Jim Thorburn has been an attorney since 1991. He is a founding partner of Thorburn Law Group LLC which has offices in the Denver Tech Center in Colorado.
Jim’s primary background is commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. Prior to entering the cannabis practice, his primary focus was litigation in the real estate and construction fields. Beginning in 2012, Jim began emphasizing cannabis tax controversy law, taking on some of the most notable cannabis tax controversy cases in the nation. This experience made Jim a formidable force in cannabis tax controversy.
Jim was the lead litigating attorney for Alpenglow Botanicals v. United States, 894 F.3d 1187 (10th Cir. 2018) where the Tenth Circuit Court found that exclusion of costs of goods sold from income is constitutional right. Also, Jim had the honor of arguing the Feinberg v. Commissioner, 808 F.3d 813 (10th Cir. 2015) in front of now Justice Neil Gorsuch. The published decision has been described as a “technical loss but an artful win for the cannabis industry.”
Jim is on the forefront of the current federal and state issues affecting dispensaries and works hard to achieve successful outcomes for his clients. Jim works with state and national legislators to effect positive legislative change for the cannabis industry. He helps dispensaries, grow facilities, and other businesses navigate through complex federal legal issues including tax court and IRS audits. In addition to Section 280E issues, Jim also provides general business representation, and helps dispensaries comply with the regulations under state cannabis laws.
Jim, by invitation, speaking to the Ohio Legislature when Ohio was considering the passage of its medical cannabis law
Jim has received national recognition as a lead litigating attorney in the cannabis industry’s high- profile cases. Jim speaks on marijuana legal issues across the country. Jim is a featured expert for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Jim has been featured in CNBC, INC. Magazine, MJ Biz Daily, HBO (Vice News), Denver Post, Law360, Yahoo Finance, National Law Journal, The Cannifornian, and others.
Jim received the coveted 2019 National Law Journal Cannabis Law Trailblazer Award.
Jim is also actively involved in motorsports and is the President of the Rocky Mountain Region Porsche Club of America. PCA is a Porsche enthusiast club with over 120,000 members nationally. Jim is President of the Rocky Mountain Region PCA which is one of the ten largest regions in the United States by membership.