McQueeny

Michael McQueeny

Partner
Co-Chair, Cannabis & Hemp Group
New York

I help clients navigate complex cannabis regulatory infrastructures to ensure their specific business goals are compliant with governing rules.

As a partner and Co-Chair of Foley Hoag’s national Cannabis Group, Mike McQueeny has provided trusted counsel to startups and multi-state operators alike on issues associated with legislative/regulatory development and compliance. He has assisted clients in drafting and securing competitive state cannabis permits, having worked on winning applications in multiple states. He counsels clients on complex issues of regulatory compliance, including through advising companies on regulatory considerations associated with anticipated mergers and acquisition.

Mike has been ranked in Chambers USA as a leading lawyer for Cannabis. He has frequently been consulted as a point person for developments and insight for several national and local media outlets including CBS News, Fox 5 New York, News 12, Cheddar TV, ROI-NJ, Forbes, the Washington Post, Benzinga, the Star-Ledger, NJ Cannabis Insider, NJBIZ, and the New Jersey Law Journal. Mike has also been the recipient of several honorary awards, including his selection by New Jersey’s largest newspaper as one of eighteen honorees as part of a series focused on the people that helped shape the cannabis industry in New Jersey in the lead-up to New Jersey’s adult-use cannabis referendum. More recently, Mike was selected for inclusion on the “Insider 100: Cannabis Power List,” which recognizes leading influential voices in the long battle to end cannabis prohibition.

Related Industries

Education

  • Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 2012
  • Syracuse University, B.A., Political Science, Phi Kappa Alpha Honor Society, 2008

Bar and Court Admissions

BAR ADMISSIONS
  • New Jersey
  • New York
COURT ADMISSIONS
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • U.S. Tax Court

Experience

CANNABIS LICENSING
  • Successfully assisted clients in applications and approvals before the New York Cannabis Control Board and Office of Cannabis Management related to AUCCs, Cultivators, Processors, CAURDs, Retail Dispensaries, and with respect to adult-use conversions for Registered Organizations.
  • Successfully assisted every class of medical and adult-use licenses with respect to regulatory issues and approvals before the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, including, but not limited to, Alternative Treatment Centers, Cultivators, Processors, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, and Testing Labs, including, but not limited to, drafting and advising clients with respect to the first cohort of adult-use cannabis licenses issued in the State of New Jersey
  • Represented several of the first social equity adult-use licenses issued by the State of New Jersey
  • Assisted in advising several successful entities in connection with their applications in New Jersey’s competitive 2019 Medical Cannabis Request for Applications*
  • Assisted in advising successful winner in New Jersey’s competitive 2018 Medical Cannabis Request for Applications*
  • Assisted clients in engaging with local municipalities in jurisdictions that require local approval and consent, including, but not limited to, successfully defending local approvals when challenged in Court.
  • Represented Trulieve Cannabis Corporation in connection with its successful application to operate a Class 1 Production License (one of only two Class 1 Production Licenses (100k sq. ft.) available state-wide) to cultivate and manufacture low-THC cannabis oil products in Georgia
  • Assisted in drafting portions of a client’s winning application in New Jersey’s competitive 2018 Request for Applications, wherein only six (6) winners were selected from a pool of one-hundred forty-six (146) total applications* 
  • Assisted client in connection with their successful application to obtain multiple satellite dispensaries, thereby tripling the company’s state-wide retail footprint
SECURITIES
  • Represented The Valens Company, Inc., a leading manufacturer of cannabis products, in gaining approval for an application to list its common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
  • Represented The Valens Company, Inc. in the acquisition of Green Roads worth up to $60 million
REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
  • Advised numerous clients in connection with changes of ownership for cannabis licenses in New York and New Jersey.
  • Successfully represented clients with respect to local license and land use approvals throughout New York and New Jersey, including, but not limited to, numerous New York City Community Boards. 
  • Regularly assist clients in in connection with regulatory compliance, corrective action plans, and responses to notices of violation, including, but not limited to, administrative challenges for imposition of monetary sanctions. 
  • Counsel for the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association, the association of New Jersey’s licensed alternative treatment centers
  • Successfully assisted various clients in connection with several different regulatory issues, including, but not limited to, license applications, license renewals, license modifications, license expansions and in responding to regulatory inquiries
  • Serve as legislative counsel to cannabis companies in understanding and responding to legislative proposals for medical implementation, medical expansion and/or adult-use implementation, including, but not limited to, drafting white papers for considerations on the impact of legislation on other policy related goals
  • Assist in providing 50-state guidance to hemp cannabinoid companies navigating the patchwork of ever-increasing state-based regulatory rules and requirements, including, but not limited to, advising on licensing/registration, permissible/prohibited products and labeling requirements
  • Counsel clients on various regulatory issues associated with entering into new markets, whether in connection with application strategy, strategic partnerships, lending and/or management services agreements with existing state-based operators
 * Indicates work performed prior to joining Foley Hoag.


