Cannabis
Goodmans is a pioneer and recognized market leader in the cannabis sector, with active involvement in the industry since the beginning. We are the first leading Canadian firm to play a significant role in medical and adult-use cannabis.
Our lawyers represented a number of the earliest non-incumbent producers from initial start-up, to the ‘go public’ stage, and through to their successful sale and exit. We continue to be at the forefront of the sector, structuring and implementing transformative transactions, representing clients in each aspect of the cannabis vertical from producers, retailers, researchers, pharmaceuticals as well as ancillaries such as vaping, edibles and topicals.
We help our US and international clients gain a competitive edge in accessing the Canadian markets and establishing their businesses. Our bold and entrepreneurial nature is proven by our track record of cannabis ‘firsts’. We were counsel to the first and third non-incumbent licensed producers in Canada, the first-ever cannabis-focused TSX SPAC IPO, and the first cannabis SPAC qualifying acquisitions in Canada. We were also counsel on some of the earliest cross-border transactions for US and Latin American cannabis businesses accessing Canadian capital markets.
Our expertise in the ever-evolving cannabis regulatory regime means we can resourcefully navigate this complex environment and achieve our clients’ business objectives. We also leverage our excellence in complementary areas such as regulatory, securities, real estate, restructuring and mergers and acquisitions to support our clients in building a successful cannabis business.
We have represented the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (the crown corporation of the Province of Ontario created specifically for the adult-use cannabis industry in Ontario) and many industry participants both domestically and internationally, including licensed producers in Jamaica and Europe, multi-state operators in the U.S., private enterprises in the Ontario retail cannabis market, strategic investors for research and development, intellectual property, retail and marketing partnerships with industry participants, research and pharmaceutical initiatives, as well as private enterprises focused on veterinarian cannabis market opportunities.
Goodmans is also a founding member of the Cannabis Group of the World Law Group.
Explore People in Cannabis
Meet our teamFeatured Work
-
Cannabis
Organigram Holdings Inc. to receive $124 million investment from BT DE Investments Inc.
Goodmans LLP is acting for Organigram Holdings Inc., the parent company of Organigram Inc., a leading licensed producer of cannabis, in connection with its C$124.6 million follow-on strategic equity… -
Restructuring
Wayland Group CCAA restructuring
Goodmans LLP represented the senior creditors in connection with the CCAA restructuring of Wayland Group and the acquisition of its operating business by Ring… -
Restructuring
Ayr Wellness cross-border restructuring
Goodmans LLP acted as Canadian counsel to the Ad Hoc Committee Senior Noteholders of Ayr Wellness Inc. and Ayr Wellness Canada Holdings Inc. in connection with the negotiation and structuring of the… -
Restructuring
MJardin’s restructuring proceedings
Goodmans LLP acted for KSV Restructuring Inc. (“KSV”) in respect of MJardin Group, Inc. (“MJardin” or the “Company”), a publicly traded licensed Canadian cannabis producer, in its restructuring… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Curaleaf acquires Select, a leading cannabis wholesale brand in the U.S.
Goodmans LLP represented Cura Partners, Inc., owners of Select – the leading Cannabis wholesale brand in the United States – in connection with a definitive agreement to have its state-regulated… -
Capital Markets
Medicine Man Technologies NEO Listing
Goodmans LLP acted for Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., dba Schwazze (OTCQX: SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ) in connection with their listing of common shares on the NEO Exchange – a tier one Canadian stock…
Insights
-
Cannabis
World Law Group 2020 Cannabis Guide
Victor Liu, Neil Sheehy and Danielle Levesque are contributors to the Canada section of the World Law Group 2020 Cannabis Guide. The Guide covers legislation, governing bodies, import and export… -
Cannabis
CSA Further Scrutinizes Disclosure by Cannabis Reporting Issuers
On November 12, 2019, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published Staff Notice 51-359 (the “Staff Notice”), highlighting inadequacies in disclosure of financial interests in M&A… -
Cannabis
Legal Landscape Applicable to the Regulation of Cannabis in Canada
On April 13, 2017, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, in the House of Commons. Based on the input of public health, law enforcement and justice experts, the Cannabis Act… -
Cannabis
Ontario Retail Cannabis Update… The Limited-Licence Lottery System
On December 13, the Ontario government announced significant changes to the province’s planned rollout of its retail cannabis regime. Ontario made regulation 497/18 (the “Amending Regulation”) under… -
Cannabis
Ontario Retail Cannabis Update"¦New Rules Rolled Out for Future Cannabis Retailers
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) released its Registrar’s Standards (the “Standards”) which provide further operational rules for cannabis retailers in Ontario. As detailed in our November… -
Cannabis
Ontario (Late to the Party) Retail Cannabis Update… With More to Come…
On October 17, 2018, Ontario enacted the Cannabis Licence Act (CLA) to permit the sale of recreational cannabis in privately owned stores. The CLA and its regulations, the Cannabis Licence Regulations…
Awards & Recognition
-
The Legal 500 Canada Tier 4, Cannabis 2024
-
The Legal 500 Canada Tier 4, Cannabis 2023
-
The Legal 500 Canada Recognized, Cannabis 2022
-
The Legal 500 Recognized, Cannabis 2021
News & Events
-
Mergers and Acquisitions
Chambers and Partners Once Again Honours Goodmans with Top-Tier Recognition
We are delighted to announce Goodmans LLP continues to receive top-tier recognition from Chambers and Partners in the Chambers Canada 2025 Guide.Recognition from Chambers and Partners is based on… -
Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans Continues to Receive Top Tier Recognition from The Legal 500 Canada
We are pleased to announce Goodmans LLP has once again received top tier recognition from The Legal 500 Canada in their 2024 Guide released today. Recognition from The Legal 500 is based on… -
Banking and Financial Services
The Legal 500 Canada Continues to Recognize Goodmans with Top Tier Rankings
We are pleased to announce Goodmans LLP has once again received top tier recognition from The Legal 500 Canada in their 2023 Guide released today. Recognition from The Legal 500 is based on…