Cecilia Oyediran, Deputy Director, LEL Program at Cornell University School of ILR – Interview Series

Regardless of brand size, just about any business related to cannabis must have some form of legal representation. Luckily for cannabis businesses and those wanting to learn more about working in the massive New York cannabis industry, Cecilia Oyediran, Deputy Director of the Labor and Employment Law Program at Cornell University, is not only just a Stanford Law graduate but has attended some of the most prestigious universities in America and the UK.

I’m pretty sure you’re the first person I’ve interviewed who’s attended multiple Ivy League schools. What subjects did you study while attending Yale, and how do you feel that those subjects prepared you for both a Master’s program at Harvard and then the very prestigious Stanford Law School?

Ha! Well, I just couldn’t get enough student loans, apparently. But seriously, I’m grateful for the experiences, and even more grateful for the people I met along the way. At Yale, I studied History, with a focus on modern American history. The rigor of historical research sharpened my analysis, research, and writing skills, preparing me for Harvard and Stanford’s academic demands.

What types of law did you primarily study while at Stanford? I would imagine the field of cannabis law certainly wasn’t the size that it currently is when you graduated law school, but what subjects from law school eventually became most relevant in your practicing of cannabis law and policy?

At Stanford, while my coursework covered the full spectrum of legal theory and practice, I found myself particularly drawn to courses related to transactional law, legal research and writing, and public policy (PPHC ). These areas might not have screamed “cannabis law” back in 2012, but they laid the groundwork for understanding the multifaceted challenges of an industry emerging from the shadows of prohibition.

What internships did you complete while attending Stanford Law School, and what did those internships entail?

During my time at Stanford, one internship that stands out was my stint at Google on the Products and Agreements Team. I dove into drafting and reviewing inbound agreements, creating and refining contract templates, and even sharpening my skills in legal research. That experience was a real eye-opener—it taught me how to streamline complex legal processes and gave me a taste of working in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Little did I know that those early days would be the prelude to my later adventures in cannabis law.

What student organizations were you involved in during law school (and your undergraduate studies and Master’s program as well)?

During law school, I kept myself plenty busy (probably too busy) with a range of student organizations and initiatives. I served as an Associate Editor for the Stanford Law & Policy Review, Professional Development Chair for the Black Law Students Association, and Mentorship Chair for Women of Stanford Law. I also taught marketing for Project REMADE (helping formerly incarcerated individuals launch businesses), participated in Inns of Court – The William A. Ingram Inn as a Pupil, and volunteered with the Social Security Disability Pro Bono Project. On top of that, I was a participant in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Law School Mentoring Program and served as a Student Liaison for the Black Women Lawyers Association of Northern California. At Harvard, I kept things slightly more low-key (relatively speaking) with a field internship at the Graduate School of Design’s Career Development Office, where I got an inside look at early career development strategies.

During my undergraduate years at Yale, I was a Freshman Counselor and a Board Member of the Black Student Alliance at Yale (BSAY). I also participated in Bulldogs in the Bluegrass, an internship program in Louisville, KY, and spent a year studying abroad at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. Additionally, I was the Leadership Skills Coordinator for POWER NOW, Assistant Producer for the Heritage Theater Ensemble, and worked as a student employee for Yale Summer Session Office and Yale Study Abroad Programs.

Looking back, I’m still not sure how I fit it all in—but I’m grateful for every experience (and every cup of coffee that made it possible).

Prior to entering cannabis law, what fields of law did you originally work in, and what were your regular duties as an attorney in those subjects?

Before entering cannabis law, I worked in corporate law, first in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in oil and gas, and later more general corporate and M&A. I represented private equity firms and large corporations, negotiating deals, drafting contracts, and dealing with regulatory compliance. The M&A work was fast-paced and intense—lots of due diligence, reviewing contracts, and managing negotiations. It was interesting, but I always felt that something was missing. The work was fulfilling in some ways, but I was craving something more dynamic and impactful. Enter cannabis—I saw the cannabis field blooming, and it felt like a more impactful place for me to channel my skills.

How did you transition into cannabis law? What were the first couple of years of working in cannabis law like, especially for a multi-state operator as large as Acreage Holdings?

The transition to cannabis law was both personal and professional for me. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, I learned about the healing benefits of cannabis, which inspired me to refocus my law practice on the industry. Shifting from a law firm environment to an in-house role at Acreage Holdings was a major change—it felt less like stepping into a structured corporate setting and more like moving into a fast-paced startup environment. My role at Acreage involved corporate governance, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, employment law issues, and navigating the complexities of multi-state compliance—no small feat in an industry where regulations vary dramatically from state to state.

When did the Cannabis Law Section of the New York State Bar Association form, and what were your regular duties as the Chair?

The Cannabis Law Section of the New York State Bar Association was established prior to the legalization of adult-use cannabis in New York. Originally a small committee formed in 2017, it has since grown to over 500 active members. As Chair, I facilitated discussions among attorneys in the cannabis law sector, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing as the state’s legal market evolved. I also organized educational events to keep members informed and ensure they were equipped to navigate the changing landscape.

Because social equity is a subject I’ve covered extensively, I wanted to ask about the Cornell University ILR School. What does your role as Deputy Director entail, and how is the school strengthening and expanding social equity opportunities in the New York cannabis industry?

My role as Deputy Director of the Labor and Employment Law Program is all about developing and delivering educational programs that help people navigate the intersection of labor law, cannabis law, and social equity in the workplace. Through the Cannabis Workforce Initiative, the school is strengthening opportunities for social equity by providing free training, resources, and guidance to individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, to help them access and succeed in New York’s cannabis industry, whether as business owners, jobseekers, or employees. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of this initiative, knowing that we’re making real, positive change.

From your very extensive experience as a cannabis attorney, how do you envision a federal rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III changing the New York cannabis industry? Would such a sweeping change be a net positive, a net negative, or a mix of both?

A federal rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III could bring some positive changes to the New York cannabis industry, but it doesn’t fully address the criminal justice implications of cannabis prohibition. On the positive side, rescheduling could provide better access to banking, insurance, and capital, which would allow operators to more easily scale and improve business operations. It may also reduce the tax burdens associated with Section 280E, allowing cannabis businesses to deduct regular business expenses, thereby improving profitability. Additionally, it could potentially open the door for more research on cannabis, fostering innovation and more evidence-based policymaking.

However, while these benefits are significant, the change doesn’t go far enough in addressing the broader criminal justice issues associated with cannabis prohibition. It wouldn’t necessarily lead to the expungement of past federal convictions or prevent future arrests for cannabis-related offenses. To truly make a meaningful impact, federal rescheduling needs to be accompanied by comprehensive reforms that focus on support for communities most harmed by the War on Drugs. Without these, rescheduling alone might not create the systemic change we need in terms of criminal justice.

Thank you for joining us, Cecilia! For more information on the Cornell University ILR School, please visit its website.