Cannabis Intellectual Property

Many, if not most, intellectual property (IP) lawyers practicing today will encounter clients who want to protect some aspect of their marijuana or hemp business. IP protection is arguably even more critical for cannabis companies than other types of businesses because many cannabis operators are forced to rely on IP licensing agreements and similar arrangements to offer their products in multiple states. While IP protection is available for cannabis-related businesses, strategies for protection, enforcement, and licensing are complicated by the continued federal prohibition of marijuana.

What options are available for the registration of cannabis-related IP at the state and federal levels? What about internationally? How can cannabis businesses set themselves up for success through strategic IP development and expansion? Why is trademark protection particularly important for cannabis companies? Attend this program and learn how attorneys can advise their cannabis clients to best protect their valuable IP through a combination of state and federal registration, as well as best practices and pitfalls for expanding and enforcing a cannabis IP portfolio.

Intellectual property attorneys, attorneys who represent clients in the cannabis and hemp industries, and transactional attorneys, with a basic understanding of the marijuana/hemp business, are encouraged to attend this program.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess the legal aspects of current cannabis laws
• Understand how intellectual property law applies to cannabis businesses
• Discover the nuances of cannabis-related trademark protection and enforcement
• Explore how cannabis companies use intellectual property licensing to expand in the face of federal illegality