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  • videocam On-Demand
  • signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
  • card_travel Ethics and Specialty Credits
  • schedule 90 minutes

Ethical Issues in Representing Cannabis Clients: Conflicting Marijuana Laws, Model Rules, Ethics Opinions

$197.00

This course is $0 with these passes:

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Description

The legal framework of cannabis businesses and operations is ripe with ethical issues and concerns. Attorneys representing cannabis clients must consider issues pertaining to conflicting federal and state laws, competence, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and other ethical risks in representing cannabis clients.

Attorneys representing cannabis clients, and the structuring of transactions and related documents, need to address how to identify and manage ethical dilemmas, including issues related to privileged information and potential conflicts between clients.

Listen as our panel discusses applicable rules and provides attorneys a deeper understanding of key ethical challenges in representing cannabis clients as well as provides practical tools for navigating these issues in their practice.

Presented By

Jason Adelstone
Attorney
Harris Sliwoski, LLC

Mr. Adelstone provides domestic and international legal counsel to a diverse clientele, including entrepreneurs, corporations, religious organizations, and federal and international cannabis operators. His practice spans corporate law, international policy, and cannabis regulatory compliance, helping clients navigate the complexities of the global cannabis industry and beyond. A recognized authority in the U.S. on international drug treaties, he has collaborated with legal and policy experts worldwide to address evolving cannabis laws, U.S. and EU regulatory challenges, and treaty obligations. Mr. Adelstone's expertise includes corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, business formation, contract negotiation and drafting, restaurant and franchise law, and state and federal conflicts of law.

Larry Sandell
Attorney
Mei & Mark, LLP

Mr. Sandell, a registered patent attorney, focuses his practice on counseling clients on strategic Intellectual Property matters; drafting and prosecuting patent applications; litigating patent infringement and other matters in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission; arguing federal appeals; and handling patent-related Amazon.com take-down disputes. He has a passion for advising start-ups and other innovative companies on Intellectual Property matters—and focuses on consumer electronics, medical device, food science, software, and cannabis technology areas. Mr. Sandell has argued in the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Federal Circuit, the Ninth Circuit, and D.C. Circuit. He heads Mei & Mark’s cannabis law practice. Mr. Sandell frequently presents on the intersection of IP and the cannabis business to both IP attorneys and cannabis industry participants. He is also frequently quoted in media on related topics, including by Forbes and Marijuana Moment. Additionally, Mr. Sandell is an integral component of Mei & Mark’s grIP Venture Studio, which offers wide-ranging legal expertise for start-ups, emerging companies, and VCs.

Credit Information
  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.


  • Live Online


    On Demand

Date + Time

  • event

    Tuesday, September 16, 2025

  • schedule

    1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

  1. Federal vs. state cannabis laws
    1. Schedule III on the horizon?
  2. Model rules and ethics opinions
  3. Attorney-client privilege and confidentiality
  4. Cannabis specific issues
    1. State, Federal, and International Practices
    2. Taxes and 280E opinions
    3. FDA and hemp
    4. Patents and Trademarks

The panel will address these and other key considerations:

  • What are the guiding ethical principles in representing cannabis clients?
  • What is the scope of work you can take on for a cannabis client?
  • What are some of the most common ethical challenges encountered in negotiating and drafting contracts?
  • What ethical issues arise when you take an interest in a cannabis startup in lieu of fees?
  • How do you navigate conflicting cannabis laws?
  • What are best practices for safeguarding attorney-client privilege in cannabis law?
  • What are some effective strategies for navigating the tension between zealous advocacy and adhering to ethical obligations in representing cannabis clients?