JAMES ANTHONY - principal
A leading cannabis attorney and political strategist, James is an expert in legal, regulatory and government affairs matters affecting the cannabis industry.
In 2006, James started his private law practice, which was the first in California to specialize in civil and land-use matters related to cannabis. Backed by his experience as Oakland Deputy City Attorney and steeled by his passion for drug-policy activism, James was singularly suited to the task.
From serving on the Board of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, to having written countless winning applications, James has dedicated his career to the cannabis industry. In his book, The Cannabis Manifesto, Harborside founder and industry icon Steve DeAngelo calls James a "brilliant strategist and steadfast advocate, without whom Harborside might never have been licensed."
James serves on the Board of Directors for CCIA – California Cannabis Industry Association — is a longtime faculty member at Oaksterdam University and, as a practitioner of zen koan meditation since 1980, occasionally teaches at Pacific Zen Institute. His life was forever changed for better with the birth of his daughter in 2000.
DREW M. SANCHEZ - managing attorney
As an experienced civil litigator, business attorney and business owner, Drew has an intimate understanding of the needs of new and established businesses.
Drew was born and raised in the East Bay Area, where he has been practicing law for the past 10 years. After graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law, he began practicing exclusively in civil litigation in the Fruitvale District of Oakland. He then transitioned into a top-tier plaintiff’s firm in San Francisco where he became an accomplished civil litigator. After that, he transitioned to an inside counsel role for a California corporation. After many years working litigation and business law, Drew has a strong grasp of the different risks that businesses face in California and how to best meet them.
Drew teaches at Oaksterdam University on the Legal Faculty. Drew’s specialty is business law, licensing and compliance, and risk management.
Drew lives in Oakland with his family. He grew up speaking Spanish and has been a long-time advocate for the Latino community in Oakland. He stays sane by playing and performing old-time and folk music in the American tradition and brewing his own ale.