Richard M. Blau, Esq. is a shareholder with the law firm of GrayRobinson, P.A. He is chairman of the law firm’s Regulated Products Law Department, and heads up the firm’s Cannabis Industry Law Team focusing on the rules and regulations that govern the cultivation and production, processing, distribution, sale and dispensing of medical marijuana, hemp, CBD and related cannabis products.
Mr. Blau has been rated “Band 1” by Chambers USA since 2007, and was among the first lawyers in America to be rated Band 1 Nationwide for Cannabis Law. He also is listed in Best Lawyers in America, and is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell. A substantial portion of Richard’s professional efforts are focused on trade regulations, litigation and dispute resolution involving regulated products such as alcohol beverages, tobacco, firearms and explosives, as well as medical marijuana, hemp, cannabidiol (CBD) and related cannabis derivatives. He has been involved extensively with the legalization of cannabis in Florida since its outset with passage of the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 (SB 1030) into law on June 6, 2014.
An elected member of The American Law Institute, Richard also is a member of The Florida Bar, The New York Bar, The Bar Association of the District of Columbia, the American Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. He currently serves as a board member of the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys (AHIA).
Richard has written and lectured extensively on issues related to the legalization of the medical marijuana and broader cannabis industries, as well as the interaction between federal and state laws regulating cannabis. Most recently, he was the keynote speaker in the National Business Institute’s 2019 seminar Medical Marijuana in Florida, as well as a lecturer on Mastering Cannabis & Marijuana Regulation for The Rossdale Group. Richard also advises financial institutions and investment organizations such as JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Raymond James on the unique legal issues associated with the interplay between federal financial services regulations and state laws legalizing cannabis.
Mr. Blau has been interviewed regarding medical marijuana issues by newspaper, radio and television journalists from numerous media outlets, and has written extensively regarding medical marijuana and cannabis. Examples include:
Mr. Blau received his B.A. from Brandeis University and his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as the Associate Editor for Topics of the Georgetown Law Journal.
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