Experience

Our attorneys advise individuals, businesses, real estate owners and a wide array of investors in legal matters related to the cannabis industry in California. We provide instrumental counsel and guidance to clients looking to ensure that their cannabis/cannabis related businesses operate in full compliance with applicable state and local law. Our attorneys serve as outside general counsel for many of the industry’s leaders and have successfully assisted our clients in obtaining necessary permits, approvals and licenses throughout the State of California.

Clients Served
Our clients in the cannabis industry include the full spectrum of businesses and related concerns. Our experienced attorneys have worked with virtually every type of business in this burgeoning industry ranging from land owners to cannabis retail dispensaries, cultivation facilities, distributors, manufacturers, medical offices, processors and ancillary technologies. In particular, our clients include:

• Dispensary owners and operators
• Real estate owners
• Cultivators
• Real estate developers 
• Agriculture 
• Distributors
• Biotech companies
• Manufacturers (equipment and consumer products)
• Management companies 
• Software and ancillary technology companies 
• Non storefront retailers
• Medical and health care providers
• Angel, venture capital and private equity investors 
• Family offices
• Non-profits, co-ops and collectives
• Advocacy groups

Legal Services Provided
We advise clients in the cannabis and cannabis related industries on matters ranging from business formation, permitting and licensing to M&A and public offerings. Specifically, we provide comprehensive legal guidance on the following matters:

• Permitting and licensing at the local and state level
• Choice of entity/business formation (including Benefit Corps) and structuring
• Tax (federal, state and local)
• Real estate (acquisitions, lending, development, leasing, management) 
• Angel/venture investments 
• Securities (private placements and public offerings) 
• Debt financing 
• M&A 
• Intellectual property 
• Health law 
• Senior care law 
• Executive compensation 
• Labor and employment 
• Construction 
• Litigation 
• Data security
• Land use
• Administrative appeals/litigation
• Regulatory compliance

Hanson Bridgett attorneys have represented businesses in the cannabis and cannabis related industries since 2008. As this area continues to develop we are proud to serve as outside general counsel to some of the leading cannabis related startups in the State, as well as established companies. We believe in supporting this industry at all levels and are proud supporters of advocacy and business groups focused on the industry such as NORML, California Growers Association and CannaAngels. 

There is a divergence between Federal law and California’s state and local laws regarding the legality of the production, distribution and sales of cannabis.  Compliance with California and local law is not a defense to a Federal charge or indictment.