Cannabis businesses – whether involved in medical marijuana, adult recreational use or industrial hemp – are subject to rapidly changing and constantly evolving laws and regulations. As a result, those involved in the cannabis industry and the many ancillary industries touched by cannabis laws require expertise and sound counsel. Our team stays on top of emerging trends and monitors legislative and regulatory developments to provide timely advice and information to our clients as they navigate this complex industry.
We represent clients across the cannabis industry in Florida:
- Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC) with cultivation, processing, and dispensing operations
- MMTC licensure applicants
- Cannabis industry investors
- Manufacturers and retailers of CBD products
- Industrial and trade groups
We assist cannabis-related clients in understanding and assessing the complicated legal landscape and have experience with:
- Statutory and regulatory compliance
- Litigation and administrative proceedings relating to medical marijuana and hemp regulations
- Preparation of license applications
- Legislative and public referenda strategy
- Analysis of enacted and proposed cannabis related statutes, rules, and Florida constitutional amendments
- Industrial hemp pilot programs
Please note: It is illegal under federal law to possess, sell, distribute, or use marijuana or marijuana-based substances, regardless of any state law that may decriminalize such activities. Federal law enforcement policy relating to marijuana may at times defer to states’ laws and not enforce conflicting federal laws. However, interested parties should be aware that: (i) compliance with state law does not constitute compliance with federal law; (iii) compliance with state law is not a defense to violations of federal law; and (iii) there is a risk that conflicting federal law may be enforced at any time. No legal advice that we might give is intended to provide, nor should be construed as providing, any guidance or assistance in violating federal law.
- Administrative, Regulatory, and Government Affairs
- Administrative Litigation & Appeals
- Agency Affairs
- Government Affairs – Legislative & Executive/Cabinet & Agency
- Government Contracts & Procurement
- Government Investigations & Audits
- Financial Institutions
- Legislative Advising & Strategy
- Licensure & Discipline
- Public Referenda Advising & Strategy
- Regulatory Filings, Compliance & Analysis
- Rulemaking & Rule Challenges
- State & Local Taxation
- Corporate
- Business Advising
- Due Diligence
- Entity Formation & Capital Raises
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Litigation
- Administrative Litigation
- Appeals
- Civil Litigation
- Constitutional Law
- Dispute Resolution
- Licensure Disputes
- Rule Challenges
- White Collar & Criminal
- Land Use/Zoning, Environmental
- Labor & Employment
- Real Estate
In the Media:
Cannabis Co. Trulieve Escapes Investors' Moldy Pot Suit
Law360|January 2022
Publications:
Cannabis Dispensaries Take Another Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2021|Glenn Burhans, Jr., Douglas L. Kilby, Jay B. Shapiro
Firm Announcements:
Stearns Weaver Miller Continues to Strengthen Tallahassee Footprint
May 2021
In the Media:
Right to Farm
Sunrise: A Florida Politics Podcast |April 2021
In the Media:
Fla.'s Largest Pot Co. Calls Robocall Ban Unconstitutional
Law360|January 2020
In the Media:
Fla. Pot Co. Says It Was Smeared In Short-Selling Scheme
Law360|January 2020
Events:
Rules & Regulations for an Emerging Industry: Federal and State Legal Issues
850 Hemp Summit |October 2019|Glenn Burhans, Jr.
In the Media:
Canna-biz: A closer look at the medical marijuana industry in the Capital City
WCTV|September 2019