Cannabis Policy, Administrative Law and Litigation

Overview

As Maryland’s cannabis industry continues to evolve, the demand for unparalleled legal expertise has never been higher. RWL’s Cannabis Policy, Administrative Law, and Litigation Group, led by the esteemed co-chairs Stuart Cherry and Brad Rifkin, stands as the premier choice.

Currently serving as RWL’s National Practice Group co-chair, Brad Rifkin has worked alongside his government relations colleagues Michael Johansen, Matthew Bohle, Obie Chinemere, and William Castelli, to stay at the forefront of cannabis policy in the State – representing RWL’s clients’ interests in nearly every major piece of cannabis legislation since the industry’s founding in 2012.  This includes working with the legislative committees and leaders directly regulating the industry, the Governor’s Office and the Maryland Cannabis Administration (the “MCA”).  Our team has the expertise, knowledge and experience to help cannabis industry members achieve their policy and legislative goals.

Our administrative law and litigation attorneys have successfully represented members of the cannabis industry in a wide range of litigation matters.  At the outset of the industry, our litigation team successfully intervened to protect the medical cannabis regulatory framework that was the foundation for legalized cannabis in Maryland.  This resulted in the first major published opinion about Maryland cannabis, Doe v. Alternative Medicine Maryland, LLC, 455 Md. 377 (2017), led by RWL attorneys Arnold Weiner and Alan Rifkin.   

In more recent years, our cannabis team has been at the forefront of cannabis-related litigation.  For example, practice group co-chair Stuart Cherry represented a disappointed applicant for a processor license and was one of the few such applicants who successfully reversed a denial by the then Maryland Cannabis Commission.  https://www.rwllaw.com/wp-content/uploads/Zia-Integrated-Final-Order_4.1.22.pdf.  Mr. Cherry also successfully represented a license before the St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals over a zoning issue raised by neighbors of a growth facility that was critical to the company’s operations.  https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/docs/SIGNED_ORDER_ZAAP_18-1405_Seven_Points_Agro_Appeal.pdf.  Mr. Cherry and other members of the team, including Barry Gogel, Geoffrey Washington, Michael Miller and Devon Harman have represented clients in litigation and pre-litigation matters adverse to the MCA and in other complicated business disputes. 

RWL is dedicated to supporting your cannabis-related legal and government relations needs, leveraging our expertise, knowledge, and experience to champion your success in this vibrant industry.

Contact us at 410.269.5066, scherry@rwllaw.com or brifkin@rwllaw.com to learn more about RWL’s Cannabis Policy, Administrative Law and Litigation Group.