Ryan Espegard is a senior associate with Seattle’s Gordon Thomas Honeywell. A litigator who handles land use and regulation matters, much of his work centers on advising businesses involved in Washington state’s cannabis industry.
It’s a federal offense to grow, sell or use marijuana, but a growing number of states have laws permitting its use under specific circumstances. In Alaska, Oregon, Colorado and Washington, the product is available for recreational use. In Colorado and Washington, it may be sold commercially, and is taxed and regulated by the state. The...