Jason Adelstone Partner

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About Jason

Jason Adelstone, a man with a beard and glasses, sits on stone steps wearing a gray suit and blue striped socks, his hands clasped in quiet contemplation.

Jason Adelstone is a seasoned business lawyer, international policy advisor, and problem solver. Based in Denver, Colorado, he provides domestic and international legal counsel to a diverse clientele, including entrepreneurs, corporations, religious organizations, and federal and international cannabis operators. His practice spans corporate law, international policy, and cannabis regulatory compliance, helping clients navigate the complexities of the global cannabis industry and beyond.

A recognized authority in the U.S. on international drug treaties, Jason has collaborated with legal and policy experts worldwide to address evolving cannabis laws, U.S. and EU regulatory challenges, and treaty obligations. His expertise includes corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, business formation, contract negotiation and drafting, restaurant and franchise law, and state and federal conflicts of law.

Jason’s professional journey is as unique as it is diverse. Before becoming a lawyer, he served as a logistics supervisor for the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and spent 18 years in the restaurant industry, managing both front- and back-of-house operations. These experiences instilled in him a practical, results-driven approach to solving complex legal and regulatory challenges.

He advises clients on a wide range of corporate and regulatory matters, including:

  • Corporate governance and compliance.
  • Mergers, acquisitions, and business restructuring.
  • Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
  • Market entry strategies for U.S. and international operators.
  • International policy reforms, particularly concerning obligations under the three international drug treaties.
  • Cannabis rescheduling and regulatory compliance under the Controlled Substances Act and DEA regulations.

International Legal Strategist

Jason began his legal career as a law clerk for the Onondaga County Attorney’s Office in New York. He earned his Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, and Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University College of Law.

His multifaceted expertise and innovative approach make him an invaluable resource for clients navigating the intricate intersection of law, business, and international policy.

Contact Jason

Fast Facts

Education

  • J.D., Syracuse University, magna cum laude
  • M.B.A., Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
  • B.S., Business Management, Arizona State University

Languages

  • Spanish (Basic)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Colorado State Bar
  • Arizona State Bar
  • New Mexico State Bar

More About Jason

  • DEA Enforcement, Cannabis Rescheduling, and Hemp Regulation, Harris Sliwoski LLP Webinar, October 8, 2026.
  • Rescheduling, Global Politics, & Executive Action, High Spirits: The Cannabis Business Podcast, September 23, 2026.
  • One Plant, One Policy, IgniteIT Spotlight: Colorado, September 18, 2026.
  • Inside the DEA Hearing on Cannabis Rescheduling, INCBA, July 22, 2026.
  • Rescheduling After the Hearing: Separating Headlines from Reality, The Cannabis Brief, July 22, 2026.
  • DEA Marijuana Rescheduling Hearings: What We Learned and What Comes Next, MJBizDaily, July 17, 2026.
  • Beyond Boarders: Cross-Border Opportuniti4es, International Capital Markets, and the U.S. Rescheduling Effect, Cannabis Law Institute 2026, June 17, 2026.
  • Moving Cannabis Across Borders: What It Takes, CannaVision Executive Summit, June 1, 2026.
  • Legal Reality Check: Cannabinoids, Compliance, and Enforcement in a Shifting U.S. Landscape, Industrial Hemp International, March 26, 2026.
  • Sesh 3: Deeply Seeded, CannaGen Webinar, January 22, 2026.
  • U.S. Cannabis Law and Policy in 2026, Harris Sliwoski LLP Webinar, January 15, 2026.
  • Global Cannabis Outlook: Trends, Policy Shifts & Market Opportunities Around the World, MJBizCon, December 3, 2025.
  • Market Access & Import Requirements for Thai Medical Cannabis: Regulatory Updates Across Key Regions, Asia International Hemp Expo & Forum, November 5, 2025.
  • Cannabis Without Borders: Navigating International Opportunities and Regulatory Trends, Harris Sliwoski LLP Webinar, August 28, 2025.
  • The Next Decade of Cannabis: Springboarding Forward from Initial State Regulatory Systems, INCBA Cannabis Law Institute, June 12, 2025
  • Legal paths to Clinical & Spiritual Psychedelic Facilitation, Utah's Annual 2025 Psychedelic Conference, March 7, 2025
  • Cannabis Regulation, EU Drug Law, Trade Rules and the UN Drug Control Treaties, Transnational Institute, June 2024
  • Schedule 3 Implications for the Caribbean Cannabis Industry- A roundtable, Ganjactivist.com Media and Events, May 9, 2024
  • International Cannabis Policy and Regulation – Implications for Public Health, Consumer Safety, and Equity, Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) 2024 External Stakeholder Meeting, June 5, 2024.
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Arizona Bar Association
  • New Mexico Bar Association
  • Colorado Restaurant Association
    • Mile High Chapter Board Member 2025-2026
  • International Cannabis Bar Association
    • Director on the Board 2026-2027

Proven Expertise for Challenging Legal Issues

Logo of Comstock's Magazine with the tagline "Business Insight for California's Capital Region.

The Cannabis Recession Test

Harris Sliwoski in Comstock's Magazine

Harris Sliwoski, an international law firm specializing in the cannabis industry, wrote in April that it was being contacted almost every week by a cannabis company looking for a white-knight investor to bail them out.

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