Horst Legal Counsel provides litigation services to industry clients, tackling matters from partnership breakups, contractual and real estate disputes, to intellectual property cases. The firm favorably resolved the nation’s first cannabis antitrust lawsuit on behalf of its dispensary client in a matter in which the plaintiff secured an 8-figure verdict against remaining defendants. HLC’s attorneys bring decades of experience in taking cases from start to finish and obtaining positive results for their clients.

Horst Legal Counsel offers a range of risk management services to clients in and affiliated with the cannabis industry, including counseling related to insurance placement, risk transfer strategies, and preparing insurance specifications. Use of standard “boilerplate” forms and language in insurance policies, risk transfer provisions, and insurance specifications is problematic in any industry, but it can spell absolute disaster for those operating in and around the cannabis industry. HLC counsels clients regarding how to effectively manage their business risks, allowing them to focus on running and growing their businesses sustainably.

HLC ​also assists cannabis businesses, property owners, and real estate professionals in recovering insurance proceeds in the event of a covered loss.

HLC assists clients with cannabis-related commercial real estate transactions, as well as with resolving the conflicts that sometimes arise out of them. HLC also counsels cannabis businesses, property owners, and real estate professionals regarding the complex state and local regulatory framework they must comply with in order to legally operate or work with a cannabis business under state law, as well as what they need to understand regarding the risks associated with marijuana’s continued status as a Schedule 1 narcotic under federal law.

Horst Legal Counsel advises California cannabis licensees from seed to sale on how to lawfully conduct business pursuant to the arduous regulations under the California Department of Cannabis Control, counties, and cities. Such services include: 

• Reviewing business goals and contracts to verify they conform with stringent cannabis regulations; 
• Reviewing local zoning ordinances to verify selected properties are allowed for cannabis uses; 
• Assisting clients throughout the cannabis license application and renewal processes; 
• Submitting public comments on behalf of clients for regulatory revisions; 
• Auditing cannabis businesses to verify they are compliant with the regulations.