Mariana is the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Law partner at Pérez Correa González. Her work goes beyond traditional legal counsel: she is a market strategist with over a decade of experience helping domestic and international companies open businesses, build alliances, and operate successfully in Mexico’s most regulated industries.
Her practice covers pharmaceutical and regulatory law, cannabis, cosmetics, food and beverage, consumer protection, and corporate law. She has represented clients before the Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) and the Federal Attorney for Consumer Protection (PROFECO), and has led the negotiation of specialized contracts in distribution, storage, bioequivalence, and pharmacovigilance.
Mariana combines deep technical knowledge of Mexico’s regulatory framework with a clear business vision — making her a true bridge between companies seeking to enter the market and the authorities, investors, and strategic partners that make that entry possible.
Before joining Pérez Correa González, she founded MLA Legal and Consulting Boutique, a boutique firm specializing in emerging industries, and developed her practice at Santamarina + Steta. She is an active member of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) and co-founder of the AMENIC (Mexican Association for the Normalization, Research and Legalization of Cannabis.
MARIANA LARREA
PARTNER
Mariana is the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Law partner at Pérez Correa González. Her work goes beyond traditional legal counsel: she is a market strategist with over a decade of experience helping domestic and international companies open businesses, build alliances, and operate successfully in Mexico’s most regulated industries.
Her practice covers pharmaceutical and regulatory law, cannabis, cosmetics, food and beverage, consumer protection, and corporate law. She has represented clients before the Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) and the Federal Attorney for Consumer Protection (PROFECO), and has led the negotiation of specialized contracts in distribution, storage, bioequivalence, and pharmacovigilance.
Mariana combines deep technical knowledge of Mexico’s regulatory framework with a clear business vision — making her a true bridge between companies seeking to enter the market and the authorities, investors, and strategic partners that make that entry possible.
Before joining Pérez Correa González, she founded MLA Legal and Consulting Boutique, a boutique firm specializing in emerging industries, and developed her practice at Santamarina + Steta. She is an active member of the International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) and co-founder of the AMENIC (Mexican Association for the Normalization, Research and Legalization of Cannabis.
PRACTICE AREAS
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive market entry strategy for a foreign pharmaceutical company that identified Mexico as its next market for expansion in Latin America: from incorporating the Mexican entity and structuring the distribution and warehousing contracts to managing administrative procedures with federal health authorities. He negotiated commercial agreements with local partners, advised on the regulatory classification of products, and supported the client at every stage of the process through to the commercial launch.
- Defended a food company facing an administrative proceeding initiated by PROFECO stemming from allegations regarding its labeling and advertising. He identified the applicable regulatory arguments and developed a strategy that combined legal defense with a preventive restructuring of the labeling in accordance with current NOM regulations.
- Designed a comprehensive regulatory roadmap for the entry into the Mexican market of a European cosmetics brand with a presence in more than 20 countries, managed the notifications and registrations with COFEPRIS, and advised on adapting the labeling to Mexican regulations without compromising the brand identity established by the company in other markets.
- Advised on the formation and structuring of a strategic alliance for a foreign company in Mexico. He structured the alliance’s corporate model, negotiated the governance, profit-sharing, and dispute resolution agreements, and oversaw the incorporation of the Mexican company.
- Conducted a comprehensive assessment for an artisanal producer of alcoholic beverages seeking to scale its operations nationwide. He identified areas of noncompliance and designed a compliance plan that enabled the company to resolve its issues with the authorities and, at the same time, structure the distribution contracts necessary for its expansion.
- Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Law, with a concentration in Energy Law
Boston University School of Law, United States, 2016 - Energy Law Certificate Program, jointly offered by the Mexican Bar Association (Barra Mexicana, Colegio de Abogados, A.C.) and the Mexican Academy of Energy Law (Academia Mexicana de Derecho Energético), Mexico, 2013
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Graduated with Academic Honors, Universidad Iberoamericana León, Mexico, 2005
- Professor of Regulatory Law and Cannabis — Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Professor of Regulatory Law and Cannabis — Escuela Libre de Derecho
- Professor of Regulatory Law and Cannabis — Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, UNAM
- International speaker — IBA Annual Conference, International Cannabis Business Conference (Berlin), Cannabis Summit, ExpoMedeweed, CannabiSalud Business & Investment Summit, Cannatlan, HEMPresarios and IIJ-UNAM seminars
## PRENSA INTERNACIONAL
– **National Law Review** (julio 2026)
*Mariana Larrea Arias Expands Legal and Regulatory Advisory Work for Companies Operating in Mexico*
https://natlawreview.com/press-releases/mariana-larrea-arias-expands-legal-and-regulatory-advisory-work-companies
– **EIN Presswire** (julio 2026)
*Mariana Larrea Arias Expands Legal and Regulatory Advisory Work for Companies Operating in Mexico*
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/923707689/mariana-larrea-arias-expands-legal-and-regulatory-advisory-work-for-companies-operating-in-mexico
– **EIN Presswire** (julio 2026)
*MLA Legal and Consulting Boutique Issues Market-Entry Guidance for Companies Entering Mexico’s Regulated Sectors*
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/923708977/mla-legal-and-consulting-boutique-issues-market-entry-guidance-for-companies-entering-mexico-s-regulated-sectors
—
## PRENSA NACIONAL
– **Forbes México** (mayo 2021)
*Lanzan evento para interesados en invertir en la industria del cannabis*
Citada como experta legal en materia de salud y regulación sanitaria.
