Cannabis law is ever changing and presents many complex issues for businesses in the industry. Cannabis businesses must consider local and state legal nuances as well as federal requirements and regulations, so it is important to work closely with an experienced cannabis business lawyer to ensure your business meets federal, state, and local requirements when opening and operating a legal cannabis company.
The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas PLLC has a team of cannabis business attorneys who are ready to guide you through any legal issues you may face. If you have questions about your specific case, call us today at (479) 316-3760 to schedule a consultation.
Our Cannabis Services
The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas PLLC offers legal advice to cannabis businesses in Arkansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia. Our extensive knowledge about cannabis business law across the United States allows us to support our clients’ goals and deliver comprehensive strategies to navigate successfully in the cannabis industry.
Whether you are starting a cannabis business, growing your organization, or have questions about details of operations, such as cannabis banking, we can help you. It is important to work with an experienced cannabis business lawyer who has handled cases like yours so you can be confident in knowing they understand the complex laws involved that are specific to your needs.
Types of Cannabis Businesses We Support
We work with cannabis businesses of all types, guiding them through operations from startup to operating to selling or closing. Some of the cannabis businesses we work with include:
- Cannabis manufacturers
- Cannabis sellers and retail shops
- Cannabis distributors
- Cannabis transporters
- Cannabis dispensaries
- Cannabis growers
- Cannabis event organizers
Each of these businesses require different types of permits and licenses at state and local levels. It’s important to understand the regulations that apply to your business to ensure you are compliant.
Cannabis Startups
Starting a cannabis business can be challenging. There are many complex issues to consider, and you will need to understand federal, state, and local legal requirements as well as local business and social concerns. The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas PLLC helps cannabis startups meet state and local regulations.
Due to federal banking regulations, many cannabis startups also have difficulty finding funding and managing cannabis banking. Our cannabis business attorneys can advise on where to look for all of your small and large business needs and can help you navigate financial challenges.
What Is Cannabis?
The Cannabis plant is a genus that includes both marijuana and hemp. Both hemp and marijuana contain chemical compounds called cannabinoids. There are more than 113 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
Even though marijuana and hemp are derived from the same plant, there is a difference between them. Hemp contains 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or less, and marijuana contains more than 0.3% THC. Although marijuana and hemp are derived from the same cannabis plant, there is a drastic difference in the way they are treated legally based on their THC potency.
The Growing Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry has grown exponentially since California first legalized its medical use in 1996. Today, many states allow medical and recreational use of cannabis; however, the industry is strictly regulated. States that allow cannabis use typically have steep fees for licenses and permits as well as stiff taxes for anyone buying or selling in the industry.
Within the states that The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas PLLC serves, cannabis laws and type of use vary by location. Cannabis laws vary by state; however, federal cannabis laws apply to all U.S. states, and while federal cannabis laws take precedence over state laws, they are not always enforced. A list of types of use permitted in the states we serve are:
- Arkansas: Medical Only, Hemp-Derived
- Oklahoma: Medical Only, Hemp-Derived
- Missouri: Medical, Hemp-Derived, Recreational
- Minnesota: Medical, Hemp-Derived, Recreational
- Tennessee: Hemp-Derived
- Virginia: Medical, Hemp-Derived, Recreational
Federal Cannabis Laws
Federally, marijuana is a Schedule I drug and can carry serious criminal penalties for possession, sale, distribution, trafficking, or any another marijuana-related crime. Federal banking regulations also create considerable issues with cannabis businesses funding and banking.
Hemp, also derived from the cannabis plant, is legal in all 50 states, and anyone can legally possess or use hemp for a variety of purposes. Hemp does not contain enough THC to produce a high or intoxicated affect and is much less regulated than marijuana products. It is regulated on the federal level, however, and is becoming increasingly subject to stricter state regulations and even outright banning.
State Cannabis Laws
Cannabis laws vary drastically by state and even by city. Laws can restrict the location of cannabis businesses as well as who can use cannabis products. In most states that allow medical or recreational cannabis use, an individual user must be over the age of 18 or 21, depending on the state. Where only medical use is allowed, there are additional restrictions on how to obtain cannabis as well as requirements regarding medical treatment.
The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas PLLC Is Here to Help Your Business Grow
Whether you are just getting into the cannabis industry or are growing an existing cannabis business, it is important to work with a cannabis business attorney who knows the complex laws in your state. Your lawyer can help you understand and meet your business’s legal requirements. When you contact The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas PLLC, our cannabis business lawyers will listen to your needs and develop strategies to help you achieve your goals.
Call our cannabis business attorneys today at (479) 316-3760 to schedule a consultation.
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