The rapid expansion of the legal cannabis market in the US has necessitated the creation of an entirely new sector of law. Cannabis business attorneys help their clients navigate the complex and nuanced regulations of operating a legal marijuana business. Likewise, marijuana defense attorneys specializing in criminal law assist individuals accused of cannabis-related crimes. Read on to discover the critical role cannabis lawyers play in protecting cannabis businesses, consumers, and medical marijuana patients.
In-Depth Local Marijuana Attorney Guides
Over the weeks to come, we’ll be publishing state-specific cannabis lawyer guides, each covering essential legal considerations for cannabis consumers, medical marijuana patients, and cannabis businesses – including a list of the state’s best cannabis attorneys. Additionally, look for our city-specific cannabis law guides. These localized guides take an even closer look at how cannabis attorneys can help businesses and consumers alike navigate city-level ordinances and regulations, as well as full reviews of the city’s best-rated marijuana lawyers.
See our recommendations for the best cannabis lawyers in the US!
The Essential Role of Cannabis Lawyers
The legal cannabis market’s rapid expansion in the US has necessitated the creation of an entirely new sector of law. Cannabis business attorneys help their clients navigate the complex and nuanced regulations of operating in an industry still perched on somewhat shaky legal ground. Likewise, rising numbers of cannabis users have necessitated the presence of marijuana defense attorneys, specializing in assisting individuals charged with cannabis-related infractions. Read on to discover the critical role cannabis lawyers play in protecting cannabusinesses, consumers, and medical marijuana patients.
The Legal Status of Cannabis in the US
Navigating the legal aspects of cannabis business is particularly complicated with marijuana still federally classified as a schedule 1 drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act. Even where cannabis is legal at the state level, it is still technically a violation of federal law to use, possess, sell, or grow it. However, federal agencies rarely bother to press marijuana-related charges in these states unless they are related to illegal sales or driving while impaired.
Things are a bit easier for businesses specializing in hemp-derived products, including those containing high concentrations of CBD, delta-8 THC, and other major cannabinoids. In 2018, the US Farm Bill was enacted, making hemp products containing less than .03% THC legal to buy, sell, produce, and consume throughout the entire US.
Who Do Cannabis Lawyers Help?
Anyone who owns or is considering starting a cannabis business of any type (including dispensaries, cultivators, distributors, manufacturers, and testing labs) absolutely must consult a cannabis business attorney to ensure every step, from application to operation, is handled correctly. Noncompliance with even seemingly small issues can result in hefty fines and potentially the loss of your business license or even criminal charges. Legal counsel is also essential for all ancillary businesses servicing the cannabis industry, including commercial landlords.
Representation by a marijuana lawyer is crucial for anyone facing cannabis-related criminal charges. Medical marijuana patients preparing to grow their own cannabis gardens are also advised to consult a medical marijuana attorney to ensure their grow setup will not inadvertently break any laws and threaten access to their medicine. In some states, individuals who already have marijuana charges on their record may, with the help of a cannabis attorney, apply for expungement or a presidential pardon.
Cannabis Lawyers for Business
In the highly-regulated legal cannabis field, counsel with a cannabis business lawyer is crucial to keep your business safe and protected. Whether you run a large publicly-traded company or are an aspiring entrepreneur drafting your business plan, a cannabis business attorney is a crucial partner to have at your side, every step of the way.
The business application process is a complex and necessary step to getting any cannabis business started.
Applications
The business application process is a complex and necessary step to getting any cannabis business started. Many jurisdictions require the submission of multiple applications, at both the state and local levels. The application process is long, complex, and filled with expensive, non-refundable fees, so getting it right the first time is essential. Don’t attempt to navigate this process without the help of an experienced cannabis business attorney.
Local Ordinances
Every state, county, and city where the sale and cultivation of cannabis are legal is subject to its own strict local ordinances, from zoning and approved business locations to the hours of operation allowed, required facility security measures, and much more. This is where the localized expertise of a cannabis business attorney is particularly important.
Every state, county, and city where the sale and cultivation of cannabis are legal is subject to its own strict local ordinances.
Record Keeping
Detailed record keeping, including digital seed-to-sale tracking, is a strict legal requirement within the US cannabis industry. Failure to comply precisely with these requirements can carry serious repercussions for your business. Always consult a marijuana attorney before diving into the setup of your cannabusiness’s record-keeping system.
Ancillary Business Protection
Ancillary businesses (including banks, payment processors, insurance providers, marketers, packaging manufacturers, security firms, and payroll companies) serving businesses within the cannabis industry operate in a uniquely vulnerable position due to federal laws that criminalize aiding and abetting the sale and distribution of controlled substances. Protective legal advice is crucial if your business runs even slightly adjacent to plant-touching ones.
For the same reason, the counsel of a cannabis business attorney provides a critically important layer of protection to landlords renting to marijuana industry tenants, as well as doctors who recommend medical marijuana to their patients. The advice of a marijuana business lawyer will help your ancillary cannabis business stay protected while serving this nascent industry.
Ancillary businesses, like banks, operate in a uniquely vulnerable position due to federal laws that criminalize cannabis.
Defense Against Criminal Activity
Should theft, assault, or any other crime occur on your business premises – or in cyberspace, such as hacking of your website or theft of your intellectual property – a cannabis business lawyer can help you recoup any losses and see to it that justice is served in court.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and IPOs
Cannabis business attorneys help their clients navigate the complex processes of buying, selling, and merging cannabis industry businesses, as well as the process of shifting to a publicly traded company.
