A recent Forbes article explored ethical obligations among cannabis attorneys and how they should navigate legal conflicts of interest within the industry.
Attorney Jessica McElfresh identified some of the most common conflicts that cannabis attorneys encounter, such as multiple clients vying for the same licenses or intellectual property rights and issues arising from accepting equity as payment. She highlighted why it’s essential to adhere to the rules of professional conduct and advised non-attorney cannabis consultants to consider adopting similar conflict-of-interest rules. She also emphasized the necessity for attorneys to identify conflicts as soon as they arise, document disclosures, and obtain waivers when necessary.
View the full Forbes article with Attorney McElfresh’s comments here.
California marijuana laws change frequently. For updated information, see the Recreational Marijuana Business page.