On November 7, 2023, Ohio residents voted in favor of
Issue 2, which set the stage for legalized cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession, home grow, and use of adult use cannabis throughout the state. Frantz Ward was at the forefront of this effort. As the state transitions, individuals and organizations require experienced counsel to maneuver through this rapidly changing legal landscape.
Frantz Ward attorneys operate at the forefront of the cannabis space and are uniquely situated to advise clients on every aspect of operating a cannabis business, including navigating the patchwork of federal, state, and local regulations. In addition, our attorneys counsel employers, physicians, and governments, among others, on the impact of Ohio’s medical cannabis law and broader cannabis policy.
While medical and adult use cannabis markets have been the primary focus of investment and government regulation, changing laws relating to industrial hemp and its derivatives will soon create an even more expansive cannabis industry as a whole.
Industrial hemp as well as medical and adult use cannabis markets are attractive to investors and entrepreneurs alike. It is essential to have the right advice to navigate the complicated legal framework associated with these emerging industries. To that end, our attorneys provide counseling and representation on all relevant legal issues, some of which include:
- The impact of conflicting federal law on proposed business models
- License procurement for cannabis cultivators, processors, dispensaries, and testing laboratories
- Regulatory compliance
- Banking and financial arrangements, including compliance with federal and state banking regulations
- Corporate formation and governance
- Mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions
- Securities compliance
- Real estate, land use, and zoning
- Cannabis product advertising, packaging, and labeling
- Insurance coverage
- Physician and health care entity compliance
- Policy and legal advice relating to industrial hemp and development of (cannabidiol) CBD products
- Intellectual property and licensing agreements
- Employment and human resources assistance for non-cannabis employers
- Interaction with local governments with cannabis-related moratoriums
- Defense against actions brought by law enforcement or regulatory authorities
- Representation in civil litigation arising out of business disputes or product claims
Our attorneys have spent years building relationships with policymakers and industry stakeholders both in Ohio and throughout the nation to stay current in this ever-changing legal landscape. We follow the developments at the state and federal level, including from the Ohio Department of Commerce, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and Ohio Medical Board. Frantz Ward attorneys are regularly asked to speak and participate in industry conferences, and we belong to several cannabis-specific associations, including:
National Cannabis Industry Association
Ohio Cannabis Coalition
International Cannabis Bar Association
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