Taxation
Despite its prolonged insistence on classifying marijuana as a federally-illegal substance, the US government is more than happy to cash in on tax revenues generated by the cannabis industry. Taxation laws governing US businesses are notoriously complicated, and noncompliance can have disastrous results, making a cannabis tax attorney another crucial support person for your business.
Employment Law
Counsel regarding employment law is another important consideration for any business. From safe workplace standards to hiring practices, a marijuana business attorney will ensure your business practices are in line with your state’s employment laws.
Cannabis Criminal Lawyers
As cannabis use has continued to increase in the US, so has the need for marijuana defense attorneys. Some of the most common criminal cannabis charges include:
- DUI
- Unlawful sale or distribution
- Unlawful transport
- Unlawful possession
- Unlawful cultivation
- Cannabis use by minors under 21 years of age
Growing more plants than allowed or performing a ‘guerilla grow’ is considered unlawful cultivation.
Medical Marijuana Attorneys
Medical marijuana patients often find themselves in a vulnerable and tricky position surrounding the use of their medicine. For instance, driving with any amount of THC in your system is considered a criminal act throughout the US. However, THC can remain in the bloodstream for weeks after use, meaning that most, if not all, medical marijuana patients could arguably always be guilty of driving “under the influence.” A protective consultation with a medical marijuana attorney is advisable for all new patients.
Expungement and Presidential Pardons
Many individuals with prior non-violent cannabis-related charges on their record now qualify to apply for expungement of these charges or a presidential pardon. The help of a marijuana attorney can assure the success of this process for qualified applicants.
How to Find a Good Cannabis Lawyer
Naturally, as the marijuana industry has expanded, significant numbers of attorneys have stepped into practicing cannabis law. However, not every attorney with “cannabis law” tacked onto their website is actually qualified with the knowledge and expertise necessary to achieve the best results for their clients. Seek law firms with an established and dedicated cannabis practice – backed up by the following qualities.
- Specialized Industry Expertise – Not all cannabis lawyers will be experts in all aspects of the industry. For example, dispensaries and cultivators are each subject to a very different and equally intricate set of rules and regulations. Look for a cannabis lawyer with specialized expertise in your corner of the cannabis industry.
- Local Expertise – While marijuana possession attorneys generally have the capability to work anywhere within the state where they practice, local ordinances and the way they are handled in court often vary considerably from city to city. Therefore, It is always wise to hire a cannabis attorney with ample experience and in-depth knowledge of how cannabis cases are treated or the ordinances affecting cannabis businesses in your jurisdiction. Multi-state cannabusiness owners would be wise to retain separate lawyers for their interests in each state.
- Experience Dealing with Regulators (business law) – Operating a cannabis business inevitably involves dealing with regulators and red tape. A lawyer who has experience talking to regulators, and existing relationships with local regulators is going to be the most efficient and effective at smoothing over any issues as they come up. Since regulations affecting cannabis businesses are constantly evolving, you must retain a cannabis business attorney who makes a point of continually reviewing the local, state, and national laws for updates.
- Law Enforcement Background (criminal cases) – Criminal cannabis lawyers whose previous careers were in law enforcement (such as district attorneys or police officers) offer their clients a significant advantage. Attorneys with a deep understanding of your jurisdiction’s cannabis prosecution strategies (and existing professional relationships throughout the court system) are uniquely poised to successfully defend against criminal cannabis charges.
- Accessibility – It’s important to know going in just how available and accessible your cannabis attorney will be to you. Are they available to field emergency calls and questions around the clock, or only within set business hours? Do all calls and emails reach your assigned attorney directly, or are inquiries fielded by assistants or other paralegals? How often will your cannabis business attorney be available for routine legal checkup appointments?
- Excellent Reputation and Track Record – When you retain a cannabis attorney, you put your well-being or that of your business directly into their hands. It’s not a decision to make lightly. Don’t be afraid to interview multiple cannabis lawyers and ask around your local network for references. Research potential attorneys and view their references and track record. We’ve included a list below of the top cannabis lawyers in the US to help you start your search. You can also view our cannabis attorney recommendations by state or by city.
The Best Cannabis Lawyers in the US
Akerman
Duane Morris
Fox Rothschild
Author: John White John is the founder and CEO of CNBS and is in charge of our brand relations, website management, media and press inquiries, industry overviews, B2B guides, and more. Passionate about educating on its benefits – John has been using cannabis to relief and manage his chronic pain for almost 12 years, working as an external consultant in the private cannabis sector for more than five years, and growing cannabis for personal use for almost eight years.
About | Facebook | Twitter | Contact
Category Pages:
- The Cannabis Industry - A cannabis industry overview: its past, factors that have made it grow, and its potential future.
- Cannabis Apps - The rise of cannabis apps; including the different types and uses, best cannabis apps, and industry overview.
- Cannabis Clinics - 101 guide to cannabis clinics and the important role they play for patients and the medical marijuana industry.
- Cannabis Consulting - CNBS' exclusive guide to cannabis consultancy; including different types of cannabis consulting agencies, and how to choose the right one for your business.
- Cannabis Dispensaries - A guide to the essential role of dispensaries, how to prepare for your first visit, and where to find the best cannabis dispensaries in the US.
- Cannabis Events - A guide to cannabis conferences, conventions, expos, trade shows, and festivals. Revealing the most prestigious events to attend this year.
- Cannabis Lawyers - (CURRENT PAGE)
- Organizations & Associations - An in-depth overview of the cannabis organization and associations industry.