Cannabis

Cozen O’Connor Named a Law360 Cannabis Practice Group of the Year

Cozen O’Connor was named a Law360 Cannabis Practice Group of the Year. This recognition honors Cozen O'Connor’s cannabis team for their litigation wins and major deals that resonated throughout the legal industry this past year.

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The cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the United States economy, with many states having legalized the use of marijuana for medical and/or recreational purposes. However, inconsistent state laws, coupled with continued federal criminalization, make cannabis arguably the most complex market segment in which to operate. The cannabis industry presents a world of opportunity, but also poses a dizzying array of shifting laws, policies and practical challenges. Cozen O’Connor and our government relations affiliate, Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, are attuned to these issues and the variety of contexts in which they arise. For four years, our multidisciplinary cannabis team was recognized as one of the Cannabis Practice Groups of the Year by Law360. 

Investors, entrepreneurs, and established legal enterprises within the cannabis industry are navigating uncharted territory, facing complex and unprecedented regulatory, investment, real estate, insurance, banking, intellectual property, and employment law issues, to name just a few. As the cannabis industry expands and insiders develop new strategies to operate effectively in this complex and ever-changing marketplace, they need lawyers who understand the industry and all of its complexities. To meet this need, Cozen O’Connor has developed an interdisciplinary, national team of lawyers and government affairs professionals to guide clients through the labyrinthine landscape of financing, manufacturing, processing, distributing, marketing and retail selling of marijuana under applicable state laws.

In an arena as complex as the cannabis industry, clients do not need the added burden of having to engage multiple law firms to meet their needs. Cozen O’Connor’s cannabis industry team presents a one-stop shop, and stands ready to tackle even the most daunting challenges our clients face. Our team offers the depth and breadth of relevant experience needed to operate effectively in the cannabis industry, offering decades of experience in the areas of the law that intersect with cannabis enterprises. Further, our cannabis industry team is studded with experience on the government and regulatory front, including public affairs professionals whose fingers remain on the pulse of relevant regulatory and legislative developments and who have vast experience representing clients’ interests at the local, state and federal levels.

Cozen O’Connor is uniquely suited to meet cannabis industry clients’ needs. From its humble beginnings in the 1970s as a four-lawyer upstart, to its current status as one of the top 100 firms, with over 925 lawyers in 32 cities across two continents, Cozen O’Connor holds tenacity, creativity and a strong entrepreneurial spirit as hallmarks of the firm’s identity. Our cannabis industry team will bring these qualities to bear on each client’s unique circumstances in this very unique industry. 

 

Marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and as such it remains a federal crime to grow, sell and/or use marijuana. Any content contained herein is not intended to provide legal advice to assist with violation of any state or federal law. 

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Experience

Publications

Tax Benefits to Arise from Department of Justice’s Move to Reclassify Marijuana [Alert]

May 06, 2024

Richard Silpe and Nathan Rudy discuss the tax implications of the Department of Justice's proposal to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance.

Minnesota Adult-Use Cannabis Bill Emerges from Reconciliation [Alert]

May 17, 2023

The bill emerged from reconciliation on May 17, 2023 and would legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 and older.

Off-Duty Recreational Cannabis Use [Practical Law The Journal]

March 01, 2023

Ed Langhammer contributed to the March edition of the GC Agenda about California law AB 2188.

Cannabis-Impaired Driving Laws Must Balance Liberty, Safety [Law360]

August 10, 2022

Jacqueline Green authored an article in Law 360 in which she discusses the recently introduced Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.

California Splits from the FDA: CBD Now Permitted in Food, Beverages and More [Alert]

October 25, 2021

Mira Baylson, Meghan Stoppel, and Gianna Puccinelli discuss California's new law AB-45 that prohibits restrictions on the sale of dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, or pet food that contains CBD.

