The cannabis industry has experienced rapid evolution over the last few years. Although there are a limited number of jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis for recreational use, others have legalized or decriminalized medicinal or wellness-related cannabis use and are reviewing the possibility of recreational legalization or decriminalization in the future.

Our global cannabis law team has a deep understanding of the existing and emerging issues associated with the cannabis industry, both from a recreational and medical perspective. We have created a global team with extensive knowledge and capabilities in a number of practice areas and jurisdictions, allowing us to advise our clients and help them navigate the current issues and trends affecting the cannabis industry internationally.

Our cannabis teams practice in

  • Canada
  • Australia
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • South Africa


Legislative overviews

cannabis medical lab

Publication

Australian legislative overview

Australia became a signatory to The Convention in March 1961.

Global | February 19, 2020

Energy, infrastructure and resources

cannabis plant

Publication

Canadian legislative overview

Canada has had several medical-use cannabis regimes since 2001 with the introduction of the Medical Marihuana Access Regulations.

Global | February 19, 2020

Energy, infrastructure and resources

Cannabis

Publication

French legislative overview

Legalization of cannabis is a recurrent topic in France, which has reached a new milestone under the pressure of the changes underway in other European countries.

Global | February 19, 2020

Energy, infrastructure and resources

cannabis greenhouse

Publication

Greek legislative overview

As demand for cannabis products continues to skyrocket, the cannabis industry worldwide has developed into a unique market that is independent, with controversial reputation and shifting legalities.

Global | February 19, 2020

Energy, infrastructure and resources

cannabis leaves piled on top of each other

Publication

Netherlands legislative overview

The Netherlands has been known for its distinctively tolerant policy on drugs.

Global | February 19, 2020

Energy, infrastructure and resources

cannabis plant in field

Publication

South African legislative overview

Following a Constitutional Court judgement in September 2018, South Africa became the first African country to legally permit the private recreational use of cannabis.

Global | February 19, 2020

Energy, infrastructure and resources

cannabis under a magnifying glass

Publication

Cannabis: A UK overview

Cannabis and the majority of its derivative substances are controlled drugs in the UK, and their use remains illegal subject to some exceptions.

Global | May 26, 2020

Energy, infrastructure and resources

Featured insights

List of pages

Cannabis - Marijuana plants

Agri-tech developments in the cannabis sector: Do you have a Culture of IP?

With any growth sector it is critical to determine how you can get the edge on your competitors.

top view of shoreline

Environmental, social and governance performance and cannabis

The link between positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and economic growth is not new.

cannabis plants

Canadian cannabis companies come under fire

Unfortunately, investors’ high expectations for the cannabis market in Canada have been dampened over the course of the last year.

two people standing at desk

Cashing out: What private producers and retailers should know and do when they receive an offer or find a buyer

The maturation of the cannabis sector is presenting an array of opportunities to private producers and retailers.

cannabis medicine

Preparing for a recall of edible cannabis products: Food safety issues increase the risk of recalls

Edibles, extracts, and topicals are now part of Canada’s legal cannabis offerings.

cannabis plant with sunlight

Cannabis’ legalization and what it means for regulatory regimes worldwide

Many countries across the globe are now taking steps to open up legal avenues for the production, sale and consumption of cannabis.

Puzzles

Deal law wire blog

Insight and perspectives on developments in Canadian mergers and acquisitions related to Cannabis.

global workplace insider blog image

Global workplace insider blog

Leading commentary and perspectives on employment and labor law from around the world.

cannabis greenhouse blurred

New guidance from Canadian Securities Administrators regarding cannabis M&A

Trust and transparency have been challenging in the cannabis industry: whether related to product trust and transparency or to public disclosure of conflicts of interest.

Stack of US $100 bills

From cash only to the US banking system: US House of Representatives passes SAFE Banking Act of 2019

On September 25, 2019, the US House of Representatives passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act, with a landslide vote.

medical cannibas

Recommended changes to improve Australia’s Medical Cannabis laws

On 5 September 2019, Professor John McMillan AO’s Final Report (Report) on the operation of the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 (ND Act) was tabled in Parliament.

top view of shoreline

A green wave in a challenging economic tide?

The growth of the Australian cannabis market and managing money laundering risk.

cannabis leaves piled on top of each other

Legalization of cannabis: update: France

Legalization of cannabis is a recurrent topic in France, which has today reached a new milestone under the pressure of the changes under way in other European countries.

cannabis in a jar

Impact of Trade-marks Act amendments on cannabis companies in Canada

Amendments to the Canadian Trade-marks Act took effect June, 2019, making it easier for Canadian cannabis companies to get their brands into Canadian and global markets.

helicopter lifting off ground

Corporate law for Canadian cannabis companies: Part 1: Preparing for liftoff

With a startup or early-stage business it is necessary to attend to these matters in real time, especially in the extremely fast-paced cannabis industry.

image of cannabis plant

Cannabis law update: Health Canada prioritizing applicants with fully built facilities

On May 8, 2019, Health Canada announced all new applicants for a licence to cultivate, process, or sell cannabis for medical purposes are required to have a fully built site.

cannabis under a magnifying glass

Canadian cannabis law update: Voluntary recall guide for licensed producers

Information on Health Canada’s voluntary recall guide for federal license holders.

two people standing at desk

UK Law Commission calls for money laundering guidance on transactions involving the legal cannabis industry

The Law Commission has published its report on the SARs regime following its consultation paper.

US immigration papers

Legalized cannabis: US issues statement on Canadians crossing border

On October 9, US Customs and Border Protection (the CBP) released a Statement on Canada's Legalization of Marijuana and Crossing the Border.

Canada money bills

Canadian cannabis and money laundering risks for UK business

Medical cannabis is already big business in Canada and that business is expected to continue to grow.

cannabis plant in field

The effect of legalization of cannabis on the insurance industry in South Africa

The legalization of private cultivation, possession and the use of cannabis in South Africa, has changed the law which will require transformation in the insurance industry.

Contacts

Andrea Brewer
Andrea Brewer
Partner
Email
andrea.brewer@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 416 216 1917
Paul Fitzgerald
Paul Fitzgerald
Senior Partner
Email
paul.fitzgerald@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 416 216 3941
Amar Leclair-Ghosh
Amar Leclair-Ghosh
Senior Partner
Email
amar.leclair-ghosh@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 514 847 4612
Michael Posnikoff
Michael Posnikoff
Partner
Email
michael.posnikoff@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 604 641 4896
Marshall Bromwich
Marshall Bromwich
Partner
Email
marshall.bromwich@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +61 7 3414 2829
Rosalind Lake
Rosalind Lake
Director: Global Head of Consumer Markets
Email
rosalind.lake@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +27 31 582 5816
Claire O'Donnell
Claire O'Donnell
Partner
Email
claire.odonnell@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +44 (20) 74443759
Bernard O'Shea
Bernard O'Shea
Partner
Email
bernard.oshea@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +61 417 544 851
Nils Rahlf
Nils Rahlf
Partner
Email
nils.rahlf@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +49 69 505096 290
Katie Stephen
Katie Stephen
Co-Head of the Contentious Financial Services Group, London
Email
katie.stephen@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +44 (20) 74442431
Steven I. Suzzan
Steven I. Suzzan
Head of Business Practices, New York
Email
steven.suzzan@nortonrosefulbright.com
T: +1 212 318 3092

Industries:

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