Canadian Lawyer’s September issue cover story examines how Canada’s legalization of medical cannabis and the move towards full legalization for adult-use has impacted its legal industry, discussing the experiences of several different lawyers. Deborah Weinstein of LaBarge Weinstein, who represented Tweed when it acquired Bedrocan Cannabis a year ago to form Canopy Growth (TSX: CGC) (OTC: TWMJF), expects continued consolidation to drive further need for securities attorneys.
Adam Szweras, also a securities attorney and partner at Fogler Rubinoff, believes that the overall industry growth and its impact on related business will spur substantial additional legal work as it relates to mergers and acquisitions and regulatory dealings. Szweras, who serves on the Board of Directors at Aurora Cannabis (CSE: ACB) (OTC: ACBFF), has been working with both Americans and Canadians evaluating cross-border business pursuits. Robert McVay of Harris Moure sees a tremendous opportunity for lawyers to help U.S. edibles companies bring their intellectual property into Canada.
Hugo Alves of Bennett Jones started the firm’s medical cannabis practice three years ago, and he explained the heavy investment of time up front. The article ends with a discussion of how the legal industry might develop in coming years. Alves expects law firms of various sizes will serve the cannabis industry, while John Fowler, an attorney and President of Supreme Pharma (CSE: SL) (OTC: SPRWF), expects to see the industry trend towards larger firms rather than boutiques, especially as some of the stigma of working with the cannabis industry erodes.
Read Yamri Taddese’s “Marijuana Inc.”: http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/6141/Marijuana-Inc.html
