For more than 40 years, Sanford Stein has served governmental and private sector clients in an array of legislative, regulatory and judicial activities. Combining his skills in business and government relations law, he has extensive experience in infrastructure development, public finance and public-private partnership economic development, government regulations and procurement. With that background, he is also a leading authority in the regulated cannabis industry in the United States.

He began his practice with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he was responsible for numerous enforcement and policy matters. His practice today encompasses a broad array of business regulatory matters in Illinois and across the country. He also is active in international trade matters, particularly in China, Central America and South America.

He is a leader in the fight for cannabis legalization and common sense cannabis regulations. He has assisted with cannabis legislation and rulemaking, regulatory compliance, business development, real estate, finance, banking, license applications, Tribal Government counseling and zoning for cannabis businesses in several states.

Melissa advises corporate clients on a wide range of business matters, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, private placements of securities, financing transactions and ownership transition programs.

As part of the firm’s A/E/Design Group, Melissa’s practice involves a number of architecture, engineering and design firms. Melissa also represents a number of clients in the cannabis sector on matters including mergers and acquisitions, regulatory guidance and corporate governance.

She also provides guidance to clients in various industries on issues that emerge in day-to-day business, including marketing, internet matters, trade secret protection. In addition, Melissa assists with real estate financing and leases, taxation advice, negotiation and regulatory compliance and strategy, public finance and business and real property pre-litigation dispute resolution.

Whitney Hodges is a partner in the Real Estate, Land Use and Natural Resources Practice Group in the firm’s San Diego office. She is the leader of the firm’s Cannabis Industry Team and serves on the firm’s Pro Bono, Recruiting and Diversity & Inclusion committees, as well as numerous industry specific teams.  Whitney’s practice focuses on the representation of clients involved in real estate development and environmental compliance. Specific to cannabis operators and ancillary service providers, Whitney advises and represents through all phases of the regulatory process, including due diligence investigations, negotiating and drafting transactions agreements, processing land use entitlements, advising on environmental and natural resources law, and appearing before governmental agencies and commissions.

Whitney Hodges, Partner

Sheppard Mullin

• Federal Status on Cannabis
  • Status of Decriminalization
  • Status of Banking Regulation
  • Status of Research Abilities
  • Lack of Clear-Cut Regulations Related to CBD (varies by state)
• Status of State Oversite
  • Potential Federal Approach with States
  • One-Size Fits All Approach for State
  • Leave Permitting To Local Governments (Patchwork Approach)
• Social Equity
  • Purpose
  • How it Plays Out In the Real World
    • Obstacles
    • Success
  • States & Local Government Approach
• Maturation of the Market
  • Sophistication of Operators
  • Litigation
  • M&A/Distressed Assets
  • SPAC Mania