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Matt, thank you for taking a few moments out of your hectic schedule so that our readers can get to know you just a little bit better.
You’re very welcome louis.
For clarity, what law firm are you with and what is your position there as it relates to the legal cannabis and hemp industry. For existing and prospective clients, what related services do your provide for someone already in the industry or looking to dive right in ... perhaps as a dispensary applicant or as a craft/micro grow?
I am a partner with torkin manes llp, which is a full service business law firm located in downtown toronto. The firm has about 100 lawyers and our cannabis group has about 8-10 lawyers who practice primarily in the area of cannabis law. I am the vice chair of the cannabis law group. We provide a full range of legal services to those in, or hoping to be in, the cannabis industry. Our clients include licensed producers, producer applicants, retailers, retail applicants, accessory and service companies as well as foreign businesses looking to enter the canadian market. We provide a wide range of services including applications, taking companies public, providing regulatory advice, providing general corporate services and drafting complex (and sometimes not so complex) commercial agreements.
Cheers! I see you visit LPs and attend industry conferences and expos as well as other businesses serving the industry or within the industry itself. You are often the "go to" legal expert of choice by mainstream media ... how important is it to stay on top of the industry and to attend conferences? From there ... the importance to ensure one is using reliable sources for their information such as from your appearances and your articles?
For me its critically important. Everything moves exceptionally fast in this industry. One thing my team and i pride ourselves on is not only being knowledgeable of the law, but also of the industry in general including what is happening and what the various players are doing at