Cobie Whitley

As we move through 2026, the DC cannabis market is bustling with activity. For many local entrepreneurs and social equity applicants, a Management Services Agreement (MSA) with an experienced operator is the only way to get the doors open. However, not all MSAs are created equal. Some are genuine partnerships; others are predatory "straw man" arrangements designed to strip a local owner of their autonomy. Before you sign on the dotted line, keep an eye out for these high-risk red flags that...

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the District of Columbia’s medical cannabis market, a specific legal instrument has become the "Swiss Army Knife" of business operations: the M anagement Services Agreement (MSA). As Washington, D.C. continues its massive medical cannabis expansion—with hundreds of new license applications currently in the pipeline—MSAs are moving from the background to the forefront of regulatory scrutiny. If you are an operator, an investor, or a Social Equity applicant,...

In the world of modern contracts—whether for a new job, a cell phone plan, or a multi-million dollar business merger—you will almost certainly encounter an Arbitration Clause. Often tucked away in the "fine print," these clauses fundamentally change your legal rights by steering disputes away from public courtrooms and into private forums. But what happens when the private forum feels like a disadvantage? Today, we’re looking at what arbitration entails and why litigants often fight an uphill...