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Adjunct professor, Cannabis Law, New York Law School (2020 - present)
  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Patricia K. Costello, A.J.S.C., Assignment Judge for the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex Vicinage

Publications

Other Publications

  • “Legal NYC Marijuana Remains Sticky Issue Months After Bill Passes,” NYC Patch (December 11, 2021)
  • “New York State of Mind” High Times Magazine (December 1, 2021)
  • “Experts at seminar high on cannabis business in Atlantic City,” Press of Atlantic City (November 14, 2021)
  • “N.J.’s weed commission will miss deadline to start accepting new business applications,” the Star Ledger (September 18, 2021)
  • “Ossining Considers Nixing Cannabis Consumption Lounges,” Hudson Patch (August 12, 2021)
  • “Camden moves to ban cannabis businesses to implement its own rules in the future.” WHYY (PBS) ( June 27, 2021)
  • “Why Are So Many Municipalities Opting out of Their State’s Adult-Use Cannabis Marketplace?” Green Entrepreneur (June 4, 2021)
  • “N.J. minority cannabis entrepreneurs get boost for state’s biggest cannabis industry event in June,” the Star Ledger (June 1, 2021) 
  • “Now That Marijuana Is Legal In NYC, Here’s What Happens Next,” NYC Patch (April 1, 2021)
  • “New Jersey Marijuana: Lawmakers Eye Bill Allowing Adults to Grow Pot At Home,” CBS News (March 29, 2021)
  • “High Stakes,” NJBIZ (March 8, 2021) 
  • “Politics, Lawsuits And a Weak Medical Market Stalls Pot Sales in New Jersey,” Forbes (March 8, 2021)
  • “Marijuana is now legal in New Jersey. What does that mean and when can you buy it,” News 12 (February 24, 2021)
  • “How will Hudson County handle legal marijuana? It depends on where you live,” NJ.com (February 23, 2021)
  • “Gov. Murphy Signs Bill Legalizing Recreational Marijuana for Adults, Decriminalization Possession of Small Amounts in New Jersey,” CBS News (February 22, 2021)
  • “Murphy, state senators at odds over penalties for minors caught with marijuana,” News 12 (January 12, 2021)
  • “Marijuana in New Jersey: Holdup on Legalization Centers on Dispute Over Minors’ Possession Penalties,” CBS News (January 11, 2021)
  • “Legal Recreational Marijuana May Not Be Available in New Jersey in 2021 Due to Continued Legislation Delays,” CBS News (December 29, 2020)
  • “Gov. Murphy, Lawmakers say Deal Reached on Marijuana Bill,” CBS News (December 4, 2020)
  • “Marijuana in New Jersey: State Senate Passes Legalizing Possession of 6 Ounces of Pot,“ CBS News (November 16, 2020)
  • “Not so fast,” NJBIZ (November 9, 2020)
  • "In 2018, New Yorkers flocked to Hudson County to gamble. Will they come now to buy marijuana?," NewJersey.com (November 8, 2020)
  • "Election 2020: New Jersey Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Legalizing Marijuana," CBS New York (November 4, 2020)
  • "If N.J. voters legalize weed, it’ll be at least a year until it’s available to buy, industry experts say," NewJersey.com (November 3, 2020)
  • “New Jersey Set to Become Biggest East Coast State to Legalize Pot,” Washington Post (October 30, 2020)
