Karr Tuttle Campbell represents businesses and individuals engaged in the quickly-developing cannabis industry. Our clients in this industry include licensed cannabis producers, processors, and retailers, as well as entrepreneurs and investors focused on bringing new goods, services, and sources of financing to the expanding cannabis marketplace.
Karr Tuttle Campbell attorneys have been representing cannabis and hemp businesses since 2013. We have been deeply engaged in development of Washington’s cannabis industry for nearly a decade and are recognized for our excellence not just in Washington, but nationally. We have clients in every segment of the industry, not just licensees, but also ancillary businesses providing non-cannabis goods and services to support the industry and investors providing the capital to fuel the industry’s growth. We represent businesses that are family-owned, business that are publicly traded, and everything in between.
We know running a cannabis business is not easy. We know Liquor and Cannabis Board (“LCB”) regulations make standard business practices difficult. Despite this, we can find compliant solutions to help you thrive in every stage of your business – forming and organizing your company, employment and real estate matters, private and venture financing transactions, taxation, brand protection and expansion, and mergers, acquisitions, and exits. When needed we support you with administrative appeal, litigation, mediation, and arbitration services.
We have completed countless change of location and license purchase transactions and know the LCB inside and out. We have long-standing relationships with the LCB, the Department of Agriculture, and the cannabis and hemp community within Washington state, the United States, and internationally. We have an unparalleled track record in helping our clients comply with the law, address LCB regulatory issues that may arise, and appeal adverse LCB administrative actions.
Our experience with cannabis and hemp businesses:
Corporate
Entity selection, structure, equity, profit sharing, management, and governance
Labor and employment matters including contracts, benefits, unions, and investigations
Distribution agreements
Venture and private capital finance
Securities law compliance
Taxation
Real estate and equipment leases
Zoning and land use
Regulatory
Change of locations, change in governing persons, license assumptions
Administrative violation notice challenges
Product recall challenges
Fertilizer regulatory compliance and national expansion
Intellectual Property
Trademark registration, protection, and defense
Patents
In-state, interstate, and international brand expansion for cannabis and hemp
Equipment intellectual property protection and national distribution
Litigation
State and Federal Law Conflict
In providing legal services to this fast-growing industry Karr Tuttle believes it is important to acknowledge the awkward conflict between State and Federal law. The possession, distribution, (most advertising) and manufacture of marijuana remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) regardless of state law. Although the U.S. Department of Justice has noted that an effective state regulatory system, and compliance with such a system, should be considered in the exercise of investigative and prosecutorial discretion, its authority to prosecute violations of the CSA is not diminished by the passage of state laws which may permit such activity, including Initiative 502 in the State of Washington.
