Cannabis

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Industry Contacts

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When Illinois implemented its Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, medical cannabis industry members turned to SmithAmundsen as their voice during the rulemaking process, and later for advice in the highly-competitive application process. Since then, as Illinois and other states move toward legalization of adult use and recreational use of cannabis, SmithAmundsen has emerged as the leading full-service firm in the Midwest counseling the cannabis industry. Our attorneys understand the difference between CBD and THC. They understand the significance of hemp production and what it means for businesses anticipating the legalization of cannabis. Most importantly, they understand the regulatory challenges cannabis business owners face. 

The cannabis industry faces all the legal challenges more traditional industries face, as well as unique challenges posed by the complex regulatory schemes states have adopted and the conflicts between federal and state laws. SmithAmundsen’s cannabis attorneys work closely with attorneys from its other practice groups to provide the type of collaborative and sophisticated legal services this industry needs, and that were previously difficult for industry members to find.

SmithAmundsen offers the following services to the cannabis industry, as well as businesses that wish to work with the cannabis industry:

  • Corporate Services
    • Business Formation, including Corporate Organization, Operating Agreements, Financing Agreements, Investment Agreements, and Succession Planning
    • Applications and Licenses
    • Regulatory Compliance
    • Outside General Counsel Services
    • Banking
    • Contract Drafting, Review, and Negotiation
    • Securities
    • Commercial Lending
    • Data Privacy and Security
    • Insolvency and Restructuring
    • Risk Management and Insurance
    • Business Sales and Purchases
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Tax
    • Venture Capital & Private Equity
    • Intellectual Property, including Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, and Licensing Agreements
    • Labor and Employment, including Human Resources Advising and Legal Compliance
    • Real Estate Transactions and Zoning
    • Health Care
    • Laboratory Testing
  • Litigation Services
    • Business and Contract Dispute Resolution
    • Commercial Litigation, Mediation, and Arbitration
    • Regulatory Enforcement Proceedings
    • Insurance Litigation
    • Personal Injury Litigation
    • Product Liability Litigation
    • Labor and Employment Litigation
    • Intellectual Property Enforcement and Litigation
    • Insolvency, Restructuring, and Bankruptcy
    • Tax Disputes

SmithAmundsen’s cannabis attorneys have dedicated themselves to educating the cannabis industry and other industries on important legal issues arising out of the legalization of cannabis. We hosted a crucial “Meet the Regulators” when Illinois’ medical cannabis program began, and also hosted a series of webinars addressing the particular difficulties otherwise routine legal problems pose to the cannabis industry. We have also been called upon to speak at a wide variety of venues, including:

  • Marijuana Investor Summit
  • Illinois Cannabis Bar Association
  • National Business Institute
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Chicago Cannabis Conference
  • My Compassion Cannabis Conference
  • Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society
  • Professional Liability Underwriting Society
  • Association of Lloyd’s Brokers
  • Illinois State University’s Katie School of Insurance & Financial Services
  • Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Institute

Our attorneys have been featured by media outlets across the country on cannabis legal issues and have and written articles appearing in Marijuana Business Daily and Marijuana Investor News. We are members of the National and Illinois Cannabis Industry Associations, Illinois Women in Cannabis, and the Illinois Cannabis Bar Association, and serve on the My Compassion Legal Advisory Board.

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