In a watershed moment for cannabis accountability, the nation’s largest trial lawyer association has officially launched a dedicated litigation group targeting harmful practices in the marijuana industry. The American Association for Justice (AAJ) announced the formation of the Cannabis Injury Litigation Group on April 15, thereby marking a significant victory for advocacy organisations that have long fought for legal accountability in the rapidly expanding cannabis market.

Moreover, the new coalition unites attorneys nationwide who are litigating—or preparing to litigate—cases involving injuries from high-potency cannabis products and marketing strategies allegedly targeting youth. This development, in turn, represents the culmination of years of advocacy work by Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana (AALM) and its legal education arm, Cannabis Industry Victims Educating Litigators (CIVEL).

“This is the culmination of years of effort to bring legal accountability to an industry that has operated with minimal oversight,” said Scott Chipman, Vice President of AALM. “As cannabis legalisation has swept across states, we’ve witnessed an explosion of high-potency products and marketing practices that have caused serious harm, particularly to young people.”

According to the AAJ, the cannabis industry is racing to dominate market share before regulators implement meaningful rules, producing products with THC concentrations as high as 100%. The association cites particular concern about “bright packaging, flavors, and names intended to be attractive to young adults,” which they link to “a new epidemic of cannabis-related injuries.”

The litigation group plans to address cannabis-induced psychosis, which the AAJ describes as “a severe and potentially devastating lifelong injury.”

Cannabis Injury Litigation Group: Legal Landscape Shifts

CIVEL, established in 2018, has been steadily laying the groundwork for such legal action through a combination of educational webinars, legal guides, and direct participation in litigation. Furthermore, Dave Evans, Senior Counsel for CIVEL, emphasised the importance of the new coalition, stating, “The formation of this litigation group signals that the legal profession recognises the legitimate claims of those harmed by cannabis products and is, therefore, prepared to hold manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accountable.”

The Cannabis Injury Litigation Group will share resources, scientific research, court orders, and legal strategies across state lines to strengthen cases against cannabis-industry defendants. This coordinated approach mirrors successful litigation models used against other industries, such as tobacco and opioids.

For victims and their families, it offers a pathway to possible compensation and justice. Attorneys interested in joining the effort can find resources at www.civel.org or through the AAJ’s dedicated portal.