Is Cooperative Federalism Attainable in Cannabis Regulation? AG Weiser Seems to Think So [Alert]

September 01, 2021

Mira Baylson, Meghan Stoppel, and Gianna Puccinelli discuss Colorado State AG's letter to Congress regarding national cannabis reform and the recently proposed legislation, and how states and the federal government have worked together in the past to enact legislation and regulations.

New Jersey’s Adult-Use Cannabis Program Licensing Begins [Alert]

August 30, 2021

Heidi Schwartz discusses the New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission's first set of rules governing the state’s adult-use cannabis program.

After Initial Rejection, Ohio AG Certifies Marijuana Legalization Law, But the Damage May Already Be Done

August 24, 2021

Marijuana legalization activists have finally won the support of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (R). On Friday August 20, AG Yost approved summary language in a petition submission for a proposed law, the “Act to Control and Regulate Adult Use Cannabis,” penned by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (the Coalition).

Heeding State AGs’ Perspectives on Draft Legislation May Pay Dividends [Alert]

August 02, 2021

In this Client Alert Meghan Stoppel and Gianna Puccinelli discuss how monitoring state AGs’ views on draft legislation and proposed ballot initiatives can help indicate the likelihood of success of such measures.

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Events & Seminars

Past Events

Cannabis Real Estate Summit MN

September 06, 2024 - Golden Valley, MN

Marijuana & Multi-Family Housing

April 08, 2024 - Webinar
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In The News

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Cozen O’Connor Named A Law360 Cannabis Practice Group of the Year

January 21, 2024

Cozen O’Connor was named a Law360 Cannabis Practice Group of the Year, the 4th time the cannabis team has received this honor. Joseph Bedwick and Patrick Martin spoke with Law360 to discuss the recognition.

New York Governor's Office Halts Plans for Farmers Market-Style Events This Summer

July 06, 2023

Jamie Ansorge was quoted in Cannabis Business Times discussing New York slowing down new retail opportunities for cannabis products.

‘The Lost Year’: New York’s Adult-Use Cannabis Industry Grapples With Sluggish Rollout

June 14, 2023

Jamie Ansorge was quoted in Cannabis Business Times discussing New York's legislation that allows hemp farmers to grow cannabis for the state's adult-use market.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Jamie Ansorge Named Among 2023 Cannabis Industry Power Players in New York

May 17, 2023

Jamie Ansorge, principal at Cozen O’Connor New Public Strategies, has been recognized by PoliticsNY among the 2023 Cannabis Industry Power Players.

AI for Trademark Lawyers Moving Beyond Search to Expanding Work

February 14, 2023

Ashley Kessler spoke with Bloomberg Law about using artificial intelligence to assist in trademark work.

Cannabis Group Of The Year: Cozen O'Connor

January 26, 2023

Cozen O’Connor has been named a Law360 2022 Practice Group of the Year in Cannabis. Joe Bedwick and Patrick Martin spoke with Law360 to discuss the recognition.

2023 Trends: Legalization of Recreational Marijuana and Therapeutic Psychedelics

December 16, 2022

George Voegele was quoted in SHRM discussing the implications that the legalization of recreational cannabis has on employers.

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Contacts

Joseph C. Bedwick

Vice Chair, Corporate Practice Group

jbedwick@cozen.com

(215) 665-4753

People

Awards

Cannabis Team Named Group of the Year in Law360 2020 Practice Groups of the Year Awards

December 01, 2020

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that the firm has been named a Law360 2020 Practice Group of the Year in Cannabis.

Thomas O’Rourke Named Law360 Rising Star in Cannabis

July 08, 2020

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Thomas O’Rourke, member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation department, has been named a Law360 “Rising Star” in the Cannabis category.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

Cannabis Group Of The Year: Cozen O'Connor

January 26, 2023

Cozen O’Connor has been named a Law360 2022 Practice Group of the Year in Cannabis. Joe Bedwick and Patrick Martin spoke with Law360 to discuss the recognition.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

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