Publication Date
2015
Document Type
Paper
Keywords
Medicinal, Recreational marijuana, Lawful industry, Rules of professional conduct, Lawyers
Abstract
As the number of states legalizing medicinal and recreational marijuana increases and marijuana emerges as a growing lawful industry, lawyers find themselves in an awkward position. In most states, lawyers who represent clients in the marijuana industry risk discipline for assisting clients in the commission of a (federal) crime. Even in jurisdictions like Colorado, where the rules of professional conduct have been amended to permit lawyers to assist clients who comply with marijuana state laws, lawyers who are admitted to practice in federal courts risk being disciplined by these tribunals for assisting clients in the commission of a crime pursuant to the courts’ local rules of conduct. This short article explores the thorny issue of navigating state and federal rules of professional conduct while representing clients in the marijuana industry.
Publication Statement
Copyright held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Recommended Citation
U Denver Legal Studies Research Paper No. 15-35