Split & Burn: How Equal Ownership Destroys Cannabis Ventures Before They Bloom
I've watched dozens of cannabis ventures implode—not from market forces, regulatory hurdles, or competition—but from something entirely preventable: the deceptively simple equal ownership structure. That perfect-looking balance on ownership documents has become the silent killer of promising cannabis businesses across the industry.
When Federal and State Cannabis Laws Collide: Border Patrol Arrests in Maine
You might think Border Patrol only operates at actual border crossings with Canada, but their reach extends much further. By law, Border Patrol has authority within 100 miles of any international border or coastline. This 100-mile zone covers the entire state of Maine. With 611 miles of Canadian border and 228 miles of Atlantic coastline, there's nowhere in Maine that's outside Border Patrol's jurisdiction. This means federal agents can — and do — enforce federal cannabis laws anywhere in the state, regardless of what Maine state law allows.
My Cannabis Business Partner Screwed Me. Now What?
Your cannabis business partner betrayed you. The person you trusted with your dream, your investment, and your future just pulled the rug out from under you.
Maybe they diverted funds to their personal accounts. Perhaps they made compliance decisions behind your back that now threaten your license. Or maybe—and I see this constantly in the cannabis industry—they misrepresented their connections, expertise, or capital, leaving you holding the bag when promises didn't materialize.
Whatever happened, you're sitting in the wreckage of your cannabis venture wondering: now what?
The Evolution of Cannabis Residency Requirements in Maine: What Business Owners Need to Know
As Maine's cannabis industry continues to mature, one of the most significant regulatory shifts has been the changing landscape of residency requirements for business ownership. Whether you're considering entering Maine's cannabis market or expanding existing operations, understanding the current status and history of these requirements is essential for sound business planning.
Beyond the Base Rent: The Reality of Triple Net Leases for Cannabis Businesses
When discussing real estate options with cannabis clients, I often find they've been offered triple net (NNN) leases with little explanation of what this means for their business. During my nine years as a marijuana business attorney, I've seen many clients shocked after signing leases without understanding what they are getting into. Let's break down what a "triple net lease" really means for you’re in the cannabis business.
When Financial Trouble Hits: The Bankruptcy Barrier Facing Cannabis Companies
Cannabis businesses face a unique challenge that most other industries never have to think about: they can't file for bankruptcy. While this might seem like a technical legal issue, it creates serious real-world problems for business owners, employees, and investors when financial difficulties arise.
The "Act of God" Contract Clause That's Costing Cannabis Companies Millions
You've just signed a massive supply agreement. Then suddenly, the state changes its testing rules. Your perfectly good product now fails compliance. You can't deliver. Is your company on the hook for tens of thousands in damages? Or does that forgotten paragraph on page 27 of your contract—the "force majeure" clause—save you? For many cannabis companies, the answer has been an expensive lesson in contract language. Let's break down what you need to know.
U.S. Cannabis Sales Hit $30.1 Billion in 2024 Despite Job Cuts
U.S. cannabis shops sold $30.1 billion of legal cannabis in 2024. This marks a 4.5% rise from last year, based on the new Vangst Jobs Report with Whitney Economics.
The Truth About Federal Cannabis Legalization: 8 Myths Busted
As a cannabis lawyer, I often hear business owners talk about what they think will happen when federal legalization comes. Many base key business choices on these beliefs. But are these ideas correct? Let's look at the top myths about federal legalization and what you should really expect.
The $150,000 Mistake: How Worker Misclassification Could Bankrupt Your Business
When Jamie opened her Maine cannabis cultivation facility in 2021, she did what many entrepreneurs do—hired workers as independent contractors to keep things simple. Three growers and a facility manager formed her core team, all classified as contractors.
"They wanted flexibility," Jamie later explained. "They all signed contractor agreements. We even consulted a template from a legal website!"
Fast forward to 2025: Jamie's facing a Department of Labor investigation and potential liability exceeding $150,000 in back wages, liquidated damages, and penalties.
Her costly mistake? Misclassifying employees as independent contractors.
The Business Divorce – When Business Partnerships Unravel
I regularly meet with entrepreneurs who are struggling to disentangle themselves from business partnerships they entered with great enthusiasm but minimal legal forethought. The pattern is remarkably consistent: ambitious individuals launch ventures together based on verbal agreements or minimal documentation, only to find themselves trapped in complicated legal relationships when disagreements inevitably arise.
5 Fatal Flaws: How Cannabis Entrepreneurs Sabotage Their Own Success
After working with dozens of cannabis business owners who learned expensive lessons firsthand, I've identified some critical mistakes that consistently turn promising ventures into cautionary tales. Here's some of what separates the survivors from the casualties in this high-stakes industry.
Maine Cannabis: Navigating the Pine Tree State's Dual Markets
Maine's cannabis industry runs like parallel worlds—the well-established medical program and the newer adult-use market each follow different rules, yet sometimes overlap in interesting ways. This dual-market system has created one of the nation's most diverse cannabis markets, where small-scale caregivers work alongside larger commercial businesses.
The Secret Roadmap: Finding Your Way Through Local Cannabis Ordinances
Maria and James thought they'd found the perfect spot for their caregiver store—a charming storefront in a bustling downtown area. The space was perfect: great visibility, ample parking, and a landlord who welcomed their vision. Three months later, they discovered a small detail buried in the local ordinance that made their dream location impossible. That $15,000 lease deposit? Gone with the wind.
Maine Lawmakers Consider Safety Testing for Medical Cannabis
Maine's medical cannabis community is watching closely as state lawmakers review proposals that could bring Maine's program in line with safety standards common across the country. The Veterans and Legal Affairs committee met Monday to discuss nine cannabis-related bills, with special attention on two that focus on product safety testing.
What Small LLC Owners Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act
The Corporate Transparency Act is a federal law that requires most small businesses, including LLCs, to report information about their owners to the government. The goal is to prevent illegal activities like money laundering and fraud.
Why Settlement Is Usually the Smarter Choice: 7 Reasons to Avoid the Courtroom
In the world of legal disputes, there's a persistent myth that having your "day in court" is the ultimate way to achieve justice. Television dramas glorify courtroom showdowns, with passionate attorneys delivering compelling arguments that sway judges and juries. However, the reality of litigation is far less glamorous – and far more costly in multiple ways.
The Federal-State Cannabis Divide: Where Things Stand in 2025
The relationship between federal and state cannabis laws has always been a mess, and 2025 is bringing its own twists to the story.
Breaking the Green Ceiling: Your Guide to Cannabis Banking in 2025
If you've been in the cannabis industry for more than five minutes, you've probably discovered that banking isn't exactly straightforward. Even as we move through 2025, with more states than ever embracing legal cannabis, the banking situation remains... let's just say "complicated."
Why Weed Businesses Pay Federal Taxes Even Though They’re Illegal
It sounds crazy, right? The federal government says marijuana is illegal but still wants tax money from weed businesses. Here’s why cannabis businesses have to pay federal income taxes even though they’re illegal.