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GSB to Host Half-Day Program Focused on Helping Cannabis Businesses Transition to Maturity

On Thursday, November 3, Garvey Schubert Barer’s Cannabis Industry Group will be presenting Cannabis 2016: Transitioning from Infancy to Maturity, a half-day educational program geared toward helping companies thrive amid the industry’s fluid business environment.  As the cannabis industry has been undergoing a rapid maturation, nascent enterprises are quickly evolving into sophisticated businesses.  This session will provide best practices and guidance to help manage business and operational issues to ensure the long-term growth and success of industry members.

Cannabis 2016 is tailored specifically for cannabis processors, producers, retailers and ancillary businesses, and it will cover topics that include:

    • Managing a more experienced marijuana workforce
    • Making decisions regarding human resources
    • Managing financial risk and insurance issues
    • Navigating state-specific regulations

Moderators and speakers at the seminar will include GSB Cannabis Industry Group co-chairs Emily Harris Gant and Andy Aley, and GSB Labor & Employment attorneys Jared Van Kirk and Mike Brunet.  Dani Espinda of ACT Resources, PLLC and Norm Ives of Mosaic Insurance Alliance, LLC will also be presenting.  Additionally, there will be two enforcement officers from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board in attendance who will be available to answer questions from session attendees.

An article featuring the event was recently published in MJ Headline News.

Date and Time:
Thursday, November 3, 2016
1:00 – 4:30 pm, cocktail reception to follow

Location:
Garvey Schubert Barer
1191 Second Avenue, 6th floor
Seattle, WA 98101-2939

Cost:
Free

This program is co-hosted by Garvey Schubert Barer, ACT Resources and Mosaic Insurance Alliance.

Warning Regarding Federal Law: The possession, distribution, and manufacturing of marijuana is illegal under federal law, regardless of state law which may, in some jurisdictions, decriminalize such activity under certain circumstances.  Penalties for violating federal drug laws are very serious.  For example, a conviction on a charge of conspiracy to sell drugs carries a mandatory minimum prison term of five years for a first offense and, depending on the quantity of marijuana involved, the fine for such a conviction could be as high as $10 million.  In addition, the federal government may seize, and seek the civil forfeiture of, the real or personal property used to facilitate the sale of marijuana as well as the money or other proceeds from the sale. Although the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently rescinded its guidance regarding prioritization of criminal prosecutions of individuals and entities operating in compliance with effective state regulatory systems, DOJ left in place long standing guidance to federal prosecutors regarding how to exercise this discretion.  Individuals and companies are cautioned to consult with experienced attorneys regarding their exposure to potential criminal prosecution before establishing business operations in reliance upon the passage of state laws which may decriminalize such activity. Federal authority to prosecute violations of federal law as crimes or through seizures and forfeiture actions is not diminished by state law.  Indeed, due to the federal government’s jurisdiction over interstate commerce, when businesses provide services to marijuana producers, processors or distributors located in multiple states, they potentially face a higher level of scrutiny from federal authorities than do their customers with local operations.

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About Us

Foster Garvey’s Cannabis practice group comprises a premier legal counsel team who provides a full range of legal services such as regulatory compliance, marijuana licensing, business finance, contracts, labor and employment, health care, real estate, intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, technology and tax. Our team possesses deep and diverse industry experience and has counseled clients across virtually all industry sectors. We understand the inherent challenges that licensed marijuana and ancillary businesses in Washington state, Oregon and Alaska are burdened with in this highly regulated industry as they deal with onerous state and local regulations as well as uncertainty resulting from federal law.

We are committed to helping our clients achieve their business goals while navigating the intricacies in this rapidly changing area of law. We prize innovation and entrepreneurship, and closely monitoring industry trends. 

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