Attorneys Advising Cannabis Businesses: Expert Insights on Cannabis Compliance from Cultivation to Consumer Licensing Strategies, Financial Risk Management, and State-by-State Regulatory Guidance

This session examines the historical context of cannabis regulation and the current legal paradox created by federal Schedule I classification alongside state legalization. Attendees will explore the implications of the Cole Memo, the pending rescheduling recommendation, and the SAFER Banking Act’s potential impact on the industry.

A comprehensive overview of the current legalization landscape across 39 states with medical programs and 24 adult-use markets. This session identifies key states to watch including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and analyzes the driving factors behind continued state-level momentum.

Learn the core regulatory pillars every cannabis operator must navigate, including entity structure considerations and True Party of Interest disclosure requirements. This session covers social equity eligibility variations and treats licensing as a lifecycle requiring continuous compliance and regulatory relationship management.

A deep dive into compliance requirements across the cannabis supply chain, from environmental rules and security protocols to mandatory testing standards. This session addresses documentation best practices, common compliance pitfalls, and the critical importance of track-and-trace system integration.

A brief intermission allowing attendees to refresh before continuing with state-specific regulatory updates. Use this time to review notes and prepare questions for upcoming sessions.

Detailed examination of regulatory frameworks in five key states, including New York’s CAURD program challenges and Minnesota’s emerging market structure. This session covers each state’s unique licensing categories, social equity provisions, and the growing role of tribal cannabis operations.

Understanding the crushing impact of IRC Section 280E, which can result in effective tax rates of 60-80% for cannabis businesses. This session explores banking challenges, insurance limitations, and why federal bankruptcy protections remain unavailable to cannabis operators.

Navigate the complex federal-state divide affecting drug testing, employee rights, and workplace safety policies. Learn how to create jurisdiction-aware policies that balance compliance with evolving protections for off-duty cannabis use across multiple states.

Review common categories of cannabis litigation including licensing disputes, employment claims, and ownership control issues. This session analyzes key precedents like Barbuto and Whitmire, plus recent enforcement actions in New York and Massachusetts.

Actionable guidance for building internal compliance infrastructure, managing regulatory relationships, and conducting cannabis-specific M&A due diligence. This closing session emphasizes that documentation is the best defense and compliance must be embedded into organizational culture.