how long will it take to be a marijuana lawyer, colorado

by Lane Lubowitz 10 min read

Is cannabis legal in Colorado?

Oct 18, 2019 · Marijuana business applications submitted to Colorado's Department of Revenue. They have 45-90 days to respond to an application. They have 45-90 days to respond to an application. Application fee: $4,500 plus $2,500 to the local jurisdiction

How to become a successful cannabis attorney?

Cannabis in Colorado has been legal for medical use since 2000 and for recreational use since late 2012. On November 7, 2000, 54% of Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, which amended the State Constitution to allow the use of marijuana in the state for approved patients with written medical consent.

How do I get a Colorado marijuana license?

Apr 19, 2019 · January marked the fifth anniversary of the legal commercial sale of recreational marijuana in Colorado. Passed by ballot initiative on November 6, 2012, Amendment 64 legalized the private consumption of marijuana in Colorado and it was officially added to the state’s constitution on December 10, 2012. That same day Governor John Hickenlooper signed an …

What are the requirements to open a marijuana dispensary in Colorado?

Criminal codes vary from state to state, sometimes quite dramatically. Recreational marijuana and medical marijuana laws are a couple prime examples of how distinctly each state treats the same conduct. State Specific Marijuana Laws. In 2012, Colorado and Washington State both legalized the purchase and possession of marijuana for recreational use.

image

What is a marijuana lawyer?

The Colorado Marijuana Lawyer is a registry of lawyers, legal aid agencies and pro bono legal support organizations. If you have been wounded, convicted of a crime, or simply involved in daily affairs that involve your legal rights or property, a lawyer will help you fix problems or avoid new ones from emerging.

Is marijuana legal in Colorado?

Just because using Marijuana is legal in Colorado, doesn’t mean there aren’t restrictions on what you can legally do (or not) while under the influence. Colorado DUI Marijuana (abbreviated as DWAI) is a crime falling under the same legal codes as those for regular DUIs.

Is cannabis a trademark?

Due to cannabis’ illegal status under federal law, both cannabis products and services (including cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensaries) are ineligible for registering for a Trademark with the U.S . Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Who is the attorney for cannabis?

True experts in the field of cannabis business law, founding attorneys Sean T. McAllister and Daniel J. Garfield have represented high-profile clients from all corners of Colorado’s legal cannabis industry. This Denver-based firm is solely focused on representing clients in the cannabis industry as it helps them navigate every aspect of founding, running, or partnering with cannabis-related businesses, as well as offering commercial litigation and defense services.

Who are the founding partners of the Colorado Cannabis Law?

Their Denver-based team, including partners Charles Alovisetti (Corporate Practice Group chair) and Shawn Hauser (Hemp and Cannabinoids Department chair), uses their significant expertise to assist clients with every aspect of cannabis business law.

Can a lawyer help you with marijuana charges?

If you’re facing criminal charges, a good criminal defense marijuana lawyer can help you get out of trouble as painlessly as possible. Most of Colorado’s marijuana laws are straightforward regarding how much you can grow or possess and where you are permitted to use it. Whether you have broken a defined cannabis law or have been accused of doing so, it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer to help you avoid serious penalties.

Who is Nicolas Geman?

Recognized as one of the nation’s top DUI defense attorneys, Nicolas M. Geman has an impressive track record of getting his clients’ marijuana DUI and DWAI charges dismissed. Mr. Geman is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys. With offices in Denver, Boulder, and Centennial, Mr. Geman also defends drug possession, distribution, and conspiracy cases.

Can you seal your record for cannabis?

If you have a past cannabis-related charge on your record but have otherwise stayed out of legal trouble, you can petition the court to seal your record. This will prevent future employers, landlords, and others from knowing you were ever charged with the offense.

Who is Lauren Davis?

Denver attorney Lauren C. Davis has dedicated her practice to serving clients in Colorado’s legal cannabis and hemp industry. In addition to her expertise in all areas of cannabis business law, Ms. Davis has a history of involvement in historical marijuana litigation, including service to the Amendment 64 Task Force. She currently serves on Colorado NORML’s executive board.

Who is Michael Steinberg?

Criminal defense specialist H. Michael Steinberg draws on over 30 years of Colorado courtroom experience – including 13 years on the prosecution side as a Senior Deputy District Attorney – to help adults and juveniles facing charges for a wide range of crimes, including the unlawful cultivation, distribution, or possession of marijuana, and DUI-D/DWAI. His Greenwood Village-based firm serves the entire Denver area and the Front Range.

When did Colorado legalize marijuana?

Colorado became a pretty early adopter of medical cannabis (behind just a few states like California) in legalizing medical marijuana through a ballot measure in 2000. However, they were completely ahead of the pack in 2012 when they became the first state to pass statewide blanket legislation legalizing cannabis.

