California · New York · Massachusetts

Cannabis enforcement defense backed by criminal trial experience

Facing a regulatory investigation, an accusation, a fine, a suspension, or threatened revocation? Ryan Kocot represents cannabis businesses and individuals before cannabis regulators in California, New York, and Massachusetts, bringing criminal trial experience and an in-house compliance perspective to the defense. Each state uses its own procedures and each document starts its own response clock, so call before you respond.
Discuss an enforcement matter Call (916) 572-6445 Text (916) 572-6445
Contracts, corporate, or compliance work? See Cannabis Business Counsel
Ryan Kocot, cannabis attorney
Ryan Kocot
Attorney · Licensed in CA, NY & MA
Licensed CA · NY · MA Criminal trial experience Former in-house cannabis counsel Author of The Federal Cannabis File
Enforcement matters

Matters we handle

If you have received any of these, a response deadline may already be running. Terminology and procedure differ by state; the state links below cover the specifics.
Regulatory investigations, inspections, and records requests
Accusations and other formal disciplinary proceedings
Citations and administrative fines
License or registration suspension and revocation
Product holds and embargoes, where your state uses them
Local permit enforcement, where applicable
Not sure what you received? Identifying the document is the first thing we sort out.
Discuss an enforcement matter
Why Ryan

Ryan’s background

Criminal trial experience
Ryan tried criminal cases as defense counsel. Administrative enforcement is not a criminal trial, but the skills transfer: evaluating the evidence behind an allegation, finding its weaknesses, preparing witnesses, and negotiating with a clear view of what a contested proceeding would require.
Cannabis regulatory representation
Enforcement defense and regulatory work before cannabis agencies in California, New York, and Massachusetts, matter by matter, under each state’s own procedures.
In-house legal and compliance leadership
Ryan led legal and compliance functions inside a cannabis company. When a resolution comes with corrective obligations attached, he has implemented them from the operator’s side, not just drafted them.
You work with Ryan
When you call, you talk to Ryan, not an intake desk, and he personally responds to inquiries within one business day.
How it starts

How an enforcement engagement begins

Reach outCall, text, or send a short note: what you received, from which agency, and any date on it. Please hold confidential documents until the next step.
Conflict checkBefore discussing details, the firm confirms it has no conflict with you or the other parties involved.
Review and scopeA free 30-minute consultation to look at the document, the apparent deadline, and what work the matter is likely to need.
Engagement letterA written engagement letter sets the scope of the work and the fee.
Depending on the matter, the work can include assessment and the initial response, discovery and evidence review, mitigation and corrective action, negotiation with the agency, and a contested hearing or later review. Not every matter needs every phase, and the engagement letter says which ones are included.
Beyond enforcement

Cannabis business counsel

Standalone services for operators, brands, and investors. No enforcement matter required.
Contracts & transactionsAn agreement to sign, review, or negotiate: supply, distribution, white-label and brand licensing, consulting, leases, and business purchases.Contracts & transactions → Corporate & LLC / governanceEntity formation, operating agreements, member buyouts and ownership changes, governance, and the regulatory disclosures that come with them.Corporate & governance → Compliance & regulatoryInspection readiness, SOP review, operational changes, and corrective work after a deficiency is identified.Compliance & regulatory →
After the resolution
Corrective obligations after a resolution
Most enforcement resolutions come with obligations attached: corrective action plans, updated procedures, training. Where it makes sense, Ryan can stay on to help implement them. That is a separate, optional engagement, and compliance work is also available to operators with no enforcement history.
Compliance & regulatory →
Related services

Licensing and the federal layer

Licensing & permittingState and local license applications, renewals, premises modifications, and ownership change filings in California, New York, and Massachusetts.Licensing & permitting → DEA registration & complianceEvaluating or pursuing federal registration under 21 C.F.R. § 1301.13(k) for state-licensed medical operators, and the federal obligations that follow.DEA registration → Asset forfeiture & seizureWhen police seize cash, product, or a vehicle in California and a prosecutor moves to forfeit it: the verified claim and the licensed-operator defense.Asset forfeiture (California) →
State pages: CaliforniaNew YorkMassachusetts
Guides

Guides and resources

California enforcement deadlinesKey DCC enforcement tools, the clocks they start, and every California enforcement article.Enforcement hub → The Federal Cannabis FileEvery issue of the newsletter on federal cannabis law, with the articles each one draws on.Read past issues → All resourcesArticles by state, the Federal Cannabis File archive, and the firm’s guides.Resources →
The Federal Cannabis File
Federal cannabis law, explained
A free newsletter on federal cannabis law for state-licensed operators and their advisers: DEA registration, rescheduling, and what each development means for an operation. Read past issues.
Subscribe free →

Questions, answered

I received an enforcement document. What should I do first?

Note the date and how it reached you, keep everything, and call before you respond. Every enforcement document starts its own response deadline, some measured in days, and the rules differ by state: California’s DCC, New York’s OCM, and Massachusetts’ CCC each run their own procedures. Call or text (916) 572-6445. A free 30-minute consultation can help identify the document, assess the apparent deadline, and discuss next steps.

What does it cost to work with you?

Where the scope is clear, the fee is quoted in writing after the free 30-minute consultation. Open-ended matters may be handled in phases. Either way, the engagement letter sets the scope and the fee before the work begins.

Can you review a contract before I sign it?

Yes. Supply, distribution, white-label and brand licensing, consulting, leases, and purchase agreements, reviewed with written risk flags and recommended revisions. I also draft and negotiate. See contracts and transactions.

Do you handle corporate and LLC work?

Yes: entity formation, operating agreements, member buyouts and ownership changes, and governance, including the regulatory disclosures and approvals an ownership change can trigger. See corporate and governance.

Do you handle federal DEA registration?

Yes. Federal DEA registration and compliance for state-licensed medical cannabis operators is a distinct practice area, from evaluating whether registration fits your operation through the application, inspections, and follow-up questions. See DEA registration and compliance.

Do you accept referrals from other attorneys?

Yes. Attorneys refer cannabis regulatory and enforcement matters in California, New York, and Massachusetts. Call to discuss the matter; how responsibility and client communication are divided is agreed at the start and set out in the engagement letter.

Will I actually be working with you?

Yes. When you call, you talk to me, not an intake desk, and I personally respond to inquiries within one business day.

Discuss your matter

I personally respond within one business day. Please don’t send confidential details or documents until we’ve spoken and confirmed there’s no conflict.
Prefer to talk?
Call or text

Calling or texting is the fastest way to reach me. Enforcement notices can carry response windows measured in days.

Call (916) 572-6445 Or text (916) 572-6445 →

Contracts, corporate, or DEA work? Pick a time instead.

Book a free 30-minute consultation →

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