Olivia Ewenike

Expertise in all areas of cannabis law

I am an attorney specializing in cannabis law, regulatory structuring and compliance in a market that is changing faster than any other area of law.

I advise companies, founders and investors at the interface of law, business and politics – where innovation meets regulation.

My work covers the entire cannabis and industrial hemp value chain: from market entry of international companies to licensing and regulatory support of cultivation associations to support in the development of compliance standards according to EU GMP, GACP and GDP.

As an entrepreneur and co-founder of two cannabis companies, I know the operational reality of my clients. My advice is not based on theory, but on an understanding of what it means to build a regulated business, to bear responsibility and to take advantage of opportunities at the same time.

Internationally, I have been a speaker and industry expert at leading conferences including Cannabis Europe (London), Asian International Hemp Expo, Japan International Hemp Expo, CB Club Berlin, C-Days Barcelona, Cannabis Business Conference Berlin and Cannafest Prague. In 2025 I was also a judge for the Business of Cannabis Awards (London) for Innovation & Innovator of the year.

In my speeches and publications – including on Forbes.com – I talk about regulatory developments, market opportunities and navigating regulatory requirements in a growing global industry.

My goal is clear: to help shape a diverse and professional cannabis market; one that creates international access and gives all players a seat at the table.

My academic career

Legal training

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

University of Regensburg - 09/23 - 12/24

Deepening my expertise in the area of compliance with my own focus on cannabis-specific companies.

2nd state examination in law

Munich Higher Regional Court - 2016-2018

Practical training as a fully qualified lawyer with stages in various areas, including court and public prosecutor's office.

1st state examination in law

University of Heidelberg - 2011-2016

Studied law with a focus on criminology and white-collar crime. Profound scientific analysis of criminal law topics.

My professional career

Lawyer - Self-employed

Law firm Ewenike

Munich | February 2023 - today

Founding of my own law firm with a special focus on cannabis law (regulatory and compliance) and criminal defense. My focus is on supporting companies and cannabis clubs in positioning themselves in the German cannabis market with legal certainty and defending criminal law cases with a strategic approach.

Focal points:
  • Regulatory advice for cannabis and industrial hemp companies
  • Licensing and registration procedures for Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC) and cannabis companies
  • Criminal defense in narcotics and cannabis criminal law

Lawyer

Pfordte Bosbach Attorneys at Law PartGmbB

Munich, Bavaria | August 2020 - February 2023 (2 years 7 months)

Practice as a lawyer specializing in criminal law and commercial criminal law. Representation of clients in complex criminal proceedings and development of defense strategies.




Lawyer

BIRKENMAIER & OBSER Attorneys at Law

January 2019 - April 2020 (1 year 4 months)

Legal practice with a focus on commercial/tax criminal law and tax law




Research assistant

DMS Rechtsanwälte Duchon, Meißner, Schütrumpf PartGmbB

Munich | February 2017 - February 2018 (1 year 1 month)

Memberships

Supervised projects & cases

My expertise

Support for over 100 growers' associations

Support with formation, registration, application documents and official procedures for obtaining a cultivation permit; development of compliance processes and compliance advice on operational procedures.

Regulatory support for several leading telemedicine platforms

Advice on compliance structures, advertising law and implementation of regulatory requirements in the medical cannabis sector.

Advice for two
Grow Hub projects

Regulatory, organizational and compliance-related support for two large-scale indoor cultivation projects.

Regulatory advice for numerous CBD retailers

Examination of the marketability of various CBD products, establishment of legally compliant compliance and distribution structures.

Legal advice on propagation material

Assessment of marketability, documentation requirements and classification according to European and national law.

Criminal defense in the "Wirecard" economic complex

Defense of a company in the context of one of the most significant white-collar criminal proceedings of the recent past.

Advice to a bank board member
in the cum-ex proceedings

Legal and strategic defense in the context of a large-scale tax and commercial criminal investigation.

How do people know me?

Part of...

8 Videos

Client testimonials

What my clients say about my work

Trust is the basis of every successful legal collaboration. My clients appreciate the combination of professional expertise, transparency and accurate future analysis.

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