Colette Kelly / Partner, Criminal and Regulatory Solicitor / London
M +44 (0) 75 1519 6609
D +44 (0) 20 4542 4957
colettekelly@incegd.com
Our London solicitors have first-hand experience of assisting cannabis-related businesses with tailored solutions. We advise clients on aspects of cannabis-based products for medicinal use, including all regulatory, corporate and Intellectual Property (IP) matters.
You, Cannabis
& Ince, in any case
The UK is now the leading legal cannabis market in Europe. And the UK's CBD wellness market is the second largest globally, after the US. Ince's London solicitors have first-hand experience of dealing with all aspects of cannabis-related business. With offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Ince is well placed to service both the rapidly expanding European industry as well as emerging markets.
In 2018 the UK Government legalised the prescription of cannabis-based products for medical use - known as CBPMs. Cannabis companies now have a clear route to compliance which allows them to list on the London Stock Exchange. The UK cannabis sector has broken into the mainstream with institutional investors, pharmaceutical conglomerates and global consumer brands all active in the industry.
Our areas of expertise
At Ince, our London-based regulatory lawyers, corporate lawyers and consultants can advise on:
- Product compliance and formulation
- Import/export best practice
- Medical device approval
- Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) compliance for investing into the sector
- Novel food compliance
- Corporate M&A for cannabis businesses
- Capital markets advice and representation
- Intellectual property and trade marks
- Cultivation licence applications
- Controlled drugs licence applications
- Psychedelics
- Healthcare and health-tech regulatory submissions.
How we can help
Our London-based solicitors have first-hand experience of dealing with all aspects of a cannabis-related business. Ince regularly advises companies on licencing and regulatory submissions to MHRA, CQC, The Home Office, Border Force and the Food Standards Agency. We can also help if directors of cannabis-related businesses find themselves under investigation.
Other associated services
Our legal experts have advised on a number of cannabis related IPOs, M&A transactions and intellectual property matters. We have an established network of services which are supportive of the cannabis sector, for example, banking solutions, shipping agents and business insurance. We can connect you with the additional services that a cannabis business may need.
Case Studies
Director of CBD company accused of cannabis supply and importation
The director of a CBD company was accused of cannabis supply and importation, notably relating to the hemp or CBD flower. At trial, Counsel was able to secure his acquittal on the supply count, based on Section 28 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 defence, that he did not know, suspect or have reason to suspect this was a controlled drug. Following acquittal, the prosecution did not proceed on the importation count. Our client was acquitted on all counts.
Director of CBD and vape company acquitted of cannabis supply
Our client was accused by the Police of supplying cannabis. We were able to secure his acquittal and retain his good character at trial.
Key contacts
News & insights on Cannabis
News / First-Ever Pan-European Public Opinion Poll on Cannabis Finds a Continent Ready for Legalisation
07-04-2022 /
A Report Backed by New Polling Data and Contributions from Top Cannabis Executives Finds That More Than Half of Europeans Support Adult-Use Cannabis Legalisation.
News / CBD and Novel Foods: ACI provides more information
05-03-2020 /
More information on how the FSA Novel Food application procedure is going to work has been provided by the ACI. In particular they have provided further clarity on the application timetable and the likely cost burden on SMEs.
Insights / CBD and Novel Foods – The Devil is in the Detail
19-02-2020 /
The Novel Food announcement by the FSA landed last week and created major waves in the CBD world. By then we had all been waiting on this guidance from the regulator for a long time. It wasn’t the announcement that I would have wanted, but like Brexit, whether you were for it or against it, it has happened. At this point in time, any kind of clarity is welcome. Now we await the formal protocols of the application process but there is enough information around for us to start getting into the detail.
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