As marijuana becomes less taboo, more and more people are getting into the cannabis market. Selling marijuana is legal in many states but there are still several challenges businesses in the industry face. This is why marijuana business owners, like all business owners, should have a good attorney. You should meet with your attorney before you even start your business and you should remain in contact on a regular basis. So if you’re starting a marijuana business and have a meeting scheduled with your attorney, here are a few important things you should do before the meeting.
Have a Good Understanding of Marijuana Laws
One of the very first things you should do before meeting with your lawyer is to brush up on your knowledge of marijuana laws in your area. While you should already have a thorough understanding of state and local laws before even thinking about starting a marijuana business, you should make sure you’re updated on current legal regulations. There are going to be different marijuana laws based on what type of business you’re running as well—so you should understand the different laws pertaining to dispensaries, infused product manufacturers, vendors, or testing labs, depending on what your business entails. So whether you’re manufacturing hemp and need to know Colorado hemp laws or you’re running a marijuana dispensary, ensure you know the right laws.
Know Your Own Criminal Record
Another thing you should do prior to meeting with a lawyer is to make sure you have a good understanding of your own criminal record. Any and all business owners should know their criminal record because certain legal problems could get in the way of running a marijuana-related business. If you were convicted of a felony or even a misdemeanor, it’s important your lawyer is aware of this. Your attorney may need to see if these charges can be dismissed or removed from your record before moving on with business matters.
Fortunately, it’s very easy to look up your criminal record online. Using a reputable service like GoLookUp can allow you to find information from public records—this information can include non-expunged criminal offenses, convictions, court subpoena, arrest records, and more. You can then gather and organize your records to show your attorney. All of this information should be openly shared with your lawyer before moving forward.
Ensure Your Business Records Are in Order
As a business owner, you need to ensure all of your business records are in order. This means keeping track of financial transactions, tax forms, and any other business-related documents. Additionally, you should have all of the filings you made when you first started your business or applied for a business license. All of these documents should be updated and provide accurate information. Your attorney will look at these to ensure everything is in order and that you’re operating under the law as you should be.
Prepare Some Questions
Last, but certainly not least, you should head into the meeting with your attorney with some questions prepared. Chances are, you have at least one question—and you don’t want to sit through the meeting only to not ask your question and have to call or schedule another appointment. These questions can be basic lawyer-related questions, like about your attorney’s experience in the marijuana business industry or payment options, or they can be about your specific business. Either way, asking questions, no matter how simple they may be, can give you a better understanding of what you should be doing as a marijuana business owner and ensure you and your attorney are on the same page.
Meeting with your lawyer is an important step in starting your business. So keep these tips in mind and you’ll be off to a great start.
