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What You Should Know Before Dabbling

Into the Risks of Marijuana-Related

Mergers and Acquisitions

As public support grows for the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. and Canada, growing interest from clients. Typically, the first step is
mergers and acquisitions lawyers should be studying up now on the ins and outs of trying to outline the best practices for the client. An
cannabis compliance. In the U.S., there are 29 states, the District of Columbia, and experienced attorney may be able to assist in developing
the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, which have all legalized medical marijuana. compliance procedures to mitigate some of the risks. BY GEORGE F. INDEST
In addition, there are nine states including Colorado and Massachusetts which have III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M.
recently legalized the drug for recreational use. Other Challenges
As a result, there is expected to be a serious increase in marijuana-related mergers Banks and insurers have so far been very unwilling to
and acquisitions activity. Now is the time for lawyers to research and prepare for the help with financing in the marijuana industry. The negative stigma attached to weed
types of problems that may arise. makes it far more difficult to wheel and deal as compared to other industries.
In January 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo calling marijuana a
Regulatory Compliance “dangerous drug” and marijuana-related activity a “serious crime.” The current
One of the most serious issues related to conducting business or providing legal administration’s disapproval of the drug could have a negative effect on marijuana-
services in the cannabis industry is regulatory compliance and, specifically, the related mergers and acquisitions. Therefore, attorneys who have experience navigat-
increased legal risk. Currently, the steps needed to ensure regulatory compliance are ing the complexities of deals in the marijuana industry are expected to be in high
different depending on the type of deal. demand for the foreseeable future.
The most popular types of business ventures seem to be minority businesses and
venture capital investments into ancillary companies. These include dispensary George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health
advertising and delivery systems such as vapor (vape) pens and electronic cigarettes Law. To contact The Health Law Firm, call (407) 331-6620 and visit the website at
(e-cigs). www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
It’s important for mergers and acquisitions attorneys to come to terms with rapid

Curaleaf Is First and Only

Medical Marijuana Provider

to Earn Safe Quality Food

Certification in Florida

Curaleaf is proud to announce that worldwide.
the company’s processing facility in “Every day patients express interest
Florida has earned their Safe Quality and assurance of wanting to know that
Food (SQF) Level II certification with a the foods and medicines they consume
score of “Excellent,” further proof that are safe and of the best quality available,”
Curaleaf is delivering on its commit- shared Lindsay Jones, President of
ment to provide access to premium Curaleaf Florida. “This SQF Level II cer-
quality and reliable medical marijuana tification that Curaleaf has earned is par-
products for patients in Florida. ticularly important for patients and
Curaleaf is the first and only company in demonstrates that our medical marijuana
Florida to achieve this certification, processing expertise delivers superior
which is a regulatory requirement in the quality products for patients in need
state. across Florida.”
The SQF Level II certification is a food Curaleaf offers Florida patients a full
safety certification program recognized line of legal, low-THC and full strength
by Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). medical marijuana products made using
GFSI is an industry-driven global collab- the industry’s cleanest, most medically
oration to advance food safety and pro- precise extraction and purification meth-
vide continuous improvement in food ods. Curaleaf dispensaries are located in
safety management systems. The goal is Miami, Lake Worth, Fort Myers and St.
to ensure confidence in the delivery of Petersburg. Same day and next day deliv-
safe foods and supplements that meet ery is available from the Jacksonville area
high quality standards to consumers south to Key West.

Visit us on the web at

www.CannabisNewsFlorida.com
www.CannabisNewsFlorida.com

50 May 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News