Laura A. Bianchi

Laura is one of the nation’s foremost experts in cannabis law, business, compliance, and operations. Having begun her work in the discipline with the 2010 passage of Arizona’s medical marijuana law, she was among the first business/corporate transaction attorneys in the country to specialize in the nascent legal cannabis market and has represented clients in more than $200 million in transactions in the industry.

Laura’s extensive knowledge, experience and expertise allow her to provide advice and guidance to her clients at every stage of development, from applications and startup, through operations, to expansion and exit. Having worked closely with more than a dozen different states to develop various cannabis programs and rule-making processes, she is deeply familiar with all aspects of the regulatory, compliance and licensing processes. Laura provides strategic guidance to her individual, private and public company clients in numerous areas, including complex transactions, joint ventures and partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, operations, due diligence, expansion, licensing, employment, regulatory and compliance matters. Her meticulous attention to detail and holistic, top-down approach to client relations has led to significant successes on both a national and international level.

As a passionate and powerful advocate for the development of a professional and responsible cannabis industry, Laura was honored in “Top 100 Attorneys in Arizona” by AZ BIG Media and “Women Leaders of the Cannabis Industry” by Authority Magazine. She has been featured as a cannabis expert in numerous media outlets across the country, including O Magazine, Forbes, Bloomberg, Marijuana Business Daily, Marijuana Venture, Cannabis Industry Journal, mg Magazine, DOPE Magazine, Benzinga, Green Entrepreneur, Arizona Attorney Magazine, Denver Post, Arizona Republic, Arizona Business Magazine, Phoenix Business Journal and numerous other industry and traditional media sources.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her sweet and extra spicy Yorkie, Romeo. She is a staunch animal rights advocate and has a passion for traveling, Latin music and dancing, and mixed martial arts. Laura is happiest with her toes in the sand on the beach.