Aaron Pelley
Attorney
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.
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
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 |
Conference Name | Title | Date |
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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 |
Publication Name | Title | Date |
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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 |