When you start a Cannabis Industry team at a law firm based in the Southeastern United States, you get a sense of what Noah must have felt like when he was telling people it was about to rain.

But it did start to rain. And it hasn’t stopped. The Budding Trends blog is a glimpse into the issues we encounter as cannabis industry attorneys. And we hope that it may be a little fun, too.

What is the Budding Trends blog?

There may be no area of the law where it is more important to have legal counsel than in the United States cannabis industry. The cannabis industry has developed within the context of conflicting and evolving federal and state laws, and businesses in the cannabis industry must navigate a wide array of legal challenges. These challenges extend to those businesses that provide services or otherwise interact with cannabis companies. All of this means that people dealing with cannabis issues tend to have lots of questions.

We understand that people don’t always want a law review-type article with footnotes and Latin phrases every time they’re looking for information about cannabis law. That is particularly true for most of our readers and clients. We strive to make this a place where you can get straightforward analysis about the important cannabis issues of the day.

But don’t mistake our pop culture references and plain language for a lack of substance. Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team has a deep understanding of the many unique legal and business issues that impact companies – including hemp companies – operating in this sector. We monitor industry trends and legislative developments to provide timely and proactive guidance to clients. Our multidisciplinary team of attorneys also helps businesses successfully identify and mitigate risk and recognize opportunities for sustainable growth. We have substantive experience advising on a wide range of matters, including banking, regulatory compliance, licensing, intellectual property, taxation, corporate transactions and dispute resolution.

Why did we start the blog?

Why not? When we looked around the cannabis blogosphere, we saw a lot of noise but not a lot of sophisticated legal analysis. This is intended to be a rare and different tune – a place where cannabis is discussed with a mix of light-hearted readability and a serious, thoughtful, experienced perspective. We aim for this to be something fun for the contributors and the readers.

What can you expect?

You’re going to hear from us a lot. You’re going to get a lot of puns. Of course, with this being a cannabis blog, you’re going to get lyrics from the Grateful Dead and Phish. But, because we’re a firm based in the Southeast, we’re going to change it up and give you some country music too, perhaps from the late, great Mr. Jerry Reed. And you’re going to get lots of pop culture references (movies, in particular).

You’re also going to get thought leadership. We are committed to being at the forefront of developments in the cannabis industry. And while we want to be plainspoken and accessible, we’ll provide a level of sophistication that is rarely found in the cannabis legal market today.

So, if things go as planned, once in a while we might show you the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Photo of Whitt Steineker Whitt Steineker

As co-chair of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team, Whitt represents clients in a wide range of cannabis issues. In addition to providing a full suite of legal services to cannabis companies, Whitt and the Cannabis Industry team advise non-cannabis clients – from banks to…

As co-chair of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team, Whitt represents clients in a wide range of cannabis issues. In addition to providing a full suite of legal services to cannabis companies, Whitt and the Cannabis Industry team advise non-cannabis clients – from banks to commercial real estate companies to insurance companies and high net worth individuals – on best practices for interacting with cannabis companies.

Whitt is one of the leading voices in the cannabis bar – recognized as a “Go-To Thought Leader” by the National Law Review. He has presented on cannabis issues at conferences around the country.  His work has been featured in the National Law JournalLaw360, and the Westlaw Journal. And he has been quoted in an array of legal and mainstream publications from Law360 and Super Lawyers to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Associated Press.

Photo of Slates C. Veazey Slates C. Veazey

Slates is a member of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team, advising clients on a variety of cannabis issues and in a wide range of sectors. From individuals and entities interested in participating in the new Mississippi medical cannabis program to non-plant-touching companies impacted by…

Slates is a member of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team, advising clients on a variety of cannabis issues and in a wide range of sectors. From individuals and entities interested in participating in the new Mississippi medical cannabis program to non-plant-touching companies impacted by that emerging market, Slates and his partners provide the full suite of services that Bradley offers to its many other clients — but with a specific understanding of the ever-changing cannabis industry. His work has been featured in The National Law Journal, JD Supra, and the Cannabis Business Executive. Slates also has been quoted by the Mississippi Business Journal and Mississippi Today regarding Mississippi’s medical cannabis program.

Photo of J. Hunter Robinson J. Hunter Robinson

Hunter Robinson represents clients in commercial litigation and compliance matters across the country. His cannabis practice focuses on solving problems for cannabis companies and their vendors. Hunter has worked alongside other members of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team to help hemp and medical cannabis…

Hunter Robinson represents clients in commercial litigation and compliance matters across the country. His cannabis practice focuses on solving problems for cannabis companies and their vendors. Hunter has worked alongside other members of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team to help hemp and medical cannabis companies obtain licenses, structure business entities, raise capital, negotiate contracts with suppliers and distributors, and maintain compliance with the ever-shifting state and federal laws that govern their operations. Hunter also advises financial institutions regarding the complex laws governing the provision of financial services to cannabis companies, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and related Anti-Money Laundering (AML) statutes and regulations.

Photo of James W. Wright Jr. James W. Wright Jr.

Jay Wright is a partner in the firm’s Banking and Financial Services and Litigation practice groups. Jay has earned his Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation through the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and is one of a small number of lawyers who have achieved…

Jay Wright is a partner in the firm’s Banking and Financial Services and Litigation practice groups. Jay has earned his Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation through the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and is one of a small number of lawyers who have achieved this status.

Jay’s practice focuses on financial services litigation and regulation, and he is actively involved in lawsuits and disputes across the country representing companies involved in a wide array of state and federal law claims. His representation includes general defense of various claims against financial institutions, mortgage companies, and other commercial entities. Many of these claims involve allegations of wrongful foreclosure proceedings or violations of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) regulations, as well as various deceptive trade practices claims under state law.