Elliott Rolfe

Elliott was one of the UK's first cannabis lawyers and played a key role in the development of the county's first dedicated Cannabis Law department in 2019. He quickly became well-known within the industry for his passion and expertise, and broadened the practice to include a pioneering psychedelic medicines advisory, collaborating with some of the leading lights in this exciting area of research.

Using his deep understanding of UK and international drug regulation, he has acted for some of the sector’s largest companies, most innovative start-ups, celebrities and projects.

Elliott has appeared across the media, including BBC World News, The Times and the Lawyer Monthly. He authored the Chambers & Partners global practice guide to Medical Cannabis regulation three years running and has been recognised in multiple legal directories for his expertise. He regularly speaks at conferences, universities, and events.

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Elliott is keenly interested in drug policy reform and regulation and is a supporting community member of the organisation DrugScience – the leading independent scientific body on drugs in the UK.

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Prior to joining the firm, Elliott worked in a regulatory role as a solicitor for major investment banking institution, Credit Suisse, Elliott has a strong background advising on a range of complex legal issues. Before joining the world of banking, Elliott worked as a specialist litigation paralegal at a ‘Magic Circle’ law firm.

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He is part of the firm’s stated intent to be at the forefront of legal developments in medicinal cannabis and other psychoactive substances so that he can provide clients with advice on these emerging areas of law.

Professional Qualifications

• Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

• Certificate in Medical Cannabis from the University of Colorado

Awards and Accreditations

• Chambers & Partners - Author - Medical Cannabis & Psychedelic Medicines Law 2024

• Psychedelic Medicines Lawyer of the Year (ACQ 5 Law Awards) 2020

• Global Law Experts – Recommended in the Medical Cannabis category 2020 - 2024

• Spear’s 500 – Recognised in the Distinguished Individual category 2021, 2022

• Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers (Cannabis Law Report), 2021 - 2024

• Head of Mackrell International Global Cannabis Law Practice Group - 2022 -2024

Publications

• Chambers & Partners - Global Practice Guide - Medical Cannabis 2022 -2024

• Chambers & Partners - Global Practice Guide - Psychedelic Medicines 2024

• Will psychedelics be regulated like cannabis? - New Business

• Chambers & Partners - Medical Cannabis Global Practice Guide

• UK Medical Cannabis & CBD Market - Discussion Paper: 10 Recommendations for Government

• Lawyer Monthly – Medical Cannabis – Where are we now?

• Cannabis Confusion: Wellness vs Medical with Professor Mike Barnes

• Cannabis Legalisation News – Is Cannabis Legal in the UK?

• The Times – “CBD products cannot be sold without safety tests” (Interviewed / quoted)

Recent work

• Advising a psychedelics wellness company on their commercial contracts and international regulatory compliance

• Advising a leading medical cannabis clinic on marketing, prescribing and licencing matters

• Assisting a not-for-profit psychedelic medicines organisation on application to the Charity Commission.

• Advising a prime time television broadcaster on cannabinoid regulation

• Advising a pharmaceutical company in relation to the stagnation of a Schedule 1 Home Office Controlled Drugs Licence.

• Launching a range of CBD skincare and consumable products for a major UK retailer

• Preparing a Schedule 1 Controlled Drug Licence application on behalf of a start-up.

• Advising a psychedelic medicines company in relation to their IP & regulatory approvals strategy, and accelerated approvals routes

• Advising in relation to the set-up and running of a medical cannabis import & distribution operation

• Producing an advice note setting out the regulatory landscape for the manufacture and supply of schedule 1 psychoactive medicines in the UK.

• Advising in relation to the establishment of a clinic looking to provide treatments involving psychoactive substances, in schedule 1 and schedule 2.

• Regulations recently covered: Human Medicines Regulations 2012, Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973, The Medicines (Products for Human Use) (Fees) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/532), The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) (England, Wales and Scotland) Order 2015.