From Stigma to Medicine -Medical Cannabis Law and Healthcare Considerations

Richard Y. Cheng, Esq., CHC Related Seminars and Products

Member

Ritter Spencer Cheng PLLC

My practice is focused on corporate transactions, healthcare regulations, administrative appeals, and healthcare compliance matters. I represent post-acute care providers (e.g. skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, hospices, home health agencies, rehabilitation providers), physician groups, management service organizations (MSOs), dental service organizations (DSOs), community hospitals, retail medicine providers (e.g. free standing ERs), ancillary providers (e.g. pharmacies, labs, DME), digital health companies, behavioral health, chiropractors, and veterinary practices, private equity groups and investors in the healthcare industry. 

Due to my healthcare practice, I regularly serve as special counsel in conjunction with white collar criminal defense teams in federal cases or investigations involving healthcare fraud and abuse. In these roles, I assist criminal defense attorneys on health care regulatory violations (e.g. Anti-kickback, OIG exclusion issues, etc.), operations, assessment of plea bargains and the sentencing process.

In addition to my healthcare practice, I developed a cannabis regulatory and corporate practice starting in late 2013. I formerly served as outside general counsel for the Texas Cannabis Industry Association, served on the National Cannabis Industry Association’s FDA coalition, which helped co-author a FDA primer in preparation for the 2019 FDA public hearing on CBD products, and currently serve as an advisory board member to a hemp bio-pharmaceutical development company. I represent and regularly advise a broad base of cannabis related clients, including, physicians, private equity groups investing in the cannabis industry, cultivators, processors, wholesalers, retailers, distribution centers, reverse distributors, and ancillary providers (e.g. testing labs, biomass brokerage firms, MLM companies etc.) in regulatory and corporate matters.

Aleah M. Schutze Related Seminars and Products

Of Counsel

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC

Aleah Schutze knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career in health care and obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Health in addition to her Juris Doctorate degree. After practicing for several years in California, Aleah continued to build her health care acumen as the Associate General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for Res-Care, Inc. (now BrightSpring Health Services), the largest diversified health and human services provider in the U.S. Res-Care, Inc. provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and also provides behavioral health, home health and hospice, and rehabilitation services across the country to over 55,000 individuals.  In that role, she gained experience working with state Medicaid agencies nationwide.  As a result, Aleah developed a more in-depth understanding of the issues health care entities face from a business, as well as a legal standpoint.

When Aleah joined Steptoe and Johnson, she began focusing more of her practice on the cannabis industry, with a particular focus on helping health care providers navigate the conflicting state and federal laws.  Clients appreciate Aleah’s practical, business-like approach as she works with them to evaluate risks, advises them on regulatory requirements, and recommends courses of action.