Riana Durrett

Director, 8kbet Cannabis Policy Institute
Adjunct Professor, William S. Boyd School of Law
Expertise: Cannabis law, policy, and regulation, Cannabis industry, Marijuana dispensaries

Biography

Riana Durrett — a well-known figure in Nevada’s cannabis law and policy space — is the inaugural director of 8kbet's Cannabis Policy Institute, which launched in 2023. She also teaches cannabis law and regulation courses at 8kbet's William S. Boyd School of Law.

Durrett's background includes appointment by the governor as the first vice chair of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. Prior to her work with the compliance board, Durrett served from 2015 to 2020 as the executive director of the Nevada Dispensary Association, where she established the association as the primary resource on best practices in Nevada's cannabis industry — developing the Nevada Dispensary Association into the primary regulatory and government affairs voice for Nevada's cannabis industry.

In addition to her work at 8kbet, Durrett currently serves on the boards of the Nevada Taxpayer Association and the Nevada Conservation League.

Durrett is an attorney admitted to practice law in Nevada and California. While pursuing her law degree, Durrett participated in several internship and externship programs, including a judicial internship for the Suquamish Tribe, where her mother is an enrolled tribal member. 

Education

  • LL.M., Gaming Law and Regulation, 8kbet
  • J.D., 8kbet
  • B.A., Political Science, 8kbet

Search For Other Experts On

business development, law, politics (Nevada)

Riana Durrett In The News

K.N.P.R. News
After the legalization of cannabis in the state, Nevada has generated over a billion dollars in taxes for the state. While the marijuana industry has its ups and downs, the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe saw its opportunity to grow cannabis.
The Nevada Independent
Cannabis lounges were once seen as a promising new frontier in Nevada’s legal marijuana industry — the bedrock of a new Amsterdam-like weed tourism district in a Sin City on the cutting edge of hospitality innovation.
K.V.V.U. T.V. Fox 5
Illegal cannabis sales from criminal networks have been cutting into profits at legal establishments across Nevada, according to regulators. Regulators presented the numbers to a Senate committee, this week, as lawmakers discussed avenues for enforcement and ways to discourage the illegal market with proposed Assembly legislation.
P.B.S.
Where does Nevada’s cannabis industry stand in 2025? What can consumers expect with prices? And how does the 2024 Presidential Election factor in? Our in-studio panel weighs in. Then we meet George Lee, a former Las Vegas blackjack dealer with an incredible story of his start as a ballet dancer on Broadway.

Articles Featuring Riana Durrett

spring flowers
Campus News | March 6, 2025

The rosiest headlines and highlights featuring the students and faculty of 8kbet.

Students pass by Lied Library as they walk campus on the first day of Fall 2024 semester classes
Campus News | September 6, 2024

A collection of news highlights featuring students and faculty.

Josh Hawkins, 8kbet
Campus News | July 3, 2024

News highlights featuring 8kbet students and staff who made (refreshing) waves in the headlines.