Cannabis & Marijuana Law
Cannabis Business Planning and Start-Up in Southwest Michigan
Launching a cannabis business in Michigan is a straightforward process with the assistance of an experienced business lawyer. At Hamilton Law, we specialize in ensuring that Kalamazoo-area cannabis start-ups are launched successfully—and in compliance with Michigan and Federal law.
Cannabis & Marijuana Business Formation in Michigan
Any Michigan business requires careful formation planning. A cannabis-related enterprise carries additional special licensing and other considerations. First, whether you are engaging in trade on your own, with a partner or partners, or on behalf of a group of investors, the selection of the right business entity through which to conduct business is a primary consideration. We can advise you as to the requirements, advantages, and taxable consequences of available business structures, including:
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Corporations or S-Corporations
- Joint Ventures
- General Partnerships
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
- Not-for-Profit, Tax-Exempt 501(c)(3) Organizations
Our attorneys will draft your accompanying Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Partnership Agreements, and other constituent documentation with the experience and expertise required to avoid future ownership and taxation issues.
Cannabis Business Licensing and Product Labeling in Southwest Michigan
In Michigan, a cannabis business must also be properly licensed by LARA's Marijuana Regulatory Agency. We can ease this regulatory burden with experienced assistance in obtaining your adult-use establishment license or medical marijuana facility license. Additionally, a cannabis product label must include very specific information to be sold legally in Michigan. We will help you to ensure your compliance with state cannabis product labeling regulations before you invest enormous capital in product packaging, marketing, and inventory stocking.
Employee Handbook and Contract Drafting and Review in Kalamazoo Michigan
Our business attorneys can also draft your employee handbooks and internal human resources documentation. We will also draft, review, and negotiate purchase agreements, franchising agreements, and all other contracts necessary to conduct business on a wholesale or retail basis in Michigan.
Federal and State Trademark Registration in Michigan
Federal trademark registration is the strongest means of protecting your product brand available under US law. Trademark registration will allow you the exclusive right to your brand in interstate commerce. It allows you to sue in Federal court for infringement, to block the sale or import of infringing goods, and many other advantages. However, a Federal trademark is registered in relation to specific goods or services sold in interstate commerce. Cannabis products may be legal to sell in Michigan, but they remain a Class I Controlled Substance under Federal law. This means that registering your company or product name, slogan, or logo as a Federal trademark must be handled in a very particular manner to ensure registrability.
Not every cannabis product will support a Federal trademark registration application. Our lawyers are experienced in prosecuting trademark registration applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Contact Us For an Initial Consultation in Kalamazoo Michigan
We will help you to ensure that your Michigan cannabis business launch is a success. Call us today at (248) 488-8394 or contact us online to schedule your initial consultation with our cannabis business attorneys. Our office is available for in-person appointments. We also offer virtual telephone consultations and appointments.