Thomas first jumped into the cannabis industry in 2018, working alongside attorney Adrienne Fischer in Denver, Colorado, where he gained hands-on experience negotiating complex contracts and agreements for companies in Colorado's cannabis industry.

He expanded his expertise as a Consultant for Arena Group from 2019-2022 in Virginia. Thomas analyzed cannabis legislation at both the state and federal level to provide strategic advice to small hemp businesses, ancillary service providers, and multi-state cannabis operators. His research and policy analysis informed strategic geographic and operational expansion decisions.

Currently, Thomas serves as General Counsel of Pure Shenandoah, Pure Industrial, and Pure Virginia, all vertically-integrated cannabis startups based in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Thomas assisted Pure Shenandoah in navigating Virginia’s severe hemp restrictions in 2023. He also played a crucial role in securing a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract through the Department of Defense (DOD) with the U.S. Air Force to research using industrial hemp in developing innovative concrete-based construction materials. Presently, Thomas is actively involved in assisting the Pure Virginia team in applying for the HSA 01 Pharmaceutical Processor license.

Thomas earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. While in law school, Thomas served as Vice President of the Emerging Companies and Venture Capital student group, Compliance Intern for the UVA Health System Pharmacy Department, Sub-Committee Analyst for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, and student-attorney with UVA's Darden Graduate School of Business iLab Incubator program, where he provided legal services to a pharmaceutical technology startup and and CBD skincare startup.

Thomas' multifaceted background and dedication to furthering his experience in cannabis industry business and policy best practices make him a valuable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of the legal cannabis industries.

Outside of work, Thomas enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming, reading, and playing chess.