Safe to Start a Business in the Marijuana Industry in America?

Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. Recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in 11 states, including New York and Washington D.C. In addition, 35 states currently have legal medical marijuana programs for patients who qualify. From an investment perspective, starting a business in the marijuana industry is probably as safe or safer than any other small business venture. From a legal standpoint, following all the laws and regulations is easier with a marijuana business attorney as part of your team.

5 Tips for Running a Safe and Legal Marijuana Business

Jobs in the cannabis industry increased 44% from 2017 to 2018, according to Cannabis Training University. By 2020 the legalized cannabis industry had created 243,700 full-time jobs. The fact that even entry-level positions like budtenders and trimmers can earn $24,000 yearly plus benefits speaks to the potential profits to be made by starting your own marijuana business. The marijuana industry appears to be here to stay and will blossom into a can't-miss opportunity for a dedicated entrepreneur.

Like any small business, success in the marijuana industry depends on more than simply following a trend. Every entrepreneur must create a solid plan before sinking their own money, or that of investors, into s startup. The following tips will help you get a better idea of the decisions you need to make before getting those business cards printed up.

1. Understand Your Market

Is there an unmet need in your area? That’s one of the first questions any savvy business person should ask themselves. The legal cannabis space is quickly becoming crowded. The business’s supply chain, banking, advertising, and taxation aspects are already a lot to handle. To be successful, it’s not enough just to open another corner dispensary that offers the same products as the dispensary down the street.

Research your customer base. Get to know the local cannabis community. That includes customers and the growers, processors, and distributors who are already doing business. The legal marijuana industry is a tight-knit community. That is partly because of the stigma that still exists regarding using and selling cannabis. Making an effort to forge authentic relationships will help your business on many practical levels. It will also bring more enjoyment to the venture.

2. Know what Type of Marijuana Business you want to Launch

Before starting the licensing process, you have to be clear about which type of business you plan on opening. Not all states that allow legal marijuana commerce maintain the same type of licensing structure. Licensing options may include:

Cultivation/Growing – Cultivators grow the plants, then dry, trim, and cure them to prepare for packaging. After curing, the product is sold to either a medical dispensary or retail facility or taken to a processer.
Processing/Manufacturing – Processers purchase marijuana from a licensed facility and extract the resins to create infused products that they sell to retail outlets and dispensaries.
Dispensary/Retail Facility Owner – Owners of dispensaries and other cannabis retail stores purchase products from processors similarly to how any other retail store obtains their merchandise. Dispensary owners must keep records and sell only to qualifying patients or authorized caregivers in states where only medical use is legalized. Where cannabis is legal for recreational use, store owners must follow all state regulations regarding proof of identification/age with every sale.
Delivery/Distribution – Distributors transport cannabis between facilities, such as taking large amounts of cured cannabis to a processing plant to be made into edible products. Delivery typically refers to delivering retail products from the dispensary to the customer.

3. Know Your State’s Laws

Understanding your state’s laws is an integral part of every business and perhaps even more important when dealing with highly-regulated products like liquor, tobacco, or cannabis. If you’re not a legal expert, working with a marijuana business attorney will keep you on the right side of the law. Failure to comply with state regulations—even accidentally—could land you in legal and financial trouble.

The cannabis industry is still developing. Regulations within your state, county, or jurisdiction may change, but it’s your responsibility as a business owner to stay on top of those changes and follow best practices.

4. Apply for Licensing

Once you are clear about what type of business you want to run and understand the laws in your state, it’s time to apply for a marijuana commerce license.

Depending on your state’s process, licensing is obtained through a process known as Request for Application or Request for Proposal. The state of New York has been slower to award marijuana business licenses than other states. Making sure all paperwork is filed correctly and on time can make the difference in whether you are granted a business license or not.

5. Consult with a Marijuana Business Attorney

Understandably, ambitious entrepreneurs want to rush in and take advantage of the strong growth in the legal marijuana market. However, opening a cannabis business is no small feat, especially considering the fluctuations in the laws. Hiring an attorney with experience in this field will ensure that you comply with all the applicable regulations from the start.

Remember, regardless of state regulations, marijuana is still considered an illegal substance by Federal law. This doesn’t mean you need to fear prosecution by the government, but you need to follow many regulations that other businesses don’t have to worry about.

An experienced marijuana business attorney can guide you through all stages of the process and help you launch a successful business without the stress of legal challenges.

Khader Law Can Help

Khader Law provides the highest quality legal services to all of our clients. We are a forward-thinking law firm offering unique services on commerce and law to a diverse group of clients. We consider every client relationship important, and we work hard to earn and keep your trust. Opening a marijuana business in the U.S. can be safe if you do your due diligence and partner with the right legal team. Contact us today for more information about cannabis commerce in New York state.

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What Do Family Lawyers Do?

