Miller Nash LLP special counsel, Justin Hobson, and partner, Will Rasmussen, have been appointed to serve on two separate committees of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). The OLCC is the state agency responsible for regulating the sale and service of alcoholic beverages in Oregon by administering the state's Liquor Control Act and regulating the production, processing and sale of recreational marijuana in Oregon through the Control, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act. The agency also regulates the production, processing and sale of medical products sold to Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) cardholders in OLCC licensed marijuana retail shops.
In addition to the Marijuana Tax Compliance Package Rules Advisory Committee, Justin will also serve on the Oregon Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Rules Advisory Committee for issuing tax compliance certificates. These two advisory boards are interrelated, as the proposed rules from the OLCC will require cannabis licensees to obtain tax compliance certificates from the DOR, which in turn, will require that the DOR adopt new rules for issuing those certificates.
Will will serve on the Marijuana Legislative & Technical Changes Rules Advisory Committee.
The overall purpose of the advisory committees will be to review the proposed rule language, to discuss the anticipated impacts that the proposed changes might have on the industry and the public, and to work collaboratively to craft acceptable rule language.
About Justin Hobson
Justin has 15 years of experience helping clients on corporate and tax matters. He assists businesses, from startups to large international corporations, on tax issues and business transactions, possessing particular experience with and insight into clients within the cannabis industry. Justin also has experience with corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions, securities offerings, and corporate governance. He previously served as co-chair of the cannabis team at a large Pacific Northwest law firm, where he supported clients inside and outside of the cannabis industry on a wide range of tax and corporate needs, including all areas of income taxation, international tax matters, and matters related to corporate governance. Justin received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University before earning his law degree at University of Oregon Law School.
About Will Rasmussen
Will practices Oregon administrative law with concentrations in land use, real estate, and cannabis matters. He represents entities, businesses, and individuals in complex regulatory and transactional matters. Will also counsels leading cannabis retail, production, lab, and processing companies, advising them on transactional, regulatory, and enforcement matters. He works with clients, business groups, and Oregon policymakers to develop state and local policy that is friendly to fast-growing cannabis businesses. Will received his bachelor’s degree and his J.D. at the University of Washington.
