Leading Adviser Awards 2020

Acquisition International - Leading Adviser 2020 7 30 Acquisition International - Issue 11 2020 Contact: Jana Weltzin Company: JDW Counsel Web Address: www.jdwcounsel.com ana Weltzin is a practicing attorney and principal owner of JDW Counsel. Born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, Jana provides representation for her cannabis clientele relating to business structure, permitting/licensing, land use applications and hearings, conditional use permits, investment connections and presentation, regulation compliance, real estate commercial leasing and purchases, operations, and general activism for the cannabis industry. “My founding mission was and still is, to help the little guys,” explains Jana. “The most important foundation for a country’s economy is a strong middle class, and when small to mid-size locally owned businesses get stamped out by large corporations, the middle class gets stamped out right along with the locally owned businesses. “Locally owned businesses provide so many ancillary financial benefits to a community and cultural benefits. We need locally owned businesses to preserve the American way of life – my mission is to fight for my clients’ businesses, to fight for laws and regulations that make my clients’ businesses sustainable and give them a fighting chance of viability for the long term. I am absolutely honored to be part of helping clients bring their dreams into floriation and this still holds true to this day.” JDW Counsel is successful for a number of reasons but, most importantly, it is successful because of the clients that make it all possible. Jana notes: “We strive to be as efficient and resourceful as possible. We also push for changes in regulations and to make this industry the best it can be. JDW Counsel tends to stand out as we are also a woman-owned and operated, boutique-sized, law firm that has achieved incredibly successful outcomes for our clients.” However Jana is also quick to highlight the dedication and work of the team around her as another attribute to JDW Counsel’s ongoing success. “The JDWCounsel Team is the backbone of my company. Everyone contributes and all hands are on deck. It is aligned for excellence and the JDW Counsel team is incredibly committed to the firm’s success, and our clients’ success.” Getting the right fit for the team is of utmost importance and the firm’s approach to recruitment is somewhat unique. Jana describes how it aims to grow for purpose, rather than simply for the sake of growth itself. “At JDW Counsel, we slowly bring in a potential new team member and focus on immersing them in the various issues, honing in on their particular talents and strength. We like to build our team one member at a time – we build slow and steady – we don’t rush to just bring anyone on board. A lot of folks want to get into this area of law. J Based in Anchorage, Alaska, JDW Counsel is a law firm which focuses on businesses that are regulated by liquor, marijuana and hemp laws and regulations. Following Jana Weltzin’s success in Acquisition International’s Leading Advisor 2020, we take a closer look at what makes her the Leading Marijuana Compliance and Regulatory Attorney of the Year, Alaska, as well as the accomplishments her practice JDW Counsel has had over the years. A Future of Growth Sep20900 For example, we recently posted a position for legal assistant for the firm, within a matter of days we got over 40+ applicants. It’s vital to our success that we have the right team – therefore, we carefully and strategically hand pick potential teammates.” Working in such a stringently compliant sector doesn’t come without its challenges, for example the Alaska marijuana tax structure has been difficult for the industry and Jana sheds more light on how the firm deals with such issues. “It’s a weight-based cultivation excise tax – the tax is a flat $800 per each pound of marijuana bud and flower. It’s difficult because this type of tax rate creates an artificial price floor that disproportionately impacts various producers. “Another challenge lately has been the pandemic of Covid-19. All companies are struggling to keep their staff safe and their customers safe. In Alaska, our marijuana and liquor clients have had to reduce occupancy in their facilities, install safety equipment such as plexi-glass dividers. They have had to put markers on their retail floors for six foot markers for folks waiting in que, provide masks, sanitizers, and staggered their employees shifts into groups to avoid whole swatches of their staff from being quarantined all at once if an employee becomes ill. It’s been difficult, but I am proud of how responsible our clients have handled this insane year.” It may not have been plain sailing in 2020, but Jana can foresee a brighter future and will continue on her mission to support the smaller companies. “Our plans are to continue to grow the local businesses in Alaska and beyond. Going forward, we will continue to fight for local business growth and support politicians that see the value in locally owned businesses, and whom will make choices for our communities that will foster an atmosphere that promotes locally owned business’ growth and sustainability.” Leading Marijuana Compliance and Regulatory Attorney of the Year, Alaska