Experience
Settlement Agreement for Cannabis-Related Dispute
Obtained favorable settlement agreement for landlord in breach of contract suit against cannabis manufacturing and dispensing company that violated its lease agreement after failing to obtain Illinois cannabis permits.
Real Estate Development Agreements for Industrial Cannabis Complex
Represented a commercial cannabis client in obtaining local and state approval to re-subdivide and revitalize several industrial lots, establish grow houses and grow fields, and construct industrial buildings, roads, improvements, etc., in Trinidad, Colorado.
Led Capital Formation Efforts for Missouri Medical Marijuana Licensees
Since 2020 served as lead securities and offering counsel for eight licensees under Missouri’s cannabis laws and regulations. The aggregate value of the various offerings of equity securities and convertible promissory notes exceeds $75 million and involved more than 40 facility licenses.
Advised Missouri Medical Marijuana Licensees in M&A and Reorganization Transactions
Led and closed transactions involving stock sales, asset sales, license transfers and other reorganizations contingent on and subject to significant regulatory requirements and conditions of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. These involved both seller and acquisition-side efforts for 10 different medical marijuana licensee clients.
Assisted Multiple Clients in Missouri Medical Marijuana Application, Licensure Process
Assisted multiple clients in drafting and submitting numerous applications for medical marijuana facility licenses to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Counseled 15+ Clients in Missouri Medical Marijuana Application, Licensure Process
Advised and assisted over 15 other companies filing medical marijuana license applications, including assistance with rule interpretations and analysis of Missouri’s complex application materials.
Lobbied on Behalf of Medical Marijuana and Hemp Clients
Represented clients before the Missouri General Assembly and state agencies regarding the medical marijuana and hemp industry, including licensure, operation and related matters of interest.
Advised Medical Marijuana License Applicants on Real Estate Matters
Counseled applicants in connection with choosing proposed medical marijuana facility sites, advised and assisted clients with understanding and securing zoning and land use approvals, and assisted with the negotiation and preparation of purchase contracts and leases.
Advised and Prepared Documents to Facilitate Capital Raises
Managed due diligence and drafted private placement memoranda and related offering documents to facilitate our clients’ efforts to raise capital to fund the medical marijuana application process and business build out, while mitigating the risk of future securities fraud claims by investors.
Outside Corporate Counsel to Industry Trade Association
Assisted in the organization of MoCannTrade, Missouri’s leading industry trade association, and continues to serve as its outside corporate counsel.
Compliance Programs for Financial Institutions Serving Marijuana-Related Businesses
Represent multiple financial institutions regarding compliance programs for providing banking services to marijuana related businesses.
Successful Licensure for Client in Illinois Medical Marijuana Industry
Assisted our client in preparing detailed applications for licenses to grow and dispense medical marijuana in an intensely competitive process under Illinois’s 2014 Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Over 370 applications were filed in Illinois for just 81 licenses. Our client won a license to operate a medical marijuana dispensary in suburban Chicago.
Successful Licensure for Missouri Client to Operate Vertically Integrated Hemp CBD Oil Production Facility
Assisted our client in preparing a competitive license application that received one of only two licenses issued after Missouri passed laws in 2014 that created a commercial CBD oil industry to treat registered patients with intractable epilepsy.
Multimillion-Dollar Investment in Multi-State Marijuana Cultivation Business
Advised and assisted client with documenting a multimillion-dollar investment in a multi-state marijuana cultivation business.
Favorable Resolution in Dispute Between Medical Marijuana Dispensary Owners
Assisted a client in resolving a closely held corporate dispute between owners and officers of a medical marijuana dispensary. We thwarted another owner’s efforts to appropriate our client's ownership interest and breach his management and consulting agreement, then negotiated a favorable resolution.
