environment,' Ms. Bordas said. 'I'm energized by the opportunity to partner with clients on transformational initiatives that strengthen their finance capabilities and drive lasting value.' DLA's Accounting Advisory practice provides end-to-end solutions that address clients' most pressing challenges in financial reporting, internal controls, technical accounting and finance operations. With deep experience across U.S. GAAP, IFRS and regulatory frameworks, DLA's professionals help organizations optimize performance, mitigate risk and prepare for sustainable growth. About DLA, LLC DLA, LLC is a leading consultancy firm that provides a wide range of specialized services designed to optimize business operations and drive sustainable growth. The firm specializes in internal audit, risk advisory, IT advisory, regulatory compliance, and other critical areas, delivering tailored solutions that help clients address their most pressing challenges. DLA's experienced team is committed to providing innovative, high-quality services that drive value for clients across various industries.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With prospects of a THC ban eroded, Texas hemp industry supports age restrictions, more regulation enforcement
With a ban off the table for now, Texas hemp industry leaders said they are amenable to state lawmakers imposing more regulations on their THC products, such as age restrictions on purchases and more testing of their products, but caution against ineffective government overreach. 'We were ecstatic, as you can imagine, that Abbott saw through Senate Bill 3 that it didn't make sense scientifically or legally. We have always been an advocate for sensible and thoughtful regulation, and we look forward to working with lawmakers on this,' said Mark Bordas, executive director of the Texas Hemp Business Council. Gov. Greg Abbott, just minutes before the veto deadline on Sunday, rejected Senate Bill 3, which would have banned consumable hemp products that contained any THC, including delta-8 and delta-9. Instead, he has called a special session beginning July 21 to determine how to regulate hemp-derived THC. Abbott urged lawmakers in his veto to consider an approach similar to the way alcohol is regulated, recommending barring the sale and marketing of THC products to minors, requiring testing throughout the production and manufacturing process, allowing local governments to prohibit stores from selling THC products and providing law enforcement with additional funding to enforce the restrictions. Faced with a ban, many hemp stakeholders, including retailers, growers and users, have championed regulations, but how they want them implemented varies across different parts of the industry. Some want stricter enforcement on retailers while others want freedom to grow the plant without worry, but, all agree that the state should raise the age to purchase THC products to 21. Currently, there's no age restriction in law, but most retailers prohibit minors younger than 18 from purchasing THC products. 'While many advocate for regulations, it's important to define what good regulations actually mean,' said Sydney Torabi, co-founder of Austin-based cannabis business Restart CBD. Kyle Bingham, a hemp grower in the South Plains and president of the Texas Hemp Growers Association, said he woke up Monday morning shocked to learn about the veto but pleased that he agrees with most of Abbott's suggestions for regulations. 'I think it's a good idea,' he said. 'Let's regulate cannabinoids like alcohol.' Texas already has several regulations in place for the hemp industry, under the Texas Hemp Farming Act, which imposes THC limits (although producers have found loopholes to circumvent those caps), requires comprehensive testing, mandates licensing, stipulates labeling requirements, and provides for the issuance of accessible certificates of analysis. But, Bordas said there needs to be more enforcement of those laws. 'The state currently has four full-time employees trying to police over 8,000 licensees trying to sell the product, so it stands to reason the state needs to commit to enforcing the laws and regulations already on the books,' said Bordas. Bordas said more can be done to control the market. He supports raising the age to purchase THC to 21 and measures to keep the products away from children, including preventing products to be sold within 1,000 feet of a school or church, implementing tamper-proof packaging and avoiding marketing strategies that are appealing to children. Abbott proposed nearly 20 regulations for the hemp industry in his veto, including raising permit and registration fees for hemp high enough to support robust enforcement and testing by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and posting warning and danger signs at any store selling these products. 'The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is well equipped to do it,' Bingham said about adopting regulations similar to the alcohol industry. '[It] will allow for cleaner regulation that doesn't put undue burden on the farmer.' From a retail standpoint, Torabi said she would support raising licensing fees to filter out unscrupulous stores and gas stations, specifically those who cut corners or mislead consumers. 'These bad actors not only damage the reputation of responsible companies like RESTART, but also reinforce outdated stereotypes that THC and cannabis are harmful,' she said. 'The reality is, it comes down to quality products and consumer education.' Bingham said a critical piece to hemp regulation still missing from Abbott's suggestions is more clarity on testing requirements, including what products must be tested for and the amount of THC that would be allowable. 'In short, until we have testing definitions, no bill will be enforceable. I see all these great things when it comes to limiting THC to minors, packaging requirements, a lot of things the industry needs, but without testing, we can't enforce any of it,' he said. Bingham said that while the alcohol industry could be a great model for regulating hemp, some of Abbott's suggestions shouldn't apply to THC products. For example, alcohol products require a surgeon general's warning about the risks it carries for pregnant women, and hemp-based foods that don't contain significant amounts of THC shouldn't need a similar label. 'I don't think we need a THC warning label on hemp hearts and hemp seed oil,' he said. Some regulations Abbott suggested are directly inspired by Prohibition-era laws that don't necessarily make sense for THC products, stakeholders say, including limiting sales between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. and prohibiting sales on Sundays. Retailers also caution against limiting the number of purchases that can be made in a given period and enforcing further limits on the amount of THC in a product, which could harm those who use the products for health purposes. 'One area of concern is the proposed cap on THC dosing per gummy or per package. Many of our customers rely on higher THC doses to manage serious conditions such as chronic pain and PTSD,' Torabi said. 