Cannabis

The cannabis industry continues to expand and evolve, achieving many milestones as one of the fastest-growing markets in the states where businesses are licensed to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis. While these activities remain illegal on a federal level, it has been legalized in most states for either medicinal or recreational adult use or both. Most industry experts anticipate the continued prevalence of cannabis and cannabis-infused products in the market for the indefinite future. We provide comprehensive legal services tailored to the unique needs of cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics businesses. With deep industry knowledge and a commitment to innovation, we help clients establish, grow, and protect their ventures while ensuring compliance with ever-changing regulations.

Given the rapid growth of the cannabis industry and the diverging federal and state laws regarding the use of cannabis, clients benefit from cannabis lawyers with a sophisticated understanding of the legal nuances who can help them navigate the economic, regulatory, and operational challenges facing the cannabis industry.

As a full-service law firm with offices across the United States and Canada, Dickinson Wright advocates for clients in the cannabis industry, representing those operating with state-issued licenses and applicants seeking such licenses, as well as businesses providing goods and services to the industry. Our legal team is here to help you navigate the constantly changing state and federal legal landscape surrounding this market.

Our Clients

From Fortune 500 companies to small and emerging businesses to corporations with a national presence to nonprofits and individuals, every client is important to us. Our cannabis lawyers provide personalized legal assistance for a variety of clients in the cannabis industry, including cultivators, dispensaries, processors, operators, healthcare providers, investors, private equity groups, publicly traded companies, lenders, REITs, testing companies, transportation companies, and beyond.

Our Team

Our cannabis lawyers are proactive and accessible, providing practical solutions and actionable advice. Our cannabis team stays at the forefront of new and changing laws within the industry to provide our clients with the best advice throughout a changing legal landscape. With our guidance, clients are able to pursue their specific targeted business objectives while avoiding unnecessary legal and business risks.

Comprehensive service and deep industry knowledge need not be expensive. Our size and depth of experience, together with our lean operating model, allow us to provide efficient and comprehensive legal services to clients of all sizes. Our team works with each client to design a pricing plan that delivers both predictability and maximum value.

Our attorneys are recognized leaders in the cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics industries, serving as key influencers and thought leaders. We provide a diverse range of educational materials, including legal updates, webinars, and industry insights, to keep our clients informed and ahead of regulatory changes.

Why Clients Choose Us

• We’ve helped clients navigate cannabis laws and regulations in a range of states — and understand how they vary in practice.
• We know how to get deals done and resolve disputes efficiently.
• Our team understands the cannabis industry from the inside and has built strong relationships that help move things forward.
• We focus on practical legal strategies that support your business goals and work in the real world.

Our Services

Doing business in the cannabis industry involves more than the simple analysis of the legal issues surrounding the product itself. Like businesses in any industry, entrants into this market benefit from assistance with corporate, financing, real estate, employment, lobbying, and intellectual property needs crucial to their operations.

Taking into account your goals, your business model, and your unique product offerings, our team of experienced lawyers will develop customized solutions to legal issues both unique to the cannabis industry and common to all businesses. Our services include the following:

• Application Support
• Assistance with state and local licensing applications for cultivation, processing, retail, and distribution.
• Preparing and submitting competitive applications to regulatory agencies.
• Advising on operational plans and compliance frameworks.
• Regulatory Compliance Consulting
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local cannabis laws and regulations.
• Developing internal compliance policies and risk management strategies.
• Advising on advertising, labeling, and product safety regulations.
• Corporate Formation and Restructuring
• Structuring and registering business entities tailored to industry needs.
• Advising on corporate governance, shareholder agreements, and operating structures.
• Assisting with corporate restructuring to optimize operational efficiency and tax treatment.
• Supplier & Distributor Business Consulting
• Structuring agreements between suppliers, distributors, and retailers.
• Negotiating favorable terms for supply chain operations.
• Ensuring compliance with state-specific distribution requirements.
• Manufacturing, Sale, and Licensing of Equipment
• Advising on equipment purchase and lease agreements.
• Licensing proprietary manufacturing technology.
• Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
• Negotiating Commercial Contracts
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts with vendors, suppliers, and service providers.
• Structuring joint venture and partnership agreements.
• Protecting business interests through well-drafted contractual provisions.
• Domestic & Cross-Border Financing
• Advising on traditional and alternative financing options.
• Structuring investments and private equity transactions.
• Ensuring compliance with banking and financial regulations.
• Mergers & Acquisition Transactions
• Conducting due diligence for acquisitions and investments.
• Structuring transactions to mitigate legal and financial risks.
• Navigating regulatory approvals for cannabis M&A deals.
• Real Estate Transactions & Zoning Approval
• Assisting with site selection and property acquisition for cannabis businesses.
• Securing zoning and land-use approvals.
• Negotiating lease and purchase agreements.
• Dispute Resolution Support
• Representing clients in disputes with regulatory agencies.
• Managing commercial litigation and arbitration matters.
• Resolving partnership and shareholder disputes.
• Taxation Matters & 280E Mitigation Strategies
• Structuring businesses to minimize tax exposure.
• Navigating IRS Section 280E compliance and tax planning.
• Advising on deductions, credits, and tax-efficient structures.
• Labor & Employment Matters
• Drafting employee handbooks and workplace policies.
• Advising on labor laws, wage and hour compliance, and workplace safety.
• Handling employment disputes, terminations, and discrimination claims.
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Securing trademarks, patents, and copyrights for cannabis brands.
• Advising on licensing agreements and brand protection strategies.
• Enforcing IP rights against infringement.
• Creditor Rights Enforcement
• Assisting creditors with debt recovery strategies.
• Advising on bankruptcy and insolvency issues.
• Representing clients in secured transactions and foreclosure proceedings.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support your business.