General Counsel, Zach Drivon is a licensed Attorney focused primarily on California Commercial Cannabis Business regulation, licensing and compliance. Drivon has served as a prominent advocate for implementation of local commercial cannabis regulations across the San Joaquin Valley over the last two years, having met and conferred with elected officials and government staff members from numerous jurisdictions throughout the Central Valley including San Joaquin County, City of Stockton, Stanislaus County, City of Oakdale, City of Patterson, City of Atwater, City of Merced and others.
Drivon Consulting provides critical policy analysis, guidance, as well as technical and administrative support for industry members and entrepreneurs navigating local and State permitting processes’ and compliance with cannabis business regulation. Drivon spearheaded local policy reform efforts, and initial license applications for several clients pioneering the cannabis space, leading to the procurement of some of the first Conditional Use Permits and Development Agreements for the operation of commercial cannabis cultivation facilities in the City of Stockton, City of Modesto City of Atwater, City of Waterford, Stanislaus County, and San Joaquin County, in addition to permits approved in other locales.
Drivon Consulting currently maintains oversight and advises on issues related to the compliance of over 35(?) provisional commercial cannabis licenses obtained on behalf of clients following application submittal, and issuance by Bureau of Cannabis Control, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and California Department of Health, now consolidated into the Department of Cannabis Control. The firm has been fortunate to have worked with some of the most prominent legacy cannabis operators in their successful transition into the commercial sector, continuing to protect and advance their interests along with those of traditional business operators entering the Cannabis space.
Clare Simpson
COO & Brand Manager
Clare is an operations professional who came to Drivon Consulting with a background in business development, consulting and marketing. She is a project manager at her core, believing efficiency and planning are the key to success.
Julia Hayhurst
Administrative Director
Julia is a San Joaquin Valley local and long-time resident of Lodi. As an experienced project manager, she brings excellent administrative and organizational skills to the office. She received her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Humphreys College and studied Art and Graphic Design at U.C. Santa Cruz. While residing in the Bay Area she spent 12-years working in the corporate legal, marketing, and engineering departments of Sun Microsystems.
Zach Drivon
Principal Attorney & CEO
Zach has been an advocate for the adoption of business friendly commercial cannabis policies across California’s San Joaquin Valley over the last five years. During this time more than a dozen local municipalities have moved forward in regulating the industry.
Admitted to California’s State Bar in 2013, prior to founding Drivon Consulting, Zach protected the constitutional rights of clients in serving as an Attorney in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury cases.
Meet Drivon Consulting
More About Our Principal Attorney,
Zach Drivon
Current Profession - Cannabis Policy Reform, Licensing and Compliance Attorney/Consultant
Business: Drivon Consulting
Title: Owner
From: 7/2016 To Present
Location: 2904 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204
Professional Licenses and Certificates:
1) Admitted to California State Bar 12/15/13
2) Juris Doctorate Degree received on 05/25/2013
Associated Organizations:
1) Laurence Drivon School of Law Student Bar Association Social Chair, Vice President, President (From 08/2009 to 12/2012)
2) San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Member (12/2016 to Present)
3) Stockton Rotary, Member (01/2017 to Present)
Prior Experience:
Admitted to the State Bar in 2013, Drivon has handled hundreds of legal matters in criminal practice and is intimately acquainted with the legal complexities and associated dynamics of medical cannabis operations, both in his current and former roles as a consultant and advocate.
In June of 2016 Drivon shifted to focus exclusively on cannabis policy reform advocacy in the City of Stockton, California. After consulting with members of council and city staff, a reformed ballot initiative-ordinance with an open application process for prospective operators, identified as 'Measure P' was submitted to Stockton Voters on the November 2016 Ballot. Drivon subsequently formed a coalition of cannabis industry members to support the 'Vote Measure P' Campaign. Serving as the spokesperson of the campaign, the coalition oversaw the passage of 'Measure P' and the creation of two (4) additional dispensary operators permits and four (4) indoor cultivation operators permits for the operation of such commercial cannabis facilities in The City of Stockton.
Following the preparation and submittal of an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate a 22,000 square foot indoor commercial cannabis cultivation facility, Drivon client, Jampet Group, Inc. was approved for the CUP on June 22, 2017. This was the first commercial cannabis cultivation permit through a public process in the Central Valley Region of California.
For over two years Drivon has conferred with members of local law enforcement, local judiciary, as well as local government staff and elected officials on behalf of clients across the San Joaquin Valley Region.
Facilitating collaboration between local and state government officials and existing operators seeking state licenses, an integral component of regulatory development, licensing and compliance is the focus of Drivon Consulting's practice. Consultation with local officials across the Central Valley region as well as with operators seeking local and state licenses has provided Drivon with the necessary expertise to effectively facilitate this collaboration. This collaboration has included hosting tours of cannabis facilities for government officials and staff to aid in the development of local regulatory standards and best practices for the cannabis industry.
Drivon possesses proven experience in the assembly of commercial cannabis facility floor plans, site plans, neighborhood context maps, security and lighting plans, as well as security and operations protocols for the operation of commercial cannabis facilities. Drivon's expertise and understanding of the concerns of local government officials and industry members regarding the implementation of MAUCRSA and related legal issues adds unique value to cannabis industry members represented by Drivon Consulting.
References:
1) Armando Villapudua, Attorney
Law Offices of Armando Villapudua
2431 W March Ln. #220 Stockton, CA 95207
Tel. (209) 292-2628 e. avlaw@ymail.com
2) Tai Bogan, Attorney
The Bogan Law Firm
615 13th Street Suite A, Modesto 95354
Tel. (209) 565-3425 e. tai@theboganlawfirm.com
3) Todd Turner, Deputy District Attorney
San Joaquin County
222 E Weber Ave #202, Stockton, CA 95202
Tel. (209) 468-2400 e. spudstt@gmail.com
Gennifer Terrones
Paralegal
Gennifer Terrones is a Humphreys graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in legal studies. She is a Certified Paralegal with experience in Criminal Law and Family Law. She is driven to provide exceptional service to our clients. When she is not in the office, she is with her two amazing children.
Debora Villalvazo
Licensing Manager
Debora Villalvazo is a UC Merced Alumna who received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in American Politics and Pre-Law coupled with a minor in Economics. Debora has worked in local government as an Administrative Assistant for a County Board Supervisor. She brings years of management, professional development, community relations, and research experience to Drivon Consulting. Debora is a cannabis advocate at heart, excited for the positive changes to come on all levels of government.