Cannabis Genetics Expert Witness

I'm a PhD plant scientist working with attorneys, law firms, and legal teams nationwide in cases where the science of cannabis genetics is central to the dispute. My background spans molecular biology, phylogenetics, bioinformatics, and cannabis cultivar intellectual property.

I analyze the data and explain what it does and does not support, in deposition and at trial.

Areas of Expertise

  • Cultivar identity disputes. SNP-based genomic fingerprinting to establish or contest whether two samples share a common genetic identity, with analysis built to hold up under scientific and legal scrutiny.

  • IP and patent litigation support. Technical analysis for cases involving cannabis plant patents, breeder's rights, trade secret claims, and cultivar IP disputes, informed by my work as a senior patent analyst in biotechnology and sequence analysis.

  • Genetics-based fraud and misrepresentation. Scientific assessment of claims involving mislabeled genetics, substituted cultivars, or fraudulent strain identity in commercial transactions.

  • Propagation and genetic fidelity disputes. Analysis of genetic fidelity failures and somaclonal variation in commercial nursery and clone operations, including review of testing records and molecular evidence.

Case Types


Cultivar theft and genetic identity disputes. Cannabis patent infringement. Breeder IP and trade secret litigation. Clone and nursery contamination claims. Genetics misrepresentation in commercial transactions. Hemp versus marijuana classification on a genetic basis. Expert rebuttal on competing genomic analyses.

Credentials

  • PhD, Plant Science, Oklahoma State University
  • BS, Botany, Oklahoma State University
  • Postdoctoral research: Michigan State University, Oklahoma State University, and Colorado State University
  • Former Research Scientist III, plant synthetic biology, Colorado State University
  • Former Senior Patent Analyst, Cardinal Intellectual Property
  • Former Plant Geneticist, Blue Forest Farms LLC
  • Published researcher in plant genomics and phylogenetics
  • Retained expert witness in cannabis cultivar litigation

Disclosure and Conflicts

I'm a co-founder and CEO of True Cut, a cannabis genomic identity and IP verification platform. My expert witness work operates independently of it, and I don't serve as an expert in matters where True Cut has a prior or existing client relationship. That separation is deliberate.

I run a conflicts check before every engagement. Request one, along with my CV and fee schedule, through the contact form.

Availability

Available nationwide for retained expert witness engagements, case review, and litigation consulting.

Request a conflicts check and CV