Why Cannabis Should Embrace ESG

We speak with Robert Hoban, leader of Clark Hill ’s AmLaw-leading Cannabis Industry Group about his 2023 NoCo Hemp Expo presentations on "Align The Message & Align The Industry" and "Like it or not, ESG is not going anywhere. And Hemp can lead the way." ESG means “environmental, social and governance,” and represents a more stakeholder-centric approach to doing business. ESG is set on the principle that the environment is only one factor in determining an organization's commitment to sustainability. As ESG increasingly becomes top of mind for directors, it’s essential to consider the global nuances that drive focus region by region. Companies that adhere to environmental, social and governance standards agree to conduct themselves ethically in those three areas, and can draw on a range of strategies, tactics and ESG solutions. Robert is a corporate and M&A attorney sitting at the center of the world’s largest commercial cannabis industry network. I am a leader of Clark Hill’s AmLaw-leading Cannabis Industry Group. As the cannabis industry commercialized, he has been widely credited for creating the class of lawyers now known as “cannabis attorneys.” He also hosts The Hoban Minute, where my weekly guests and I explore the history, policy, legal issues, and newest developments shaping the global cannabis industry.