Aaron Pelley

Attorney

Aaron Pelley has played an active role in emerging markets for over seventeen years. He helped build the foundation and draft legislation for legal markets and is a leading advocate for emerging markets in multiple states.

His passion for this new realm of practice led to the launch of Cultiva and the formation of a boutique law firm unsurpassed in representing the brave pioneers of emerging markets.

In addition to representing clients and their business interests, Aaron has earned a reputation for effective high profile litigation. His representative cases convey his ability to handle a diversity of complex legal matters. He has also been invited to speak at Legal Education Seminars and Conferences throughout the U.S. and has been repeatedly named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers and a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers. Aaron is personally and professionally passionate about advancing the interests of a legitimate and integrous cannabis industry, establishing and enforcing equitable relationships among business partners, and supporting and promoting the businesses that live on the tip of the spear.

Featured In
  • Leafly
  • New York Times
  • Vice News
  • NBC News
  • Dope Magazine
  • CBS News
  • MG Cannabis Retailer
  • Newsweek
  • Marijuana Venture
Associations
  • National Cannabis Bar Association, Member, 2015 – Present

  • National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Legal Committee Member, 2008 – Present

  • Bar Association, Cannabis Law Section 2018 – Present

  • American Bar Association, Advisory Panel, 2004 – 2009

Contact

Practice Areas

Strategic Counsel
Litigation

Awards

Award Name

Grantor

Date Granted

Global Top 200 Cannabis AttorneysCannabis Law Report2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
Top 100 Trial LawyersThe National Lawyers2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
Super LawyerThomson Reuters Super Lawyer2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
Top Cannabis Trial AttorneysMG Magazine2019
Top LawyerMetropolitan Magazine2017
Rising StarSuper Lawyers2016, 2015, 2014, 2010
Top AttorneyMetropolitan Magazine2014
Pro Bono Publico Service CommendationState Bar Association2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
Certificate for Completion: International Law & PolicySouth Western Law School2005
Willamette University Public Interest Law Fellowship GranteeWillamette University College of Law2004
Speaking Engagements

Conference Name

Title

Date

Litigation Trends and Product LiabilityNational Business Institute2023
Cannabis Regulations: Overview of the State RegulationsCannaLaw Summit2023
Administrative Law Oversight in Cannabis, Conference ForumBellingham Forum Festival2022
State of the US Cannabis Industry, Top 200 Cannabis LawyersCannabis Law Review2022
Cannalaw Summit - Interstate Commerce, Cannalaw Summit, Online CLEInside Practice2022
MyLaw CLE - Cannabis Law Updates, MyLaw CLEFederal CLE2021
The Legalization Landscape | Regulatory Compliance & Licensing, Marijuana Business Law 2021National Business Institute2021
Recreational Marijuana Business Law30 Powerful Cannabis Attorneys You Should Know2019
Marijuana Law – A Comprehensive OverviewHow Did We Get Here? Overview of Initiative I-5022019
K&L Gates EventInvesting in Cannabis2019
Indoor Agricultural ConferenceCannabis Genetics and the Current Legal Landscape2019
National Marijuana Retail & Dispensary ExpoBranding for Retailers in the Cannabis Industry2018
International Cannabis Business ConferenceThe ABCs of CBDs2018
Cannabis Collaborative ConferenceLegal Panel2018
Annual National Paralegal AssociationCBD and Cannabis Laws2018
2018 Willamette Law Review Symposium: US v. Oregon: Examining the Role of Federalism Under the Trump AdministrationMarijuana Law & Federalism2018
Urban Land Institute Spring MeetingThe Legalized Marijuana Industry and its Impact on Industrial Real Estate2017
Seattle CannaConNavigating Cannabis Laws2017
Recreational Marijuana Business LawObtaining a Cannabis Business License2017
MJBA Business BootcampIntellectual Property Litigation2017
Cannabis Grand CruBrand Creation, Differentiation & Leadership2017
Cannabis and Your HealthCannabis Laws2017
3rd Annual Cannabis Collaborative ConferenceDeveloping an Effective Business Strategy2017
Weed Week PDXAdvising Cannabis Business2016
The Third Native American Cannabis ConferenceLegal Hurdles, Managing Risk, Lessons Learning from Others Mistakes, & Protecting your Tribe2016
The Best In Marijuana Design & Packaging 2016Compliance Law Review2016
Recreational Marijuana Business LawObtaining a Cannabis Business License2016
Native American Cannabis ConferenceLegal Hurdles & Managing Risk2016
MJBA Business Boot CampAvoiding the Audit2016
Imperious Cannabis Business ExpoCannabis Applications and Licensing2016
CannaCon (Seattle)Legal Panel (Education & Development)2016
CannaCon (Anchorage)Law & Politics of Cannabis2016
Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (Los Angeles)Community Engagement by Cannabis Companies2016
Cannabis Grand Cru 2016 CFGLegislation Foundry2016
Cannabis Grand Cru (Portland)Brand Creation, Differentiation & Leadership2016
PWC Panel PresentationsClearing the Air: Let’s Talk about Legal Pot & Workers’ Comp2015
Medical & Recreational CannabisCannabis Litigation2015
Federal Law & Marijuana LawsMarijuana Law2015
Benton Franklin County Bar AssociationCase Law Update on Cannabis Law and Litigation2015
WANP Annual Clinical Conference 2014 (Pain Management in Naturopathic Practice)Benefits Outweighing the Risk – Ethics and Legal Pitfalls2014
Canna Business & the Law SeminarChoosing Legal Compliance2014
Legalization ImplicationsCurrent Medical Cannabis Laws2013
The 19th Annual Criminal Justice InstituteUpdates and Critical Issues2012
Q&A session on Medical CannabisLegal Issues for Access Points2012
Hempfest 2012Medical Marijuana2012
Hempfest 2011 (20th Anniversary)Medical Marijuana Law2011
Current Issues in Search & SeizureCriminal Defense Law with Apple2011
Care Medical Group and Training AcademyAdvanced Cannabis Law2011
Cannabis CollegeIntro to Medical Cannabis Law2011
Marijuana Liberation MarchImplication of State v. Fry2010
TruTV’s Best DefenseNavid Haq Trial2008
Publications

Publication Name

Title

Date

MG Magazine 30 Powerful Cannabis Attorneys You Should Know2019
State Bar Association SectionImpacts of Legalized Marijuana on Firearms Rights2015
Bar Association Litigation NewsUp in Smoke? Marijuana Law2013
American Bar Association GP Solo: Law Trends and NewsLaw With An Apple2008

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