With marijuana still illegal at the federal level, restructuring a cannabis-company financing deal remains a pitfall-laden process. Amid these challenges, boutique firm Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones this week announced its launching a restructuring group focused on cannabis.

Jason Rosell, the partner leading the group, recently spoke with Law.com about why the firm decided to create a specific practice dedicated to cannabis-related issues. Here are excerpts of that conversation, edited for length and clarity.