  • "Cannabis influencers: He strives to steer people in the right direction," NewJersey.com (October 19, 2020)
  • "Meet the people shaping N.J.’s cannabis industry - The CannaInfluencers," NewJersey.com (September 14, 2020)
IN THE MEDIA
  •  "Is New York Really Cracking Down on Weed Sellers?" Rolling Stone (September 5, 2022)
  • "New Jersey to Expand Cannabis Retail Ownership, Licensing" Green Market Report (June 2023)
  • "Confusion over enforcement of cannabis laws as new regulations take effect" Spectrum NY 1 (October 2022)
  • “Camden moves to ban cannabis businesses to implement its own rules in the future,” WHYY (PBS), (June 27, 2021)
  • “Why Are So Many Municipalities Opting out of Their State’s Adult-Use Cannabis Marketplace?” Green Entrepreneur,  (June 4, 2021)
  • “N.J. minority cannabis entrepreneurs get boost for state’s biggest cannabis industry event in June,” The Star Ledger,  (June 1, 2021)
  • “Now That Marijuana Is Legal In NYC, Here’s What Happens Next,” NYC Patch (April 1, 2021)
  • “New Jersey Marijuana: Lawmakers Eye Bill Allowing Adults to Grow Pot At Home,” CBS News (March 29, 2021)
  • “High Stakes,” NJBIZ (March 8, 2021) 
  • “Politics, Lawsuits And a Weak Medical Market Stalls Pot Sales in New Jersey,” Forbes (March 8, 2021)
  • “Marijuana is now legal in New Jersey. What does that mean and when can you buy it,” News 12 (February 24, 2021)
  • “How will Hudson County handle legal marijuana? It depends on where you live,” NJ.com (February 23, 2021)
  • “Gov. Murphy Signs Bill Legalizing Recreational Marijuana for Adults, Decriminalization Possession of Small Amounts in New Jersey,” CBS News (February 22, 2021)
  • “Murphy, state senators at odds over penalties for minors caught with marijuana,” News 12 (January 12, 2021)
  • “Marijuana in New Jersey: Holdup on Legalization Centers on Dispute Over Minors’ Possession Penalties” CBS News (January 11, 2021) 
  • “Legal Recreational Marijuana May Not Be Available in New Jersey in 2021 Due to Continued Legislation Delays,” CBS News (December 29, 2020)
  • “Gov. Murphy, Lawmakers say Deal Reached on Marijuana Bill,” CBS News (December 4, 2020)
  • “Marijuana in New Jersey: State Senate Passes Legalizing Possession of 6 Ounces of Pot “ CBS News (November 16, 2020) 
  • “Not so fast,” NJBIZ (November 9, 2020) 
  • "In 2018, New Yorkers flocked to Hudson County to gamble. Will they come now to buy marijuana?," NewJersey.com (November 8, 2020)
  • "Election 2020: New Jersey Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Legalizing Marijuana," CBS New York (November 4, 2020)
  • "If N.J. voters legalize weed, it’ll be at least a year until it’s available to buy, industry experts say," NewJersey.com (November 3, 2020)
  • "New Jersey set to become biggest East Coast state to legalize pot," Fortune (October 29, 2020)
  • "Cannabis influencers: He strives to steer people in the right direction," NewJersey.com (October 19, 2020)
  • "Meet the people shaping N.J.’s cannabis industry - The CannaInfluencers," NewJersey.com (September 14, 2020) 

