As both proponents and opponents of recreational marijuana in the Nutmeg State believe 2021 is the year legalization will take place, many expect a boon for Connecticut attorneys.

“It would be a completely new industry and there would be attorneys to represent businesses in real estate transactions, in dealing with zoning and permitting for things like a cultivation facility, and contracts and labor agreements between employees and business owners who would be involved in the marijuana business,” said Hartford solo practitioner DeVaughn Ward, also a senior legislative counsel for the Marijuana Policy Project, which advocates for governments to tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. “There are existing law firms that specialize in cannabis regulatory work and they will be busy. The cannabis industry is like any other industry, whether liquor or consumer products off Amazon, in that you need attorneys to navigate that.”