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David Waxman

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David Waxman is a highly sought-after advisor to the cannabis industry. With more than three decades of experience counseling clients related to real estate development, zoning, acquisitions, and financing, as well as corporate transactions and environmental regulatory compliance, David Waxman helps clients both translate business goals into results and also protect their interests. He applies his knowledge and experience to advising cannabis industry clients on financial services and investments, operational compliance and best practices, and real estate matters, and is a veteran of Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, MJBizCon, and other cannabis industry events.

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Today is another red-letter date for Ohio. The Ohio Department of Development’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has issued 98 Certificates of Operation (COOs) to dispensaries across the state, permitting them to sell adult-use marijuana at their existing medical marijuana locations (i.e., a “dual-use” license). The issued COOs represent nearly 75% of the provisional licenses previously issued. The remaining provisional licenses will not be issued until those licensees have met the requirements for receiving a COO.
Continue Reading It’s Opening Day for Ohio Adult-Use Marijuana – Play Bud!

Obtaining retail space for any small business is a big move. There are many issues to consider, and working with a knowledgeable real estate lawyer helps to avoid surprises down the road. This is especially true for a cannabis business for two principal reasons. First, cannabis businesses are highly regulated at the state and local level. Second, cannabis generally remains illegal at the federal level. A standard retail space lease is just not going to suffice. So the question is, what does a cannabis business need to do and watch for when obtaining a retail space?
Continue Reading Podcast: Securing Retail Space for Your Cannabis Business (Episode 2 of 2)

Obtaining retail space for any small business is a big move. There are many issues to consider, and working with a knowledgeable real estate lawyer helps to avoid surprises down the road. This is especially true for a cannabis business for two principal reasons. First, cannabis businesses are highly regulated at the state and local level. Second, cannabis generally remains illegal at the federal level. A standard retail space lease is just not going to suffice. So, the question is, what does a cannabis business need to do and watch for when obtaining a retail space?
Continue Reading Podcast: Securing Retail Space for Your Cannabis Business (Episode 1 of 2)

In accordance with Ohio’s new adult-use marijuana legislation, applications for initial dual-use marijuana licenses will be made available by the Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) on its website no later than this Friday, June 7 – a historic day in the state.

The first licenses to be issued will not be available to the general public but will be issued only to currently licensed medical marijuana cultivators, processors, laboratories, and dispensaries.
Continue Reading Ohio’s Dual-Use Marijuana License Applications Available June 7

On January 29, 2024, the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) released the first package of proposed rules (Regulations) to govern the state’s emerging legal cannabis market. The Regulations cover the Ohio marijuana license application process and also remove and rescind certain fees.

When will initial applications be made available?

… Continue Reading Ohio Marijuana License Application Process Outlined by Regulations

On January 8, 2024, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Cabinet) published its long-anticipated first proposed set of medical marijuana regulations. These proposed regulations set forth the operating requirements for various types of operators within the program (including cultivators, processors, producers, and dispensaries), and rules for cannabis transportation…

Continue Reading Kentucky’s Proposed Medical Marijuana Regulations

Ohio Republicans have begun to propose legislative changes to the recently passed Issue 2, the Ohio Marijuana Legalization Initiative (Initiative), passed by over 57% of Ohioans in November. House Bill No. 341 (the Bill) was introduced on November 28 by Representative Gary Click (R) and does not currently have…

Continue Reading Ohio Marijuana: House Member Introduces Bill to Amend Recently Passed Adult-Use Law

On November 7, 2023, voters in Ohio approved Ohio Issue 2, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative (the Initiative), which legalizes marijuana for recreational use in Ohio. Among its key provisions, the Ohio Initiative creates a new Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) within the Ohio Department of Commerce (DOC) to regulate marijuana…

Continue Reading Ohio Legalizes Adult-Use Marijuana

On August 8, 2023, Ohio voters defeated a proposed amendment to the state’s Constitution that would have required at least 60% of the vote on any citizen-initiated proposal to amend the Constitution, otherwise known as Issue 1. Since 1912, the Ohio Constitution has required only a majority of the vote…

Continue Reading All Eyes on Ohio’s Adult-Use Marijuana Measure Post Issue 1 Defeat
Featured Podcast Episode

Securing Retail Space for Your Cannabis Business (Episode 2 of 2)

Obtaining retail space for any small business is a big move. There are many issues to consider, and working with a knowledgeable real estate lawyer helps to avoid surprises down the road. This episode discusses licenses for retail space for cannabis businesses from the landlord and tenant perspective. Hosts also review issues unique to the cannabis business when renting retail space.