Formed at the very outset of the creation of the state-level legal cannabis industry, С»ÆѼÊÓƵ’s Cannabis practice is a national leader in the field, serving the first regulated cannabis markets of Colorado, then California, and now advising clients wherever state law permits. We provide leading industry participants with advice on the unique regulatory compliance issues in their industry; representation in a wide variety of litigation; and sophisticated transactional and corporate legal counsel.
Partnering with our clients, our team has lived and breathed the challenges they face on a daily basis. Operations and processes that many businesses take for granted—such as commercial banking, business insurance, leasing, and access to capital markets—are challenging in the cannabis space, and we have assisted dozens of enterprises in developing the necessary legal framework to operate their businesses and manage risk. The experience of our cannabis law practice is a valuable resource for all of our cannabis clients, including medical and retail centers and cultivators, manufacturers of infused products, testing facilities, marijuana technology companies, landlords, private equity funds, credit unions, and security companies.
Led by a USA Nationwide Tier 1 lawyer in Cannabis Law in the 2024 Chambers USA legal directory, members of the С»ÆѼÊÓƵ cannabis law team have helped clients navigate the complex and ever-changing regulations governing the state legal cultivation and sale of marijuana, industrial hemp, and cannabidiol (CBD). Additionally, the entire firm serves as a resource when the team is dealing with highly complex and novel legal issues on behalf of cannabis clients.
Our team has been immersed in regulatory law for the cannabis, marijuana, and industrial hemp industries from the very beginning, and we continue to devote a significant portion of our practice to assisting clients with compliance. We routinely help manufacturers and operators obtain both medical and retail licenses; assist with FDA label review for products; ensure companies understand federal, state, and local tax implications; advise on day-to-day regulatory and business issues; and assist clients in understanding the varying federal and state regulatory frameworks across the country. We have also represented Canadian companies with cannabis operations in the U.S. and assisted U.S. clients expanding into Canada.
In addition to the above, our team regularly advises cannabis clients on emerging federal regulatory issues including, government relations, strategic planning for adult-use and medical business paths, emerging therapies, and new drug development.
We’re also on hand when cannabis clients face litigation—whether it’s specific to their industry or not. In addition to general commercial litigation, including labor and employment matters, contract and transactional disputes, or landlord/tenant issues, we have successfully defended clients in administrative show cause orders, wrongful death and failure to warn lawsuits, and license denials. Members of our team have represented cannabis operators before State Attorney General offices and in both state and federal courts.
We have extensive experience representing cannabis clients throughout the transaction process for mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings (both public and private), debt and equity financings, and corporate restructurings, and we regularly oversee the regulatory compliance elements of various transactions, securing the necessary regulatory approvals at both the state and local levels. Team members have advised a seller to the largest privately held, vertically integrated U.S. cannabis company and served as regulatory counsel in an acquisition that made our client the largest cannabis operator in Colorado, the second largest cannabis market in the world.
Regulatory
Litigation
Corporate and transactional
Following the social isolation and public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans reevaluated their health and wellness priorities, creating new opportunities for food systems companies to connect with changing consumer tastes and preferences.
The size and global reach of the firm allows it to bring in additional expertise when needed.