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David Clifford Holland

David Clifford Holland


Marijuana Law and Criminal Defense Lawyer
Prince Lobel & Tye LLP
New York, NY
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About David Clifford Holland

Attorney Biography

Few attorneys rival David Holland's long standing interest in the criminal justice and legal system. His commitment to that interest has given him the opportunity to experience it from nearly every perspective. David was an independent contractor to federal Pre-Trial Services, a trial assistant to the United States Attorney's Office, SDNY, Judicial intern who authored a leading opinion on state grand jury practice, and was a Prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney's Office as well as representing clients in state and federal civil and criminal proceedings.  David has been specially appointed on many occassions in complex trial matters as defense counsel by the federal court under the Criminal Justice Act.

In those roles, David frequently observed the immense impact of both federal and state cannabis prohibition and was determined to fight for change and legalize cannabis. As Executive Director of the Empire State NORML chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and as the Executive Director of the New York City Cannabis Industry Association (NYCCIA.org) and the Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association (HVCIA.org), David has been an instrumental thought leader and strategist in successfully advocating for legalizing Marijuana.

David devoted a significant part of his practice to reforming marijuana laws when serving for more than a decade as Counsel to High TImes Magazine, he began to engage with veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Purple Heart recipients and wounded combat soldiers  would reach out to him frequently as they lay languishing in VA hospitals, becoming addicted to opioids which their doctors over-prescribed. They put their lives on the line for their country, and the country turned their back on them refusing to permit servicemen and women to use medical marijuana to relieve their suffering in those states that permitted it. Instead they became despondent and suicidal as they risked imminent threat of dishonorable discharge and termination of all medical care for disobedience just to live pain free for even short periods of time. David was inspired by their plight and worked with advocacy groups and legal organizations seeking ways to bring relief in any form they could to those brave souls. 

David led and collaborated on several constitutional challenges to the Schedule I designation of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances Act. He participated in the challenges brought by the Coalition to Reschedule Cannabis v. DEA, Washington v. Barr, and U.S. v. Canori. He is presently engaged in a state based campaign under Article V to amend the United States Constitution to end the federal prohibition of cannabis.  

Experiencing the legal system from all these perspectives and the draconian persecution of the cannabis plant and its consumers, David explored and now frequently lectures on the history of prohibition and the special interests that created it It is a rather shocking history. 

David has rare insights into cannabis law and the cannabis industry over the decades as conversations moved from whispered tones in back rooms to loud debate in corporate board rooms. He represents the bridge between the fast assimilated counter-culture and the rapid trajectory of the expanding cannabis culture which makes him one of the preeminent cannabis industry lawyers and advocates.


Practice Areas

 
Marijuana Law (40%)
 
Criminal Defense (30%)
 
Civil Trial Law (30%)

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Résumé - David Clifford Holland

Bar Licenses

New York State Bar
New York
Member in Good Standing
1996

Maryland State Bar
Maryland
Member in Good Standing
2004

New Jersey State Bar
New Jersey
Member in Good Standing
1994

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Work Experience

Last Prisoner Project
Legal Advisor
2020Present

New York City Cannabis Industry Association
President and co-founder
2019Present

Law Offices of David Clifford Holland P.C.
Principal
2008Present

Empire State NORML
Executive and Legal Director
2008Present

Law Offices of Michael Kennedy P.C.
Of Counsel
20042015

Law Offices of Walter Jennings P.C.
Attorney
20012004

Kings County District Attorney's Office
Assistant District Attorney
19992001

Santangelo, Santangelo & Cohen
Attorney
19941999

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Education

Boston University
Boston University
B.A.
1989

Bard College
Bard College
Visiting Student

New York Law School
New York Law School

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Associations

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Lifetime Member
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
2021

New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member
Federal Bar Association
1994

Member
Association of the Bar of New York City
1994

Member
Sullivan County Bar Association

Member
Empire State NORML

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Commercial Recognitions

Community Leadership badge
Recognized for Community Leadership
Lawyer Legion
2024

Professional Involvement badge
Recognized for Professional Involvement
Lawyer Legion
2024

Reviews - David Clifford Holland

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Attorney Endorsements

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Contact David Clifford Holland

David Clifford Holland
Prince Lobel & Tye LLP
41 Madison Avenue Suite 3100
New York, NY 10010
princelobel.com
Office: 212-842-2480

Secondary Address:
4 Manhattanville Road Suite 106
Purchase, NY 10577

More Information

Nonprofit Organizations

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws NLC -

More than 350 criminal defense attorneys belong to the NORML National Legal Committee (NLC). Members of the NORML NLC include many prominent criminal defense lawyers who are dedicated to ending prohibition of marijuana through education, legal reform and activism. Attorneys focused on other practice areas also belong to the organization.


NLC members are listed on the NORML website, are eligible for the NLC e-mail discussion group, receive the weekly email press release, and NORML News.


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