Lee Vartan Named Among National Law Journal's 2020 "Cannabis Trailblazers"
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (“CSG”) announced today that Lee Vartan, Chair of the firm’s Cannabis Law practice and a Member with its White Collar Criminal Defense Group, has been selected as a 2020 Cannabis Law Trailblazer by The National Law Journal. Lee was recognized for his significant role in establishing and overseeing the regulatory regime governing New Jersey’s medical marijuana program while in government service, and his subsequent efforts in private practice towards positioning cannabis companies from across the country for entry into New Jersey’s burgeoning marketplace.
While serving the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office as its second highest-ranking official, Lee was responsible for helping to author the original regulations promulgated pursuant to New Jersey’s Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act and vetting and approving applicants for licensure alongside the State’s Department of Health.
When New Jersey issued its July 2018 Request for Applications (“RFA”) for up to six additional Alternative Treatment Centers, Lee’s experience with the Attorney General’s Office – paired with his deep connections across the State – was critical to his spearheading of CSG’s Cannabis Law practice and advising both established publicly-traded and entrepreneurial aspiring licensees seeking to do business in New Jersey. He has since continued advising businesses and ventures within the sector, including several representations pursuant to the State’s June 2019 RFA.
A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Lee is a sought-after commentator on cannabis law in New Jersey and has been featured in NJBIZ, NJ.com, NJ Cannabis Insider, New Jersey Business Magazine and NJ Cannabis Media on the topic. He has also conducted Q&As with Rohan Marley and Jason Erkes of the Chicago-based Cresco Labs in connection to their ventures into New Jersey on CSG’s CannaBiz Law Blog.
To read Lee’s profile in The National Law Journal, please click here.
Visit csglaw.com/award-methodology for additional details on the selection process for the above-mentioned recognitions.