Honors & Involvement

HONORS
  • Best Lawyers: Cannabis Law (2027)
  • Insider NJ’s New Jersey Irish American Leaders of 2025
  • Chambers USA, Leading Lawyer for Cannabis Law: Eastern United States (2023 - 2026)
  • Insider 100: Cannabis Power List, Honoree. Selected for inclusion on its list of influential voices in New Jersey’s long battle to end cannabis prohibition. 
  • Cannainfluncer, Honoree. One of 18 individuals selected by New Jersey’s largest newspaper as part of series of profiles focused on the people shaping the cannabis industry in the Garden State in the lead-up to New Jersey’s referendum on adult-use cannabis. 
  • Super Lawyers – New Jersey/New York Rising Star Designation, 2019-2021
  • Irish Echo's 40 under 40 List
  • Rising Star, New Jersey Monthly and Super Lawyers, 2019-2021
  • Lead New Jersey Class of 2018, Fellow
  • Villanova University School of Law, Herman J. Obert Award for outstanding achievement in the area of corporations and business organizations, Certificate of Achievement for outstanding performance in the area of contracts
  • Syracuse University, Fleur-De-Lis Honor Society for distinguished campus leadership
INVOLVEMENT
  • New Jersey Bar Association - Cannabis Law Committee, member
  • Hyacinth Foundation - Trustee/Fund Development Committee, member

