Substance Law is a Toronto-based cannabis law firm providing specialized legal services to cannabis businesses operating in Toronto and across Canada. We advise licensed producers, processors, retailers, distributors, brand owners, and investors on navigating Canada’s complex and highly regulated cannabis framework.
Our cannabis practice is led by Harrison Jordan, a Canadian cannabis lawyer with extensive experience advising clients on federal, provincial, and municipal cannabis regulation. We provide practical, business-focused legal advice grounded in regulatory risk management, enforcement realities, and commercial objectives.
Substance Law also advises on emerging regulated substances, including psychedelics and other controlled drugs, where regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.
Our Greater Toronto Area (GTA) based firm offers comprehensive legal support to cannabis businesses across the full lifecycle of operations—from licensing and market entry to compliance management, transactions, and enforcement matters.
Our cannabis law services include:
Health Canada regulatory matters
Federal and provincial cannabis licensing
AGCO retail licensing and authorizations
Cannabis Act security clearance matters
CRA excise duty and compliance issues
Marketing and promotional compliance reviews
Administrative Monetary Penalties and enforcement response
Cannabis brand, licensing, and contract manufacturing agreements
Business structuring, transactions, and dispute resolution
Health Canada Regulatory Matters
Cannabis businesses operating federally must comply with the Cannabis Act and associated regulations administered by Health Canada.
We assist clients with:
Federal cannabis licence applications and amendments
Ongoing compliance and regulatory audits
Responding to inspections, notices, and information requests
Managing enforcement risk and corrective action plans
Cannabis Licensing & Authorizations
Federal Cannabis Licensing
We advise licensed producers and processors on licensing requirements, operational compliance, and regulatory strategy at the federal level.
Provincial Cannabis Licensing (Ontario & Beyond)
In Ontario, cannabis retail operations are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
We assist with licensing for:
Retail Store Authorizations
Retail Operator Licences
Retail Manager Licences for AGCO-authorized cannabis stores
Our services include preparing applications, advising on disclosure obligations, responding to regulator questions, and managing licence changes or renewals.
Cannabis Act Security Clearance Matters
Individuals in key roles within federally licensed cannabis businesses may be required to obtain security clearances under the Cannabis Act.
We advise on:
Security clearance applications
Addressing refusals, delays, or concerns
Change-of-status and ongoing compliance issues
Security clearance issues can significantly impact operations if not addressed early and strategically.
CRA Excise Duty & Tax Matters
Cannabis businesses are subject to complex excise duty and tax obligations administered by the Canada Revenue Agency.
We assist with:
Cannabis excise duty compliance
Structuring considerations for excise exposure
Regulatory and audit-related issues
Risk management related to CRA enforcement
Marketing, Promotion & Advertising Compliance
Cannabis advertising and promotion are strictly regulated in Canada.
We conduct marketing and promotional reviews to assess compliance with:
Federal advertising restrictions
Packaging and branding rules
Digital, social media, and influencer marketing risks
We help businesses balance brand development with regulatory constraints.
Enforcement & Administrative Monetary Penalties
Cannabis regulators have broad enforcement powers, including the ability to issue Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs).
We assist with:
Responding to notices of violation
Enforcement correspondence and investigations
Compliance remediation strategies
Risk mitigation to prevent escalation
Early legal involvement can materially affect outcomes.
Cannabis Commercial Agreements
We draft, review, and negotiate cannabis-specific commercial agreements, including:
Brand licensing agreements
Contract manufacturing and white-label arrangements
Supply and distribution agreements
Strategic partnerships and joint ventures
All agreements are structured with regulatory compliance in mind.
Cannabis Business Structuring & Transactions
Business Formation & Structuring
We advise on incorporation, ownership structures, investor arrangements, and regulatory disclosure requirements.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Due Diligence
We assist cannabis businesses and investors with:
Regulatory due diligence
Change-of-control approvals
Asset and share purchase transactions
Transaction structuring in a regulated environment
Municipal Zoning & Local Compliance
Municipal bylaws can significantly affect cannabis retail and production facilities.
We assist with:
Zoning and land-use compliance
Site selection risk assessments
Municipal permits and approvals
Addressing local regulatory concerns
Why Work With Substance Law as Your Cannabis Lawyer?
Focused cannabis regulatory experience
Deep knowledge of Health Canada, AGCO, CRA, and municipal frameworks
Practical, business-driven legal advice
Experience across licensing, enforcement, and transactions
National cannabis practice with Ontario leadership
Work With a Cannabis Lawyer in Canada
If you are launching, operating, or scaling a cannabis business in Canada, Toronto's Substance Law provides the legal clarity and regulatory support you need.
Contact us today to speak with a Toronto cannabis lawyer.
