We are currently available to represent participants throughout the cannabis industry spanning hemp, CBD, and THC-related businesses, including:

• banks and financial institutions seeking to remain compliant with conflicting state and federal regulatory regimes while growing their portfolios, preserving creditors’ rights, and maintaining customer privacy in activities spanning lending, merchant and payment processing, cash management, and more
• private investors looking for ways to enter and capitalize on this growing market, and navigate the regulatory frameworks that affect cannabis financiers
• cannabis business owners and operators at all points of the supply chain, including producers, growers, cultivators, manufacturers, processors, testers, distributors, retailers, FinTechs and technology companies involved with product research and development, financing, sales, and delivery, and ancillary service providers in issues such as:
  • corporate formation and structure, governance, contractual matters, sales and transactions, fund formation, debt and equity financing, and issuance of stock/securities
  • legal and regulatory licensing strategy and compliance including 50-state surveys of existing laws, all manner of permitting and licensing (environmental, dispensing, and others)
  • cyber security and data privacy, including website and marketing privacy compliance
  • 280E taxation issues (such as cost of goods sold v. deductions and credits as well as segregation of cannabis and non-cannabis activities), reporting of cash receipts, and disputes with IRS and state and local taxing authorities
  • financial distress and insolvency, including loan negotiations, workouts, and financial restructuring, as well as non-bankruptcy court recovery litigation, receiverships, and assignments for the benefit of creditors in certain states
  • insurance analysis to ensure compliance and proper/recommended coverage
  • securing, preserving, and enforcing intellectual property rights (including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and digital media rights); avoiding infringement on the IP rights of others; and using IP assets in asset-based financing
  • all manner of litigation, from shareholder disputes and breach of contract claims to appeals and class action defense
• property owners, landlords, and investors interested in structuring lucrative deals; acquiring, developing, or selling land, and managing facilities to support cannabis producers, processors, retailers and other supply chain operations (including permitting, land use, and zoning concerns, and regulatory compliance); handling tenant and leasing matters; and capitalizing on state and local tax credits and incentives for emerging industries, when available
• employers and HR managers charged with maintaining compliant, effective policies and procedures, fostering safe, productive work environments, respecting employees’ rights, negotiating with unions, classification of workers (employee v. independent contractor), and employment taxes
• auto and other equipment manufacturers, owners, and operators exposed to claims and litigation including allegations of personal injury and death, dangerous and defective products, economic loss, faulty design, and others
• insurers considering the risks and liabilities associated with issuing and underwriting coverage for cannabis-related businesses, or defending claims in cannabis-related incidents
• businesses and individuals subject to agency oversight, regulatory enforcement, or government investigation at the administrative, local, state, or congressional level
• industry and trade organizations engaged in political advocacy for progressive legislative change improving social justice and decriminalization standards at the state or regional level, as well as cannabis-related event producers and managers

Understanding our clients' businesses is paramount in crafting an ideal legal strategy. Our attorneys dive deep into the issues and developments facing our clients within the cannabis industry. We regularly publish articles, are frequent speakers at national programs, and offer insight to news media on developing stories. We benefit from the firm’s active membership in numerous industry organizations, of which our team members serve in a variety of leadership roles.