In addition to thorough legal knowledge, your attorney needs to know the ins-and-outs of marijuana law for your specific county. These laws are nuanced and regulated by numerous governments and agencies.
Your attorney can help you:
Create a business plan for a cannabis startup
Answer your questions about California's legalization of recreational marijuana
Comply with point-of-sale and dispensary laws in your county
Follow new rules on THC limits and intellectual property laws related to CBD or marijuana products
Work through compliance concerns for a marijuana industry business license
Find legal cannabis distribution options
With over one million attorneys in the FindLaw directory, the right local attorney is just a few clicks away. They can assist your business with legal venture capital options, license application fee and deadline compliance, relations between cannabis company co-founders, and compliance with e-commerce or incubator programs.
Use the contact form to reach out to the right California attorney for your cannabis business needs today.
Cannabis is still considered an illegal narcotic under federal law. The possession of marijuana, marijuana use, cultivation, and transportation of cannabis across state lines are federal offenses. As long as marijuana is considered illegal under federal law, businesses are highly restricted in any interstate commerce. This includes more than just physically crossing state lines. Federal regulations may impact how an in-state operation can conduct:
Marketing
Online shopping
Distribution
Credit card processing
Use of financial institutions
Failing to comply with complex state and federal marijuana laws can expose a business owner to the risk of criminal charges.
If you are looking to start a cannabis business in Orange, California, a cannabis lawyer can be essential to making sure you comply with the complex marijuana laws. Cannabis laws continue to evolve and finding a cannabis lawyer with experience navigating state and local regulations can help you avoid any unnecessary pitfalls or legal setbacks.
The cannabis industry has to deal with multiple state and local laws involving land use, taxation, and licensing. A cannabis attorney understands how to anticipate foreseeable issues and can address them before they become a problem. Use FindLaw to find a cannabis attorney who will help you get your new business off the ground.
Many people who need to find a lawyer in California have never hired a lawyer before. Talking to a lawyer may be a new experience and you might want some help getting started. Here are some questions you may want to ask a lawyer before deciding who to hire.
What is your main practice area?
How many years of experience do you have in California with cases like mine?
How often do you take cases to trial or settle them out of court?
Can I take my case through mediation or arbitration?
Do you offer a free consultation?
What are your fees and costs?
Will you be the attorney primarily handling my case?
How will I be kept up-to-date about my case?
In order to practice law in California, attorneys have to both pass the California bar exam and be admitted by the State Bar of California. Most attorneys in California graduate from an accredited law school but some lawyers are admitted through on-the-job experience for a minimum of 4 years and through passing an additional legal exam. After a lawyer is admitted to law practice in California, they can practice in almost any area of law.
Lawyers in California are held to strict ethical guidelines known as the Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys may have duties and limitations in:
Attorney-client confidentiality
Duty of client advocacy
Conflicts of interest
Duty of candor
Limitations in soliciting clients
Restrictions on handling a client's money
Many people avoid calling a lawyer because they are worried it will be too expensive. In many cases, a lawyer can end up saving the client money. This includes getting an increased award, recovering additional damages, avoiding financial problems in the future, and avoiding future disputes and litigation. Some legal areas even allow the lawyer to recover legal fees from the party at fault.
