Ricardo Geada

I am a regulatory partner advising UK and international businesses on compliance, investigations and market access, with a particular focus on the legal cannabis sector (medical and CBD wellness), vaping and other consumer products. I also have worked on matters pertaining to crypto/digital assets.

My work centres on designing compliant routes to market, navigating regulator scrutiny, and managing risk across the UK, EU and multi‑jurisdictional projects.

Before joining Irwin Mitchell, I led the Regulatory Solutions team at Lawrence Stephens, acting for global cannabis companies and advising on the legality and labelling of e‑cigarettes/e‑liquids, cosmetics, foods and supplements, as well as Home Office licensing for controlled drugs and cultivation.

My public commentary includes articles in The Times on disposable‑vape policy and the legitimate use cases for crypto. I regularly speak and moderate at cannabis industry conferences both here and abroad.

Awards

• Business of Cannabis Awards (shortlisted Business Leader of the Year 2025)
• Legal Week Innovation Awards (2020) – Winner (Marketing Innovation, Cannabis Industry)
• Law Society Excellence Awards (2019) – Shortlisted
• Global Law Experts (2021) – Medical Cannabis Law Team.

Publications

• Co‑author, Chambers Global Practice Guide – Medical Cannabis & Cannabinoid Regulation (UK: Law & Practice) 2021 and 2022
• The Times: Medical Cannabis is legal – if you can get it
• The Times: UK is falling behind the world in legalisation of cannabis
• The Times:  New Vaping laws risk stifling non-nicotine products too
• The Times: crypto’s legitimate use and proportionate regulation (with Asim Arshad)
• Panel speaker, CB Expo Dortmund 2023: Tobacco & Cannabis – Intersecting Journeys and Shared Lessons.
• What’s Your Why Podcast with Professor Mike Barnes and Hannah Deacon 2024
• Panel Speaker, EVO NXT Malaga 2024: Regulation of Cannabis in Europe Update and Outlook / Risks and Chances
• Moderator, ICBC Berlin 2024: (Not) on the Plate – EU’s Dilemma with Cannabinoids and Novel Food.
• Co-author, Thought Leadership Paper in association with SW$ Partners and Artemis Growth Partners: Extracting Opportunities 2024
• Panel Speaker, ICBC Berlin 2025: The High Cost of Compliance
• Speaker, Mary Jane Berlin 2025
• Moderator, Global Cannabis Regulatory Summit 2025 Washington DC
• Co-author, Global Cannabis Regulatory Summit 2025 White Paper (Section: From Policy Idea to Program Implementation: Overcoming Legal Financial, and Political Barrier to Unlock Global Cannabis Reform)