After over 50 years in business, practicing everything from criminal, immigration and real estate law to elder abuse, education and medical malpractice, Mesa-based Udall Shumway is now expanding their full-service law firm with 12 practice areas to include cannabis law.
“Finding quality information about cannabis law and the legal implications relevant to the business of cannabis is like finding a needle in a haystack,” said Justin M. Brandt, associate at Udall Shumway who is the leading counsel for the firm’s practice in cannabis law. “The flood of misinformation in the public realm only highlights the need for good legal counsel, and with the industry growing at a rapid rate we’re now working with cannabis-related businesses to minimize their risk as the law evolves.”
Though many state and tribal governments have fast-tracked cannabis legalization, the legal implications of commercial cannabis is still in its infancy due to constraints imposed by federal law. Udall Shumway now advises these cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) regarding the unique legal and regulatory issues surrounding the cannabis industry given the constantly changing dynamics between federal, state and local law.
“When CRBs first come to us for counsel, we initially determine whether the client is ‘plant touching’ or an ancillary business,” said Brandt. “Ancillary businesses are less complex and generally not subject to the strict regulations governing plant-touching businesses. However, they must all understand this is a complex industry to become involved in and one that requires patience, diligence and a certain toleration for risk.”
Among the areas in which Udall Shumway is helping CRBs navigate this developing industry includes:
• Corporate Formation and Entity Structure
• Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
• State and Local Government Relations
• Financing
• Labor and Employment
• Tax
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Cultivation, Processing and Distribution Practices
• Litigation
• Corporate Governance
• Real Estate Transactions
• Intellectual Property & Asset Protection
• Land Use and Zoning
“The commercial and regulatory landscape around cannabis is constantly evolving and while there are many opportunities for investors and business owners looking to capitalize on this emerging market, it’s important to take the proper steps to ensure compliance with applicable licensing and regulatory authorities,” said Brandt.
For more information on Udall Shumway (located at 1138 North Alma School Road, Suite 101
Mesa, Arizona 85201), visit www.udallshumway.com or call 480.461.5300. For ongoing updates and news from Udall Shumway, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
