Cannabis Law Services in California

Jeffrey brings more than a decade of cannabis law experience, beginning his practice in Oakland in 2011 and growing alongside the industry as laws, enforcement priorities, and business structures evolved. This page highlights the full scope of his cannabis defense and compliance practice, the environmental and regulatory knowledge that supports his work, and the services available to individuals and organizations throughout California.

What Does Cannabis Defense Involve?

Cannabis defense involves representing clients accused of unlawful cannabis activity, including criminal charges, administrative actions, licensing penalties, and environmental violations. The goal is to protect the client’s rights and minimize or eliminate the consequences imposed by state or local authorities. Jeffrey provides strategic defense for both licensed and unlicensed operators navigating today’s complex regulatory environment.

Key Areas of Cannabis Defense

  • Unlawful possession, cultivation, manufacturing, or distribution
  • Criminal charges stemming from medical or adult-use cannabis activity
  • Civil enforcement actions by state or local agencies
  • Environmental citations connected to cannabis operations

How Has Legalization Changed Cannabis Enforcement in California?

California’s legalization created a dual criminal and civil enforcement structure. While criminal cases still occur, many actions now take the form of administrative citations, abatements, and regulatory penalties issued by state and local agencies. Jeffrey defends clients at every stage of these proceedings.

Common Post-Legalization Enforcement Actions

  • Notices to comply or abate
  • Administrative penalties for unlicensed activity
  • Waterway, slope, or environmental protection violations
  • License suspensions, revocations, or probationary actions
  • Appeals before the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel

What Enforcement Actions Does Jeffrey Defend?

The DCC issues citations, licensing penalties, and administrative actions against cannabis operators. Jeffrey defends clients facing these actions, including appeals and judicial review.

Cases Jeffrey Handles

  • Citations and notices to comply
  • Notices to abate
  • License suspension, revocation, probation or discipline (Bus. & Prof. Code 26031)
  • Unlicensed activity citations (Bus. & Prof. Code 26031.5 and 26038)
  • Appeals before the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel (CCAP)
  • Appeals of licensing authority decisions (Bus. & Prof. Code 26043)
  • Judicial review by writ of mandate (Bus. & Prof. Code 26045)

Nevada County Cannabis Compliance Division

Nevada County enforces land-use and cannabis compliance rules through inspections, abatement notices and permit actions. Jeffrey assists clients by contesting penalties and guiding them toward compliance.

Issues Commonly Involved

  • Cannabis Cultivation Code Sec. II-L 3.30
  • Site inspections and abatement actions
  • Notices to abate with administrative penalties
  • Permit suspension or revocation

California State Water Resources Control Board

The State Water Board issues cannabis enforcement actions related to water use, discharges, and watershed protection. Jeffrey defends clients accused of water-related violations.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

CDFW often cites cannabis operators for environmental violations involving waterways. Jeffrey defends both criminal and administrative allegations.

Relevant Code Sections

  • Fish & Game Code 5650 (illegal discharge into water)
  • Fish & Game Code 5652 (illegal refuse into water)

Referrals for Other Cannabis Legal Needs

Jeffrey maintains trusted connections with attorneys across California who handle business formation, contracts, real estate, intellectual property and other cannabis-related matters. Clients benefit from a well-established professional network.

Clients Gain Access To

  • Cannabis business attorneys
  • Environmental professionals
  • Policy advisors and analysts
  • Medical and scientific consultants
  • Industry investors and entrepreneurs
  • Nonprofit and social justice leaders

Contact Our Cannabis Law Office

If you are facing cannabis-related enforcement, licensing issues, environmental allegations, or need regulatory guidance, the Law Office of Jeffrey Kaloustian is ready to help. Clients receive thoughtful, tailored representation supported by years of direct experience in California’s evolving cannabis landscape. Contact us today.

FAQs

What types of cannabis cases does the firm handle?

The firm handles criminal, civil, and administrative cannabis cases including unlicensed activity citations, environmental violations, licensing disputes, and appeals before state agencies. Clients also receive support with compliance, permitting and business licensing matters.

Do you represent both licensed and unlicensed operators?

Yes. Jeffrey defends individuals and businesses across the entire cannabis market, including licensed operators, applicants and unlicensed individuals facing enforcement actions.

Can you help with local or state cannabis licenses?

Yes. The firm assists with local permits, DCC license applications, OCal certification and Cannabis Appellations of Origin, as well as ongoing regulatory compliance.

