In startup transactions, the difference between a good deal and a great one often comes down to how well the key negotiation levers are understood, structured, and executed. Early-stage deals are rarely won or lost on headline valuation alone. The real economics—and risks—are embedded in the structure of the agreement. For startups and cannabis operators in particular, where regulatory friction and capital constraints are constant, the right negotiation levers can materially

In this blog we discuss how SAFEs, convertible notes, and equity rounds impact dilution, control, and future financing. Learn how to structure capital the right way. How you raise capital shapes everything that comes after. Capital raising is often treated as a milestone—a box to check. In reality, it's one of the most consequential structural decisions a company makes. Across early-stage financings, growth rounds, and complex regulated deals, the structure you choose determi

Most partnerships don’t fail because of the business—they fail because the structure can’t support growth, misaligned incentives, or change over time. The right partnership doesn’t just work—it scales. At a high level, most partnerships look similar: shared upside, aligned incentives, and complementary capabilities. But in practice, the difference between a partnership that survives and one that drives long-term enterprise value comes down to structure. We’ve seen this across

Most cannabis deals don’t fail—they stall after signing. Learn the key execution risks around approvals, disclosures, and consents that determine whether your deal actually closes. Most deals don’t die — they stall. In cannabis transactions, signing the purchase agreement is not the finish line. It’s the beginning of the most fragile phase of the deal: execution . This is where timelines slip, approvals drag, issues surface, and momentum disappears. And once a deal stalls, it

Most cannabis deals don’t fail in negotiation—they fail in structuring. This blog breaks down how seemingly obvious considerations (ownership, real estate, and regulatory alignment) are sometimes overlooked, and ultimately determine whether your deal can close. Most cannabis deals do not fail because of poor negotiation. Instead, they fail because of how they are structured. On paper, many transactions seem solid: parties agree on price, sign contracts, and appear aligned. Bu

Navigating the complex world of cannabis mergers and acquisitions requires more than just business acumen. It demands specialized legal expertise tailored to the unique challenges of the cannabis industry. Selecting the right counsel is often the difference between a deal that closes on time and one that stalls under regulatory, licensing, or structuring issues. This guide explores the critical factors to consider when choosing legal counsel for cannabis M&A, offering practic

This guide is designed to give operators, investors, and business owners a clear, working understanding of what changes are permitted, when prior approval is required, and what steps must be taken to remain compliant under Minnesota law. Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market allows ownership changes, but only if they are structured correctly and timed carefully. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has been explicit: licenses may be transferred, applications may

It  is entirely possible that some state-licensed cannabis companies ultimately find themselves on the wrong side of this transition, depending on how Schedule III rules are applied and whether meaningful carve-outs exist. There has been a lot of excitement following the executive order directing the Department of Justice and the DEA to continue the process of rescheduling marijuana. Some of that optimism is understandable. If marijuana is ultimately moved to Schedule III, t