Cannabis and Hemp

Who We Are

Shipman & Goodwin’s Cannabis & 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. Our attorneys help guide clients through every stage of cannabis business development—from initial license applications and social equity qualifications to complex acquisitions, partnership formations, financing, regulatory investigations and compliance, vendor agreements, administrative appeals, and litigation. We understand the unique challenges that cannabis businesses face, including the interplay between state and federal law, the complexities of banking and financing, and the nuanced local zoning and land use requirements.

We currently represent cannabis operators across Connecticut and in New York and Massachusetts, advising on state-specific licensing regimes, adult-use and medical program compliance and local zoning and land-use approvals. Our clients benefit from our intimate knowledge of state laws and regulations as well as our rapport with regulators and local officials. Our attorneys work closely with cannabis 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. We also advise hemp businesses nationwide on the Farm Bill framework and proposed amendments, state hemp-derived cannabinoid restrictions, and import/export compliance under U.S. Customs and DEA requirements.

What We Do

Our practice spans the full lifecycle of cannabis and hemp business operations. We counsel clients on entity formation and structuring, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and partnership agreements, licensing and regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and leasing, zoning and land use approvals, financing and capital raises, intellectual property protection, employment matters, and administrative proceedings before state agencies.

We are particularly experienced in representing social equity applicants navigating 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 disputes and administrative appeals.

In the hemp sector, we advise growers, processors, and beverage manufacturers on regulatory compliance under both federal and state law, product labeling and marketing requirements, supply chain contracting, and the evolving legal landscape governing hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Our attorneys help clients navigate the complex patchwork of regulations that apply to hemp-based consumer goods, including those incorporated into food, beverages, dietary supplements, and topical products.

Check out our podcast series, From Bud to Boardroom, a Shipman & Goodwin® podcast series for the cannabis industry.  This mini series brings you the latest developments in Connecticut's cannabis market, breaking down the latest legal developments and providing industry insights from the voices of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community activists.