how to become a marijuana lawyer

by Terrence Boyer 7 min read

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.

What kind of lawyer specializes in marijuana law?

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.

How to become a grower in the legal cannabis industry?

To become a grower in the legal cannabis industry – either as a business license holder or as a career – you need to have a combination of knowledge, skills, and experience. You also need to be highly focused on compliance and adaptable to change because the legal marijuana industry is constantly evolving.

What do you need to start a cannabis business?

Importantly, you need a solid business plan to help secure investors, win a cultivation license from your state, and obtain the necessary permits and permissions from the local municipality where your business will operate. 2. License Application

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What is marijuana law?

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.

How many states have legalized medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states at the time this article was published. The international community is following suit, with an increasing number of nations decriminalizing or outright legalizing cannabis. Colorado now brings in more tax dollars from marijuana than from liquor.

How important is it to choose a marijuana kingpin?

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. Even organized crime is trying to get into the action. You will be working closely with the marijuana regulatory bodies and it is best to maintain your credibility for yourself and your clients.

Why do law firms refuse to serve clients?

While this nascent industry is growing at a pace unparalleled since the dot-com era, many large law firms refuse to service the clientele because the federal government considers marijuana to be a Schedule 1 drug, as defined by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. State v.

Why is understanding the law not enough?

The laws and regulations will change quickly and be applied incons istently as the governing bodies learn and adapt to the subject matter. As a result, understanding of the law is not enough to best serve your clients.

Is marijuana law a mine?

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.

Who is Neil Juneja?

Neil Juneja is a registered patent attorney and is the founder of Gleam Law, a cannabis-focused law firm with offices in Seattle and Oregon. He can be reached at Neil@GleamLaw.com.

Legalize It or Criticize It

Marijuana remains an illegal Schedule I narcotic at the national level — the harshest rating given by the federal government. And the Justice Department under the Trump Administration has rescinded some of the legal gains made by marijuana during the Obama era.

The Best Marijuana Degrees

Let’s start with the obvious. You can actually major in cannabis at highly-regarded, fully accredited schools around the U.S. As a major cash crop that comes in almost infinite strains and is the subject of numerous medical trials, cannabis represents an expansive area of study all on its own.

Take the next step toward your future with online learning

Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.

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.

What degree do you need to be a master grower?

Assistant growers typically have a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, botany, or a physical science.

How much does a grower make an hour?

Salaries typically range from $12 per hour for entry-level trimmers to $150,000 or more for master growers who have cannabis experience and PhDs.

How much does an assistant grower make?

Assistant growers typically earn $30,000 or more . Trimmers are usually hourly employees who are responsible for cutting marijuana plants by hand during harvests. A college degree is usually not required, which makes it a great way for people who are interested in cannabis growing to break into the industry.

What is a master grower?

A master grower typically holds a master’s degree or PhD in horticulture, botany, or a physical science and is responsible for genetics, designing grow systems, maximizing harvests, managing the grow facility, and managing and training the grow team of workers. This is not a job for home growers. Master growers are responsible for large commercial ...

How to run a cultivation site?

In order to run your cultivation site, you need to prepare in advance by setting up lighting and other environmental equipment, installing security, purchasing equipment and supplies, selecting a payment processor, setting up compliance processes, and more.

Is marijuana growing fast?

You also need to be highly focused on compliance and adaptable to change because the legal marijuana industry is constantly evolving. The good news is the industry is growing quickly across the United States, and there are many opportunities to join as a grower employee or entrepreneur.

When will marijuana be legalized in 2020?

There are many state-regulated and mandated laws that marijuana growers must adhere to when entering the cannabis industry as a grower - especially if you want to partner with a weed store. February 28, 2020. There are even more regulations put forth for people who grow cannabis beyond the confines of it being a hobby.

What do dispensaries look for in an interview?

There are certain qualifications that dispensary owners look for when seeking out the right grower for their business. It’s not uncommon for an interview to contain questions regarding your prior schooling.

Can you grow marijuana in a dispensary?

In fact, not everyone who becomes a marijuana grower even knew that they wanted to grow cannabis in the first place. It’s common for people who hold positions in a dispensary to explore the idea of leaving the customer-oriented side of the cannabis industry and instead enter the growing business. Some people might choose to work their way up in ...

Can I grow weed for a pot shop?

Asking yourself "How Can I Grow Weed for a Pot Shop?" With the increased and ever-expanding legalization of marijuana, more and more people are taking it upon themselves to grow cannabis on their own property. There are many state-regulated and mandated laws that marijuana growers must adhere to when entering the cannabis industry as a grower - especially if you want to partner with a weed store.

Do dispensaries hire growers?

Something very important to keep in mind is that dispensary owners are likely not looking for growers who require extensive training. Rather than hiring novice-level cannabis cultivators, It is far more efficient and appealing for the owner of a dispensary to hire growers who already know the tricks of their trade.

Can you watch someone work the job you're working towards?

You can watch someone work the job you’re working towards, and the knowledge you’ll gain as an assistant is unparalleled. The wisdom that growers pass down to their assistants is so valuable, and they may have even more advice on how to become a grower for a dispensary.

Is it okay to start marijuana growers?

There’s no rush at all, and if you don ’t feel that you are ready to dive head first into the lifestyle of a marijuana grower, it’s perfectly okay to start out in a simpler position within the industry. In many if not all professions, nobody starts at the very top.

Becoming A Licensed Marijuana Grower

Unlike growing industrial hemp, you must obtain a cannabis cultivation license to grow recreational or medical cannabis legally.

Starting Your Own Licensed Cannabis Cultivation Business

Have you successfully obtained your grower license, and are looking forward to setting up your legal marijuana business?

Joining An Established Cannabis Cultivation Business

The legal cannabis industry is massive, and it continues to expand daily.

How To Get A Cannabis Growing License

As stated earlier, becoming a legal cannabis grower demands that you understand the frequently changing marijuana laws at the local or state level.

Drafting A Cannabis Business Plan

A business plan for your cannabis cultivation business is a necessity. Note that you must submit the complete business plan with your application for a license.

Hiring A Team For Growing Cannabis

Whether you plan on operating a sole proprietorship business or not, you will need an experienced and competent team for your operations to run smoothly.

Obtaining Funding To Grow Cannabis

Cannabis cultivation businesses, whether small, medium-sized, or big, require funding.

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State v. Federal

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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. The Cole Memo informed federal prosecutors that state-regulated marijuana ought to be their low…
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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. If the governing documents and contracts are subpar, you will very quickly sully …
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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...
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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…
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…
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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. …
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