Course Details

Cannabis Law, Business, and Policy

The cannabis industry has exploded in recent years as a result of the steady move by many states towards legalizing cannabis from “seed to sale,” regulating and licensing commercial cultivation, distribution, sale, and individual possession and use, of cannabis in the United States. While cannabis is currently legal in 37 states for medical use and 19 states for adult use, at the same time, federal law still lists cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, making all of those state-legal operations, possession, and use illegal under Federal law. The incredible growth of cannabis businesses, framed by this disparity between Federal and state law, raises countless difficult legal, policy, and practical issues. In this course, we will consider the structure and practice of U.S. cannabis law, addressing such issues as: the interplay among federal, state and local laws; commercial licensing; constitutional law issues; taxation and enforcement; practical issues such as banking, testing, labelling, and advertising; comparison with other regulated industries; financing and deal issues; and the legal ethics of advising clients working in a federally-illegal industry.

Catalog Number: CONPUB 759


Course History

Spring 2023
Title: Cannabis Law, Business, and Policy
Faculty: Stamey-White, Rebecca

Kelleher, Erin
Section: SF     Credits: 1.3
Capacity: 25     Actual: 14

Fall 2021
Title: Marijuana Policy Law
Faculty: Rodriguez, Daniel B. (courses | profile)
Section: 1     Credits: 2.0
Capacity: 25     Actual: 25