Preti Flaherty's Cannabis Business Group has long been at the forefront of New England’s rapidly growing cannabis industries, representing marijuana and hemp clients in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

The legal framework surrounding cannabis is highly complex, with often-conflicting laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. Our attorneys have helped clients navigate this complex legal environment for years, providing the trusted guidance needed to finance, initiate, produce, distribute, and sell marijuana and hemp products, as well as locating facilities and working with property owners and local governments and communities.

Preti Flaherty offers comprehensive, trend-setting counsel in virtually all aspects of the industry, from medical to adult-use marijuana; from industrial hemp to nutritional supplements and cannabinoids; and from cultivation to manufacture to retail sales of both medical and recreational marijuana. Our Government Affairs professionals have been deeply involved in the efforts to legalize and regulate various forms of cannabis, serving on Maine's Marijuana Advisory Commission and advising other government and non-governmental organizations. We are skilled at providing a full-range of legal, government relations, and public relations services to marijuana and hemp-related operations, including:

  • Licensing, permitting, certification, and, if necessary, appeals
  • Creating, investigating, and understanding local zoning codes
  • Business startup, franchise, and corporate entity formation and services
  • Negotiating with real estate, financial, or other service providers
  • Dispute resolution and litigation complicated by the many intricacies of the hemp and marijuana business
  • Intellectual property, employment, and all business-related legal services
  • Energy and environmental compliance
  • Advising municipalities
  • Lobbying and counsel on the current and future legislative and regulatory environment at the state and municipal level

With a cross-disciplinary approach, extensive knowledgebase, and cutting-edge strategies, few firms can match our ability to help clients overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and establish a foundation in the dynamic cannabis industry.

Firm Highlights

Publication

Helping Employers Navigate the New Independent Contractor Rule and Compliance Challenges

On March 11 th , the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) new Independent Contractor Rule goes into effect.  As your organization readies itself for compliance, it’s imperative to scrutinize your independent contractor classifications...

News

David Van Slyke Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law

Preti Flaherty’s Managing Partner David Van Slyke has been recognized by Lawdragon as one of the top 500 environmental lawyers in the U.S. It’s the third time he has been named to this prestigious...

Publication

USCIS Announces H-1B Registration Period for FY2025: New “Beneficiary Centric” Registration Process and Increased Fees

USCIS has recently announced a series of changes that will impact the FY2025 H-1B registration system and cap filing season. H-1B Registration Period and Organizational Accounts As in prior years, under this process, prospective petitioners...

News

Attorney Jeffrey Thaler Named to 2024 Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Energy Law

Preti Flaherty’s attorney Jeffrey Thaler has been recognized by  Lawdragon  as one of the top 500 Leaders in Energy Law. This is Jeff’s third time named to this prestigious list since the first publication...

Event

Sigmund Schutz to moderate panel at 36th Annual Media and the Law Seminar: Under Attack! Existential Threats to Journalism and Free Speech

From unlawful searches and seizures of newsrooms and highly contentious litigation to physical harassment and calls for violence online, journalists and news organizations are under attack like never before. At the 36 th Annual...

Publication

Failure to Follow Your Contract's Notice Requirements Can be Costly

In Kinetic Systems, Inc. v. IPS-Integrated Projects Services, LLC et. al., No.: 20-cv-1125 (D.N.H. February 6, 2024), the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire granted summary judgment for a general contractor...

News

Preti Flaherty Welcomes Trust and Estate Attorney Elise Salek to the Firm

Preti Flaherty is pleased to announce that Elise Salek has joined the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Practicing out of the firm’s Concord, New Hampshire office, Elise brings nearly three decades of experience...

Event

Accessing Police Misconduct Records

Preti’s Sigmund Schutz will be one of the Maine panelists in New England First Amendment Coalition’s Accessing Police Misconduct Records series. This series continues NEFAC’s freedom of information lessons and builds on the information...

Publication

November 7, 2023 Election Results

Maine’s November 2023 statewide elections were exclusively referendum questions, four were citizen initiatives, and four were proposed amendments to the Maine Constitution. Of these, Questions 5, 7 and 8 were placed on the ballot...

News

Benchmark Litigation Names Preti Flaherty 2024 “Maine Firm of the Year"

Benchmark Litigation has named Preti Flaherty as 2024 Litigation Firm of the Year in the State of Maine. Through extensive peer- and- client reviewed research, as well as analysis of casework; the Benchmark Awards...