California · New York · Massachusetts
Cannabis enforcement defense backed by criminal trial experience
Facing a regulatory investigation, fine, suspension, or threatened revocation? Ryan Kocot represents cannabis businesses and individuals in California, New York, and Massachusetts, bringing criminal trial experience and an in-house compliance perspective to the defense. Every enforcement document starts its own response clock; call before you respond.
Call or text (916) 572-6445 Book a free 30-minute consult
Ryan Kocot
Ryan Kocot
Attorney · Licensed in CA, NY & MA
Licensed CA · NY · MA Criminal trial experience Former in-house cannabis counsel Author of The Federal File
Is this you?
The matters that land on my desk
If any of these describe your week, the response deadline is probably already running. Terminology and procedure differ by state; the state pages below cover the specifics.
Regulatory investigations and records requests
Citations and administrative fines
License or registration suspension and revocation proceedings
Product holds and embargoes, where your state uses them
Local permit enforcement, where applicable
Not sure what you received? That is the first thing we sort out on the call.
Call or text (916) 572-6445
Why Ryan
Four things in one attorney
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.
Representative matters
Massachusetts CCC enforcement: resolution without revocation, fine reduced from $75,000 to $25,000 Represented a Massachusetts cannabis operator and its principal in a Cannabis Control Commission enforcement matter involving proposed revocation of the principal’s agent registrations and $75,000 in administrative fines assessed against the business. The final stipulated resolution avoided revocation and reduced the business’s monetary penalty to $25,000. The resolution also imposed suspensions, probation, training, and operational compliance requirements. Read the full matter →
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each matter depends on its facts and applicable law. Attorney advertising.
How to hire Ryan
Three ways in, one attorney
Cannabis enforcement defense Investigations, disciplinary actions, fines, suspension, or threatened revocation, in California, New York, or Massachusetts. Same-day triage on new enforcement documents. Enforcement defense → Cannabis contracts & transactions Supply, distribution, white-label and IP licensing, leases, and purchase agreements, drafted, reviewed, or negotiated. A standalone service; no enforcement matter required. Contracts & transactions → DEA registration & federal compliance Evaluating or pursuing federal registration under 21 CFR § 1301.13(k) for state-licensed medical operators, and the federal compliance obligations that apply. DEA registration →
Also at Kocot Law: Permitting & licensingCorporate governanceCompliance programsCriminal defense
After the resolution
Address the problem. Strengthen what comes next.
Most enforcement resolutions come with obligations attached: corrective action plans, updated procedures, training. Where it makes sense, Ryan can stay on to implement them and support your compliance going forward, reducing the risk of a repeat visit. Optional continuation, never a package you are locked into, and available directly to operators who want the compliance work without the enforcement history.
Compliance support →
Three states, one federal layer
Each state runs its own enforcement machinery. The state pages cover the agencies, the documents, and the deadlines that apply where you operate; federal DEA registration is its own linked service.
CaliforniaDCC enforcement defense, compliance, transactions, and a Sacramento presence.California → New YorkOCM enforcement defense, licensing, compliance, and transactions for the New York market.New York → MassachusettsCCC enforcement defense, licensing, compliance, and transaction counsel.Massachusetts →
The Federal File
Federal cannabis law, explained weekly
A free weekly newsletter on federal cannabis law for state-licensed operators and their advisers. DEA registration, rescheduling, and what each development actually means for your operation. No gate, no spam.
Subscribe free →
Questions, answered
I received an enforcement document. What should I do first?

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 me at (916) 572-6445 for a free 30-minute consult; that is enough to identify what you received, which clock is running, and what has to happen before the deadline.

What does it cost to work with you?

I work on flat fees wherever possible, so you know the cost before the work begins. After a free 30-minute consult, you will have a quote within 24 hours.

Can you review a contract before I sign it?

Yes, and I would rather see it before you sign than after it goes wrong. Supply, distribution, white-label and IP licensing, leases, and purchase agreements, reviewed with written risk flags and recommended redlines. I can also help with drafting.

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 questionnaires.

Can you help with compliance after an enforcement matter ends?

Yes, where it makes sense. Most resolutions come with corrective obligations, and I can stay on to implement them: updated procedures, training, and ongoing support. It is an optional continuation, not an automatic package, and no compliance program can promise you will never see a regulator again; the goal is to be ready when you do.

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.

Start the conversation
I personally respond within one business day. Please don’t send confidential details until we’ve spoken and confirmed there’s no conflict.
Prefer to talk?
On a deadline, or just faster by phone

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

Call or text (916) 572-6445

Contracts or DEA registration? Pick a time instead.

Book a free 30-minute consult →

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