Cannabis/Marijuana Law
The cannabis industry is rapidly evolving, creating both opportunities and regulatory challenges for businesses nationwide. Since 2016, our attorneys have provided trusted legal counsel to companies operating under state medical and adult-use regulations. Our deep knowledge of state regulatory compliance, licensing, and cannabis business law enables us to craft tailored strategies that support growth and protect our clients’ interests.
With the DEA’s recent move to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III, the industry stands on the brink of transformational change. This shift is expected to ease legal constraints, expand access to banking services and traditional investments, and eliminate cumbersome tax burdens that prevent the deduction of ordinary business expenses. At Frier Levitt, we are well-positioned to guide clients through this transition, ensuring compliance while helping them seize emerging opportunities.
Our attorneys are nationally recognized thought leaders in cannabis law, including co-authoring the legal treatise Legal Guide to the Business of Cannabis and Hemp (PLI Press, 2025).
- State marijuana business license applications (medical and adult-use)
- State and federal cannabis regulatory compliance related to growing, processing, and dispensing cannabis
- Product labeling and advertising compliance
- Business transactions, acquisitions, and sale of licenses
- State law enforcement defense
- State Medical Marijuana application support
- Structuring financing for cannabis ventures
- Drafted applications for competitive medical marijuana licenses in both vertically and non-vertically integrated states
- Guided cannabis operators on labeling compliance and marketing practices
- Structured multimillion-dollar financing for cannabis businesses
- Drafted operating agreements for new marijuana companies
- Secured $30M in financial commitments for a cannabis venture
Hemp, CBD, and Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids
Hemp businesses encounter a distinct set of challenges and opportunities within the greater cannabis industry. The 2018 Farm Bill’s provisions have stimulated significant growth in the hemp industry, yet the regulatory environment remains complex and challenging. Our holistic approach addresses both immediate regulatory and compliance issues while also focusing on long-term business strategies. We are committed to understanding our clients’ products and business objectives to tailor solutions that foster growth and success.
CBD, the prominent non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp, has gained significant commercial and medical interest. Despite its popularity, it is subject to rigorous regulation, from FDA restrictions on CBD in food and supplements to evolving rules around hemp-derived cannabinoids such as Delta-8 THC, hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, and THCa, businesses must remain vigilant to avoid enforcement risk. Our attorneys regularly advise clients on federal and state compliance, product labeling, marketing, and transactions.
Additionally, numerous less common or “exotic” natural products have found their way into the food, beverage, and dietary supplement markets. We also counsel clients working with “exotic” natural products, such as Kava, Kratom, Lion’s Mane, Chaga, helping them navigate regulatory frameworks that govern dietary supplements and novel ingredients.
- FDA, FTC, DEA, and CBP enforcement defense
- State and federal regulatory compliance and import/export compliance for hemp-derived cannabinoids
- Business transactional support including buy/sell, licensing, contract manufacturing/tolling, and distribution agreements
- Label, website, and advertising reviews for state and federal compliance
- FDA Warning Letter, Form 482, and state enforcement defense
- State and federal GMP compliance
- M&A readiness and financing counsel
- Advised various hemp/CBD/hemp-derived cannabinoid companies on regulatory matters associated with the manufacturing/marketing of Delta-8 THC and THCa-containing products
- Negotiated multimillion-dollar hemp biomass acquisitions
- Defended a Kava-infused beverage company in a Prop 65 action
- Guided CBD companies on state and federal regulatory compliance in the areas of agricultural production, grower’s state license, transportation, tolling, sale, and product / label claims of hemp and hemp-containing products
- Assisted two CBD ventures in acquiring related companies to pursue vertical integration
- Represented a South American cannabis/hemp company in acquiring extraction/distillation equipment from a distressed U.S. hemp/CBD venture
- Represented a hemp-derived cannabinoid beverage company with federal and state label and marketing compliance
- Represented a manufacturer/marketer of Kava- and Kratom-infused beverages with state and federal label and advertising compliance
Psychedelics Law
The psychedelics sector is emerging as one of the most dynamic areas in life sciences, with increasing investment, clinical research, and therapeutic potential. At Frier Levitt, we help clients navigate the complex regulatory and business landscape governing psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, MDMA, 5-MeO-DMT and other controlled substances with potential medical applications.
Our team combines decades of FDA and DEA regulatory experience with deep life sciences industry knowledge. We provide legal and strategic support for psychedelic biotech companies, clinical trial sponsors, research institutions, and investors.
- DEA license applications and compliance guidance
- FDA regulatory compliance for clinical trials and product development
- Strategic business transactions and partnerships
- Capital raises, venture finance, and due diligence support
- End-to-end clinical trial legal support – from protocol development to post-trial analysis
- FDA Law and the Psychedelic Renaissance, Edgar J. Asebey, Esq. and James T. O’Reilly, Esq., Update Magazine, Food & Drug Law Institute (Spring 2024)
- Regulatory Law & the Psychedelic Renaissance, by Edgar J. Asebey, Esq. and James T. O’Reilly, Esq., PLI Chronicle: Insights and Perspectives for the Legal Community (Nov./Dec. 2023)
- The Legal Guide to the Business of Marijuana: Cannabis, Hemp and CBD Regulation by Edgar J. Asebey and Guilherme Ferrari Faviero (June 2023)
- The Rescheduling of Cannabis: Government Scientists Speak – Will the DEA Listen? by Guilherme Ferrari Faviero and Edgar J. Asebey in The Health Lawyer, American Bar Association (February 28, 2024)
Why Choose Frier Levitt?
As a national boutique law firm focused exclusively on healthcare, life sciences and pharmacy, Frier Levitt is uniquely positioned to provide sophisticated, practical, and forward-looking legal strategies for companies operating in cannabis, hemp, CBD, and psychedelics. Our clinician-attorneys and regulatory counsel bring unmatched insight into the intersection of science, regulation, and commerce.
Frier Levitt provides strategic, industry-focused legal counsel tailored to your needs. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you.
