Weed is now legal in 21 states, with more than 155 million Americans able to legally possess marijuana. However, it remains classified as a Schedule I drug on the Controlled Substances Act, which is the same category as heroin, meaning it can disqualify someone from entering the U.S. military or for applying for a security clearance. Even those cannabis businesses operating in state-legal markets struggle to fund their start-up costs because they are restricted from opening bank accounts or getting small business loans.

The total economic impact from the legal cannabis industry is estimated to be $50-$100 billion domestically this year, meaning that for every $1 consumers spend at dispensaries, there will be a $2.50 economic benefit in cities, states and the nation. Employee-training and high-end research on topics ranging from lighting used to grow plants in an indoor environment and plant genetics have been launched and banks are looking for ways to loosen their policies through direct banking and/or third-party merchant service packages direct to the cannabis industry. State-monitored cannabis programs and patient protocols for a wide variety of conditions from late stage cancer to childhood epilepsy are attracting doctors and pharmacists all over the country.

This CLE course will examine the process of navigating local zoning regulations and state licensing requirements as well as how to overcome obstacles in purchasing or leasing real estate for cannabis use to ensure your business’s success.