Cannabis

We represent commercial borrowers in their lending needs with traditional banks and credit unions, including working capital lines of credit, term loan facilities, real estate facilities and asset-based lending. We also assist clients with equity and debt fundraising efforts, including representing the borrower in one of the largest debt financings of a cannabis operator by a federally chartered bank.

For over a century, Varnum attorneys have served the business community with a full lineup of corporate services and specialties.

In the cannabis realm, our advice to clients ranges from day-to-day business and compliance issues to complex matters, including acquisitions, joint ventures, minority investments. Out attorneys have experience structuring ownership entities for cannabis grow, processing and retail operations, including providing licensing and regulatory support.

Varnum’s employee benefits attorneys are ready to help our clients design, draft, implement and administer a wide variety of employee benefit and executive compensation plans. We have experience assisting clients with the cannabis industry with Section 280E compliance and workarounds, 401(k) plan establishment and provider coordination, and equity and deferred compensation.

Varnum helps clients understand and operate successfully in the changing landscape of federal, state and local environmental requirements.

We have developed deep experience advising cannabis clients across regulatory issues, including Rule 901 compliance and odor issues, obtaining wastewater permits and redeveloping brownfield sites.

In today’s market, intellectual property is one of your most valuable assets.

Varnum’s intellectual property lawyers do what it takes to protect clients’ ideas and products including patenting growing equipment and obtaining trademarks at both the state and federal levels.

Our labor and employment attorneys understand the importance of human resource management and development in your business strategy. We have built a practice that responds quickly to your needs, looks for practical, cost-effective business solutions and holds to sound human resource principles. We have direct experience with clients in the cannabis industry including preparing and reviewing workplace policies for workplaces that allow cannabis use and ensuring compliance with the ever-changing rules and regulations regarding recreational and medicinal marijuana.

Experience. Client-focused results. Trusted advice.

Our trial lawyers have represented cannabis clients in on manner of litigation matters, from disputes related to the sale of growing facilities, equipment and cannabis strains, to disputes with local municipalities related to local licensing approval.

Acquisition, financing, development, management, leasing, sale – Varnum’s Real Estate Practice Team counsels clients on all matters relating to real estate.

We have completed lease agreements for cannabis businesses for both retail and production operations. Whether a property is commercial, industrial or residential development, our real estate attorneys know the issues and the law.

Varnum’s tax team unites the tax compliance, planning and litigation skills of one of Michigan’s oldest law firms with one of the Midwest’s premier tax boutique practices.

We are respected throughout the region for our ability to assist our cannabis clients in all matters relating to federal and state tax audits, tax strategies, litigation and planning, including Section 280E considerations, the conversion of LLC partnerships to C corporations to avoid tax-basis issues on account of non-deductibility losses, and structuring investments to take advantage of favorable tax benefits related to Qualified Opportunity Zones.