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 This program is no longer active, however there are other versions of this program in which you may be interested.

In the Weeds in the Empire State: Cannabis Licensing in New York, 02/08/2022, On Demand More info »
Webinar

In the Weeds in the Empire State: Cannabis Licensing in New York


Average Rating:
   21
Faculty:
Fatima Afia |  Lauren Rudick |  Michelle Bodian |  Neil Willner
Duration:
1 Hour
Format:
Audio and Video
SKU:
INCBA05192022web
License:
Product Setting: Expires 6 month(s) after program date.

Dates


Description

On March 31, 2021, New York State legislators passed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act ("MRTA") which, among other things, set forth a comprehensive licensing framework for the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale, and delivery of adult-use cannabis. The MRTA also established the Office of Cannabis Management ("OCM") and the Cannabis Control Board ("CCB") -- the regulatory bodies tasked with overseeing adult-use licensing and sales. In the thirteen months since the MRTA's passage, OCM and CCB have been fast at work creating novel adult-use conditional license types as part of the State’s Social and Economic Equity (“SEE”) program that would prioritize existing hemp farmers and certain “justice involved” individuals who have been convicted of a cannabis state crime. The agencies have also revised the medical cannabis regulations with the goal of issuing additional registered organization licenses in an effort to expand the existing medical cannabis market which has been lagging for years. Rumor has it that retail sales will begin by the Fall of this year. Given the rapid developments that have taken place in just a short year, clients looking to enter the New York cannabis market will likely have many questions. Prepare yourself for these inevitable conversations now by signing up for our webinar where our legal experts will: (i) offer a general overview of the MRTA and adult-use licensing; (ii) break down recently-created adult-use conditional license types, the applicable eligibility criteria, and the potential impact of these conditional licenses on the State’s broader social and economic equity program; and (iii) explain how the State’s medical regulations will change if the proposed changes are adopted and what that means for the existing medical market, the adult-use market, and beyond. If you’re looking for a lively and informative discussion about all things cannabis in the Empire State, look no further – we’ve got you covered!

Credits


General

This program is eligible for 1 hours of General CLE credit in 60-minute states, and 1.2 hours of General CLE credit in 50-minute states. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules. 

INCBA webinars are generally eligible for credit in the following states: AR, AL, CA, CO, GA, HI, IL, NJ, NM, NY, ND, PA, TX, VT. Additional states may be available for credit upon self-application by attendees. States typically decide whether a program qualifies for MCLE credit in their jurisdiction 4-8 weeks after the program application is submitted. For many live events, credit approval is not received prior to the program.

The on-demand version of this webinar is eligible for credit in the following states: AR, AL, CA, CO, GA, HI, IL, NJ, NM, NY, ND, PA, TX, VT. Additional states may be available for credit upon self-application by attendees.

(Default credit disclaimer updated 02.08.2024)


For current accreditation status, please select your jurisdiction below.



Handouts

Faculty

Fatima Afia's Profile

Fatima Afia Related Seminars and Products

Associate

Rudick Law Group, PLLC


Fatima Afia is a cannabis attorney and civil litigator at Rudick Law Group, PLLC, with a background in commercial and business litigation, land use and landmarks law matters, and disability insurance law. As a litigator, Fatima was an instrumental member of the litigation team behind Washington v. Barr, a pro-bono lawsuit brought against the federal government that sought to declare the federal law criminalizing cannabis unconstitutional. As part of her work in Washington v. Barr, Fatima led the effort in securing overwhelming amicus support before the U.S. Supreme Court from seven members of Congress, 19 disparate and highly regarded organizations, and two eminent cannabis researchers and scientists. In connection with her disability insurance work, she has helped secure and maintain disability benefits for clients from some of the largest disability insurance companies in the United States, playing a vital role in the firm's successful administrative appeal against Unum Insurance Company which resulted in an award of approximately $1 million in retroactive benefits for the client. 

As a cannabis attorney, Fatima assists cannabis clients navigate the legal cannabis and hemp industry in the areas of corporate law and regulatory compliance, business transactions, litigation, and state licensing applications in various jurisdictions including New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Fatima is also a social equity advocate, providing instrumental testimony to the Cannabis Control Commission in Massachusetts in 2019 which resulted in an expedited license application-review process for women-and-minority-owned businesses that were unfairly excluded from the regulatory definition of a social equity applicant. Fatima is also an article contributor for Marijuana Venture, has regularly organized and chaired CLE panels and events for the International Cannabis Bar Association (“INCBA”), and is the Co-Chair of INCBA’s CLE Committee. She was the Moot Court Winner at the Medical Cannabis Conference held at Columbia University in 2019, and in 2021 was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Fatima attended Brooklyn Law School where she graduated in the top 20% percent of her graduating class. 