How much jail time is there for selling weed?

Those found to be selling or distributing cannabis that amounts to between 6 ounces and 2.5 pounds may face between 2-6 years in prison, and a fine of up to $500,000. Sale or distribution of 2.5-25 pounds is a felony that can result in between 4-16 years in prison, with a fine of up to $750,000.

Is marijuana legal in Colorado?

While marijuana is legal in Colorado, there are age restrictions you will need to adhere to in order to remain in compliance with the law. The rules for cannabis consumption in Colorado are similar to alcohol regulations.

Is it legal to buy cannabis?

3. Purchasing Marijuana Laws. While cannabis is legal now, there are very specific rules on how and where you can buy it. To stay on the right side of the law, all sales need to go through authorized, regulated channels.

What is the tax rate for recreational marijuana in Colorado?

What is the Colorado Marijuana Tax rate? Recreational marijuana is subject to a 15% tax rate, while the medical tax rate comes in at just 2.9% (2.9% is the tax rate for all purchases in Colorado). 4. Marijuana Delivery Laws.

How much is a misdemeanor for possession of cannabis?

Possession of between 2-12 ounces is a misdemeanor that can result in a fine of up to $5000 (not to be less than $700) and up to a year and a half in jail. Felony: Felony possession constitutes ownership of 12 or more ounces of cannabis.

Is cannabis delivery legal in Colorado?

As briefly alluded to earlier, all cannabis sales in Colorado must be made through the legally approved channels of an authorized dispensary. By extension of this, all forms of delivery are, at this time, illegal.

When was cannabis legalized in Colorado?

Amidst an early 20th century trend of limiting the drug, Colorado first restricted cannabis on March 30, 1917. In November 1914 Colorado voters approved the 22nd Amendment to the Colorado Constitution, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, prohibiting alcohol beginning January 1, 1916; and on December 18, 1917 the Eighteenth Amendment (establishing Prohibition) was proposed by Congress.

When did Colorado legalize recreational marijuana?

The Colorado Amendment 64, which was passed by voters on November 6, 2012, led to recreational legalization in December 2012 and state-licensed retail sales in January 2014. The policy has led to cannabis tourism. There are two sets of policies in Colorado relating to cannabis use: those for medicinal cannabis and for recreational drug use along ...

What conditions are considered medical marijuana in Colorado?

Conditions recognized for medical marijuana in Colorado include: cachexia; cancer; chronic pain; chronic nervous system disorders; epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures; glaucoma; HIV or AIDS; multiple sclerosis and other disorders characterized by muscle spasticity; and nausea.

What is Amendment 64?

Amendment 64 also provides for licensing of cultivation facilities, product manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, and retail stores. Visitors and tourists in Colorado can use and purchase marijuana, but face prosecution if found in possession in any adjacent state.

What is hemp in Colorado?

Hemp is defined as any form of the cannabis plant which has less than "3/10's of one percent" delta-9- THC. The state department of agriculture regulates hemp production. Colorado was one of the first states to legalize marijuana which means they were very careful when outlining how they would regulate it.

Is it illegal to drive in Colorado?

Like other states, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal in Colorado, though it took the legislature six attempts and three years to pass marijuana intoxication measures. Ultimately the legislators decided on a nanogram limit in the bloodstream, though the number they picked was scoffed at by activists. Today Colorado law states that juries may convict a person of marijuana intoxication if they have five or more nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood, but defendants are allowed to argue that they were not intoxicated despite having such levels of THC in their bloodstream.

Which states have legalized marijuana?

Since that time, more states—including California and Massachusetts —have legalized the possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana.

What is criminal law?

Most criminal law is defined by state statute. Criminal codes vary from state to state, sometimes quite dramatically. Recreational marijuana and medical marijuana laws are a couple prime examples of how distinctly each state treats the same conduct.

Can you get arrested for marijuana in Colorado?

While you might not face criminal charges for having marijuana in your car in Colorado, you almost certainly would if you were stopped in Wyoming. And, it is possible that the fact that you were transporting a drug could lead to a more severe charge (for drug trafficking or distribution of narcotics, for instance).

Is it worth bringing marijuana from one state to another?

In short, it is not worth the risk of arrest and conviction to bring marijuana from one state into another. If you want to explore the subject further, talk to a criminal defense lawyer with experience in handling cases under the drug laws of the state you plan to visit.

Is marijuana legal in Wyoming?

Answer: Unfortunately for you, the short answer is no. Marijuana remains illegal in Wyoming, and when in Wyoming (or any other state), the laws of that state apply to you. And because marijuana is still illegal under federal law, transporting the drug across state lines could result in federal criminal charges.

image

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 foundatio…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

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…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

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…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

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…
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

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.
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

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. …
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

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.
See more on lawpracticetoday.org