Overview
With over two decades of experience in highly regulated industries, James Ickes is a Partner Frantz Ward’s Cannabis Practice Group, bringing extensive knowledge in data privacy, cybersecurity, and cannabis law. He guides clients through all stages of litigation, from investigation to trial and appeal.
Jim has significant experience managing cybersecurity incidents and data breach responses, including regulatory investigations and litigation, and counseling clients in cyber risk mitigation. He leverages deep relationships with digital forensics experts and a deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks to develop individualized client defenses.
As a certified Healthcare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP), Jim develops HIPAA compliance programs for clients navigating the legal and regulatory complexities of the healthcare and medical cannabis sectors. He has led the design and implementation of comprehensive HIPAA programs for both public health departments and private medical practices.
Jim is also a frequent speaker at national cannabis industry events and was previously the host of Going Global, a podcast by Global Cannabis Times exploring international cannabis trends. He has advised a foreign government on the development of its national medical cannabis program and is regularly quoted in media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal. He writes a monthly column for the Toledo Free Press, offering insight into cannabis policy and business developments nationwide.
In addition to his legal practice, Jim co-founded and led a licensed hemp processing company in Ohio, overseeing all legal, regulatory and commercial aspects of launching innovative consumer cannabis products.
Representative Experience
- Assisted a national hemp beverage bottling company in obtaining the first dual-use bottling and hemp processing license issued in Ohio.
- Guided a national meat-packing company and other businesses through ransomware response efforts, including legal and regulatory aspects of a cyberattack impacting over 50,000 employees and customers.
- Represented a dispensary owner in a complex dispute, resulting in a seven-figure recovery.
- Serves as outside general counsel to several cannabis beverage brands, advising on regulatory compliance, licensing, intellectual property, and commercial partnerships.
- Built HIPAA compliance programs for small and mid-sized health care practices and public health departments, including program design, training, documentation, and regulatory response protocols.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2000
- Ohio University, B.S., summa cum laude, 1997
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- State of Missouri
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Cannabis Beverage Association, Board Member (2024 – Present)
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Akron Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
- Portage County Bar Association, Former President (2010 – 2011)
Community Involvement
- Hiram College, Adjunct Professor of Business Law (2009 – 2010, 2012)
Awards & Honors
- Recognized by Community Legal Aid as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (2007)
Publications
- “Cannabis Reform in Modern America,” Toledo Free Press (May 2025)
- “MAGAjuana: Ohio’s HB 160,” Toledo Free Press (March 2025)
- “Ohio SB 56 Passed by the Senate,” Toledo Free Press (March 2025)
- “’MAGAjuana’ a Bipartisan Achievement,” Reefer Rationalist, Toledo Free Press (December 2024)
- “Adult Cannabis Use Now Legal,” Reefer Rationalist, Toledo Free Press (August 2024)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Building Your Brand in the Maryland Market Amid Restrictions,” Moderator, Cannabis Connect – Maryland Edition (May 2025)
- “Building Your Cannabis Brand Amid Marketing Restrictions,” Moderator, Cannabis Connect – Ohio Edition (February 2025)
- “Building Your Cannabis Brand in Missouri and Beyond,” Moderator, Cannabis Connect – Missouri Edition (February 2025)
- “Ohio’s Cannabis Industry,” Guest, Behind the Byline (March 2025)
- “Discussing SB 56 And Its Threat to Ohio’s New Adult-Use Cannabis Industry,” Speaker, Beard Bros Pharms (March 2025)
- “Cannaployment: Labor Department Rules & Independent Contractor Status,” Moderator, Zuber Lawler CLE (December 2024)
- “Building Global Cannabis Teams,” Host, Going Global, Global Cannabis Times (November 2024)
- “How Grove Bags is Changing Cannabis Storage with Innovative Packaging,” Host, Going Global,Global Cannabis Times (September 2024)
- “The Future of Cannabis Lounges: Insights from Christopher LaPorte of Reset,” Host, Going Global,Global Cannabis Times (July 2024)
Media Coverage
- Quoted in “Joint Ventures: Greece Cultivates Business Opportunities in Cannabis,” Wall Street Journal (January 2019)
- Regular contributor and columnist, Toledo Free Press, “The Reefer Rationalist” (2024 – Present)
- Featured in Global Cannabis Timesfor multiple podcast episodes and interviews on cannabis lounges, international expansion, and product innovation
- Featured panel moderator at Cannabis Connect events in Ohio, Missouri, Maryland, and Kentucky (2024 – 2025)
- Interviewed by Beard Bros Pharmsand Behind the Byline on cannabis legislation and market strategy
Representative Experience
- Assisted a national hemp beverage bottling company in obtaining the first dual-use bottling and hemp processing license issued in Ohio.
