how to become a cannibis lawyer

by Beatrice Effertz 7 min read

As with any other profession like an accountant or physician, the cannabis industry lawyer has to be licensed in order to practice. If you aspire to be an attorney in the cannabis industry, you have to complete an undergraduate degree at an accredited university. You also have to get a law degree from a reputable law school.

Full Answer

How to become a successful cannabis attorney?

To excel in this industry, a cannabis attorney should become politically active. Your city government, state government, city attorneys, and police authorities are actively forming their cannabis policy. With the right approach, they may be quite receptive and work with you to get the laws and enforcement right.

Why hire our cannabis lawyers?

We are cannabis attorneys and trial lawyers that own and operate businesses in the marijuana industry and have deep knowledge of its risks and trends. Our expertise can help your canna-business gain competitive advantage and mitigate operational risk.

Do you know the cannabis laws in every state?

As a result, today we are well versed in the cannabis laws of every state in America. Our founding 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.

How to get the right cannabis policy for your city?

Your city government, state government, city attorneys, and police authorities are actively forming their cannabis policy. With the right approach, they may be quite receptive and work with you to get the laws and enforcement right.

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State v. Federal

Marijuana is still illegal federally. Some states have forged ahead with full legalization for adult use. These states have relied upon, inter alia, the Cole Memo, issued on August 29, 2013 by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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 foundation in business law.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your Responsibilities

Your job as a cannabis advocate is to ensure that issues are resolved and things go in the appropriate direction. As a cannabis advocate, you would also go to local meetings held to discuss issues related to cannabis law changes, updates and guidelines.

Voicing Your Opinion

As a cannabis advocate, you would be able to voice your opinion by sharing it with your peers and community members at public meetings. You could write emails to elected officials about how you feel about decisions that affect the cannabis industry and its population of users.

The Legislators

Make sure that you keep a keen eye on legislators to find out the changes that they are thinking of making. As a cannabis advocate, you will have to know the cannabis laws yourself and so that is why training is helpful. Seek training at a reputable cannabis training school so you can land a job as a cannabis advocate or even a cannabis lawyer.

The Group Setting

Join or start an advocacy group where the actions of your legislators will be discussed and plans can be made on how to approach any changes or limitations that affect cultivators, business owners and others in the cannabis industry.

What is the legal age to use cannabis?

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT. This amendment would legalize a controlled form of marijuana called “cannabis.”. Only persons at least 21 years of age could use cannabis products legally. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission would oversee the new adult cannabis market.

How old do you have to be to use cannabis?

Only adults at least 21 years of age could use cannabis. The State commission created to oversee the State’s medical cannabis program would also oversee the new, personal use cannabis market. Cannabis products would be subject to the State sales tax. If authorized by the Legislature, a municipality may pass a local ordinance to charge ...

How much is the NJ sales tax on marijuana?

NJ marijuana taxes will apply the state’s sales tax of 6.625% to recreational cannabis, any additional state sales tax is prohibited. However, local governments may adopt an ordinance to impose an additional municipal tax on the sale, or any other form of transfer, of cannabis or products created from or which include cannabis.

When is the cannabis license open in New Jersey?

When are Cannabis Business License Applications Open in New Jersey. This amendment will take effect on January 1st, 2021. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission, once established, may create additional regulations to make effective the provisions of the amendment.

When will medical marijuana be legalized in Alabama?

Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama signed SB 46 into law on May 17th, 2021, legalizing medical marijuana in the state. The law is known as the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act, or the “Compassion Act” for short, and it allows the use of medical marijuana to treat...

Is medical marijuana legal in North Carolina?

Medical marijuana won near-una nimous approval in a committee hearing in the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday, in a sign that it could have broad support in a state that has been a holdout on legalization. While the votes were not...

When does medical cannabis go into effect in South Dakota?

On June 30, the South Dakota Department of Health announced a preliminary list of conditions that will be covered by the state’s medical cannabis program, which goes into effect on July 1 following the voters’ passage of IM-26 last November. Under the law passed by...

Is medical marijuana legal in North Carolina?

Medical marijuana won near-una nimous approval in a committee hearing in the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly on Wednesday, in a sign that it could have broad support in a state that has been a holdout on legalization. While the votes were not...

Is cannabis legal in Nevada?

Nevada just legalized a new type of establishment: the cannabis consumption lounge. The state’s legislature just passed a bill that allows two types of cannabis lounges. Since Nevada’s cannabis legalization in 2017, people weren’t able to consume cannabis in any...

How to Become a Licensed Legal Cannabis Grower

Due to federal laws, cannabis is not legal on a nationwide level. On the state level, most states have passed some form of cannabis legalization, while others still prohibit its possession, use, cultivation, and sale.

Obtaining a Cultivation License to Become a Legal Cannabis Grower

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.

Joining an Established Cultivation Business

Another option for getting involved in legal cannabis cultivation is to join an established company and put your skills into action. You may not reap the same financial dividends as opening your own business, but you also won’t have the operating costs and be solely responsible for compliance and emerging laws and regulations.

Online Cannabis Cultivation and Business Training

Join thousands of other students who have enrolled in Cannabis Training University. If you want to become a legal cannabis grower, CTU’s curriculum is completely online so you can learn at your own pace on your own time.

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State v. Federal

Practice Areas

Personal Knowledge

First Impression

Partnerships

Ethics

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 dangero...
See more on lawpracticetoday.org

Off You Go

The Education Needed to Become A Cannabis Lawyer

After Graduation

  • When you graduate from a reputable law school and pass your bar exam, it will take much more to be dominant in the cannabis industry as an attorney. There are a few nuances that you may have to contend with. You have to be current with the laws governing the cannabis industry in your state. That means, as the laws and regulations evolve, you have t...
See more on cannabistraininguniversity.com

Final Summary

How to Land A Cannabis Job

State v. Federal

Practice Areas

Personal Knowledge

First Impression

Partnerships

Ethics

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 dangero...
See more on gleamlaw.com

Off You Go