Thomas Dean

Tom Dean has been an attorney advocate for nationwide cannabis policy reform for over 25 years. He attended his first NORML state chapter event in Ohio while a sophomore in college. As a young lawyer in Flagstaff, Arizona, he represented numerous clients charged with marijuana related offenses facing the many terrible consequences of prohibition. His conscious was thoroughly
shocked by these injustices and in 1995 he joined the NORML Legal Committee and remains an active (lifetime) member.

In 1998, Tom became the Legal Director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in Washington, DC. As Legal Director, he initiated, managed, and litigated important cannabis related cases of national
importance to the cannabis industry and community. In that capacity, he also coordinated the efforts of the NORML Legal Committee (lifetime member) and NORML Amicus Committee (former chair) in key cases throughout the U.S.  In 2015 the organization recognized his successful advocacy by inducting him into the NORML Distinguished Counsel’s Circle.

Tom moved back to Phoenix in 2008 and established his current practice which provides representation in cannabis related criminal, administrative, and commercial matters. In 2016, Tom received the President’s Commendation award from the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ) for his work in cannabis criminal defense. In 2020, Tom received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Errl Cup, a medical marijuana event producer which includes Arizona’s premier cannabis awards festival (30,000 attendees this year). In 2021, Tom received Mikel Weiser Lifetime Achievement Award from Arizona’s Marijuana Industry Trade Association (MITA). Most recently, in 2023, Tom was honored by NORML with its Al Horn Award, which the organization awards to only one attorney each year to in “recognition of a lifetime of ceaseless work to advance the cause of justice” in cannabis law. Tom is also active in other important cannabis organizations on both a local and National level. Of note, he was a founding member of the Arizona Cannabis Bar Association (ACBA), an organization that seeks to educate lawyers and the public about the many unique aspects of cannabis law and emerging cannabis related areas of practice. He continues to serve on the ACBA board and as its current Vice President. Outside of his practice, Tom enjoys, among other things, presenting at cannabis related seminars and conferences for lawyers and the public.