- Guided a national meat-packing company and other businesses through ransomware response efforts, including legal and regulatory aspects of a cyberattack impacting over 50,000 employees and customers.
- Represented a dispensary owner in a complex dispute, resulting in a seven-figure recovery.
- Serves as outside general counsel to several cannabis beverage brands, advising on regulatory compliance, licensing, intellectual property, and commercial partnerships.
- Built HIPAA compliance programs for small and mid-sized health care practices and public health departments, including program design, training, documentation, and regulatory response protocols.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2000
- Ohio University, B.S., summa cum laude, 1997
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- State of Missouri
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Cannabis Beverage Association, Board Member (2024 – Present)
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Akron Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
- Portage County Bar Association, Former President (2010 – 2011)
Community Involvement
- Hiram College, Adjunct Professor of Business Law (2009 – 2010, 2012)
Awards & Honors
- Recognized by Community Legal Aid as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (2007)
Publications
- “Cannabis Reform in Modern America,” Toledo Free Press (May 2025)
- “MAGAjuana: Ohio’s HB 160,” Toledo Free Press (March 2025)
- “Ohio SB 56 Passed by the Senate,” Toledo Free Press (March 2025)
- “’MAGAjuana’ a Bipartisan Achievement,” Reefer Rationalist, Toledo Free Press (December 2024)
- “Adult Cannabis Use Now Legal,” Reefer Rationalist, Toledo Free Press (August 2024)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Building Your Brand in the Maryland Market Amid Restrictions,” Moderator, Cannabis Connect – Maryland Edition (May 2025)
- “Building Your Cannabis Brand Amid Marketing Restrictions,” Moderator, Cannabis Connect – Ohio Edition (February 2025)
- “Building Your Cannabis Brand in Missouri and Beyond,” Moderator, Cannabis Connect – Missouri Edition (February 2025)
- “Ohio’s Cannabis Industry,” Guest, Behind the Byline (March 2025)
- “Discussing SB 56 And Its Threat to Ohio’s New Adult-Use Cannabis Industry,” Speaker, Beard Bros Pharms (March 2025)
- “Cannaployment: Labor Department Rules & Independent Contractor Status,” Moderator, Zuber Lawler CLE (December 2024)
- “Building Global Cannabis Teams,” Host, Going Global, Global Cannabis Times (November 2024)
- “How Grove Bags is Changing Cannabis Storage with Innovative Packaging,” Host, Going Global,Global Cannabis Times (September 2024)
- “The Future of Cannabis Lounges: Insights from Christopher LaPorte of Reset,” Host, Going Global,Global Cannabis Times (July 2024)
Media Coverage
- Quoted in “Joint Ventures: Greece Cultivates Business Opportunities in Cannabis,” Wall Street Journal (January 2019)
- Regular contributor and columnist, Toledo Free Press, “The Reefer Rationalist” (2024 – Present)
- Featured in Global Cannabis Timesfor multiple podcast episodes and interviews on cannabis lounges, international expansion, and product innovation
- Featured panel moderator at Cannabis Connect events in Ohio, Missouri, Maryland, and Kentucky (2024 – 2025)
- Interviewed by Beard Bros Pharmsand Behind the Byline on cannabis legislation and market strategy