Events

NECANN New Jersey 2026 Page
Speaking Engagement 09/18/2026
NECANN New Jersey 2026
Foley Hoag, Withum & Lineage Merchant Partners: Cannabis Capital Conference Happy Hour Page
Foley Hoag Event 06/15/2026
Foley Hoag, Withum & Lineage Merchant Partners: Cannabis Capital Conference Happy Hour
Poseidon VC & CEO Mixer Page
Sponsorship 06/14/2026
Poseidon VC & CEO Mixer
Cannabis Capital Conference Page
Sponsorship 06/14/2026
Cannabis Capital Conference
Cannabis Rescheduling: DOJ, Treasury, and DEA Updates Page
Foley Hoag Event 05/19/2026
Cannabis Rescheduling: DOJ, Treasury, and DEA Updates
MJ Unpacked 2026 Page
Event 05/05/2026
MJ Unpacked 2026
Ignite: Ohio Valley Market Spotlight Page
Speaking Engagement 04/30/2026
Ignite: Ohio Valley Market Spotlight
NECANN Boston Page
Event 04/23/2026
NECANN Boston
Virginia's Adult-Use Cannabis Market: What You Need to Know Page
Foley Hoag Event 03/26/2026
Virginia's Adult-Use Cannabis Market: What You Need to Know
Ignite: New Jersey Market Spotlight Page
Speaking Engagement 02/10/2026
Ignite: New Jersey Market Spotlight
2026 Cannabis—Year in Preview Page
Foley Hoag Event 01/28/2026
2026 Cannabis—Year in Preview
NYSBA Cannabis Law Section MCLE Program Page
Speaking Engagement 01/15/2026
NYSBA Cannabis Law Section MCLE Program
MJBizCon Page
Event 12/02/2025
MJBizCon
Congress Attempts to Close the Hemp Loophole: What Legal and Strategic Considerations are Next? Page
Foley Hoag Event 11/24/2025
Congress Attempts to Close the Hemp Loophole: What Legal and Strategic Considerations are Next?
Meet Our Team at the Hemp Beverage Expo Page
Event 07/09/2025
Meet Our Team at the Hemp Beverage Expo
Recent Legislative and Regulatory Updates in Intoxicating Hemp Page
Foley Hoag Event 06/25/2025
Recent Legislative and Regulatory Updates in Intoxicating Hemp
Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference Page
Event 06/08/2025
Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference
The Year Ahead in Cannabis - Federal Reform, New Markets, Consolidation and More Page
Foley Hoag Event 01/24/2025
The Year Ahead in Cannabis - Federal Reform, New Markets, Consolidation and More
13th Annual MJBizCon Page
Speaking Engagement 12/03/2024
13th Annual MJBizCon
The Social Equity Excise Fee and its Impact on the Cannabis Industry Page
Speaking Engagement 11/18/2024
The Social Equity Excise Fee and its Impact on the Cannabis Industry
Evolving Cannabis Labor Markets Page
Foley Hoag Event 10/15/2024
Evolving Cannabis Labor Markets
Recent Updates and Best Practices Regarding Hemp Cannabinoid Compliance Page
Foley Hoag Event 09/12/2024
Recent Updates and Best Practices Regarding Hemp Cannabinoid Compliance
The New Jersey Cannabis Convention Page
Speaking Engagement 09/06/2024
The New Jersey Cannabis Convention
Kentucky Medical Cannabis: Applications Go Live Page
Foley Hoag Event 07/15/2024
Kentucky Medical Cannabis: Applications Go Live
Kentucky: The Next New Market Page
Foley Hoag Event 05/17/2024
Kentucky: The Next New Market
New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association’s Business Builders Series Page
Speaking Engagement 05/10/2024
New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association’s Business Builders Series
Cannabis Webinar: New Jersey Page
Foley Hoag Event 05/03/2024
Cannabis Webinar: New Jersey
Cannabis Webinar Series: New York Page
Foley Hoag Event 04/19/2024
Cannabis Webinar Series: New York
Cannabis Real Estate Summit Page
Speaking Engagement 03/06/2024
Cannabis Real Estate Summit
Maryland Cannabis Industry Symposium: Elements of Success Page
Speaking Engagement 02/24/2024
Maryland Cannabis Industry Symposium: Elements of Success
You Applied For a License in NY, Now What? Page
Foley Hoag Event 01/19/2024
You Applied For a License in NY, Now What?
New York Cannabis Applications Take Shape! Page
Foley Hoag Event 10/06/2023
New York Cannabis Applications Take Shape!
Preparing for New York Cannabis Applications Page
Foley Hoag Event 09/13/2023
Preparing for New York Cannabis Applications
Are You Prepared for Adult-Use Cannabis to Start in Maryland? Page
Foley Hoag Event 05/23/2023
Are You Prepared for Adult-Use Cannabis to Start in Maryland?
New York: Where Are We Now? Page
Foley Hoag Event 05/18/2023
New York: Where Are We Now?
New York Cannabis: A Maturing Market About to Bloom Page
Foley Hoag Event 08/04/2022
New York Cannabis: A Maturing Market About to Bloom
New Jersey Webinar - Conditional Conversion Applications Page
Foley Hoag Event 04/05/2022
New Jersey Webinar - Conditional Conversion Applications
Connecticut Adult-Use Cannabis: The Application Process Begins Page
Foley Hoag Event 01/20/2022
Connecticut Adult-Use Cannabis: The Application Process Begins
New Jersey: Racing to Adult-Use Applications Page
Foley Hoag Event 09/02/2021
New Jersey: Racing to Adult-Use Applications
The Maturation of the CBD Market: from New York, FDA and Beyond Page
Foley Hoag Event 08/26/2021
The Maturation of the CBD Market: from New York, FDA and Beyond
Connecticut Adult-Use Cannabis: A Market Ready to Scale Page
Foley Hoag Event 07/15/2021
Connecticut Adult-Use Cannabis: A Market Ready to Scale
2021: A Foundational Year for New York Cannabis Page
Foley Hoag Event 05/20/2021
2021: A Foundational Year for New York Cannabis
2021: The Year of New Jersey Cannabis Opportunities Page
Foley Hoag Event 11/18/2020
2021: The Year of New Jersey Cannabis Opportunities

