Cannabis growing operation

Cannabis

  • Overview
  • Who To Contact
  • Representative Matters
  • Recent Developments

Aird & Berlis has been at the forefront since the earliest days of cannabis legalization in Canada, advising on landmark transactions and regulatory frameworks that helped shape the industry. Today, we remain deeply engaged with clients across the medicinal and recreational markets, both domestically and internationally, offering strategic guidance that reflects our long-standing experience and current market realities.

We act for licensed producers, distributors, healthcare organizations, investors and emerging innovators at every stage of the business lifecycle. Whether you're launching a new venture, scaling operations, restructuring or entering new markets, we deliver practical legal solutions tailored to your goals.

Our lawyers and patent agents are recognized leaders in the field, with rankings in Chambers Canada, The Legal 500 Canada, The Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert. Aird & Berlis was also named to The Globe and Mail’s list of Canada’s Best Law Firms for our expertise in cannabis law. We have contributed to the sector through publications and presentations at major industry events, including Grow Up, MJBizCon International and the International Cannabis Bar Association Conference.

Our Cannabis Group integrates expertise from across the firm, including corporate, securities, regulatory, IP, tax, financial services, litigation, employment and insolvency law. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to deliver coordinated, business-focused legal support tailored to the unique challenges of the cannabis sector.

Whether you are launching a new product, entering the Canadian market or navigating regulatory change, we are here to help you grow with confidence and stay compliant in a competitive industry.

Our core services include:

Capital Markets: We guide cannabis sector clients through IPOs, reverse takeovers, qualifying transactions and listings on the TSX, TSXV, CSE and Cboe Canada. Our team also advises on ongoing public company obligations including disclosure requirements, financial reporting, material change disclosures, governance updates, and stock exchange/securities filings.

Regulatory Compliance: Our lawyers provide advice on navigating Health Canada licensing processes and understanding the regulatory frameworks for retail and distribution across provinces. We also help clients develop workplace policies and ensure full compliance with federal and provincial cannabis laws.

Cross-Border Transactions: We advise clients on global opportunities in both established and emerging markets, including the United States, Australia, Colombia, China, Germany, Greece, Israel, Jamaica, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. We took the first South American recreational producer public in Canada through a brokered private placement and subsequent qualifying transaction.

Financial Services & Restructuring: Our team assists cannabis companies facing financial distress by advising on debt restructuring, refinancing options and stakeholder negotiations. We work to preserve value and operational continuity while navigating complex financial challenges.

Corporate & Commercial: We draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements tailored to the cannabis sector, including supply agreements, joint ventures, licensing arrangements and strategic partnerships.

Intellectual Property: Our IP professionals help cannabis innovators secure patents, trademarks and trade secrets. We understand the unique challenges of cannabis-related IP and work to safeguard both product innovations and brand assets.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution: We represent clients in a variety of legal disputes, including regulatory enforcement actions, shareholder disagreements and commercial litigation.

Representative Matters:

  • Represented MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) in its defence against a dissident proxy campaign led by Apollo Technology Capital Corporation to replace the full board of directors of MediPharm.
  • Represented The Tinley Beverage Company Inc. with respect to its offering of units and related settlement of outstanding indebtedness, with an aggregate transaction value of approximately $8.3 million.
  • Represented The Niagara Herbalist Ltd. in a trademark dispute, securing a favourable ruling from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office that upheld the distinctiveness of its “Leaf Design” trademark and rejected Nova Cannabis’ opposition.
  • Represented Gold Flora Corporation, as Canadian counsel, in the closing of a convertible note loan facility with Utah-based J.J. Astor & Co. for up to US$13.15 million, with an initial draw of US$7.15 million and the potential for up to three additional US$2-million draws.
  • Represented BZAM, a leading Canadian cannabis producer, in the acquisition of Final Bell Canada, an end-to-end supply chain system for cannabis brands, from Final Bell Holdings International.
  • Represented BMO, as secured lender, in the Tokyo Smoke CCAA proceedings.
  • Represented The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. in the completion of its $5-million marketed public offering of units.
  • Represented Aleafia Health Inc. and its subsidiaries in connection with its proceedings for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada).
  • Represented Northern Green Canada Inc. in its sale to Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
  • Represented Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation in its asset purchase agreement with Choice Growers Cannabis Inc.
  • Represented MediPharm Labs Corp. in its acquisition of VIVO Cannabis Inc. 

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