Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest and plays an important role as a technology hub and port. The attorneys in our Seattle office represent clients in cannabis law, providing regulatory and operational guidance, corporate finance and investing advice, and dispute resolution all across the Evergreen State and around the country.
November 12, 2024
What do Megan Rapinoe, Kevin Durant, Shawn Kemp, Calvin Johnson, Willie Nelson, Wiz Kalifa, Margo Price, and Sublime all have in common? They all have created their own boutique cannabis brands. As cannabis has become more popular, celebrity athletes and musicians have taken notice and jumped into the game. This is true for both forms of cannabis, including marijuana and hemp. As celebrities increasingly enter this space, it is important that they are informed of both the risks and opportunities.
November 7, 2024
Has the Supreme Court’s opinion overturning the Chevron doctrine altered the landscape for the denial of tax deductions for marijuana businesses under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code? We explore that question in this podcast.
November 5, 2024
Proposed language in the next Farm Bill could substantially impact the hemp industry in the United States.
October 3, 2024
McGlinchey is pleased to announce its recognition as “Top Law Firm” by the PBC Conference 2024, a leading event that brings together the cannabis banking ecosystem with a focus on payments, banking, and compliance. This honor underscores the firm’s ability to integrate its deep experience in financial services with its growing leadership in the cannabis industry.
October 3, 2024
For the second time, McGlinchey has achieved Midsize Mansfield Certification, reaffirming the firm’s commitment to diversity in leadership and inclusive hiring practices.
September 27, 2024
Member Perry Saulzhauer (Seattle) presented "Rescheduling: Unwinding the Weird" at the Northwest Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Conference in Cannon Beach, Oregon, on September 27, 2024.
September 25, 2024
Zero-tolerance drug policies in the workplace are an endangered species. Traditional drug laws and policies as they relate to the workplace are being upended, and employers are increasingly struggling to grapple with the patchwork of state drug-testing laws – that oftentimes conflict with federal law – as well as the proliferation of legal THC-containing products derived from hemp.
August 15, 2024
McGlinchey is 50! In honor of our anniversary this year, attorneys across our footprint and practices are reflecting on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.
August 15, 2024
McGlinchey Stafford is proud to announce that 74 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
August 14, 2024
With the most recent addition of Matt Manning, the executive Policy Committee now comprises a majority of “next generation” Gen X and Millennial leaders. As of August, 70% of the Policy Committee and 88% of Office Managing Attorneys are Gen X and Millennial leaders.
August 7, 2024
Despite the excitement of many over rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, the move does not make cannabis “legal” unless it is produced, sold, and used within the tightly regulated parameters of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Many medical and adult-use cannabis stores and products that currently exist in approximately four-fifths of the United States are not in compliance with the CSA. These businesses violate federal law now, and they will still be violating federal law if and when cannabis is rescheduled; rescheduling does not make the conduct federally legal.
August 1, 2024
With the sudden change in the Democratic presidential candidate, there are a whole host of implications for the future of America.
July 31, 2024
McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Heidi Urness and Daniel Shortt, attorneys in the firm’s Seattle office, have been named to the Super Lawyers 2024 Washington Rising Stars List.
July 19, 2024
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.
July 18, 2024
In the ever-evolving legal landscape, mid-size law firms find themselves at a critical juncture.
July 2, 2024
McGlinchey was named among many AmLaw 100 and 200 firms among Vault’s 2025 rankings for Diversity in Law Firms, based on input from the firm’s Associates. McGlinchey also ranked in two categories in The American Lawyer’s 2024 Diversity Scorecards: Women in Law and the LGBTQ+ Scorecard.
June 27, 2024
Associate and Chair of McGlinchey PRIDE Andrew Albritton was quoted in a Law360 Pulse story about how attorneys are commemorating Pride month.
June 17, 2024
McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Heidi Urness, co-chair of McGlinchey's Cannabis Industry Group, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Green Market Report Women in Cannabis Award for Legal.
June 17, 2024
McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Daniel Shortt, an attorney in our Seattle office, was an Affiliate Instructor of Law at the University of Washington School of Law for the Spring 2024 semester.
June 17, 2024
McGlinchey is proud to announce that the firm is relaunching its African American Affinity Group under a new identity: BOLD, McGlinchey’s Black Originators, Leaders, and Doers.
June 13, 2024
Obtaining retail space for any small business is a big move. 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?
June 6, 2024
McGlinchey is pleased to announce that 25 attorneys and eight practice areas have been recognized in the 2024 Chambers USA Guide. This year’s rankings include two nationally ranked practices and three newly ranked attorneys.
June 1, 2024
As the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) moves marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a new pathway for the development of marijuana-based prescription drugs opens.
June 1, 2024
On May 16, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the proposed rule (Proposed Rule) to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
May 29, 2024
The Department of Justice’s move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, on which it began formal proceedings on May 16, won’t legalize state-level adult use and medical marijuana unless it’s produced, sold, and used within the regulations of the Controlled Substances Act. Banks and other financial institutions may have questions on how these changes could affect their ability to service cannabis businesses.