Speaking Engagements

  • "MCLE Program," NYSBA Cannabis Law Section (January 2026)
  • "New Jersey State Takeover," MJBIzCon (December 2025)
  • "Congress Attempts to Close the Hemp Loophole: What Legal and Strategic Considerations are Next?," Foley Hoag Webinar (November 2025)
  • "Updates on the Northeast Cannabis Market: Opportunities in this Emerging Cannabis Market," 13th Annual MJBizCon (December 2024)
  • "Evolving Cannabis Labor Markets," Foley Hoag Webinar (October 2024)
  • "Recent Updates and Best Practices Regarding Hemp Cannabinoid Compliance," Foley Hoag Webinar (September 2024)
  • “The New High-light in NJ Cannabis – Alternative Intoxicating Cannabinoids,” New Jersey Cannabis Convention (September 2024)
  • "Kentucky Medical Cannabis: Applications Go Live," Foley Hoag Webinar (July 2024)
  • "Kentucky: The Next New Market, " Foley Hoag Webinar (May 2024)
  • "Cutting Through The Red Tape," New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association’s Business Builders Series (May 2024)
  • "Current Developments in Cannabis Licensing and Regulations: New Jersey," Foley Hoag Webinar (May 2024)
  • "Cannabis Webinar Series: New York," Foley Hoag Webinar (April 2024)
  • "Legal Update," Cannabis Real Estate Summit Series (March 2024)
  • "Navigating Regulatory Landscapes + Sustainability and Responsible Practices," Maryland Cannabis Industry Symposium: Elements of Success (February 2024)
  • "You Applied For a License in NY, Now What?," Foley Hoag Webinar (January 2023)
  • Panelist, "New York Cannabis Applications Take Shape!," Foley Hoag Webinar (October 2023)
  • Panelist, "Preparing for New York Cannabis Applications," Foley Hoag Webinar (September 2023)
  • “Navigating Local Approvals,” Business Builder Series, New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association (June 2023)
  • “Are You Prepared for Adult-Use Cannabis to Start in Maryland,” Foley Hoag Webinar (May 2023)
  • “Stockton University Cannabis Business Expo,” Stockton University (November 14, 2021)
  • “New Jersey Cannabis Certified,” Union County College (November 1, 2021)
  • “565 Towns vs. 1 Plant – What’s at stake,” NJ Cannabis Insider Live (September 23, 2021)
  • “Critical Marketing: Grow Your Customer Base With Your Website and Text Messaging,” 2021 Cannabis Conference (August 24, 2021) 
  • "Connecticut Adult-Use Cannabis: A Market Ready to Scale," Foley Hoag Webinar (July 2021)
  • “Cannabis in the U.S.: Growing Issues for Law Enforcement and Schools,” L.E.A.D. (June 28, 2021)
  • “Cannabinoid Analogs and their Regulatory Challenges: Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, THC-v, and more,” Association of Food and Drug Officials (June 17, 2021)
  • “Legalization, Hemp & CBD,” NJ Cannabis Insider Live (April 13, 2021)
  • "Countdown to Legalization," NJ Cannabis Insider Live, industry panel (October 2020)
  • "Investing in Cannabis," Food Edge 2020, (October 2020)  
  • "Why The Business of Hemp is so essential," NJ Cannabis Insider Live, (April 2020)
  • “Where Towns Stand: NIMBY or Come On In,” NJ Cannabis Insider Live, panel (March 2020)
  • “Cannabis: There’s No Place Like Home (Rule),” American Planning Association, 2020 Planning Conference, panel (January 2020)
  • “Intro to Cannabis,” Union County College, panel (November 2019)
  • “Cutting Through the Red Tape,” New Jersey Business and Industry Association, panel (November 2019)
  • “Intro to Cannabis,” Union County College, panel (June 2019)
  • “Professionals Servicing the Industry,” NJ Cannabis Insider Live, panel (April 2019)
  • “How Employers Adapt to Legalization,” Commerce and Industry Association, panel (January 2019)
  • “Industry Developments and Consumer Protection,” NJ Cannabis Insider Live, panel (October 2018)
  • “Real Estate’s Next Revolution – From the Amazon Effect to Cannabis Legalization,” Fordham Real Estate Institute, panel (May 2018)

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