Cannabis Law

Cannabis Law Services in California

Jeffrey brings more than a decade of cannabis law experience, beginning his practice in Oakland in 2011 and growing alongside the industry as laws, enforcement priorities, and business structures evolved. This page highlights the full scope of his cannabis defense and compliance practice, the environmental and regulatory knowledge that supports his work, and the services available to individuals and organizations throughout California.

What Does Cannabis Defense Involve?

Cannabis defense involves representing clients accused of unlawful cannabis activity, including criminal charges, administrative actions, licensing penalties, and environmental violations. The goal is to protect the client’s rights and minimize or eliminate the consequences imposed by state or local authorities. Jeffrey provides strategic defense for both licensed and unlicensed operators navigating today’s complex regulatory environment.

Key Areas of Cannabis Defense

  • Unlawful possession, cultivation, manufacturing, or distribution
  • Criminal charges stemming from medical or adult-use cannabis activity
  • Civil enforcement actions by state or local agencies
  • Environmental citations connected to cannabis operations

How Has Legalization Changed Cannabis Enforcement in California?

California’s legalization created a dual criminal and civil enforcement structure. While criminal cases still occur, many actions now take the form of administrative citations, abatements, and regulatory penalties issued by state and local agencies. Jeffrey defends clients at every stage of these proceedings.

Common Post-Legalization Enforcement Actions

  • Notices to comply or abate
  • Administrative penalties for unlicensed activity
  • Waterway, slope, or environmental protection violations
  • License suspensions, revocations, or probationary actions
  • Appeals before the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel

What Enforcement Actions Does Jeffrey Defend?

The DCC issues citations, licensing penalties, and administrative actions against cannabis operators. Jeffrey defends clients facing these actions, including appeals and judicial review.

Cases Jeffrey Handles

  • Citations and notices to comply
  • Notices to abate
  • License suspension, revocation, probation or discipline (Bus. & Prof. Code 26031)
  • Unlicensed activity citations (Bus. & Prof. Code 26031.5 and 26038)
  • Appeals before the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel (CCAP)
  • Appeals of licensing authority decisions (Bus. & Prof. Code 26043)
  • Judicial review by writ of mandate (Bus. & Prof. Code 26045)

Nevada County Cannabis Compliance Division

Nevada County enforces land-use and cannabis compliance rules through inspections, abatement notices and permit actions. Jeffrey assists clients by contesting penalties and guiding them toward compliance.

Issues Commonly Involved

  • Cannabis Cultivation Code Sec. II-L 3.30
  • Site inspections and abatement actions
  • Notices to abate with administrative penalties
  • Permit suspension or revocation

California State Water Resources Control Board

The State Water Board issues cannabis enforcement actions related to water use, discharges, and watershed protection. Jeffrey defends clients accused of water-related violations.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

CDFW often cites cannabis operators for environmental violations involving waterways. Jeffrey defends both criminal and administrative allegations.

Relevant Code Sections

  • Fish & Game Code 5650 (illegal discharge into water)
  • Fish & Game Code 5652 (illegal refuse into water)

Referrals for Other Cannabis Legal Needs

Jeffrey maintains trusted connections with attorneys across California who handle business formation, contracts, real estate, intellectual property and other cannabis-related matters. Clients benefit from a well-established professional network.

Clients Gain Access To

  • Cannabis business attorneys
  • Environmental professionals
  • Policy advisors and analysts
  • Medical and scientific consultants
  • Industry investors and entrepreneurs
  • Nonprofit and social justice leaders

Contact Our Cannabis Law Office

If you are facing cannabis-related enforcement, licensing issues, environmental allegations, or need regulatory guidance, the Law Office of Jeffrey Kaloustian is ready to help. Clients receive thoughtful, tailored representation supported by years of direct experience in California’s evolving cannabis landscape. Contact us today.

FAQs

What types of cannabis cases does the firm handle?

The firm handles criminal, civil, and administrative cannabis cases including unlicensed activity citations, environmental violations, licensing disputes, and appeals before state agencies. Clients also receive support with compliance, permitting and business licensing matters.

Do you represent both licensed and unlicensed operators?

Yes. Jeffrey defends individuals and businesses across the entire cannabis market, including licensed operators, applicants and unlicensed individuals facing enforcement actions.

Can you help with local or state cannabis licenses?

Yes. The firm assists with local permits, DCC license applications, OCal certification and Cannabis Appellations of Origin, as well as ongoing regulatory compliance.