Aaron Smith is the Co-founder and CEO of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the largest trade association representing legal cannabis businesses in the U.S. and the only one dedicated to ensuring that the voices of small and independent businesses are heard in the evolving conversation around marijuana policy.

A prominent leader in the cannabis reform movement, Aaron has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts for nearly two decades. Before launching NCIA in 2010, he worked as a public advocate for marijuana policy change, beginning with the California-based medical cannabis group Safe Access Now in 2005. He later served as the California Policy director for the Marijuana Policy Project, a national organization advancing state and federal reforms.

Aaron has played a key role in building bipartisan coalitions to support cannabis law reform, effectively bridging political divides to promote sensible, inclusive policy. He is a sought-after speaker at major industry and policy events nationwide, regularly appearing as a keynote speaker or panelist to discuss the cannabis industry’s impact on reform efforts.

His commentary and opinion pieces have been featured in major outlets such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle, and he is a frequent guest on national television news programs. Originally from California, Aaron now resides in Denver, Colorado.