LAS VEGAS — PRESS RELEASE — The Nevada Dispensary Association (NDA) has announced the appointment of a new executive director, Layke Martin, the former assistant dean for external relations at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), William S. Boyd School of Law.
“The NDA’s voice is one of credibility, and I look forward to maintaining that voice and to promoting a responsible, well-regulated, safe and business-friendly cannabis industry in Nevada,” Martin said of her appointment. Martin will take the role of former NDA executive director, Riana Durrett, and brings an impressive professional background to the organization.
An attorney, professor and native Nevadan, Martin is a graduate of UNLV and the Boston University School of Law. During her time at the Boyd School of Law at UNLV, Martin oversaw fundraising, communications, alumni relations, events and career development department. Martin has taught courses at the Boyd School of Law and the School of Public Policy and Leadership at UNLV. She practiced business litigation for nearly five years with local law firm, Marquis Aurbach Coffing. Martin was awarded “Young Lawyer of the Year” by the State Bar of Nevada in 2015 and was recognized in Vegas Inc.'s "40 Under 40" awards in 2016.
“We are very fortunate to have Ms. Martin join the NDA team as a key player,” Tisha Black, NDA President, noted of Martin’s appointment. “Her attorney skills will deftly advance the NDA’s mission to continue to develop and promote best practices amongst Nevada’s cannabis entrepreneurs and, undoubtedly, assist our members in their commitment to provide safe cannabis products to our community. We look forward to employing Ms. Martin’s coalition-building skills to expand our voice and influence in this exciting industry.”
The NDA represents the majority of the dispensaries in the state and works tirelessly on public outreach, government affairs issues, encouraging industry cohesiveness, and delivering educational resources to promote a safe, regulated cannabis industry in Nevada.
Durrett served as the Nevada Dispensary Association’s Executive Director from 2015-2020, overseeing the organization’s government affairs initiatives, the development of a rich educational training platform and curating the industry’s messaging internally and externally through hosted member meetings. Durrett also organized regular informational events, including multiple fact-finding trips to other states, cannabis summits, tours and public speaking events.
“I have been honored to represent the industry on most adopted laws and regulations since 2015 and look forward to helping the state continue to shape policy and the regulatory framework in my new endeavors. I wish Layke all the best and have high expectations for her contributions to NDA,” Durrett said. Durrett expects to announce news about new endeavors soon. In the meantime, she plans to focus on her gaming law degree and her own law practice, Riana Durrett PLLC.