May 24, 2024
In light of the rescheduling marijuana news, industry insiders anticipate a significant increase in cannabis-related investments and acquisition activity. While this anticipated increase in activity is exciting, it is no secret that those who have already invested capital into the cannabis industry have learned some hard lessons over the last decade.
May 17, 2024
The Proposed Rule will be published on May 21, 2024. Once that occurs, the notice and comment period will open. Interested parties, including those currently involved in the cannabis industry as well as the many industries which cannabis rescheduling will affect, should start considering now whether they wish to submit a comment and request a hearing at which to speak and present a comment.
May 14, 2024
Member Perry Salzhauer and Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) discussed the impact of rescheduling cannabis with the Birmingham Business Journal in an article published May 14, 2024.
May 14, 2024
Ohio’s Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) approved eleven rules previously submitted by the Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) for administrative rule review. Under Ohio law, JCARR is the final committee that must approve the proposed rules.
May 6, 2024
Cannabis industry team co-chair Perry Salzhauer (Seattle) is quoted in a May 6 piece on Inc. related to the impact of reclassification on cannabis-related investment and operations.
April 30, 2024
On April 30, 2024, the DEA announced it will be rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the CSA.
April 30, 2024
Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) was interviewed on Seattle's Fox 13 on April 30, 2024, about marijuana's reclassification from Schedule I to Schedule III.
April 18, 2024
Member Heidi Urness (Seattle) was interviewed by the ABA Journal in "Pulling the Weed: Bankruptcy Opinion Shows Debt Restructure Path for Cannabis Workers."
April 10, 2024
Member Heidi Urness (Seattle) will join a panel presentation, "Empowering Women: Navigating the Path to Capital," at MJ Unpacked in Atlantic City on April 10, 2024.
April 11, 2024
Member Perry Salzhauer (Seattle) is presenting "Psychedelic Policy Experiments: A Snapshot of the State Laboratories," at the Psychedelic Law Summit on April 11, 2024.
April 2, 2024
On October 11, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule to require reporting under Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.
April 1, 2024
Support for marijuana rescheduling has been pouring in as the Biden administration considers moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
March 27, 2024
Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) will present an American Bar Association Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) will present an American Bar Association (ABA) webinar, "Create Engaging Digital Content," on March 27, 2024.
March 25, 2024
McGlinchey is pleased to announce Members Douglas Charnas (Washington, DC), Heidi Urness (Seattle), and Lauren Ybarra (Dallas) will receive the 2024 Law360 Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing.
March 25, 2024
Seattle attorneys Perry Salzhauer and Daniel Shortt will join a panel presentation webinar, "Marijuana Business Law in Montana," for the National Business Institute (NBI) on March 25, 2024.
March 19, 2019
Member Heidi Urness (Seattle) was interviewed in an MJBizDaily article titled "THCA Meets Legal Definition of Hemp, Operators Say—but Not Everyone Agrees."
March 21, 2024
It is not yet known when the DEA will announce its recommendation or what the agency will recommend. Below, we explore the DEA’s options and potential timelines, as well as what will happen once the DEA does make a determination as to how marijuana will be scheduled going forward.
March 19, 2024
Law360 Pulse ran a feature on McGlinchey's new Seattle office, including an interview with Heidi Urness, the Seattle Office Managing Member.
March 18, 2024
McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the opening of its new Seattle office, marking a significant step in its ongoing nationwide expansion.
March 1, 2024
Over the last several years, there has been a dramatic increase in retail and online sales of products containing hemp-derived and synthetically created cannabinoids.
February 21, 2024
Participants in the federally legal hemp industry are already required to navigate a complex web of federal and state law. However, in light of changes that have occurred and will continue to occur throughout 2024, hemp businesses must be prepared to pivot on a moment’s notice throughout the coming months.
February 12, 2024
Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) had his client alert "Rescheduling Marijuana: Understanding the Legal Impacts," quoted in an article "How Marijuana Could Become a Political Issue in 2024." Daniel explains the difference between rescheduling and descheduling marijuana.
February 13, 2024
Daniel Shortt discusses Ohio, rescheduling marijuana, administrative law related to cannabis, regulators, and hemp derivatives.
February 7, 2024
McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2024, Michael Ferachi has been elected to serve a second three-year term as the firm’s Managing Member. “I am proud of the progress the firm made during my first term, ranging from growing our employee headcount and geographic footprint to expanding our practice areas,More
February 7, 2024
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.
January 31, 2024
Despite this uncertainty, one thing is clear: many cannabis brands currently operating in the space need not wait for federal rescheduling of marijuana to take advantage of protections under federal and state trademarks for cannabis trademarks.
