David C Holland

David C Holland

Prince Lobel Tye LLP
New York, NY

David C Holland is a partner and a member of Prince Lobel Tye LLP's Business Litigation and Cannabis practice groups. He is a highly sought-after civil and criminal litigation attorney who has an extensive background in representing a broad range of stakeholders in the cannabis industry. Mr. Holland 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). Mr. Holland 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). He is also a pro bono legal advisor to Last Prisoner Project (LPP) seeking clemency and habeas corpus relief for prisoners of the Drug War. Previously, Mr. Holland 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 five 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, Mr. Holland 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. Mr. Holland has challenged the constitutionality of federal cannabis laws in several legal actions, submitted amicus curiae briefs to the United States Supreme Court in the case of Washington v. Barr and Musta v. Mendota Heights Dental Ctr., arguing that the Schedule I status of cannabis under federal law is unconstitutional. He has also 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 as well as representing a firefighter who was terminated from the Buffalo Fire Department for his lawful use of medical cannabis. Mr. Holland has been a leading voice in New York's legalized cannabis laws and emerging industry rules and regulations. He was named a Top 100 Attorney of the Year in 2021, and a 2022 Metro New York Super Lawyer. Mr. Holland was admitted to the federal and state courts in New Jersey (1994), New York (1996), and Maryland (2004), as well as the U.S. Supreme Court and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

David C Holland's Courses

  • Marijuana Business Law in New York

    Cannabis Law

    NY Specific

    Credits Available
    Credit Status Total
    Connecticut CLE Approved 6 Total
    New York CLE Approved 7 Total
    Pennsylvania CLE Approved 6 Total
    OnDemand