DAVID HOLLAND

David C. Holland, Esq., in addition to being a litigation attorney in New York City, is the Executive and Legal Director of Empire State NORML, the New York State affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). He is also a co-founder and President of the New York City Cannabis Industry Association (NYCCIA) and Vice President of the Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association (HVCIA). 

David spent a dozen years serving Of Counsel to the late Michael Kennedy, Esq., an outspoken criminal defense and civil rights and cannabis advocate. Together, they successfully pursued President Obama with a group clemency petition on behalf of 5 elderly first time offenders serving at least one sentence of life without the possibility of parole for non-violent marijuana related offenses.  During that time, David also provided Counsel to High Times Magazine handling all legal matters.  He is a frequent information source for news media outlets and regular lecturer at many multi-disciplinary legal and media events regarding cannabis related issues.

David has challenged the constitutionality of federal cannabis laws in several legal actions and recently brought a Declaratory Judgment action against the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services on behalf of probationers who are being denied access to medical marijuana under the state’s Compassionate Care Act.  He is engaged with activist groups in New York State seeking to pass adult use cannabis consumption. 

David was admitted in New Jersey (1994), New York (1996), and Maryland (2004).