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Cannabis Corporate Governance

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Guiding Cannabis Businesses Through Corporate Governance Best Practices

Harris Sliwoski consults with and represents businesses developing and carrying out cannabis corporate governance policies.

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Cannabis Corporate Governance Attorneys

Following cannabis corporate governance guidelines and best practices helps cannabis companies stay organized and agile. A governance structure clarifies roles and responsibilities so that stakeholders can make swift, pragmatic decisions. Thorough governance policy documentation also helps cannabis companies respond to inquiries from regulators, settle disputes among stakeholders and satisfy financers’ approval requirements.

Harris Sliwoski can provide corporate governance guidance and representation for your company. Our experienced cannabis law attorneys will walk your decision-makers through relevant corporate governance laws. You will receive the insight needed to implement effective governance policies. We will also stand strong on your behalf in response to regulatory inquiries and disputes.

Turn to Harris Sliwoski to navigate cannabis corporate governance issues and:

  • Develop a governance framework.
  • Audit corporate governance policy adherence.
  • Draft governance contacts.
  • Verify compliance with corporate governance regulations.
  • Smoothen stakeholder transition during sales, mergers and acquisitions.

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Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Cannabis Industry

Cannabis companies are subject to the same regulations and guidelines that apply to corporations throughout the United States. As the nationwide cannabis industry takes shape, implementing compliant and recommended governance policies helps businesses adapt.

Various federal laws establish requirements that apply to businesses in every state. For instance, cannabis companies must implement governance practices that satisfy the requirements of the most recent amendments to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 contain elements that pertain to corporate governance, as well.

Since cannabis is still illegal under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970, obtaining certain support, such as banking services, is more difficult. As a result, it’s important to ensure compliance with the ever-changing legal landscape. States also hold separate regulations and guidelines for cannabis companies, so cannabis companies should enact policies that satisfy requirements in their states and any other state in which they may do business.

At Harris Sliwoski, we help cannabis companies navigate governance laws in California, Utah, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. Our team also has experience in international governance law, enabling us to support our clients’ most ambitious endeavors.

Why Choose Harris Sliwoski for Cannabis Corporate Governance Services?

Harris Sliwoski is an experienced legal team ready to take command of your corporate governance situation. Our analysis, recommendations and representation will help you establish a well-structured governance policy that protects and empowers your organization.

We distinguish ourselves through our experience and diligence. The Harris Sliwoski team comprises attorneys with cannabis law experience in numerous states. Each attorney will expend the necessary time and effort to polish the details of your governance structure or inquiry response.

From navigating the volatile state and federal cannabis laws in the United States to complying with the sensitivities of international business, Harris Sliwoski has the expertise necessary to serve your business.

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Full Legal Services Surrounding Cannabis Corporate Governance

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Get in Touch with Our Corporate Governance Team

With guidance and representation from Harris Sliwoski, your cannabis company can enact unequivocal corporate governance policies. Our legal team will strengthen your stakeholders’ position through daily operations, major change and regulatory inquiry. For more on our corporate cannabis law services in California, Arizona, Utah, Washington and Oregon, please get started by filling out the form, or call 1-888-330-0010 to schedule an initial consultation.

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Our Clients' Successes

“Harris Sliwoski expertly guided us through the formation of our company. They continue to assist with necessary registrations and compliance with numerous regulations. They were able to promptly answer all our many questions and provide understandable options, explanations and practical advice. We expect to continue to use Harris Sliwoski on a regular basis as our company expands. They were also able to introduce us other professional experts. We would not hesitate to recommend Harris Sliwoski to any companies in need of legal advice.”

user icon Three Continents Foods LLC

This law firm was a huge help as our company went through the process of commercial licensing in the California cannabis industry.  They have helped us with a variety of legal issues in a timely fashion, while clearly communicating with us throughout the process.  Everyone we’ve worked with at Harris Sliwoski is an expert in their field and we have always felt that we were in good hands through our legal representation.

user icon Wil Crummer, CEO PRO Farms

Legal stuff is always scary. And I’ve had to play offense a couple times, begrudgingly. To have Harris Sliwoski have my back? It made things a lot less prickly. They quickly walked me through my options, and were refreshingly consistent in their communications, timing and billing. I’ve been lucky to stay out of the legal side of things my whole career, thankfully. When things went a little wrong, Harris Sliwoski quickly made things right.

user icon Aaron Draplin, Founder Draplin Design Co.

I am impressed with this law firm. They answered all my questions regarding cannabis businesses and the California cannabis framework, and they have helped me with a variety of legal issues in a timely fashion, while always clearly communicating with us throughout the process. They also redirected me to other quality people for my business needs. Everyone I worked with at Harris Sliwoski is an expert in their field, and I was in good hands throughout my legal representation.

user icon Corey T., CEO Thinc Cubed, LLC

I have been working with the lawyers at Harris Sliwoski for more than 20 years both as a business owner and as an executive at a large east-coast health system and that is because they have always efficiently provided high level and clear international law advice. Most recently, Harris Sliwoski provided legal support on many matters related to procuring medical products worldwide. Their support was particularly helpful to during the onset of COVID, when there was a big need for securing PPE quickly, all while navigating complicated international and domestic legal requirements. Harris Sliwoski’s team of international lawyers helped by conducting rapid-fire due diligence on potential suppliers, navigating the legal logistics for getting product from overseas and through U.S. customs, and drafting contracts to protect against various sorts of horribles. They did this by essentially providing what amounted to 24/7 service. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

user icon Dan Pak Hospital Supply Chain Executive

Harris Sliwoski has represented our company in the legal cannabis industry for years. Harris Sliwoski has advised us in a wide variety of legal matters, and they are truly experts in their field. I would highly recommend Harris Sliwoski to anyone with questions about cannabis law, or any legal matters. They have been great for our Company, and will continue to guide us as our industry evolves

user icon Matt Hurt, COO Cannabis Nation

You won’t find a better partner than Harris Sliwoski when trying to navigate the complex world of healthcare regulations.  They not only give sound and reliable legal advice, but they are also very responsive and are able to guide you in a way that helps you reach your business objectives as well.

user icon Joseph Axelrod, General Counsel Irwin Naturals

When we started the process of building a ‘seed to sale’ cannabis company in Oregon, we saw the need for expert legal counsel.  The cannabis sector is fraught with potential peril at every turn, and we wanted the best legal advice we could find.  After talking to several firms and individuals, we feel extremely fortunate to have chosen Harris Sliwoski as our legal counsel.

user icon Tony Theiss, CEO and Co-Founder Redbarn Cannabis 

We use Harris Sliwoski on all our international legal matters, including on our international litigation matters. We have over the last few years been involved in a couple big international legal disputes and Harris Sliwoski’s international dispute resolution team provided us with expert legal assistance on both matters. They were always very careful to explain to us what they were doing and why and what their actions would likely cost us in legal fees. Most importantly, we did extremely well on both cases and I have no doubt Harris Sliwoski was a big factor in that.

user icon Kevin English, CEO We Are Camp

We have used Harris Sliwoski for legal help related to our international manufacturing. The lawyers with whom I worked had extensive familiarity with the international legal issues involved in our various projects and offered us key insights. I particularly appreciated how they always quickly and efficiently do what they say they will do and always within their cost estimates.

user icon Andrea Barona Valladolid, Senior Legal Counsel Fairphone
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