ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS ATTORNEY
RACHAEL ARDANUY
You’re in the right place. Finally.
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You’ve tapped into your entrepreneurial spirit, turning your passion into a business at the best possible time. What could go wrong?
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But your excitement quickly fades when you run into red tape at every turn.
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Licensing is a nightmare, banking is impossible, finding the right property is like finding a needle in a haystack, and operating is a struggle. You see other entrepreneurs going about their business with lightning speed as yours trudges along at a snail pace encumbered by confusing regulations and elusive regulators.
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Imagine if you could build your business with ease amidst all the confusion out there. You would make operating decisions with confidence, get accurate answers to your burning questions, and grow your business at the pace it deserves — not to mention save hundreds of headaches and thousands of dollars in the process.
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Small businesses deserve access to sound legal counsel just like the big corporations out there.
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That’s where I come in.
My journey to cannabis law.
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After nearly 10 years advocating for marijuana reform, I watched history being made in 2012 as Colorado passed the landmark Amendment 64 to legalize adult-use marijuana. 2012 was a landmark year for another reason - it's the year I became licensed to practice law.
After honing my craft representing clients in Florida for a few years, I moved to Colorado to dedicate my career to working with entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, and anyone else connected to the cannabis industry to get sound legal counsel and education on how to operate successfully and continue pushing this industry forward. In 2021, I obtained licensure in New Jersey as well, to bring our cannabis law experience and subject matter expertise to the Northeast.
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As a small business owner, I’m not immune to the frustrations and struggles you’re facing each and every day. To operate my cannabis-focused law practice, I, too, have to jump through hoops and come up against red tape when it comes to marketing and operating.
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As a result, I’ve learned that I cannot depend on search engines and ads; instead I strive to provide top-notch service to my clients, who in turn send referrals my way. I’m here to guide you through the process, educate you about your options, and help you achieve your goals.
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The cannabis industry is nuanced. There truly is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every business has a unique set of parameters affecting their situation, and deserves legal advice specific to its position.
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I love that every business I counsel moves this industry another step forward.
Together, we are changing the course of history.
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​PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS​
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Colorado Bar Association, 2015-present
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Cannabis Law Committee, 2016-2019
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Cannabis Law Section, 2019-present
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Chair, 2021-2022, 2023-2024
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Colorado W.O.L.F. (woman owned law firm) 2018-present
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Denver Bar Association, 2015-2024
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Larimer County Bar Association, 2024 - present
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Florida Bar Association, 2012-present
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New Jersey State Bar Association, 2021-present
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Member, Cannabis Law Committee
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National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
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​(NORML) Legal Committee, 2016-present
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National Cannabis Industry Association, 2018-present
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International Cannabis Bar Association, 2018-present
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