January 24, 2024
On Wednesday, January 24, Member Heidi Urness will join a panel on "State Law Receiverships as a Bankruptcy Alternative and a Necessity for Cannabis-Related Businesses" during the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) Caribbean Insolvency Symposium.
January 2, 2024
On December 18, the New York Cannabis Control Board and its implementing agency, the Office of Cannabis Management, closed its first, and perhaps only, open application window for Adult-Use Cannabis Licenses.
January 16, 2024
The major importance of the HHS Letter is its impact on limiting the DEA’s next moves on marijuana. Although nothing is certain, it seems very likely that the DEA will move forward with the rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana.
January 16, 2024
On January 8, 2024, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services published its long-anticipated first proposed set of medical marijuana regulations.
January 16, 2024
Of Cousel Michael Blumenthal (Cleveland) and Member and Co-Chair of McGlinchey's Cannabis group Heidi Urness (Seattle) published an article in Food Safety Magazine focusing on the potential risks regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the cannabis industry and the need for state-level regulations.
January 2, 2024
McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce the eight attorneys who have been named Members at the firm, effective January 1, 2024. These attorneys represent four practice groups and six of the firm’s 17 offices.
December 11, 2023
Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) is co-presenting "Beyond the Hysteria – Real-Life Implications of Descheduling/Rescheduling Cannabis in the Legal Marketplace" at Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA) Business of Cannabis: 2023 Symposium on December 11, 2023.
December 12, 2023
Daniel Shortt (Seattle) will co-present a session on "Cannabis & Psychedelics" during The Seminar Group's 22nd Annual CLE Bootcamp on Hot Topics in the Law on December 12, 2023.
December 5, 2023
Ohio legalized adult-use cannabis on November 7th, 2023, but the future of the market is uncertain, and things are changing quickly. In this episode, we'll cover why we should expect the unexpected on the road to legalization of adult-use marijuana in Ohio.
November 28, 2023
McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that several members of the firm have been appointed to leadership roles within the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section.
November 19, 2023
On November 19, 2023, Member Perry Salzhauer (Seattle) joined Sean Hocking, editor at the Cannabis Law Report, for an episode of the “Karma Koala” podcast, a weekly podcast about all things law, business, and culture in cannabis, to discuss the latest developments New York City regarding licensing.
November 16, 2023
McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Perry Salzhauer, co-chair of the firm’s Cannabis Industry Group resident in Seattle, has been recognized as a 2023 Notable Leader in Cannabis by Green Market Report.
November 16, 2023
McGlinchey is pleased to announce that Heidi Urness has been named to the 4th Edition of the Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers 2023-02024 published by Cannabis Law Report & Cannabis Law Journal.
December 3, 2023
Member Heidi Urness (Seattle) will moderate a "Regulations & Licensing" panel, and Of Counsel, David Waxman (Cleveland) and Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) will join as panelists at the second National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium in Portland, Oregon, on December 3, 2023.
November 7, 2023
On November 7, 2023, voters in Ohio approved Ohio Issue 2, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which legalizes marijuana for recreational use in Ohio.
October 20, 2023
Member Heidi Urness (Seattle) was quoted in The Financial Brand‘s October 19, 2023 article on the latest piece of Congressional legislation related to financing cannabis. Things could go either way, says Heidi Urness, co-chair of the cannabis practice group for the law firm McGlinchey Stafford in Seattle. “I think there’s excitement over some actual bipartisanMore
October 17, 2023
The marijuana industry touted the passage of the SAFER Banking Act by the Senate Banking Committee, by a notable bipartisan majority of 14-9, on Sept. 27 and was placed on the Senate legislative calendar under general orders the following day. A Senate floor vote is now pending.
October 16, 2023
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is one of the most misunderstood and controversial cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa (cannabis) plant. While booming in popularity, THCA is also a high-risk cannabinoid from a legal standpoint.
September 28, 2023
In late August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that it would recommend moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. In this episode, corporate cannabis attorney Daniel Shortt moderates a discussion with tax attorney Douglas Charnas and financial services regulatory attorney Aaron Kouhoupt about what impactsMore
September 7, 2023
Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) was quoted in "The Feds Consider Making Marijuana Less Regulated," in Essence from his article "From Schedule I to Schedule III: Potential Shift in Marijuana’s Legal Status" where he discusses the possible classification change of cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III classification.
September 18, 2023
According to a report from the Congressional Research Service (the Report), the DEA is likely to follow the Department of HHS and the FDA's recommendation to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
September 12, 2023
A difficult lesson was learned after marijuana was discovered in a suitcase at the airport: The government does not have to prove cannabis is marijuana to convict you of trafficking in marijuana.
September 6, 2023
Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) was quoted in "Rescheduling Cannabis Probably Won't Change as Much as You Think," in Cultivated about the proposed classification change of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.
August 31, 2023
Associate Daniel Shortt (Seattle) was quoted in "Marijuana Classification Change Would Alter Tax Collections" in The Bond Buyer.