Lauren Rudick's Profile

Lauren Rudick Related Seminars and Products

Managing Principal

Rudick Law Group, PLLC


Lauren previously co-founded of Hiller, PC's cannabis law practice. What started as a
passion project in patient rights during a brief residency in California, Lauren has become
one of the Nation’s preeminent cannabis attorneys. Her practice is centered upon the
representation of start-up organizations and investors. With her diverse background in
corporate law, litigation, and land-use and zoning, she provides clients with the most up-
to-date information necessary to operate and invest in successful cannabis and ancillary
businesses. Lauren has run successful applications in competitive medical cannabis states
and adult-use markets alike, and represents a broad spectrum of cannabis and hemp
clients, including plant-touching breeders, cultivators, processors, and product
manufacturers; investors, including family offices and angels; and multiple ancillary
businesses, including networking associations, packaging businesses, ingredient
manufacturers, medical professionals, and industry consultants. Lauren is also a member
of the legal team that brought an action against former Attorney General Sessions and the
federal government seeking, among other things, a declaration that the mis-classification
of cannabis as a Schedule I drug is unconstitutional, on, among other things, due process,
equal protection, free speech, and commerce clause grounds.


Lauren is an Expert Contributor to Marijuana Venture Magazine, a frequent
speaker at national and local cannabis events, including, among others, MJ Biz Con, the
Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition, NCIA, Emerald Cup, and the Women
Grow Leadership Summit and provides pro bono legal and advocacy services to the
Cannabis Cultural Association, among others. Lauren also serves on the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors for the International Cannabis Bar Association, as
the organization’s Treasurer. Lauren enjoys an extensive network of cannabis
professionals nationwide, enabling her to provide full legal and business services to her
clients.


Michelle Bodian's Profile

Michelle Bodian Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Vicente LLP


Michelle Bodian serves as counsel in Vicente Sederberg’s Boston and New York offices, where she is co-chair of the firm’s Hemp and Cannabinoids Department and Grants and Loans practice group. In addition, Michelle leads the firm’s Environment, Health & Safety practice group and is a leading member of the firm’s cannabis licensing and regulatory compliance efforts in Connecticut and New York.

She advises hemp and CBD clients on how to navigate through the complex and interconnected federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks. In addition, she counsels tri-state (Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey) clients on all aspects of cannabis licensing and regulatory matters. Her clients include existing medical operators throughout the tri-state, as well as businesses and individuals seeking new adult-use, medical, and cannabinoid hemp licenses. 

Michelle also advises cannabis and hemp clients on environmental, health and safety federal and state laws through identification, prevention, mitigation, and resolution of relevant issues.

Before joining Vicente Sederberg, Michelle served as the land use counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and before that was an associate at an environmental and real estate law firm in Milford, Connecticut.

In 2022, Michelle was recognized as one of Boston's top lawyers by Boston magazine. She is a member of the American Herbal Products Association Cannabis Committee and has spoken at many cannabis industry events. Michelle is often quoted in media publications related to the tri-state markets and has authored several articles on cannabis, hemp- and CBD-related topics.

She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with an Environmental Law, Science, and Policy Certificate and received her Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University. During law school, Michelle served as a legal intern for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in the Environmental Protection Division.


Neil Willner's Profile

Neil Willner Related Seminars and Products

Co-Chair Cannabis Practice Group

Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC


Neil M. Willner is the Co-Chair of the Cannabis Group at Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld. Neil counsels hemp and marijuana companies operating on all tiers of the supply chain on the complex patchwork of state and federal regulation. Relying on his deep knowledge of state-specific marijuana and hemp rules, Neil assists clients in strategically navigating the disharmonized industry. Neil also serves as regulatory counsel to the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp’s CBD Task Force and Cannabis Beverage Council where he quarterbacks policy development and the drafting of responsive comments to state and federal agencies. Finally, Neil serves on the Executive Committee for the New York State Bar Association's Cannabis Section, chairing the Regulatory Sub-Committee where he leads the section's comments to state regulation. 


Reviews

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Overall:      4.5

Total Reviews: 21