Lanzan evento para interesados en invertir en la industria del cannabis
– **Expansión** (noviembre 2021)
*El giro que necesita la regulación para que México gane con el boom del cannabis*
Mariana es citada extensamente sobre la regulación del cáñamo y el Artículo 234 de la Ley General de Salud.
https://expansion.mx/empresas/2021/11/22/el-giro-que-necesita-la-regulacion-para-que-mexico-gane-con-el-boom-del-cannabis
– **Milenio** (fecha exacta no disponible)
*En México, empresas recurren a amparos para mercado de cannabis*
Mariana Larrea citada como experta en regulación sanitaria y cannabis (como asociada de Santamarina + Steta).
https://www.milenio.com/negocios/mexico-empresas-recurren-amparos-mercado-cannabis
– **Business Insider México**
*La industria del cannabis en Latinoamérica se agrupa en la RedCann*
Mariana Larrea mencionada como experta en temas legales y regulación sanitaria en evento de RedCann.
https://businessinsider.mx/asociaciones-defensa-potencial-industria-cannabis-latinoamerica-hempresarios/
—
## REVISTAS Y MEDIOS ESPECIALIZADOS
– **Revista mag21 / Entrepreneur México** (diciembre 2021)
*Emprender en la industria de cannabis*
Mariana Larrea citada como asociada de Santamarina-Steta y cofundadora de AMENIC.
– **El Planteo**
*México: Llega HEMPresarios, Evento de Cannabis en CDMX*
https://elplanteo.com/mexico-hempresarios/
– **El Planteo**
*HEMPresarios: México se Destacará en el Nuevo Modelo de Negocios de la Industria del Cannabis a Nivel Global*
https://elplanteo.com/hempresarios-mexico-2021/
– **Industria420**
*Anuncian conferencistas de la segunda edición de HEMPresarios (29 y 30 de septiembre, CDMX)*
Mariana Larrea confirmada como ponente.
https://www.industria420.com/noticias/anuncian-conferencistas-de-la-segunda-edicion-de-hempresarios-que-se-realizara-29-y-30-de-septiembre-en-la-cdmx
– **Periodistas Unidos**
*La industria de la Cannabis en México se reunirá en Hempresarios Vol.2*
La industria de la Cannabis en México se reunirá en Hempresarios Vol.2
– **Thulio**
*Hempresarios: Unidos por una industria cannábica nacional*
– **Cannabis Salud** — Perfil profesional (español e inglés)
https://cannabisalud.com/mariana-larrea-eng/
https://cannabisalud.com/mariana-larrea/
—
## PUBLICACIONES (Santamarina + Steta)
– **Update — Cannabis Industry in Mexico** (mayo 2023)
https://www.santamarinasteta.mx/en/publicaciones-y-eventos/updates/industria-de-la-cannabis-en-mexico/
Update — SCJN approves possession of more than 5 grams of cannabis (mayo 2022) https://www.santamarinasteta.mx/en/publicaciones-y-eventos/updates/scjn-aprueba-la-pose
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive market entry strategy for a foreign pharmaceutical company that identified Mexico as its next market for expansion in Latin America: from incorporating the Mexican entity and structuring the distribution and warehousing contracts to managing administrative procedures with federal health authorities. He negotiated commercial agreements with local partners, advised on the regulatory classification of products, and supported the client at every stage of the process through to the commercial launch.
- Defended a food company facing an administrative proceeding initiated by PROFECO stemming from allegations regarding its labeling and advertising. He identified the applicable regulatory arguments and developed a strategy that combined legal defense with a preventive restructuring of the labeling in accordance with current NOM regulations.
- Designed a comprehensive regulatory roadmap for the entry into the Mexican market of a European cosmetics brand with a presence in more than 20 countries, managed the notifications and registrations with COFEPRIS, and advised on adapting the labeling to Mexican regulations without compromising the brand identity established by the company in other markets.
- Advised on the formation and structuring of a strategic alliance for a foreign company in Mexico. He structured the alliance’s corporate model, negotiated the governance, profit-sharing, and dispute resolution agreements, and oversaw the incorporation of the Mexican company.
- Conducted a comprehensive assessment for an artisanal producer of alcoholic beverages seeking to scale its operations nationwide. He identified areas of noncompliance and designed a compliance plan that enabled the company to resolve its issues with the authorities and, at the same time, structure the distribution contracts necessary for its expansion.
- Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Law, with a concentration in Energy Law
Boston University School of Law, United States, 2016 - Energy Law Certificate Program, jointly offered by the Mexican Bar Association (Barra Mexicana, Colegio de Abogados, A.C.) and the Mexican Academy of Energy Law (Academia Mexicana de Derecho Energético), Mexico, 2013
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Graduated with Academic Honors, Universidad Iberoamericana León, Mexico, 2005
- Professor of Regulatory Law and Cannabis — Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Professor of Regulatory Law and Cannabis — Escuela Libre de Derecho
- Professor of Regulatory Law and Cannabis — Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, UNAM
- International speaker — IBA Annual Conference, International Cannabis Business Conference (Berlin), Cannabis Summit, ExpoMedeweed, CannabiSalud Business & Investment Summit, Cannatlan, HEMPresarios and IIJ-UNAM seminars
## PRENSA INTERNACIONAL
– **National Law Review** (julio 2026)
*Mariana Larrea Arias Expands Legal and Regulatory Advisory Work for Companies Operating in Mexico*
https://natlawreview.com/press-releases/mariana-larrea-arias-expands-legal-and-regulatory-advisory-work-companies
– **EIN Presswire** (julio 2026)
*Mariana Larrea Arias Expands Legal and Regulatory Advisory Work for Companies Operating in Mexico*
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/923707689/mariana-larrea-arias-expands-legal-and-regulatory-advisory-work-for-companies-operating-in-mexico
– **EIN Presswire** (julio 2026)
*MLA Legal and Consulting Boutique Issues Market-Entry Guidance for Companies Entering Mexico’s Regulated Sectors*
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/923708977/mla-legal-and-consulting-boutique-issues-market-entry-guidance-for-companies-entering-mexico-s-regulated-sectors
—
## PRENSA NACIONAL
– **Forbes México** (mayo 2021)
*Lanzan evento para interesados en invertir en la industria del cannabis*
Citada como experta legal en materia de salud y regulación sanitaria.
Lanzan evento para interesados en invertir en la industria del cannabis
– **Expansión** (noviembre 2021)
*El giro que necesita la regulación para que México gane con el boom del cannabis*
Mariana es citada extensamente sobre la regulación del cáñamo y el Artículo 234 de la Ley General de Salud.
https://expansion.mx/empresas/2021/11/22/el-giro-que-necesita-la-regulacion-para-que-mexico-gane-con-el-boom-del-cannabis
– **Milenio** (fecha exacta no disponible)
*En México, empresas recurren a amparos para mercado de cannabis*
Mariana Larrea citada como experta en regulación sanitaria y cannabis (como asociada de Santamarina + Steta).
https://www.milenio.com/negocios/mexico-empresas-recurren-amparos-mercado-cannabis
– **Business Insider México**
*La industria del cannabis en Latinoamérica se agrupa en la RedCann*
Mariana Larrea mencionada como experta en temas legales y regulación sanitaria en evento de RedCann.
https://businessinsider.mx/asociaciones-defensa-potencial-industria-cannabis-latinoamerica-hempresarios/
—
## REVISTAS Y MEDIOS ESPECIALIZADOS
– **Revista mag21 / Entrepreneur México** (diciembre 2021)
*Emprender en la industria de cannabis*
Mariana Larrea citada como asociada de Santamarina-Steta y cofundadora de AMENIC.
– **El Planteo**
*México: Llega HEMPresarios, Evento de Cannabis en CDMX*
https://elplanteo.com/mexico-hempresarios/
– **El Planteo**
*HEMPresarios: México se Destacará en el Nuevo Modelo de Negocios de la Industria del Cannabis a Nivel Global*
https://elplanteo.com/hempresarios-mexico-2021/
– **Industria420**
*Anuncian conferencistas de la segunda edición de HEMPresarios (29 y 30 de septiembre, CDMX)*
Mariana Larrea confirmada como ponente.
https://www.industria420.com/noticias/anuncian-conferencistas-de-la-segunda-edicion-de-hempresarios-que-se-realizara-29-y-30-de-septiembre-en-la-cdmx
– **Periodistas Unidos**
*La industria de la Cannabis en México se reunirá en Hempresarios Vol.2*
La industria de la Cannabis en México se reunirá en Hempresarios Vol.2
– **Thulio**
*Hempresarios: Unidos por una industria cannábica nacional*
– **Cannabis Salud** — Perfil profesional (español e inglés)
https://cannabisalud.com/mariana-larrea-eng/
https://cannabisalud.com/mariana-larrea/
—
## PUBLICACIONES (Santamarina + Steta)
– **Update — Cannabis Industry in Mexico** (mayo 2023)
https://www.santamarinasteta.mx/en/publicaciones-y-eventos/updates/industria-de-la-cannabis-en-mexico/
Update — SCJN approves possession of more than 5 grams of cannabis (mayo 2022) https://www.santamarinasteta.mx/en/publicaciones-y-eventos/updates/scjn-aprueba-la-pose
PRACTICE AREAS