Cannabis and Hemp

Who We Are

Shipman’s cannabis and hemp practice provides comprehensive legal counsel to businesses operating across every segment of the rapidly evolving cannabis and hemp markets. Our dedicated cannabis practice draws upon the skills and experience of attorneys across disciplines. Our clients benefit from our years of cannabis and hemp industry experience, deep institutional knowledge of national, state and local regulatory frameworks and licensing requirements, and personalized approach to client service.

Shipman attorneys help guide clients through every stage of the business lifecycle. We understand the unique challenges that cannabis businesses face, including the interplay between state and federal law, the complexities of banking, financing, and tax planning, and the nuanced local zoning and land use requirements. We currently represent cannabis operators across Connecticut and in New York and Massachusetts. Our attorneys appreciate the importance of having boots on the ground in the cannabis industry. We work closely with cannabis and hemp trade associations to drive policy and regulatory changes to benefit the industry. We are frequently asked to provide input on proposed regulations and policies, including those promulgated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, New York Office of Cannabis Management, and the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

What We Do

Shipman’s cannabis and hemp practice provides comprehensive legal counsel to businesses operating across every segment of the rapidly evolving cannabis and hemp markets. Our practice spans the full lifecycle of cannabis and hemp business operations. We counsel clients on entity formation and structuring, mergers and acquisitions, social equity partnerships, joint ventures and partnership agreements, licensing and regulatory compliance, real estate, zoning and land use approvals, financing and capital raises, management agreements, co-manufacturing and vendor contracts, intellectual property licensing and protection, employment matters, and administrative proceedings before state agencies.

We are particularly experienced in helping multi-state operators and social equity entrepreneurs navigate state licensing requirements and ownership transfer restrictions. Our team has successfully guided numerous cultivators, manufacturers and retailers through initial and revised license applications and helped them to secure critical funding through new investment and debt financing. Our team also includes experienced litigators who have successfully represented cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, and laboratories in licensing, contract, and employment disputes, as well as administrative appeals.

In the hemp sector, we advise growers, processors, manufacturers and retailers on the Farm Bill framework and proposed amendments, THC content and hemp-derived cannabinoid restrictions, and import/export compliance under U.S. Customs and DEA requirements.

Our attorneys help clients navigate and understand the complex patchwork of regulations that apply to cannabis and hemp-derived consumable products, and plan for divergent outcomes based on evolving federal law and policy.