Basic Cannabis Concepts

Webinar Overview

The U.S. cannabis and hemp industries have grown significantly in recent years, creating new opportunities and challenges for legal professionals. Despite federal prohibitions, state-regulated markets continue to thrive—raising critical questions about compliance, regulatory frameworks, and business operations.

This webinar provides lawyers with a foundational understanding of cannabis law, tracing its historical legal landscape from the 1800s to prohibition in the 1930s and the evolution of federalism that enables state-level legalization today. Attendees will gain insights into key legal principles, conflicts between federal and state laws, and essential regulatory considerations for advising clients in this complex and rapidly expanding industry. This session is a must-attend for legal professionals looking to navigate the cannabis sector with confidence.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Explain the historical development of U.S. cannabis and hemp law from early regulation in the 1800s through prohibition in the 1930s and beyond.
• Describe the federal legal framework governing cannabis, including key statutes and the impact of federal prohibition on legal practice.
• Analyze how federalism enables state-level legalization, and identify the constitutional and legal principles that shape today’s state-regulated markets.
• Identify major points of conflict between federal and state cannabis laws and assess how those conflicts affect clients, transactions, and risk exposure.
• Recognize core regulatory structures in state cannabis programs, including licensing, compliance, enforcement, and operational requirements.
• Apply foundational cannabis-law concepts to client advising, including compliance planning, business operations, and navigating emerging legal risks in a rapidly evolving industry.

Other Webinars in this Series

• Currently, there are no other webinars in this series.