California Cannabis Licensing
& DCC Defense
& DCC Defense
We get operators licensed — and defend those licenses when the state takes action.
General Counsel Services
Outside General Counsel for California Cannabis Businesses
California’s cannabis regulations change constantly, and a single compliance mistake can cost a license. Yet most operators cannot justify a full-time, in-house legal department. Baghoomian Law serves as outside general counsel to cannabis retailers, distributors, manufacturers, cultivators, and delivery services — providing the ongoing legal guidance of an in-house team at a fraction of the cost, so you can focus on running and growing your business.
What Outside General Counsel Does for You
As your general counsel, we become a fixed part of your team — ready to answer day-to-day legal questions and to spot problems before they escalate. Our ongoing support typically includes:
Regulatory Compliance and Monitoring
We keep your operation aligned with DCC and local requirements — licensing conditions, standard operating procedures, track-and-trace, packaging and labeling, and recordkeeping — and we monitor regulatory changes so you are never caught off guard.
Contracts and Commercial Agreements
We draft, review, and negotiate the agreements your business runs on — vendor and supply contracts, distribution agreements, leases, financing documents, and partnership and operating agreements — all structured to comply with cannabis regulations.
Corporate Governance and Ownership
We help maintain proper corporate formalities, manage owner and financial-interest-holder disclosures, and document changes correctly so your ownership structure never becomes a compliance liability.
Employment and Labor
We advise on employment policies, wage-and-hour compliance, and labor peace agreements — which are required for many cannabis licensees — helping you avoid disputes and stay compliant.
Brand and Intellectual Property Protection
Because cannabis remains federally illegal, brands cannot obtain federal trademark protection for cannabis goods. We help protect your brand through California state trademark strategies and related approaches so competitors cannot trade on your reputation.
Risk Management and Compliance Audits
We conduct periodic compliance audits, assess risk across your operations, and implement corrective measures — reducing the chance of a citation, accusation, or costly dispute. If enforcement does arise, we are already positioned to defend you. Learn more about our DCC administrative-action defense.
Legal Support That Grows With Your Business
Whether you are opening your first location or expanding across multiple jurisdictions, our role adapts to your needs. Engagements can be structured on a flat monthly, project, or as-needed basis, giving you predictable access to counsel without the overhead of hiring in-house.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis General Counsel
What is outside general counsel?
Outside general counsel is a law firm that serves as a company’s ongoing legal advisor — handling the everyday legal needs of the business on a continuing basis — instead of, or alongside, an in-house legal department.
Do cannabis businesses need a labor peace agreement?
Many do. California requires cannabis licensees with a certain number of employees to enter into a labor peace agreement. We help you determine whether the requirement applies and put a compliant agreement in place.
Can I trademark my cannabis brand?
You generally cannot obtain a federal trademark for cannabis goods because cannabis remains federally illegal. However, California offers state trademark registration for cannabis, and there are strategies to protect ancillary goods and your broader brand. We can help you develop a protection plan.
How is general counsel billed?
It varies. Many clients prefer a predictable flat monthly retainer for ongoing access, while others engage us by project or as needed. We tailor the arrangement to your business.
Want a legal partner who understands cannabis? Call Baghoomian Law at (818) 514-9272 or contact us online to discuss ongoing general counsel services.