Kegler Brown has been involved in Ohio’s cannabis industry since the inception of the state’s medical marijuana program, representing local, multi-state, and Canadian companies seeking to enter and succeed in the Ohio market.
From the industry’s earliest days—marked by complex and highly competitive licensing processes—through today’s more mature (but equally complex) dual-use market, the firm has remained at the forefront of Ohio cannabis law.
Kegler Brown assists clients with all aspects of cannabis regulatory and compliance matters, achieving positive outcomes through direct engagement with Ohio regulators and, when necessary, through administrative and civil litigation involving regulatory or commercial disputes.
The firm’s cannabis team offers deep experience across a broad range of issues, including Ohio cannabis licensing and regulation, real estate site acquisition and zoning, mergers and acquisitions of cannabis assets and licenses, cannabis intellectual property and licensing, labor and employment matters affecting cannabis businesses, and lobbying and government relations with Ohio legislators.
Our services are truly comprehensive and include:
- Licensures + Applications: guidance for applicants under Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC); application narratives, operational plans, ownership structuring, and submission support; local approval procurement, zoning reviews, and site-control documentation
- Regulatory Compliance: compliance audits, SOP development, and inspection readiness; employee licensing, testing, packaging, and remediation strategies; ongoing support for regulatory updates and inquiries
- Corporate + Transactions: formation, governance, capitalization, and private investment; mergers, acquisitions, and change-of-control approvals; contracts for operations, technology, vendors, and partnerships
- Real Estate + Land Use: site selection, location restrictions, zoning, and permitting; leases for cultivation, processing, and retail operators; development, environmental compliance, and due diligence
- Employment + HR: designing workplace drug policies and training programs; licensing, safety, discipline, and compliance guidance
- Intellectual Property + Branding: protection and licensing of brand, technology, and genetics assets; advertising and labeling guidance within cannabis rules
- Litigation + Dispute Resolution: ownership, contract, vendor, and real estate disputes; administrative appeals and regulatory challenges; early risk analysis to protect operations
- Government Affairs + Policy: monitoring legislative activity affecting Ohio operators; engagement with agencies and policymakers; advocacy on rulemaking, taxation, zoning, and licensing structures
