Brown & Blaier, PC / Business law

Cannabis business lawyers.
Counsel for a regulated industry.

Brown & Blaier advises cannabis businesses and entrepreneurs in New Jersey and New York on corporate matters, licensing, commercial agreements, and intellectual property.

Discuss your business Explore our services

Inquiries open our firm’s MyCase contact form.

New Jersey and New York

Legal guidance through
the business life cycle.

Medical and adult-use cannabis businesses operate in a complex legal environment. State authorization, local requirements, and federal obligations need to be considered together when planning and operating a business.

Our attorneys assist with the process of seeking licenses for cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensing, along with the business arrangements supporting those operations. We help clients evaluate the legal questions raised by their proposed activities and the requirements that apply to their business.

The business behind the license

Corporate & business.

Cannabis businesses face many of the same ownership, employment, and commercial questions as other businesses, together with industry-specific requirements. We assist with transactional matters as the business is formed, begins operating, and develops.

Applications and planning

  • Hemp and marijuana licensing applications

We help clients consider how the proposed ownership and business arrangements fit the application and operating requirements.

Applications and ongoing obligations

Licensing and permits.

Licensing is part of an ongoing regulatory process. Businesses need to consider the requirements applicable to their activities, products, location, and stage of development. Noncompliance can affect the ability to operate.

Our regulatory work addresses the following areas:

Licensing and product requirements

  • State licensing regulations
  • Product labeling and advertising
  • FDA regulation and enforcement

Hemp and federal requirements

  • Industrial hemp requirements and the applicable Farm Bill framework
  • Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requirements and prohibitions

Obtaining a license for cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensing involves more than selecting an application form. We assist clients with the licensing and permit issues relevant to the proposed business. Eligibility and approvals depend on the applicable program and the facts of the application.

Current program information is available from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission and the New York Office of Cannabis Management.

Branding and business assets

Intellectual property.

Cannabis businesses need a brand-protection strategy suited to their products and services. Federal trademark eligibility depends on lawful use in commerce and the particular goods or services, so the analysis should not turn solely on whether the company participates in the cannabis industry.

Our attorneys advise on developing, protecting, and commercializing intellectual property, with attention to the regulatory limits affecting the proposed protection. Our work includes:

Explore our broader intellectual property practice and trademark services for related support.

Business advice in a changing industry

Contact a cannabis lawyer
in New Jersey.

Brown & Blaier works with creators, entrepreneurs, innovators, and established businesses in New Jersey and New York. We bring that business-law perspective to cannabis licensing, commercial relationships, and intellectual property matters.

Our firm has assisted entrepreneurs with the rules and regulations affecting cannabis businesses. We help clients work through approval requirements, assess compliance issues, and address legal questions as the business develops.

Important information

Cannabis law notice.

Cannabis activities are subject to federal, state, and local requirements. Compliance with state law does not by itself establish compliance with federal law. The applicable rules and restrictions depend on the product, activity, and authorization involved, and may change. Brown & Blaier’s advice is intended to help clients understand and comply with applicable law, not to assist violations of law.

Prepare for the conversation

Planning a cannabis business
or a change to an existing one?

A productive first discussion starts with the business model, the location, and the stage of the licensing process. Corporate documents, leases, commercial terms, and application materials should be considered together.

Identify the proposed activity

Describe whether the business involves cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, hemp products, or another activity. Identify the state and municipality, and whether you are planning, applying, or already operating.

Explain ownership and key arrangements

Outline the proposed owners, management roles, financing arrangements, premises, and important business relationships. Changes to these arrangements may raise regulatory questions.

Identify the immediate decision

Explain the application, contract, branding, or compliance issue and any deadline. This lets the firm discuss a scope suited to the particular stage of the business.

Common planning questions

Questions about cannabis business counsel.

Does forming a company authorize cannabis operations?

No. Forming the entity and obtaining the required cannabis approvals are separate matters. The business needs to evaluate the requirements for its activities and location before operating.

Can you assist with matters beyond a license application?

Our cannabis practice includes formation and ownership documents, commercial and employment agreements, leases, regulatory matters, and intellectual property. The engagement should identify the particular work required.

Can a cannabis-related brand obtain trademark protection?

The answer depends on the mark, the goods or services, the proposed use, and the available form of protection. Federal registration requires lawful use in commerce. A product-specific review is needed before selecting a filing strategy; participation in the industry alone does not answer the question.

Explore the firm

Related legal services.

Corporate lawBusiness contractsIntellectual propertyTrademarks
Your next step

Discuss your cannabis
business needs.

Tell us about your business, the legal support you need, and any relevant timing.

Start an inquiry

Continue to our firm’s MyCase contact form.

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