News and Insights

10.15.24

Is hiring a foreign national a risky move for cannabis employers?

Cannabis legalization may continue to spread state-by-state, but Uncle Sam still sees it as a controlled substance and those who engage in the field can fit the definition of narcotics traffickers. So…

9.10.24

Can psychedelics overcome the complex legal challenges to provide wider access to their benefits?

Psychedelics hold immense promise for disrupting the consumer wellness space, and present a potentially lucrative opportunity for investors. But before they can fully capitalize on this potential,…

8.29.24

Are forever chemicals changing the rules of land transactions?

With over 15,000 known compounds, the growing ubiquity of PFAS—the so-called “forever chemicals”—presents regulators with the daunting task of translating a loosely understood set of chemicals into…

8.20.24

How challenging is it to secure a trademark for your cannabis brand?

Picture this: Your cannabis business is thriving, sales are through the roof, and you’ve developed a loyal, passionate following for your brand. And yet… you still haven’t been able to register a…

8.01.24

What do real estate investors need to know about the Corporate Transparency Act?

In real estate, complex ownership structures have long been a part of the game. But the introduction of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) earlier this year has presented a new set of potential…

7.30.24

Collaboration or contamination? Here‘s how to protect your cannabis trade secrets.

Cultivating a competitive edge in the cannabis industry hinges on innovation. But protecting those game-changing ideas is a hazy process that poses a lot of questions: Can you collaborate with other…

4.30.24

What happens if cannabis moves to a lower-risk drug tier?

UPDATE: In light of the breaking news on April 30, 2024, that DEA will move to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III, it is critically important that cannabis operators begin to take steps to prepare…

3.12.24

How are M&A deals structured in the cannabis industry?

Like most other practices in the cannabis industry, conducting M&A activity within this space presents its own unique challenges. Federal prohibition restricts traditional financing methods and…

3.07.24

When will interest rates finally cool off? Here’s what one commercial lender predicts for 2024.

The historically low interest rates of the early pandemic years are firmly in the rearview mirror. The Fed’s decision to raise rates a whopping 11 times between 2022 and 2023 has created a lending…

2.29.24

How does a national law firm decide where to open a new office?

Whether you’re a multinational corporation looking to attract talent, or a startup who just wants a space to host clients, deciding when, where, and how to open an office is a meticulous, often…

2.27.24

What cannabis operators need to know about properly insuring their business

A combination of regulatory hurdles, limited market options, and the unique risks associated with the industry has made it challenging for cannabis companies in Michigan to secure comprehensive and…

2.22.24

Where does the money for affordable housing come from?

How do you bridge the gap between development costs and what low-income renters can afford? Among other sources, public funding efforts play a big role in ensuring access to safe and stable housing…

2.14.24

Do cannabis brands need a PR strategy (even when there’s no crisis)?

When you’re a cannabis operator dealing with an issue that could impact your reputation, your first call should be to your attorney (trust us). Your second call? Your PR team. But public relations…

2.08.24

To drill or not to drill? What landowners in Texas need to know about mineral and surface rights

In the Lone Star State, owning the surface doesn't mean owning everything underground. Mineral and surface rights can belong to someone else, granting them access and potentially disrupting your…

1.17.24

2023 was a pivotal year in cannabis law. Here's what to expect in 2024.

From a spike in M&A activity, to a potentially rescheduling, to more states jumping on the legalization train, 2023 was a year of change and unpredictability in the cannabis industry. As operators…

12.05.23

Ohioans want to legalize cannabis, but do their lawmakers feel the same?

On November 7th, Ohio voters took to the polls and overwhelmingly voted in favor of a ballot initiative that will make it the 20th state to legalize adult recreational cannabis. Before it goes into…

11.29.23

Tax Increment Financing: the funding tool spurring economic growth across the country

When a vacant, blighted, contaminated, or otherwise challenged property is redeveloped, it becomes more valuable–but where does this funding come from? In many cases, developers initiate a Tax…

11.29.23

What are we going to do with all this empty office space?

More than three years later, the pandemic continues to have a lasting impact on the commercial real estate market. Despite attempts from employers to get their staff back in the office, downtowns…

11.29.23

Why is it so hard to secure financing in today's real estate market?

As interest rates continue to climb, securing financing for new (or existing) real estate projects remains a challenge for buyers across every region—even traditionally high-deal-flow areas. Michael…

11.07.23

Does the cannabis industry need to worry about PFAS chemicals?

You’ve probably heard of PFAS: those harmful “forever chemicals” you can find in non-stick cookware, cleaning products, and even drinking water. As the dangers of PFAS become more evident, regulatory…