Aaron A. Pelley

Phone

(206) 693-2900

Email

Aaron@Gleamlaw.com

Partner

For over 17 years, Aaron Pelley has been at the legal forefront of the cannabis industry, vigorously defending the interests of entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors. His work has not only shaped key legislation but also helped define the industry’s evolving legal landscape.

A trusted name in the legal community, Aaron’s deep expertise in regulatory compliance, litigation, and trial law has earned him national recognition. Since 2014, he has been named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers and has been consistently recognized as a Global Top Cannabis Attorney by Cannabis Law Report since 2020. His legal prowess has also been acknowledged by Thomson Reuters, which has honored him as a Super Lawyer for four consecutive years, and MG Magazine, which named him one of the Top Cannabis Trial Attorneys. Earlier in his career, he received multiple Rising Star awards from Super Lawyers and was recognized as a Top Attorney by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.

Aaron is a sought-after speaker at national conferences and legal education events, where he shares insights at the intersection of law, business, and culture. His thought leadership has been featured in major media outlets, including The New York Times, Vice News, Newsweek, NBC News, and CBS News. Additionally, he frequently teaches Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses and contributes to shaping the conversation around cannabis law and policy.

Beyond his legal work, Aaron is an avid music enthusiast and chess player. He has a deep appreciation for vinyl records and enjoys discovering new bands through live music.

Seattle Cannabis Lawyer

Honors & Awards

Top Cannabis Lawyers Cannabis Law Review 2020 – 2025

2022 Super Lawyer Findlaw Thompson West 2020 – 2025

Top 100 Trial Lawyer The National Trial Lawyers 2014 – 2025

America’s Top 50 Lawyers America’s Top Lawyers 2024

Top Ten Best Cannabis Lawyers MJ SEO Agency 2024

Top Psychedelic Lawyers Cannabis Law Review 2023 – 2025

Top 30 Cannabis Litigators Mg Magazine 2021

Top Lawyers Seattle Met Magazine 2017

Rising Star Washington State Law & Politics 2010, 2015 – 2017

Speaking Engagements

2025

Cannabis Law 2025 From Farm to Market NBI CLE Presentation
State Cannabusiness Licensing Challenges NBI CLE Presentation

2024

California Cannabis Litigation myLawCLE Presentation
Cannabis Litigation: A primer on subpoenas and other issues in the world of legalized cannabis Federal Bar Association
Marijuana and Local Government (Washington Government Law: What You Need to Know Now) NBI CLE Presentation
Marijuana Rescheduling: Implications for Washington’s Cannabis Industry WSBA Cannabis Law Section CLE
Cannabis Law 2024 Orange County California (Paralegal Association CLE)
Unpacking the Future: Insights into Emerging Cannabis Markets MyCPE
National & State Overview of the Cannabis Industry, Minneapolis Crash Course Sessions, Lucky Leaf Expo.
Building Your Cannabis Brand in Minnesota, Lucky Leaf Expo
Cannabis Loans & Investments Harris Bricken Webinar

2023

Psychedelics – Legislation, Regulation, Practicalities & The Law National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium CLE
Insights from Cannabis Lawyers National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium CLAS Student Panel
Cannabis Regulations: Overview of the State Regulations and Requirements for Licensing CannaLaw Summit – Inside Practice
Litigation Trends and Product Liability National Business Institute

2022

Bellingham Forum Festival – Administrative Law Oversight in Cannabis, Conference Forum
Cannabis Law Review State of the US Cannabis Industry, Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers
Cannalaw Summit – Inside Practice Interstate Commerce CLE

2021

Cannabis Law Updates MyLaw CLE – Federal CLE
Compliance & Cannabis Licensing – The Academy of Cannabis Science

2019

Federal Responses to Washington Marijuana Law Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington
How Did We Get Here? Overview of Initiative I-502 Marijuana Law – A Comprehensive Overview
Investing in Cannabis K&L Gates Event
Cannabis Genetics and the Current Legal Landscape Indoor Agricultural Conference

2017

Urban Land Institute Spring Meeting The Legalized Marijuana Industry and its Impact on Industrial Real Estate
Seattle CannaCon Navigating Cannabis Laws
Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington Obtaining a Washington Cannabis Business License
MJBA Business Bootcamp – Intellectual Property Litigation
Cannabis Grand Cru Brand Creation, Differentiation & Leadership
Cannabis and Your Health Cannabis Laws
3rd Annual Cannabis Collaborative Conference Developing an Effective Business Strategy

2016

Weed Week PDX Advising Cannabis Business
The Third Native American Cannabis Conference Legal Hurdles, Managing Risk, Lessons Learning from Others Mistakes, & Protecting your Tribe
The Best in Marijuana Design & Packaging 2016 Compliance Law Review
Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington Training Seminar Obtaining a Washington Cannabis Business License
MJBA Business Boot Camp Avoiding the Audit
Imperious Cannabis Business Expo Cannabis Applications and Licensing
CannaCon (Seattle) Legal Panel (Education & Development)
CannaCon (Anchorage) Law & Politics of Cannabis
Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition Community Engagement by Cannabis Companies
Cannabis Grand Cru 2016 CFG Washington’s 502 Legislation Foundry
Cannabis Grand Cru (Portland) Brand Creation, Differentiation & Leadership

2015

PWC Panel Presentations Clearing the Air: Let’s Talk about Legal Pot & Workers’ Comp
Medical & Recreational Cannabis Cannabis Litigation
Federal Law Issues and Washington State Marijuana Laws Washington Marijuana Law
Benton Franklin County Bar Association- Case Law Update on Cannabis Law and Litigation

2014

WANP Annual Clinical Conference 2014 (Pain Management in Naturopathic Practice) Benefits Outweighing the Risk – Ethics and Legal Pitfalls
Canna Business & the Law – I-502 Seminar Choosing Legal Compliance

2013

I-502 Implications Current Washington Medical Cannabis Laws; Criminal Ramifications of Violating I-502; the Green DUI

2012

The 19th Annual Criminal Justice Institute Updates and Critical Issues
Q&A session on Medical Cannabis – Legal Issues for Access Points
Hempfest 2012 Medical Marijuana in Washington State

2011

Hempfest 2011 (20th Anniversary) Medical Marijuana Law
Current Issues in Search & Seizure (CLE) Criminal Defense Law with Apple
Care Medical Group and Training Academy – Advanced Cannabis Law
Cannabis College – Intro to Medical Cannabis Law
Marijuana Liberation March Implication of State v. Fry

Recent Publications

PUBLICATIONS Cannabis Law Review, Lex Blog, CannaLaw Blog, Cultiva Law Blog, Cannabis Law Report, Justia Blog, Future Market Focus

Arizona Cannabis: From Social Equity Approval to Corporate Cannabis March 21, 2024

Washington May Raise the Minimum Age for High THC Cannabis Purchases March 15, 2024

Indigenous Innovation in the Minnesota Cannabis Industry March 13, 2024

Changing Interstate Cannabis Sales February 29, 2024

Mississippi, Medical Cannabis Advertising and the First Amendment February 26, 2024

Missouri Tops $1.3 Billion in First Year of Recreational Sales February 19, 2024

President Biden’s Cannabis Pardons February 14, 2024

DEA’s Post on the Start of Black History Month February 9, 2024

MSO Giants on the Move January 17, 2024

Update On Minnesota Expungement January 15, 2024

DEA Leans on Georgia Cannabis Pharmacies January 8, 2024

Politically Diverse Governors Petition Joe Biden on Cannabis January 3, 2024

David Joyce & States 2.0 December 29, 2023