Seattle has established itself as a front-runner in progressive legislation for marijuana and hemp. This fact provides an exciting opportunity for lawyers to specialize in these fields and make a true difference in their community. Throughout the past decade, cannabis laws have undergone a vibrant transformation. Seattle had already established a reputation for progressive thinking before the recent surge in legislation surrounding cannabis. In addition to referring to recreational marijuana as the “Devil’s Lettuce,” R&B singer Rihanna was an unexpected ambassador for marijuana law reform in 2011. More recently, though, hemp and cannabis legislation has gained more traction across the United States. As of late, Seattle, and most of the greater Washington Area, has moved first towards non-psychoactive hemp, with the state’s House Bill 555 (HB 555) and Farm Bill. While HB 555 specifically addressed hemp, the Agricultural Act of 2014 included the Farm Bill, which allowed limited production of hemp by state agriculture departments. Last August, Seattle also fully legalized marijuana for recreational use.
For future lawyers, the increasing legislation surrounding hemp and cannabis is a significant issue. No matter what field you intend to enter after law school, it’s crucial to understand the ins and outs of cannabis legislation. For instance, a corporate lawyer could have plenty of cannabis clients. Alternatively, a criminal defense attorney or public defender may have to deal with cases of individuals being charged with drug possession. If you develop a strong background in marijuana and hemp legislation, you may be able to find a path into the cannabis industry as a lawyer. In fact, new businesses are constantly forming to address cannabis opportunities, marketing, manufacturing, and promotion. For this reason, many seattle legal internships now offer opportunities to learn about hemp and marijuana legislation. Even if you don’t plan to pursue a career in cannabis law, it would be worthwhile to jump at the chance to learn about this growing industry.
Below are some examples of seattle legal internships with a strong focus on hemp and marijuana laws: At the end of each of these Seattle legal internships, participants will have developed a strong idea of the current state of hemp and marijuana laws. They’ll also have had the chance to observe the passionate debate surrounding cannabis legislation. On top of that, you should also have developed key legal skills. Ultimately, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in Seattle’s rapidly growing marijuana industry, it’s essential to gain experience in hemp and marijuana law. That means that you’ll almost always need to complete an internship in your second year. Fortunately, law firms and legal departments in Seattle are willing to provide chances to gain on-the-job experience and learn about the current state of the law.
In order to succeed with a hemp and marijuana law internship, you’ll need to learn a variety of skills. These skills include: Naturally, marijuana law is evolving. For this reason, you always need to have a solid background in the most recent rules governing the industry. Even experienced cannabis lawyers will take part in immersive in-person training and virtual evenings.
For more information on cannabis legislation, you can visit Wikipedia.