Rod's Story

I have been an advocate for cannabis reform all of my adult life and personally experienced its beneficial effects while undergoing chemotherapy treatments for testicular cancer. I have been in remission for years. You can read about my cannabis law journey by clicking here. I am fortunate to provide legal services to businesses in the cannabis industry, including hemp, CBD, THC, novel and emerging cannabinoids, and medical and adult use marijuana.

For almost 25 years I have represented thousands of businesses and individuals in legal matters. During that time I have provided legal guidance to clients covering a broad span of business issues, including entity formation, contract drafting and negotiation, shareholder disputes, joint ventures, mergers, tax matters, intellectual property protection, commercial litigation, appeals, asset sales, bankruptcy, and dissolution.

Rod's Professional Biography

Rod is a cannabis business law attorney. Based in North Carolina and Mexico, Rod represents legal cannabis businesses throughout the world and is editor and chief writer of the Kight On Cannabis law blog. Rod is the author of “Cannabis Business Law-What You Need to Know”, published by Aspatore Books. He has served on the advisory board for the American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine, for which he has also written a legal column. Rod also created the “Source Rule”, which is widely regarded as a primary legal foundation for the contemporary hemp market in cannabinoids and other cannabis materials.

Rod is frequently quoted on cannabis matters by trade publications and major media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Time, Washington Post, Politico, and Business Insider. Salon.com published an op-ed piece Rod wrote about hemp. Additionally, Rod has been listed in MG Magazine's list of "30 Powerful Litigators", Hemp Connoisseur Magazine’s list of “100 People You Should Know”, and High Time's "2020 Leaders in Cannabis Law." He has been part of the legal teams in two high-profile cases against the DEA and the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding hemp extracts, has drafted and presented cannabis legislation to a foreign head of state, is a member of the board of directors of a publicly traded Canadian cannabis and psychedelics company, testified to the FDA about CBD and cannabis compounds, and is a partner in a Mexican import-export company focused on legal cross-border hemp transactions. Rod routinely advises in-house counsel and C-suite level executives on cannabis issues. He has discussed cannabis legal issues in numerous seminars to lawyers, business executives, and public officials and is regularly asked to be a guest speaker on US and international podcasts about cannabis and psychedelics.

Rod is a strong believer in cannabis for personal and medical use after using it successfully during chemotherapy treatments for cancer (he is in remission). He has been an attorney advocate for NORML and has also been a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association, the National Cannabis Industry Association, the Hemp Industries Association, and the Southeast Hemp Association.

Rod's Commitment to Family, Clients, and a Positive Life

In addition to the law I am passionate about my family and music. I love my wife, who also happens to be the first girl I ever kissed on a playdate in first grade, and my kids. We have a blended family of five great kids who never cease to inspire, challenge, encourage, and educate us about themselves, ourselves, and life. I play music almost every day and have spent many evening jamming with rock and jazz bands over the years. Ashley and I are fortunate to live in both North Carolina and Mexico and we travel often. 

I hope to get an opportunity to speak with you. Although I have almost twenty five years of experience practicing law and know what I’m talking about, the most important things I’d like to convey are that I care and I listen. I’ve got my share of grey hairs and have handled thousands of cases; however, I’m not an aloof, judgmental, starched shirt lawyer. I’d rather wear my hiking shoes than loafers, have a real conversation, and get to know you and your business.