Cannabis Law | Canada

Cassels Brock & Blackwell garners widespread market recognition as a pre-eminent firm operating in the cannabis industry in Canada. It offers a broad range of commercial advice to clients in the sector, with the group often identified for its skilful handling of financings and capital markets matters for licensed producers. The firm is also active advising investors and investment firms on financings, as well as acting for underwriters.

Dentons offers clients engaged in the cannabis sector all manner of commercial advice, including in relation to M&A mandates, securities matters and licensing issues. The team is particularly well regarded for its role in corporate financings. It frequently assists emerging companies with financings and IPOs, in addition to advising established companies on commercial and regulatory issues. Its lawyers in Canada benefit from the firm's international network to advise clients on cross-border matters.

Aird & Berlis houses a highly-esteemed Toronto-based team that frequently advises companies seeking to expand their footprint in the cannabis sector. The firm is adept at handling an array of commercial issues from tax to corporate governance, as well as capital markets mandates. Its clients include producers and distributors, among other stakeholders. The team has a notable industry expertise advising on a range of medicinal and recreational products, including edibles and beverages.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a full-service law firm with a good reputation in the cannabis space in Canada. It regularly acts for emerging companies and larger organisations on both corporate transactions and regulatory work, including advertising and marketing matters. The team also advises established businesses on their involvement in the sector and the implications of legalisation.

McCarthy Tétrault regularly represents producers, distributors and lenders in a wide array of transactions in the cannabis sector, including M&A and corporate financing. The team is noted for its experienced handling of cross-border and international mandates, with its Canadian lawyers supported by the firm's offices in the UK and USA. It also advises on regulatory matters such as licensing agreements and dispute resolution, along with defence against product liability claims.

Bennett Jones is a notable law firm with a long-standing reputation in the cannabis industry. The team possesses expertise in corporate and securities work, acting for companies and other stakeholders on mergers and acquisitions, financings and IPOs, with particular strength in its Toronto office. It also assists clients in the space with their intellectual property.

McMillan advises on both commercial and regulatory matters in the cannabis space. The firm is highlighted for its involvement in M&A and corporate finance transactions within the industry in Canada. It also provides related licensing, branding and IP advice.

Torys is highlighted for its strength in the life sciences sector and experience in medical marijuana, as well as offering notable expertise in food and drug regulatory matters. The firm assists companies of all sizes with commercial matters connected with their ventures in the cannabis sector, such as corporate transactions and intellectual property. The Toronto-based team also assists lenders with financings in the space.

The team at Fasken is noted for its transactional expertise in the cannabis sector, regularly advising on M&A and a range of securities-related deals. Clients also benefit from the regulatory and IP expertise at the firm.

Gowling WLG fields a team of lawyers that excel in a diverse range of work in the cannabis sector. The team is adept at handling mid-cap transactions including mergers and acquisitions and equity raises. It also advises on IP and trade mark matters and assists with compliance and regulatory approvals to produce and commercialise cannabis and hemp products.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a notable team offering strength across both domestic and cross-border mandates arising within the cannabis sector in Canada. It is frequently retained to act on regulatory compliance and M&A mandates, as well as advertising and marketing issues.

Stikeman Elliott has a noteworthy team that specialises in both transactional and regulatory matters, offering comprehensive assistance to clients in the cannabis industry. It has an impressive track record of handling significant bond financings and M&A transactions, while also providing guidance on issues such as product classification, licensing and compliance. The team additionally stands out for its litigation expertise, including representing cannabis producers as defendants in class action.

Torkin Manes has carved a niche for itself in the cannabis sector with its strong focus on dispute resolution. The team's expertise shines through in complex legal challenges, including representing claimants in commercial arbitration. The law firm also advises on transactional and advisory matters. Its client base includes retailers, lenders and business owners.

Wildeboer Dellelce is a Toronto-based corporate finance and M&A boutique with a good reputation for its handling of commercial matters for clients in the cannabis industry. It is highlighted for its effectiveness in assisting smaller companies with their growth and initial listings. The team is also noted for its involvement in corporate financings in the space, where it often acts on behalf of independent banks and underwriters.