Cannabis Law
Pioneering advocates.
Fierce defenders.
Regulatory experts.
California cannabis law isn’t one set of rules — it’s thousands.
The state has 57 counties, 482 cities and towns, and 2,894 special districts, and each one can set its own cannabis cultivation policy. These local licensing bodies often don’t communicate well with the state or federal government, which means the rules that apply to your operation can shift depending on where you’re standing.
Licenses exist for cultivation, transportation, manufacturing, testing, sales, and even event holding. Cultivation licensing alone depends on production type, lighting method, and plant count or canopy size — and some operations require specialty licenses that combine multiple categories.
We navigate this daily. It’s what we do.
Cannabis Business Development
Entering the cannabis playing field is no joke, and is not meant for stoned hippies, despite its slowly-fading reputation.
Millions can be made & lost in this industry, and making the right choices is a lot easier when you have experience.
Some enter the industry from other fields, others off of a mountain top, but everyone realizes that the license holders of today are the real players of the game.
And though this field has changed, at the end of the day having an advisory team that can lead you to success is critical for every business and brand in the market.
"But I thought pot was legal in California?" Prop 64 legalized cannabis for adults 21+ in 2016 — but the fine print still creates real criminal exposure.
Six ways people still end up facing charges:
More than six plants without a license is a misdemeanor — a felony if the grow is deemed to have caused environmental damage.
Possession over 28.5 grams of flower or 8 grams of concentrate is a misdemeanor, even for personal use.
Supplying cannabis to anyone under 21, or possession on or near school grounds.
Unlicensed commercial sales — including gray-market delivery and “gifting” schemes — remain criminal.
Cannabis is still federally illegal — interstate transport is a federal crime, license or not.
Cannabis DUI, or driving with an open container, carries the same exposure as alcohol.
Cannabis Licensing & Compliance
Explore our options to help you achieve and maintain compliance with regulations.
We specialize in all current regulations, state & local.
We help clients every day start, continue, and cure ongoing issues with distribution, keeping mind the importance of both practical business experience and the legal compliance know-how to make sure you have the tools to make the right decision.
Cannabis Consulting
Helping farmers get the green light to grow, or facilities the green light to open their doors requires experience. Our team of lawyers and industry leaders work tirelessly with our clients to help their dreams come true.
Sometimes this involves us seeing hurdles before the client does. It is our job to see down the road, the client may be traveling for the first time, and give them the tools and guidance they need to reach their end goal. Always showing them the light at the end of the tunnel, and whenever possible helping them see and navigate around the obstacles that will come along the way. Local municipalities and state agencies aren’t the only hurdles industry participants face.
Once allowed to operate maintaining that right, and staying in business can become challenges in and of themselves. Allow us to use our years of experience to make sure you don’t fall for traps that will delay and possibly destroy your goals.
Pioneering Cannabis Law in California
Emerald Law leads the cannabis industry entrepreneur to success.
We help our clients achieve their goals through passion, knowledge, experience, and perseverance.
We have helped active Labs, Cultivations, Nurseries, Manufacturers, Dispensaries, Delivery Services, and Distribution Facilities get licensed and approved for business.
Throughout the state of California, even county supervisors have sought our advice on establishing guidelines & regulatory systems that aid in going green.