'It's important to recognize that this isn't just about recreational use; THC serves as a critical medicine for many Texans. Arbitrary limits could prevent patients from accessing the relief they genuinely need.' Abbott also suggested making the public consumption of THC products and an open container in a car a crime similar to alcohol. Torabi said she would like more consideration before restricting THC consumption similar to alcohol since both substances have different intended effects. 'There's been a significant shift toward non-alcoholic consumption in Texas and across the country, with many restaurants now offering THC and CBD beverages as alternatives,' she said. 'Allowing adults the freedom to choose their preferred beverage, while also supporting local business, seems both reasonable and beneficial to the economy.' Some states like Florida, where Gov. Ron Desantis also vetoed a hemp ban law, enacted age restrictions while others have restricted product potency. Bingham said that he welcomes regulations because they will bring stability to the industry and allow the rest of Texas to truly see the benefits of THC. 'Any new industry goes through ups and downs, but what we need from lawmakers is some kind of consistency,' he said. Some hemp industry leaders have suggested various initiatives to showcase the benefits of THC, such as research programs and education for lawmakers, before embarking on over-regulation. 'Right now, most regulations is based in fear mongering, confusion and chasing headlines instead of evidence,' said Chris Karazin, chief executive officer for Carolindica, an online hemp company from North Carolina. The company hopes other states follow Texas' lead in creating more regulations instead of banning THC. 'If states and federal governments invested in cannabinoid research, especially around dosage, impairment, and health outcomes, we'd be in a much stronger position to create fair, common sense hemp policy.' Bordas hopes, though, that the ultimate proof that THC is safe comes from the general public. 'As more members of the Legislature become familiar with the product along with the social media campaigns of people who use hemp and do it for various reasons with no adverse effects, it will make it mainstream enough that the fear factor will go away,' he said. Big news: 20 more speakers join the TribFest lineup! New additions include Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center; Michael Curry, former presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church; Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative, D-El Paso; Joe Lonsdale, entrepreneur, founder and managing partner at 8VC; and Katie Phang, journalist and trial lawyer. Get tickets. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'A poison in our public': Texas Senate passes SB 3, THC ban backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
The Texas Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would ban nearly all forms of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Texas Senate Bill 3 is backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and seeks to tighten regulations around THC products sold in convenience stores and vape shops. Patrick first launched the bill in December, calling for the ban of all consumable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being sold. The bill passed 24-7. It still needs to be passed by the Texas House before Gov. Greg Abbott can sign it into law. Patrick attended a morning news conference along with law enforcement officers and advocates for families of those who exhibited behavioral health problems after consuming THC products. "This is a poison in our public, and we as a Legislature — our No. 1 responsibility is life and death issues," Patrick said. "We're going to ban your stores before we leave here, for good." The Lieutenant Governor also had a stern warning for THC retailers. "You might want to voluntarily close your doors, because the investigations are going to continue, and I'm sure the lawsuits are about to come," Patrick added. "You know what you're doing." The Texas House has yet to discuss its own hemp proposal. House Bill 28 would create stricter regulations for hemp, including "requiring a registration, imposing fees, creating criminal offenses and providing an administrative penalty." State Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), the lead author of SB 3, seemed hopeful that the Senate and House are "philosophically aligned." Patrick echoed this sentiment, saying he'd discussed the issue with House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) and Abbott. "We're all on the same page," Patrick said. "We're going to protect the people of Texas from THC." Will Texas ban THC products? What to know about Senate Bill 3, backed by GOP lawmakers Not all were in favor of Senate Bill 3, especially regarding its impact on businesses. While debating the bill, Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) suggested hemp should be more strongly regulated rather than outright banned. "I believe this bill goes too far, in that it would put out of business the consumable hemp industry in Texas," Eckhardt said. Mark Bordas, executive director of the Texas Hemp Business Council, took a similar stance and added lawmakers weren't appropriately acknowledging the difference between consumable hemp, with low concentrations of THC, and marijuana, with higher potencies. "We have a common enemy. We know who's doing wrong," Bordas said. "We'd both like to eliminate them, but the problem is, the lieutenant governor and Senator Perry are going to eliminate the entire business — including over 7,000 licensed dispensaries." "Bans don't work," Bordas continued. "All it's going to do is encourage the bad actors to fill the vacuum." Earlier this month, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also spoke out against a ban. "I'm kind of torn between because we have never wanted recreational marijuana. And that's basically what this is," Miller said. "But now, you got 8,000 businesses, mostly mom and pops, that have put their life savings into opening these new businesses. And we might put them out of business." Marijuana laws in Texas are confusing. Here's a guide to know what is and isn't legal The Lone Star State has not broadly legalized cannabis in any form. While recreational marijuana remains illegal, medical marijuana is permissible in certain circumstances. In 2015, Texas passed the Compassionate-Use Act, which allowed the first legal use of low-THC cannabis products in the state for patients with intractable epilepsy. It was expanded in 2019 and 2021 to include other conditions. Chapter 169 of the Texas Occupations Code states that patients suffering from the following are allowed to use low-THC cannabis products: epilepsy seizure disorders multiple sclerosis spasticity amyotrophic lateral sclerosis autism cancer post-traumatic stress disorder an incurable neurodegenerative disease Marijuana remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). It is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance, under strict regulations by the federal government, and has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." — The Texas Tribune contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas THC ban one step closer to becoming law after Senate passes bill
