Courtney N. Moran, LL.M., Chief Legislative Strategist and Founding Principal of EARTH Law, LLC, has a passion for policy reform and precedent-setting. She liaised with the offices of Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in drafting and negotiating the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 the language included in the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalizing hemp in the United States. Courtney is a highly accomplished attorney and lobbyist with extensive knowledge and expertise in hemp law. She was designated a 2024/2025 Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyer and a 2023/2024 Top 200 Global Psychedelic Lawyer and Policy & Regulatory Expert. Her tenacity, unparalleled success rates, and commitment to promoting fair and equitable regulations have earned her recognition as a trusted voice and leader within the industry. 

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During his keynote presentation at the 2019 Western U.S. Hemp Growers Conference & Expo in Portland, Oregon, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden acknowledged "In a sentence, we would not have hemp legalization without Courtney".

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In expertly championing forward-thinking policy for hemp agribusiness success, Courtney co-authored the federal Industrial Hemp Act of 2023 (S. 980, H.R. 3755), and is leading efforts with IND Hemp and the National Hemp Association, to reduce regulatory barriers for grain and fiber farmers, support industrial hemp supply chain growth, and expand industrial hemp grain and fiber market opportunities.

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Courtney is admitted to practice in Oregon, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. She grew up in Wisconsin and was a valedictorian of Germantown High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, with a minor in Biology, from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She earned her Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During law school, Courtney interned for Keith Stroup at NORML in Washington, D.C. Courtney began her practicing medical marijuana patient criminal defense. Serving as co-counsel with attorney Leland R. Berger in appealing a county court’s decision on behalf of their medical patient client, the State of Oregon conceded in State v. Ellis, 260 OR App 174 (2013), that hashish is medical marijuana. In January 2014, Courtney graduated magna cum laude from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon with a Master of Laws in Environmental and Natural Resources Law, with an emphasis on Industrial Hemp Law.

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Courtney's passion for cannabis and hemp legal policy stems from her commitment to promoting sustainable and responsible practices within these emerging industries. From 2015 to June 2023, Courtney served as President and lobbyist for the 501(c)(5) non-profit Oregon Industrial Hemp Farmers Association (OIHFA)/ Oregon Hemp Association (ORHA) protecting Oregon hemp agricultural interests and passing five pro-hemp pieces of legislation. In 2021, OIHFA led the passage of HB 2284 establishing the Oregon Hemp Commodity Commission, and HB 3000 an omnibus cannabis and hemp bill that creates the framework for regulating adult use cannabinoids in Oregon. In 2022, Courtney served as a Governor Appointee on the HB3000/SB1564 Taskforce on Cannabis-Derived Intoxicants and Illegal Cannabis Production representing hemp farmer interests throughout the state of Oregon. 

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As Chief Legislative Strategist for Agricultural Hemp Solutions, she actively engages in advocacy and lobbying efforts to shape cannabis, hemp, and agricultural policies at the state and federal levels. Courtney strategically guided the initial implementation of hemp programs in South Carolina, Wisconsin, Alaska, and Missouri. She continues to influence hemp policy development in numerous states throughout the U.S. and federally. In 2021, she led the passage of HB 396 in Montana, authorizing hemp food ingredients as commercial animal feed, and opening markets for hemp grain, fiber, and whole plant products. 

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As Founding Principal of EARTH Law, LLC, Courtney is dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to individuals and businesses operating in the cannabis, hemp, and agriculture industries. She works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that align with their goals while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Courtney successfully litigated the landmark cases KaB, LLC v USPIS (2018) and RNF, LLC v USPIS, MLB 18-113 (2018) establishing the precedent for the shipment of hemp, specifically hemp-derived CBD and viable hemp seeds, through the US Postal Service. In 2022, Courtney won a hemp-derived delta-8 seizure case, upholding the protections of the 2018 Farm Bill for the transportation and shipment of hemp and hemp-derived products. Throughout 2023, EARTH Law secured a release of a Detainment Order for a hemp crop testing above 0.3% total THC, attained an update to Hemp Program rules on resampling and retesting crops with not more than 1% total THC, and expertly negotiated a Stipulated Settlement Agreement for licensing and production violations, protecting the client's ability to sell their harvest lot and continue future licensing within the state Hemp Program. In 2024, Courtney, in serving as expert co-counsel, obtained a case dismissal for felony charges of unlawful export and unlawful distribution of hemp-derived THCA concentrate.

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In addition to her legal and policy work, Courtney is a sought-after speaker and educator. In Fall 2021, Courtney joined the Oaksterdam University Faculty teaching Business of Cannabis: Hemp and CBD. In Spring 2022, she joined the Lewis and Clark Law School Faculty as an adjunct law professor teaching the first Hemp Law & Policy course in the U.S. Courtney inspires her students to make a difference and encourages their ability to cultivate change.

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Internationally, on October 26, 2016, Courtney testified at El Seminario Internacional Perspectivas Legislativas Para La Regulaciόn de la Cannabis No Psicoactiva Para Su Uso Medicinal, Terapéutico e Industrial before the Senado de la República in Mexico City, Mexico. She also participated in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem in April 2016 on behalf of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. 

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In 2023, Courtney joined the National Hemp Association Board of Directors as Legislative Counsel and also joined the Global Hemp Innovation Center Advisory Board. She continues to serve on the Oregon State Bar Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Section Executive Committee, the National Hemp Association Standing Committee of Hemp Organizations,  the national NORML Board of Directors Emeritus Board, and the International Cannabis Bar Association Advisory Board. 

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Courtney was voted by the HIA membership as the 2018 Hemp Industries Association Advocate of the Year. She was also awarded as Hemp History Week’s Leading Grassroots Advocate. Courtney was celebrated by Capital Press newspaper as the Western Innovator: Leading the ‘green rush’. 

 

Courtney is also a certified OSU Master Gardener Volunteer and has maintained active certification since November 2016.

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She frequently presents at conferences, legal seminars, industry events, and also guest lectures for university and law school classes nationwide sharing her knowledge and insights on cannabis and hemp law. Through her engaging and informative presentations, she empowers individuals and organizations to navigate legal complexities with confidence.