Ian A. Stewart

Ian Stewart (Partner-Los Angeles, CA) was quoted extensively in “Cannabis Industry Has Bumper Crop of Coverage Options,” an article that appeared in the August 29, 2023, posting of Law360 | Insurance Authority. The cannabis industry's growth has spurred more underwriters to calculate risks and create policies for growers, processors, manufacturers and retailers, experts say, but there are gaps in currently available coverage that must continue to evolve. "I think there's very little coverage available in the industry right now for big toxic spills of cannabis waste or violations of the California Environmental Quality Act," said Ian. "That's an area that I know the industry has exposure, particularly growers, but it's an area where they're definitely underinsured." Much like common commercial general liability policies, he pointed out, policies available to cannabis growers usually include pollution exclusions that bar coverage for occurrences caused by discharges, emissions or spills of hazardous substances.