Cannabis Law
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Cannabis Law Practice Group consists of attorneys from every firm practice group. Collectively we provide a full range of advice and services for cannabis clients to help them with their businesses of growing, cultivating, manufacturing, marketing, and selling cannabis and cannabis-related products.The Cannabis Law Practice Group seeks to work directly with clients, to help them chart an effective course through the ever-changing and evolving requirements governing such cannabis operations, including the dichotomies that often exist between federal and state laws. Our attorneys have assisted clients with their existing and start-up operations in matters related to state and local licensing processes, regulatory compliance, business planning, cannabis business entity formation and registration, partnerships and joint venture formation, product production and branding, and negotiating and drafting cannabis-related agreements.
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys also have extensive experience assisting clients nationwide on employment issues, environmental compliance and litigating complex business disputes, including defending class actions, products liability claims, federal statutory claims and RICO claims. Our lawyers also work collaboratively with fellow cannabis industry professionals, such as accountants, real estate professionals, tax attorneys, venture capitalists and investors to provide a broader range of coordinated, high level assistance to our clients.
To contact the SMB Cannabis Law Practice Group, please reach out to Michael W. Drumke, Darren B. Watts and Adam H. Doeringer.
DISCLAIMER: Under current federal law, the possession, use, distribution and sale of cannabis and products containing cannabis is illegal even when a state has legalized or decriminalized such conduct under state law. Although federal enforcement may defer to compliance with state laws, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP underscores that an individual or business acting in the cannabis industry must be aware that compliance with state law in no way assures compliance with current federal law, and that federal deference to compliance with state laws may change at any time. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s assistance is not intended to provide legal advice or guidance in violating federal law.
News
Chicago, September 01, 2023
Michael Drumke Named to Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers List
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Partner Michael W. Drumke has been named to the Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers List for 2023-2024, his fourth consecutive year.
April 24, 2023
Sheean to Serve as Law Institute Liaison at 2023 DRI Cannabis Seminar
Partner Christopher T. Sheean will serve as Law Institute Liaison at DRI’s Cannabis Law Seminar on May 3 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chicago, January 17, 2023
Michael Drumke to Moderate Cannabis Law Panel at ABA TIPS Midyear Meeting
Partner Michael W. Drumke will lead an interactive panel session at the American Bar Association (ABA) Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section's Midyear Meeting on February 1 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chicago, April 27, 2021
Drumke Speaks on Trial Masters Panel for ABA TIPS Conference
A longtime active ABA member, Drumke is a current chair of the Cannabis Law and Policy Committee, member of the ABA House of Delegates and governor to the Board of Governors.
Chicago, April 6, 2021
Drumke Speaks on Litigation and Disputes in the Cannabis Industry
Drumke is a panelist at Cannabis: Business Fundamentals 2021, hosted by the Practicing Law Institute.
Chicago, February 2, 2021
Illinois Super Lawyers Recognizes 25 Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP announces that 12 attorneys have been named n to the 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list and 13 have been named to the Illinois Rising Stars list.
Chicago, Lisle, Libertyville, Madison County, January 11, 2021
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers for 2021
Those designated Leading Lawyers were recommended by their peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois.
Chicago, September 25, 2020
Drumke Speaks at INCBA Cannabis Law Institute, Joins Board of Advisors
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Chicago, September 8, 2020
Skiko Co-Authors ABA Article on Cannabis Usage and Employment Laws
Skiko and his co-authors asked "Are Employment Laws Getting Hazier?" in the September 2020 issue, which focuses on cannabis law and policy.
Chicago, August 31, 2020
Drumke Named to Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers List
The list features cannabis legal professionals from jurisdictions around the world and is designed to give direct access to experienced cannabis/hemp legal experts.
Chicago, May 29, 2020
Drumke Speaks on Ethics at INCBA Cannabis Law Sessions
Drumke will speak on "Ethics - Rule 1.2 - The Novel "Also Advise" Provision Relating to Federal Law."
Chicago, March 4, 2020
Drumke Quoted in Business Insider on Law Firm Cannabis Clients
Complex legal questions have increased as the cannabis industry as ballooned into a $56 billion market.
Chicago, February 18, 2020
Drumke Co-Authors ABA Resolutions Protecting Lawyers, Banks From Liability for Representing Marijuana Businesses
Both resolutions were passed overwhelmingly.
Chicago, October 7, 2019
Drumke Profiled in "Law Firm Leaders" Article for Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Drumke serves as chair of the American Bar Association's Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section Cannabis Law and Policy Committee chair.
Chicago, September 18, 2019
Drumke Appointed Chair of ABA Cannabis Committee, Named Co-Chair of ABA Cannabis Program
He will also moderate an ethics panel at the program titled, "Ethics – Keeping Your License AND Your Cannabis Clients."
Chicago, September 16, 2019
Law.com's Higher Law Quotes Drumke, Highlights Upcoming ABA Cannabis Law Conference
"From Regs to Riches: Navigating the Rapidly Emerging Fields of Cannabis and Hemp Law" is hosted by the ABA's Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section this Thursday and Friday in Chicago.
Chicago, September 3, 2019
Drumke, Skiko Speak at ABA Cannabis Law Conference
Drumke is a co-chair of the conference, titled "From Regs to Riches: Navigating the Rapidly Emerging Fields of Cannabis & Hemp Law."
Chicago, April 18, 2019
Drumke Presents with Trial Masters, Moderates Cannabis Law Session at ABA TIPS Conference
Drumke will be part of a trial masters program, followed by moderating a panel on current issues in cannabis law and policy.
Chicago, December 13, 2018
Drumke Authors ABA Article on Cannabis Legal and Business Issues
The article appears in the TortSource, a publication of the ABA's Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS). The Fall 2018 issue focuses on cannabis.
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