Tom Dean has been an attorney advocate for nationwide cannabis policy reform for over 25 years. As Legal Director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) he initiated, managed, and litigated important cannabis related cases of national importance to the cannabis industry/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. He remains an active member of the NORML Legal Committee.
In 2016, Tom received the President’s Commendation award from the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ). 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 an attorney each year to in “recognition of a lifetime of ceaseless work to advance the cause of justice” in cannabis law.
Tom was a founding member of the Arizona Cannabis Bar Association (ACBA), an organization that seeks to educate lawyers and the public of the many unique aspects of cannabis law and emerging cannabis related areas of practice. He continues to serve on the board of ACBA. Outside of his practice, Tom enjoys, among other things, presenting at cannabis related seminars and conferences for lawyers and the public.