Our cannabis clients need trusted legal advisors who can provide guidance on how to comply with complex and fundamentally contradictory federal and local regulations. Although more states are legalizing marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes, cannabis remains illegal under federal law. The burgeoning cannabis industry presents a wealth of opportunity for companies, investors, entrepreneurs and service providers that are able to successfully navigate this unique landscape. Our clients are key participants in an industry that has the potential to spur major economic development opportunities—boosting investment, creating jobs and raising revenue for states and municipalities through sales taxes and licensing fees.
We work with new and existing clients from a broad range of industry segments who see the opportunity of the cannabis market, including strategic companies, financial sponsors, investors, dispensaries, laboratories, marketers, advisors, manufacturers and distributors.
Working across offices, our attorneys leverage their experience in business structuring; commercial transactions; real estate; M&A; tax; intellectual property; local, state and federal laws and regulations; stock exchange listing requirements; dispute resolution; governmental enforcement; employment; health care; private equity; and more to provide a multi-faceted approach that covers every aspect of the sector.
We review, analyze and understand state medical and recreational marijuana laws, and how these laws work within the legal framework, to assist you in complying with existing laws and regulations. In addition to helping cannabis-related businesses get organized and operate successfully, we represent investors and acquirers as they consider and structure their investments in and acquisitions of cannabis-related enterprises and advise on intellectual property matters, including licensing and supply agreements, patents and trademark registration strategies.
Our work is international—we provide advice to the cannabis industry on a global scale.
Crain’s New York | January 01, 2021
This op-ed by Cannabis practice co-leader and Rochester Corporate partner Lori Green, which published the same day that adult recreational use of cannabis in New Jersey became legal, makes the case for New York State to close the gap by discussing the benefits of job creation, tax revenue, and racial and social justice reform.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly | November 25, 2020
This article—covering challenges that some businesses, including indirect marijuana businesses, could face as they apply to have PPP loans forgiven—quotes Boston Complex Commercial Disputes partner Morgan Nighan on borrowers’ potential legal argument that loan forgiveness denials are based on SBA guidance that is unlawful because it conflicts with language of the CARES Act.
Cannabis Business Executive | November 25, 2020
On the heels of New Jersey’s vote to legalize cannabis, Rochester Corporate partner and Cannabis practice co-leader Lori Green, New York City Complex Commercial Disputes associate Catherine Savio, and Rochester Corporate associate Brandon Coyle wrote this contributed article on potential side effects for neighboring New York and actions for businesses anticipating legalization in the Empire State.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly | November 04, 2020
This article, covering the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision that a workers’ comp insurer could not be required to reimburse for medical marijuana expenses, quotes Cannabis practice co-leader and Boston Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner Rob Fisher on the issue of forcing an industry to get involved in something that’s illegal at the federal level.
Law360 | September 21, 2020
Manchester Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Mark Knights is quoted in this article on a Massachusetts marijuana dispensary’s lawsuit alleging the state’s Cannabis Control Commission has failed to take action on the dispensary’s license application for nearly three times the 90-day prescribed turnaround time. The article mentions Mark and Boston Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense associate Charles Dell’Anno for representing the dispensary, Northeast Alternatives.
Marijuana Venture | August 10, 2020
San Francisco partner Alison Torbitt, who co-leads NP’s Food, Beverage & Agribusiness team, and San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Hilary Baca co-wrote this contributed article on how cannabis retailers can revamp their stores and policies to stay in compliance with state and local laws, while helping to prevent the spread of communicable illnesses to customers and employees.
Rochester Business Journal | August 07, 2020
In its “Business of Cannabis” special report on recreational marijuana, the Rochester Business Journal extensively quotes Cannabis practice co-leader and Rochester Corporate partner Lori Green in two articles for her outlook on legalized recreational use and the potential positive economic impact to businesses, both local and statewide.
Rochester Business Journal | August 07, 2020
In its “Business of Cannabis” special report on recreational marijuana, the Rochester Business Journal extensively quotes Cannabis practice co-leader and Rochester Corporate partner Lori Green in two articles for her outlook on legalized recreational use and the potential positive economic impact to businesses, both local and statewide.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin | April 25, 2019
Chicago Complex Commercial Disputes associate Laura Bacon authored this article about the issues employers may face related to marijuana use policies and drug testing, as more states pass recreational and medical cannabis laws.
Partner
Co-Leader, M&A and Corporate Transactions Team
Co-Leader, Cannabis Practice
Phone: 585-263-1236
Partner
Phone: 617-345-1335
Partner
Phone: 312-977-4108