how to become a cannabis attorney

by Genoveva Satterfield 8 min read

How to Become a Cannabis Attorney

  • State v. Federal. ...
  • Practice Areas. Marijuana law, like entertainment law, is an amalgamation of other practice areas, including business law, administrative law, intellectual property, criminal law, employment law and tax law.
  • Personal Knowledge. ...
  • First Impression. ...
  • Partnerships. ...
  • Ethics. ...
  • Choose Your Clients. ...
  • Off You Go. ...

Full Answer

What kind of lawyer specializes in marijuana law?

Aug 03, 2017 · When becoming an attorney that specializes in one particular aspect of the law it is crucial to become an expert and familiarize yourself with all parts of the law. Knowing the history and the studies that have been done about marijuana, for example: learning the process from the seed to the shelf. Understanding the product and how it has become a business that …

How long does it take to work with a cannabis lawyer?

Dec 14, 2014 · Our immediate answer is to tell them to first spend the years necessary to become a business lawyer and then work on marijuana law and marijuana industry expertise. The real key to being a good cannabis business lawyer is to first be a good business lawyer and then learn the “extras” necessary for cannabis business law expertise.

Do you know the cannabis laws in every state?

As a result, today we are well versed in the cannabis law of many states in America. Our founding cannabis business attorney, Thomas Howard, spent his first ten years as a lawyer becoming a licensed stock broker (Series 7 & 66 licenses) and then representing financial institutions on secured transactions.

Who can apply for a New York cannabis license?

Mar 27, 2021 · New York Cannabis License Fees. The board has the authority to charge applicants for licensure a non-refundable application fee. Such fee may be based on the type of licensure sought, cultivation and/or production volume, or any other factors deemed reasonable and appropriate.

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To become a legal cannabis grower you must understand the ever-changing laws of your state and city. Then, work with and around these regulations to differentiate yourself from other license-seekers. Accommodating every requirement of the licensing board is mandatory to obtain a license. Here are a few things you can do to obtain a cultivation permit and succeed as a legal …

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Can you make a lot of money in cannabis?

Cannabis dispensaries can make millions by selling the substance in legal states. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible for all but a small fraction of people to afford to open such a company. The operating and licensing costs could run into the millions in the first year alone.Jun 30, 2020

How much does it cost to open a dispensary in NY?

Application fees: In New York, obtaining a cannabis producer/dispensary business license costs $210,000. If your application is denied, you will receive a refund of $200,000. License fees: In New York, a producer/dispensary license costs $200,000, and you must renew your license every two years.

How much is a growers license in NY?

(As a frame of reference, NY Medical Marijuana applicants are required to submit a $10,000 non-refundable fee and a refundable registration fee in the amount of $20,000. Hemp retail and distributor permit fees are much cheaper.)Jul 20, 2021

How much do dispensary owners make?

Dispensary owners can make an average of $400,000 to $900,000 annually. How much dispensary owners make has a lot to do with the structure of the franchise they bought.Aug 16, 2021

Practice Areas

  • Marijuana law, like entertainment law, is an amalgamation of other practice areas, including business law, administrative law, intellectual property, criminal law, employment law and tax law. I would advise that any attorney targeting the cannabis industry should start with a firm foundati
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Personal Knowledge

  • You should become adept in the subject matter. I am not advocating the consumption of large amounts of cannabis, or even any at all. However, you should know everything there is to know regarding marijuana. If you were to represent a liquor distiller, getting as drunk as the day after law school finals doesn’t (necessarily) help the matter, but you should know how liquor is distille…
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First Impression

  • In every state on the path to legalization, marijuana is governed by brand-new regulation, modeled after systems that aren’t quite analogous. This creates an issue that is unique to this area of law. The laws and regulations will change quickly and be applied inconsistently as the governing bodies learn and adapt to the subject matter. As a result, understanding of the law is not enoug…
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Partnerships

  • Many clients in the marijuana industry have no experience running a proper legal business. They will be lost and seeking your help in all aspects of starting and growing a business. Legal expertise is what we, as attorneys, provide. Not going further will be a disservice to your clients and leave them vulnerable to an industry that is far more competitive than any they have thus fa…
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Ethics

  • Does your state bar support a marijuana practice that is advises clients how to break federal law? Check the ethics opinions of your bar association or, if none exists, request an ethics opinion. If you are disbarred, you may be left with little choice but to grow fields of weed for a living. Determining if this is a better career path for you, I will let you discuss with your mom.
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Choose Your Clients

  • It is very important that you choose your clients with care. Do not be afraid to send them to your competitors. Many of the most experienced people in marijuana are long-time criminals. All are criminals under federal law. Most often, veteran marijuana kingpins are rather docile. However, some of the people knocking on your door may be more dangerous and prone to shady dealing. …
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Off You Go

  • Marijuana law is a fantastic but mine-filled practice area. If you are looking for something different, where you can help forge the laws, culture, and trajectory of an entire industry, there is nothing like it. Nothing is boilerplate and everything requires creative thinking. There is no place I would rather be.
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