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Cannabis
Legal Insight and Strategic Guidance for the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry has evolved from a niche market into a highly regulated global sector encompassing marijuana, hemp, CBD, and cannabis-adjacent products.
From cultivation and distribution to branded consumer goods and public listings, the industry offers unprecedented opportunities—but also complex compliance challenges.
At SJKP LLP, our Cannabis Practice Group represents public companies, start-ups, entrepreneurs, investors, influencers, and brand partners who are shaping this dynamic landscape.
We deliver pragmatic, business-driven legal counsel to help clients grow responsibly, safeguard intellectual property, and navigate the intricate web of state, federal, and international cannabis regulations.
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1. Cannabis: Comprehensive Legal Support for Industry Stakeholders
Our Cannabis attorneys work at the intersection of law, innovation, and commerce.
We guide clients through company formation, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, capital raising, and exchange listings, ensuring that every transaction aligns with the industry’s rapidly changing legal standards.
Beyond corporate matters, we advise on real estate development, public-figure endorsements, and brand licensing—critical areas where cannabis intersects with consumer markets, entertainment, and lifestyle sectors.
Our Core Cannabis Legal Services Include:
- - Business formation, governance, and capitalization
- Mergers, acquisitions, and cross-border joint ventures
- Private and public securities offerings
- Real estate transactions and leasing for cultivation and retail
- Influencer and celebrity endorsement agreements
- Licensing of cannabis, hemp, and CBD products
- Trademark, patent, and trade secret protection
We help businesses establish compliant, scalable foundations that enable sustainable growth in a legally constrained market.
2. Cannabis: Integrated Industry Expertise
The Cannabis Practice at SJKP LLP brings together lawyers from multiple disciplines—intellectual property, corporate law, real estate, food and beverage, labor and employment, and life sciences—to deliver coordinated, holistic counsel.
This multidisciplinary approach allows our firm to address not just legal compliance, but the broader strategic, operational, and reputational factors that determine success in the cannabis sector.
Cross-Practice Capabilities Supporting Our Cannabis Clients:
- - Intellectual Property: Trademark registration, patent prosecution, and IP litigation for THC/CBD products and technology.
- Corporate & Finance: Capital raising, venture investments, and stock exchange listings for cannabis and hemp enterprises.
- Real Estate: Acquisition, leasing, and zoning for cultivation, processing, and retail facilities.
- Food & Beverage: Regulatory guidance on CBD-infused consumables, labeling, and FDA compliance.
- Labor & Employment: Employee training, workplace safety, and drug-free policy compliance.
- - Life Sciences: Product development, clinical testing, and biotechnological applications of cannabinoids.
This synergy allows us to transform regulatory challenges into commercial advantages for our clients.
3. Cannabis: Intellectual Property and Brand Protection
Brand recognition is a powerful driver in the cannabis market—but it also presents unique legal risks.
Federal trademark registration remains limited due to ongoing restrictions under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), requiring creative approaches to IP protection.
Our attorneys develop comprehensive IP portfolios using state-level registrations, copyright strategies, and international filings.
We also assist in drafting licensing, white-label, and co-branding agreements that safeguard brand identity while expanding market reach.
Key IP Strategies in the Cannabis Sector:
- - Trademark protection under state and common law
- Licensing and co-branding agreements
- Enforcement against counterfeiting and false advertising
- Patent filings for extraction, formulation, and delivery technologies
- Trade secret protection and confidentiality policies
We defend the innovation, creativity, and goodwill that define your brand’s value in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
4. Cannabis: Regulatory and Compliance Advisory
Operating a cannabis-related business requires meticulous adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
Our Cannabis team assists clients in understanding and complying with FDA, DEA, USDA, and state-specific requirements related to cultivation, manufacturing, labeling, distribution, and retail operations.
We monitor the evolving legal frameworks governing THC and CBD, helping clients adjust operations proactively to avoid enforcement actions and protect licenses.
Compliance Areas We Cover:
- - Licensing and renewal under state cannabis control authorities
- FDA and USDA compliance for consumables and health products
- Product labeling, advertising, and packaging standards
- Responding to enforcement actions or warning letters
- Cross-border compliance for international operations
Our goal is to keep our clients ahead of regulatory change—reducing risk while sustaining operational continuity.
5. Cannabis: Market Transactions and Strategic Growth
The cannabis industry’s rapid evolution demands agility in deal-making.
SJKP LLP advises clients on equity financings, strategic alliances, and corporate restructuring to help them secure capital, scale operations, and expand into new markets.
We also represent clients in real estate development, supply chain management, and franchise or distribution models that require careful balancing of compliance and commercial value.
Strategic Transaction Support:
- - Private equity and venture capital investments
-Convertible debt and bridge financing
-Asset purchases and distribution agreements
-Real estate development for cultivation and retail
-International expansion and cross-border structuring
Our team ensures that every transaction is structured for legal compliance, operational efficiency, and long-term profitability.
6. Cannabis: A Dynamic and Regulated Future
The global conversation around cannabis reform continues to evolve.
Emerging legislation such as the SAFE Banking Act and MORE Act could reshape access to financial services and investment capital for cannabis businesses.
At SJKP LLP, we remain at the forefront of these developments—tracking policy changes, advising clients on compliance transitions, and helping them prepare for an eventual federal reclassification of cannabis.
We understand that the future of this industry will be defined by those who anticipate change and adapt strategically.
7. Why Choose SJKP LLP for Cannabis Law
The cannabis industry rewards those who innovate responsibly.
Our Cannabis Practice merges legal precision with business insight, guiding clients through every phase—from formation and financing to intellectual property and regulatory compliance.
We represent clients across all segments of the cannabis ecosystem, including growers, manufacturers, distributors, investors, retailers, and consumer brands.
Our commitment is simple: to provide clear, actionable, and forward-looking counsel that allows clients to thrive in a complex legal landscape.
Our Advantages:
- - Deep multidisciplinary experience across IP, corporate, and regulatory law
- Proven track record with public companies and emerging startups
- Strategic, commercially attuned legal solutions
- Global perspective on cross-border cannabis operations
- Proactive compliance and risk mitigation
At SJKP LLP, we don’t just interpret the rules of the cannabis industry—we help define them.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or relying on the contents of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with our firm. For advice regarding your specific situation, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
Certain informational content on this website may utilize technology-assisted drafting tools and is subject to attorney review.
