The Shake-Out Since the Farm Bill

Shawn Hauser Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Vicente LLP

Shawn Hauser is a partner at Vicente LLP, where she co-chairs the firm's Hemp and Cannabinoids Department and Federal and International Law Group. She helps cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics businesses navigate the intersections between state and federal law and ensure compliance as laws evolve. Her practice focuses on regulatory compliance, licensing, general business representation, policy reform and strategic guidance to best position businesses for success at the state, national, and international levels.

With more than a decade of experience in cannabis law and policy, Shawn is a go-to source for businesses, industry groups, governments, and reporters seeking opinions, analysis, and guidance. She has presented on cannabis law and policy to many local, federal, and international agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and UK Parliament.

Since directing Sensible Colorado's local government implementation team following the passage of Amendment 64, Shawn remains active in policy work with local and state governments in Colorado and Texas as well as advocating for federal reforms. She is passionate in supporting the development and implementation of cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics regulations that advance the industries responsibly and in support of public health. Active in the community, Shawn currently serves on the Board of Directors of United States Cannabis Council, and previously served on boards of the International Cannabis Bar Association and on the steering committee of the American Hemp Campaign—a project of Vote Hemp—which was instrumental in legalizing hemp in Texas in 2019.

Well-regarded in her field, Shawn has received many accolades. She was named one of the top cannabis lawyers in the United States Chambers and Partners and was recognized by her peers in The Best Lawyers in America® for her work in cannabis law. Additionally, Shawn has been listed in 5280 magazine's "Denver's Top Lawyers" list since 2015 and was included in Denver Business Journal's "40 Under 40" in 2021.

After attending law school at the University of Denver, Shawn was an associate attorney at McAllister, Darnell & Gottlieb PC, one of the first marijuana-focused law firms in Colorado.

Garrett Graff Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Partner Gould & Ratner LLP

Garrett Graff is driven to provide his clients, who are often in regulated industries, with practical, real-world solutions that reflect their business objectives, internal and external considerations, and an assessment of associated risks, giving them the ability to navigate complex problems with relative ease.

In his practice, Garrett advises a wide range of clients, from start-ups to established private middle-market companies to family offices to publicly traded companies, on a wide variety of corporate matters, with an emphasis in regulated industries. His counsel includes corporate formation and structuring, equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions, raising capital, securities, real estate and other complex commercial contracting issues, along with expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments on a federal, state and local basis. 

Garrett formerly served as the managing partner of a boutique full-service law firm prior to joining Gould & Ratner, and given such executive experience and legal expertise, Garrett often serves as outside general counsel to many clients, further advising on matters relating to corporate governance, fiduciary duties, employment law and other general corporate matters, affording Garrett the ability to advise clients in an integrated, strategic fashion across their business. Further, Garrett is experienced in advising clients on the protection of intellectual property, litigation, policy and international issues.

His clients cross a variety of industries, ranging from real estate companies, consumer packaged goods, operators in regulated spaces such as cannabis (marijuana and hemp), liquor, food and beverage, natural products and psychedelics, manufacturing, technology, and investment companies. 

From a regulatory perspective, Garrett counsels clients in navigating the many layers of international, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to their industries, FDA and FTC compliance related to for food and beverage, supplements and other natural products, Proposition 65 compliance, as well as import and export issues, along with other regulatory considerations.

For clients in regulated industries, Garrett often represents clients from the outset in navigating complex regulatory environments, beginning with the application process in securing appropriate licensure, in both competitive and non-competitive jurisdictions; in ongoing regulatory compliance; and in defending administrative actions concerning alleged non-compliance. Further, he frequently works with federal, state, and local authorities on policy and enforcement matters. Notably, Garrett represented hemp industry stakeholders against the DEA in confirming the Farm Bill’s hemp provisions pre-empt DEA authority and the CSA. He also regularly works with stakeholders in drafting model legislative and regulatory policy.

Given his expertise, Garrett was appointed by the Colorado Governor’s Office and two state regulatory agencies to serve for nine months on a statewide task force developing a first-of-its-kind regulatory framework concerning intoxicating cannabinoids and the interplay between the marijuana and hemp industries. Further, Garrett has testified in judicial proceedings related to regulatory matters and frequently speaks in many forums, including conferences, symposiums, and related events regarding various issues, including cannabis and natural products.

Mitzi Vaughn Related Seminars and Products

Founder

MV Law PLLC

Mitzi Vaughn is the founder of MV Law PLLC, a law firm she founded when Karr Tuttle Campbell, a firm with 120 years of history in Seattle, closed its doors. She is an internationally recognized attorney who has spent more than a decade providing high-level corporate, mergers, and acquisitions service to cannabis and hemp clients as well as clients in more traditional industries. Her skill set includes complex transactions, regulatory compliance, national and international expansion, and governance. Mitzi was a founding board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association and currently sits on its Advisory Board.

Mitzi has spoken in Zurich, in the Irish Parliament (Oireachtas), and before the Hawai'i Legislature; she consulted with the Jamaican Cannabis Licensing Authority prior to their medical rollout. She has negotiated and drafted Washington State cannabis laws, regulations, and policies, and has served as General Counsel to The Cannabis Alliance (WA) for nearly a decade. Mitzi was a Board Member for the Drug Reform Coordination Network, an international drug policy organization which has consultative status at the United Nations. She now sits on its Advisory Board.  

Mitzi was awarded a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law, studied international human rights at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, and earned a B.A. in History, magna cum laude, from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Tami Wahl Related Seminars and Products

Government Affairs | Public Policy

Tami L. Wahl, Modern Advocates

A true advocate, my talent translates to creating and delivering the message that advances your agenda.

With over twenty years of legal and legislative experience, I am proud to represent forward-thinking clients from a diverse business landscape.

I work with industry stakeholders, trade groups, committee staff, federal agencies, and Congressional members on both sides of the aisle to drive sound policy solutions and ultimately, create balanced pathways to market for innovative products.

My legal career started in private practice as criminal defense counsel in Austin, Texas, and for the past 10 years, I have worked as legislative and regulatory counsel, General Counsel, and In-House Counsel for entrepreneurs, and small-to-medium size companies. I have expertise in working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and a solid network of colleagues to amplify the Client’s presence if need be.

I have spoken nationally on issues germane to my work and am committed to realizing the successful intersection of consumer safety, appropriate agency oversight and unencumbered innovation.