Inside the Lawsuit: Tom Dean on the Legal Landscape and National Stakes for Hemp

Continuing our legal interview series, the Hemp Industry Trade Association of Arizona (HITA-AZ) sits down with longtime cannabis attorney Tom Dean to discuss the urgent legal threats facing hemp in Arizona—and what this case means for the industry nationwide.

Tom brings decades of courtroom experience and a deep understanding of cannabis law, offering a clear view of how Arizona's enforcement approach is not only flawed—but dangerous if left unchallenged.

Who Is Tom Dean?

Tom Dean is a nationally recognized attorney who has defended cannabis-related cases across the country. For over 25 years, he has worked on landmark cases that have helped define the legal status of cannabis and hemp in the U.S. Today, he’s helping lead HITA-AZ’s legal challenge to stop Arizona’s crackdown on legal, hemp-derived THC products.

Key Takeaways from the Interview

  • Why Arizona’s enforcement oversteps legal boundaries
    Tom explains how the Attorney General’s actions defy the legal framework established by the 2018 Farm Bill, and blur the lines between hemp and marijuana without due process.

  • The national implications
    This isn't just a local battle. If Arizona succeeds in redefining hemp by enforcement—not legislation—it could encourage similar actions in other states, threatening hemp access nationwide.

  • The legal path forward
    Tom outlines why HITA-AZ moved forward with a Special Action after the court denied a temporary restraining order (TRO), and what legal tools remain available to protect the industry.

“This case is about drawing a line. If we don’t stop this now, the damage won’t be confined to Arizona.”

Why It Matters

Businesses are being raided. Products are being pulled. Entrepreneurs are being criminalized—all while operating within the boundaries of federal hemp law. Tom Dean helps us understand just how high the stakes are, and why this legal strategy is our best shot at stopping the damage before it spreads.

Help Us Hold the Line

Tom Dean’s interview offers a crucial perspective in HITA-AZ’s three-part legal series. Still to come: Jon Udell, policy attorney and advocate, who dives into the regulatory confusion and how enforcement is hurting Arizona’s economy.

If you believe in legal hemp, business fairness, and civil rights—this is your moment to act.

Up next:
Interview with Jon Udell, covering how these legal issues are directly affecting small businesses, consumers, and the future of regulated hemp access.

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Stay tuned to HITA-AZ.org and follow us on social media for real-time updates, interviews, and calls to action. Together, we can protect hemp—and protect your rights.

Laura Franklin