Bob is a health care regulatory and policy attorney with extensive experience in the still-developing cannabis industry.
As the first statewide project coordinator for the State of Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program, Bob was appointed by the Governor of Illinois to develop and implement a regulatory framework for the use of cannabis by eligible patients. He draws on his experience working with state and federal agencies, and private businesses to help clients understand and operate in this growing sector of the economy.
While leading the Illinois medical cannabis program, Bob oversaw the efforts of five state agencies and more than 50 employees charged with creating program rules and fees, laboratory testing and database systems, and a selection process for licensed dispensary facilities and cultivation centers. He managed a multimillion-dollar state fund to create and maintain a system of operations, detailed tracking capabilities, policies to assure patient safety, proper enforcement of laws and regulations, and public education campaigns.
As one of the primary architects of the medical cannabis program, Bob understands the concerns and goals of patients, medical professionals and providers, hospitals and health systems, insurers, law enforcement officials and legislators alike. The patient-centered focus of the medical cannabis program was manifested in the creation of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Advisory Board consisting of patients and health care professionals. He guides clients in the engagement of key stakeholders and works with media outlets to develop effective public and private communications strategies.
Representative Experience
- Represented UroPartners, the largest Urologic practice in the Chicago area with more than 30 locations and over 60 providers, with respect to a Certificate of Need (CON) application.
- Counseled Encompass Health, one of the United States' largest providers of post-acute healthcare services, with three Certificate Of Need (CON) permits to establish rehabilitation hospitals in Illinois.
- Counseled MercyHealth, a non-profit health care provider and hospital system based in Janesville, Wisconsin with over 85 facilities serving a total of 50 communities throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, with respect to CON applications and regulatory matters.
- Counseled Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community with respect to licensing and regulatory guidance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Represented UnityPoint Health – Trinity to obtain regulatory approval to close rehabilitation unit and establish free standing rehabilitation hospital in Moline, IL.
- Represented AccentCare Inc., a nationwide leader in post-acute healthcare, as healthcare regulatory counsel in its merger with Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, one of the largest hospice providers in the U.S.
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Represented Caliva, a direct-to-consumer cannabis brand, as real estate counsel in its acquisition of multiple licensed cannabis operations and several newly awarded dispensary licenses, all in California.
- Represented PharmaCann, one of the country’s largest vertically integrated cannabis companies, as lead counsel on a $25 million senior secured convertible loan facility secured by Illinois medical and adult use dispensary assets.
- Representing Red Arrow Farm, a Michigan-based cultivation and processing facility that has increasing market share in the still-developing adult-use market in the state, as outside general counsel in matters including regulatory and corporate counsel on an ongoing basis. Red Arrow are pioneers in a brand new industry in Michigan and face myriad legal challenges at a state and local level along the way.
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Represented GTI, a leading national cannabis company and owner of Rise™ and Essence retail stores, in matters including a cultivation license from the Ohio Department of Commerce, following an appeal. The cultivation operation will be located in Toledo as part of a processing and manufacturing facility that will also produce GTI’s branded product portfolio.
