Meet Ariel Clark | Cannabis & Psychedelics Business and Regulatory Attorney

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariel Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started the firm in 2010. From the outset, we’ve dedicated most of our practice to the cannabis space. We also provide advice to other emerging ecosystems, including hemp and psychedelics. At that time, there were very few attorneys giving good business, corporate and regulatory advice to the cannabis community, especially in Los Angeles, which has the biggest cannabis market, probably in the world. I started the firm to be of service to plants and emerging ecosystems I deeply believe in, and communities I am deeply connected to.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Clark Howell LLP is a women-owned and steered cannabis and psychedelic law firm. We handle corporate, regulatory, supply chain, commercial real estate, and hemp & hemp products. We work with start-ups, healers, brands & operators, investors, and ancillary service providers. We’ve been actively involved in drug policy reform and social change since day one. Advising clients in emerging ecosystems is hard work and requires agility, diligence, and a deep level of dedication. Even when there appears to be chaos and challenge – with the seemingly ever-changing laws and the need for constant legal analysis and legislative engagement – we are solid and our advice is solid because we are always connected to our ethos as a firm and our commitment to our service role as legal advisors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would hit all the most delicious vegan-friendly spots, and get a million snacks at Erewhon. We would hike the Backbone Trail, visit the Chumash caves, and sun in Pirates Cove in Malibu.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Abby Abinanti, Chief Judge of the Yurok Tribe. Judge Abinanti was the first California native to become a member of the State Bar, she’s a tribal court judge, and she also served as a San Francisco Superior Court Commissioner for 20 years. I met Judge Abinanti while I was attending Berkeley Law School and working at California Indian Legal Services. She was incredibly kind and supportive personally and professionally and swore me in to the State Bar with immense guidance.

Website: www.clarkhowell.com