Industry Blazers: Ryan Hurley of Copperstate Farms

Proven Media August 28, 2018 AZ Cannabis News, Industry Blazers

Industry Blazers is a periodic Q&A that spotlights Arizona’s talented medical marijuana professionals who influence and grow the industry. Brought to you by a collaboration between AZmarijuana.com and Proven Media. Do you know someone that is an Industry Blazer in Arizona? If so, email us their name and contact info.

Ryan Hurley | General Counsel at Copperstate Farms

Prior to joining Copperstate Farms, an Arizona medical marijuana cultivator, Ryan was a partner at Rose Law Group in Scottsdale, Arizona where he led the firm’s Marijuana Practice Group.

Ryan assisted clients with all aspects of Arizona’s medical marijuana law, primarily focusing on helping clients work with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). He also had significant input on the rules that the ADHS developed for Arizona’s medical marijuana program, and was the attorney for the Arizona Campaign to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol, a committee to legalize marijuana for adult-use in Arizona in 2016.

Ryan is a frequent presenter at marijuana seminars and conferences throughout the country and is a tireless advocate for marijuana reform in myriad interviews and appearances on TV, print and radio. He is also one of the founding members of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA).

With a strong interest in industrial hemp, Ryan has been working behind the scenes with Arizona farmers to bring industrial hemp as an alternative crop to Arizona’s large cotton industry.

Website: CopperstateFarms.com

What is your favorite cannabis product, strain or flavor?

OG flower

Tell us your favorite thing about being a part of the cannabis business community?

The challenge of creating something from nothing.

Who are your role models? Why?

My parents. They were good at modeling work/life balance and how to stay positive in the face of difficulties and how to put one foot in front of the other to move forward.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Time. Lots and lots of time with no one to answer to. And a beach.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

In reality
All things being equal

What do you most value in your friends?

Radical honesty

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?

Probably go insane. I am like an Olympic level sleeper.

What skill would you like to master?

Kite surfing

What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend?

On the beach in Mexico