By Mike Khader • 29 Mar, 2022

A family lawyer in New York can help with various cases pertaining to family matters. They work in Family Court and the Supreme Court depending on the needs of the case. There are also things that a family lawyer can do that may prevent a case from going to court. In order to understand what family attorneys do, you need to know who their clients are. The types of cases they work on will also help clarify what their work entails. Whom Do Family Lawyers Represent? Lawyers who work in family law don’t just work with families who are going through a divorce. They can help a variety of people with different cases that are heard in Family Court. They can represent nearly anyone with a specific family matter, from children to young people to adults. Children and Adolescents A lawyer who focuses on family law can help children and families when they are going through the adoption process. They may also work with child protective cases in situations where there is suspected child abuse or neglect by Child Protective Services. Family attorneys also help young people involved in juvenile cases. Adults There are so many ways that a family lawyer can be helpful for adults. Types of cases that a family lawyer may work on include: Spousal support or child support Paternity disputes Parental rights Protection orders Child custody and visitation PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) These are just some of the cases where a family lawyer may assist at Family Court. There are also cases that take place at the Supreme Court where it may be beneficial for someone to use a family lawyer. For example, divorce cases are heard at the Supreme Court, not Family Court. Are Family Attorneys and Divorce Attorneys the Same? Oftentimes the terms “family attorney” and “divorce attorney” are used interchangeably by people. This is because both family law attorneys and divorce attorneys are able to assist their clients with their divorce cases. A divorce lawyer is someone who specializes in divorce cases and only takes on clients involved in divorce proceedings. On the other hand, a family law lawyer will take on a variety of cases not limited to divorce. Do All Family Law Cases Go to Court? The great thing about lawyers who work in family law is that they are able to help their clients in many different ways. There are things that they can do to help their clients reach a solution before the case goes to court. For example, the lawyer may try mediation or dispute resolution before the case is brought before a judge. Some work that the lawyer will do includes researching cases for supporting background information for their current case. When they use other law cases, it will give their case and the solution they are seeking more credibility. They may also complete and file necessary court documents, offer advice, and advocate for their clients. Choose an Experienced Family Lawyer Make sure that you choose an experienced lawyer if you are looking for representation for a family law case. Khader Law can help you with cases that are heard at both the Supreme Court and the New York Family Court. They take pride in serving their clients and have proven experience with getting the best possible outcome for their family law clients.

5 Reasons to Work With a Family Lawyer

By Mike Khader • 23 Mar, 2022

Working with a family lawyer may be the right choice for you depending on the nature of your legal issue. Family law covers all kinds of relationships, most commonly when they begin the process of divorce. Here are a few reasons to consider working with a lawyer that specializes in family law. 1. You want to work with a lawyer that understands where you're coming from. People generally contact a lawyer when they need help. Family issues are especially stressful. Strong emotions can overwhelm good judgment, which is why getting the help of a family lawyer is a good first step to protect your interests. Not only do they have the legal training and experience you need, but they also understand the emotional state you may be in. Knowing that your lawyer understands your feelings can also be comforting. Family lawyers specialize in these kinds of sensitive and personal issues. It can be difficult to remain amicable with a partner you are separating from. If abuse has occurred, it may be unsafe or impossible to communicate with an ex-partner. A lawyer that is an expert in these issues can help you get the best outcome in your case and plan for the future. 2. You need help making a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Soon-to-be-married couples should protect their separate property and investments. Maybe you have a property that is owned by a trust or partnership. You may also have gifted assets or an inheritance that is separate from the earnings you share with your partner. It is in your best interest to make sure these kinds of assets are separate from joint earnings if you divorce your partner. You need to communicate with your partner and make sure you are both satisfied with the agreement. A lawyer can help you sort out the most important elements within a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. 3. You need legal counsel for your separation. Going through a separation can be very difficult. Not only will you be going through a great deal of emotional upheaval, but you will also have to make several important decisions. Your living situation may be changing and you may have questions about how property you share with your former partner will be divided. If you have children, you and your ex-partner will need to communicate several important decisions. If you work with a lawyer, they will act as your advocate to get the best outcome for you and your child. They will also help you understand your custody agreement, visitation rights, and any financial support you may owe. A family lawyer will help you understand your state’s particular divorce laws. They can also help handle issues that arise from prenuptial agreements and get you the most desirable outcome for your separation. You also want a lawyer who will represent you at every level of legal proceedings. No matter if you're going through mediation or a trial with a judge, your lawyer should be your advocate. 4. You have a complicated custody or adoption case. Custody and visitation cases can be complicated and drawn out. Other family members, like grandparents, may also petition to have custody rights. With more people involved, you need a lawyer that will clearly express your interests to the court. Grandparents are more commonly given custody if a parent has been incarcerated or if the child has lived with them previously. Adopting a child can be an amazing source of joy. It can also be a very complex legal process. It can be more complicated if several family members have custody rights. International adoptions have additional rules and regulations that adoptive parents need to follow. A lawyer that is skilled in these issues can help you navigate the process so you can focus on building your family. 5. You or someone you love is being mistreated. Family law also includes protecting people from domestic abuse. Abuse is a broad term and can be specified by the type of abuse, for example, physical or emotional. A lawyer can help you file a restraining order for protection. Laws that prevent abuse protect anyone in a relationship. You do not need to be married to get this protection. These laws apply to anyone that lives together. This includes parents and children, elders, and roommates. Working with a family lawyer Taking the first step and making the call to a lawyer can be daunting. Dealing with family issues can be extremely stressful. At Khader Law , it's our mission to provide you with an amicable and swift solution to your family law issues. We'll be with you every step of the way, from mediation to hearings and trials. Give us a call so we can start making our plan to advocate for the resolution that you deserve.