Aaron Pelley
Attorney
Aaron Pelley has played an active role in Cannabis Law for over a decade. He helped build the foundation for legal protections in medical cannabis law and is a leading advocate for the cannabis business.
His passion for this new realm of practice led to the launch of Cultiva and the formation of a boutique law firm unsurpassed in cannabis law.
In addition to representing cannabis 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 Cannabis 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 end of the war on cannabis.
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 Attorneys | Cannabis Law Report | 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 |
| Top 100 Trial Lawyers | The National Lawyers | 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 |
| Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer | 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 |
| Top Cannabis Trial Attorneys | MG Magazine | 2019 |
| Top Lawyer | Metropolitan Magazine | 2017 |
| Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010 |
| Top Attorneys in Washington | Metropolitan Magazine | 2014 |
| Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | State Bar Association | 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 |
| Certificate for Completion: International Law & Policy | South Western Law School | 2005 |
| Willamette University Public Interest Law Fellowship Grantee | Willamette University College of Law | 2004 |
Speaking Engagements
Conference Name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Oversight in Cannabis, Conference Forum | Bellingham Forum Festival | 2022 |
| State of the US Cannabis Industry, Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers | Cannabis Law Review | 2022 |
| Cannalaw Summit - Interstate Commerce, Cannalaw Summit, Online CLE | Inside Practice | 2022 |
| MyLaw CLE - Cannabis Law Updates, MyLaw CLE | Federal CLE | 2021 |
| The Legalization Landscape | Regulatory Compliance & Licensing, Marijuana Business Law 2021 | National Business Institute | 2021 |
| Recreational Marijuana Business Law | 30 Powerful Cannabis Attorneys You Should Know | 2019 |
| Marijuana Law – A Comprehensive Overview | How Did We Get Here? Overview of Initiative I-502 | 2019 |
| K&L Gates Event | Investing in Cannabis | 2019 |
| Indoor Agricultural Conference | Cannabis Genetics and the Current Legal Landscape | 2019 |
| National Marijuana Retail & Dispensary Expo | Branding for Retailers in the Cannabis Industry | 2018 |
| International Cannabis Business Conference | The ABCs of CBDs | 2018 |
| Cannabis Collaborative Conference | Legal Panel | 2018 |
| Annual National Paralegal Association | CBD and Cannabis Laws | 2018 |
| 2018 Willamette Law Review Symposium: US v. Oregon: Examining the Role of Federalism Under the Trump Administration | Marijuana Law & Federalism | 2018 |
| Urban Land Institute Spring Meeting | The Legalized Marijuana Industry and its Impact on Industrial Real Estate | 2017 |
| Seattle CannaCon | Navigating Cannabis Laws | 2017 |
| Recreational Marijuana Business Law | Obtaining a Cannabis Business License | 2017 |
| MJBA Business Bootcamp | Intellectual Property Litigation | 2017 |
| Cannabis Grand Cru | Brand Creation, Differentiation & Leadership | 2017 |
| Cannabis and Your Health | Cannabis Laws | 2017 |
| 3rd Annual Cannabis Collaborative Conference | Developing an Effective Business Strategy | 2017 |
| Weed Week PDX | Advising Cannabis Business | 2016 |
| The Third Native American Cannabis Conference | Legal Hurdles, Managing Risk, Lessons Learning from Others Mistakes, & Protecting your Tribe | 2016 |
| The Best In Marijuana Design & Packaging 2016 | Compliance Law Review | 2016 |
| Recreational Marijuana Business Law | Obtaining a Cannabis Business License | 2016 |
| Native American Cannabis Conference | Legal Hurdles & Managing Risk | 2016 |
| MJBA Business Boot Camp | Avoiding the Audit | 2016 |
| Imperious Cannabis Business Expo | Cannabis Applications and Licensing | 2016 |
| CannaCon (Seattle) | Legal Panel (Education & Development) | 2016 |
| CannaCon (Anchorage) | Law & Politics of Cannabis | 2016 |
| Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (Los Angeles) | Community Engagement by Cannabis Companies | 2016 |
| Cannabis Grand Cru 2016 CFG | Legislation Foundry | 2016 |
| Cannabis Grand Cru (Portland) | Brand Creation, Differentiation & Leadership | 2016 |
| PWC Panel Presentations | Clearing the Air: Let’s Talk about Legal Pot & Workers’ Comp | 2015 |
| Medical & Recreational Cannabis | Cannabis Litigation | 2015 |
| Federal Law & Marijuana Laws | Marijuana Law | 2015 |
| Benton Franklin County Bar Association | Case Law Update on Cannabis Law and Litigation | 2015 |
| WANP Annual Clinical Conference 2014 (Pain Management in Naturopathic Practice) | Benefits Outweighing the Risk – Ethics and Legal Pitfalls | 2014 |
| Canna Business & the Law Seminar | Choosing Legal Compliance | 2014 |
| Legalization Implications | Current Medical Cannabis Laws | 2013 |
| The 19th Annual Criminal Justice Institute | Updates and Critical Issues | 2012 |
| Q&A session on Medical Cannabis | Legal Issues for Access Points | 2012 |
| Hempfest 2012 | Medical Marijuana | 2012 |
| Hempfest 2011 (20th Anniversary) | Medical Marijuana Law | 2011 |
| Current Issues in Search & Seizure | Criminal Defense Law with Apple | 2011 |
| Care Medical Group and Training Academy | Advanced Cannabis Law | 2011 |
| Cannabis College | Intro to Medical Cannabis Law | 2011 |
| Marijuana Liberation March | Implication of State v. Fry | 2010 |
| TruTV’s Best Defense | Navid Haq Trial | 2008 |
Publications
Publication Name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| MG Magazine | 30 Powerful Cannabis Attorneys You Should Know | 2019 |
| State Bar Association Section | Impacts of Legalized Marijuana on Firearms Rights | 2015 |
| Bar Association Litigation News | Up in Smoke? Marijuana Law | 2013 |
| American Bar Association GP Solo: Law Trends and News | Law With An Apple | 2008 |