Navigating State and Federal Cannabis Rules with GrayRobinson

GrayRobinson, P.A., is a Florida-based law firm that positions itself as a “full-service” advisor to regulated industries, combining legal counsel with government affairs, lobbying, and compliance support. For cannabis businesses—marijuana, hemp, CBD, and other cannabinoid products—the firm groups much of its work under a Cannabis Industry practice that draws attorneys and compliance professionals from multiple disciplines.

The practice description highlights support built from groups that commonly intersect with cannabis operations, including intellectual property, venture capital/financing, lobbying, and regulatory compliance. In practical terms, GrayRobinson aims to counsel both plant-touching and ancillary companies through formation, licensing, day-to-day operations, expansion, and disputes while accounting for the “patchwork” nature of state rules.

The firm also argues that experience advising other heavily regulated sectors—such as alcohol, tobacco, and food—translates well to cannabis compliance and enforcement risk.  For operators with medical or patient-adjacent components, GrayRobinson’s health care team focuses on compliance with federal and Florida health care requirements and best-practices guidance to avoid penalties. Banking and finance support is included for deals, funding.

A major pillar is licensing and regulatory compliance. GrayRobinson states that its Cannabis Industry Law Team advises growers, processors, distributors, and retail dispensaries on how to obtain and maintain required licenses and meet ongoing compliance obligations, particularly for companies seeking a multi-state footprint where each jurisdiction’s rules can differ. This can include building compliance programs, preparing for inspections, and responding to regulator inquiries.

Because cannabis compliance often depends on where and how a business operates, land use and local permitting can be just as important as state licensure. The firm’s land use offering highlights zoning and entitlement work such as land code review, variances, special exceptions, and development agreements—issues that can determine whether a dispensary, cultivation site, or processing facility is allowed in a desired location.

Brand protection is another common need in a crowded marketplace. GrayRobinson’s cannabis-focused intellectual property services emphasize helping clients protect brands, new strains, and commercial processes, and address unauthorized use by competitors.

Operational risk management extends to the workforce. The firm’s cannabis labor and employment page notes advising cannabis employers (and “impacted industries”) on how new cannabis laws affect business operations and employee policies, with an emphasis on compliance with labor and employment requirements.

Tax and structuring work also feature prominently. GrayRobinson’s cannabis taxation page notes that regulated businesses can face unusually high tax burdens and that tax planning, compliance guidance, and transaction structuring are critical components of operating in the sector. The firm’s corporate formation capabilities also support entity setup and governance for emerging companies.

GrayRobinson highlights government affairs and lobbying as part of its cannabis support, reflecting the reality that cannabis rules and enforcement priorities can shift through legislation and rulemaking. The firm publishes “Cannabis Law Insight” updates, including a 2025 insight on proposed Florida taxation of hemp consumable THC products and a 2024 update discussing federal marijuana rescheduling developments.

Finally, when disagreements arise—whether with regulators, competitors, landlords, or business partners—GrayRobinson’s cannabis practice is positioned to pair regulated-products knowledge with litigation and dispute-resolution resources; attorney profiles highlight trade-regulation work and disputes involving medical marijuana, hemp, CBD, and related derivatives.

Overall, GrayRobinson markets an integrated cannabis service model: licensing and compliance at the center, supported by land use, IP, employment, taxation, corporate structuring, and government relations—aimed at helping cannabis and hemp companies operate and grow in a fast-moving regulatory environment.