Cannabis

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From deals to appeals, DWT offers a deep bench of attorneys who are committed to representing cannabis and cannabis-adjacent businesses with professionalism, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Overview

A Growing Opportunity
The legalization of the cannabis industry presents extraordinary new business opportunities – and new legal and regulatory challenges. From employment to land use, banking to taxation, cannabis and cannabis-adjacent issues can touch our clients' businesses across multiple disciplines. We leverage our industry knowledge to provide full-spectrum representation to clients on state, federal, and regulatory matters.

360 Legal Service
We know that ad hoc answers aren't enough. That's why we've created a focused, multi-disciplinary, and coordinated group of lawyers to give clients sophisticated, strategic counsel that's seamless and integrated. Our attorneys bring knowledge and experience from such diverse disciplines as: litigation and risk mitigation; labor, employment, and immigration; media and advertising; agriculture and environmental; general business; banking and financing; and real estate and land use, to provide comprehensive solutions to the issues our clients face.

We have earned a national reputation for assisting clients that operate in highly regulated sectors of the economy such as alcohol licensing and food safety, and our experience makes us uniquely well-positioned to help foster client success in the cannabis industry.

Practice Areas

Advertising and Marketing

Advised media companies carrying advertisements for cannabis and related products, including streaming audio, print (magazines and newspapers), and online entities. Reviewed sponsorship agreements for cannabis-related events and compliance with applicable law. Advised on the production and distribution of sponsored content for CBD companies and the distribution of CBD-related products as gifts/handouts at corporate events.

Banking

Advised banks on Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering compliance issues for cannabis-related activities.

Employment

Represented major portable vaporizer provider in a variety of employment matters, including workplace policies and a termination dispute with its former CEO.

Environmental

Advised major portable vaporizer provider on California Prop 65 labeling for its accessories. Also regularly advise clients on product, workplace, and environmental Prop 65 warnings.

Federal Criminal Law

Advised numerous clients on application of federal criminal laws to related cannabis businesses, including Canadian and U.S. state legal activities. Advised on application of federal criminal law to IPO of client’s foreign, cannabis-producing subsidiary.

Food + Beverage

Advised multiple clients on whether CBD can be used as a food ingredient and the legal risks of doing so. Represented clients in multiple mislabeling class actions for major food retailers and handled distributors and distribution / supply disputes for retailers and distributors selling CBD-containing products. Advised on whether a cannabis home delivery service operated by independent third party drivers under a trademark license qualifies as a franchise under federal and state laws.

Health Compliance

Advised nationwide restaurants on regulatory issues affecting their ability to provide CBD products to patrons.

Immigration

Advised clients on waivers of inadmissibility for permanent bans related to cannabis use and involvement in cannabis industry.

Intellectual Property/Trademark

Provided trademark registration and enforcement counseling to cannabis companies.

Litigation

Obtained partial summary judgment on behalf of a leading cannabis products company in a suit alleging breach of lease agreement. Also filed suit against Customs and Border Patrol for failing to timely produce documents related to whether individuals are being denied entry into the U.S. due to their ties to the cannabis industry. Defended more than a half dozen cannabis retailers in matters alleging unlawful text messaging in violation of federal or state law.

Mergers & Acquisitions/Financing

Represented a Canadian cannabis company in securities-related opinions in connection with their debt securities and equity financing transactions.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)

Advised laboratory, logistics, and processing clients regarding compliance with federal and state regulations, and defended numerous clients in administrative hearings.

Real Estate

Represented multiple Oregon landlords with respect to the sale of their grow facilities.

Sponsorships

Advised famous brands on entering sponsorship deals with cannabis and CBD companies.
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Industry Contacts

John Goldmark
John Goldmark
Partner
Seattle
206.757.8068
Phillis, Nicole
Nicole Phillis
Partner
Chair, Office DEI Committee (Los Angeles)
Los Angeles
213.633.8657
Payson, Ken
Ken Payson
Partner
Co-chair, Class Action Defense Group
Co-chair, Attorneys of Color Affinity Group
Seattle
206.757.8126

Our Team

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Contact Us

Ready to tackle your next challenge, or simply have questions? Let's talk. Our team is ready to help you navigate complexity with clarity, confidence, and results.

Cannabis: Contact us

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