Melissa Harrington

Melissa Harrington has built her career in one of the most complex and fast-changing corners of the economy: the cannabis industry. Her connection to the field runs deep — her graduate thesis examined the medicinal benefits of cannabis and was later published as a white paper. A seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience, she has worked almost exclusively in this space since 2014, guiding operators through a tax and regulatory landscape that rewards deep specialization. As a partner in the tax department at Aprio (formerly Price Kong), she leads the firm's cannabis tax practice, helps grow the team, brings innovative technology into the practice, and helps Aprio deliver the service these businesses count on. Melissa understands the challenges these businesses face, from IRC Section 280E compliance to multi-state consolidations and rules that shift from state to state. Her clients range from local operators to publicly traded companies with multi-state operations, including cultivators, processors, distributors, transporters, dispensaries, investors, and ancillary businesses. Across the United States, she is a recognized specialist in cannabis business tax compliance, tax strategy, tax advisory, mergers and acquisitions, consolidations, and business formation. Melissa pairs deep tax knowledge with a strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the realities of running a cannabis business. She is known for her clarity, responsiveness, and commitment to helping clients meet their financial goals. A regular participant at state and national cannabis industry conferences, she speaks frequently on cannabis topics, including events hosted by the Marijuana Industry Trade Association (MITA) and MJBizCon. In 2025, she was named to the Top 200 Cannabis Accountants directory. She is a member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the Arizona Society of Certified Professional Accountants (ASCPA). Melissa is also a member of several local and national cannabis/hemp industry groups.