Board Candidate – Sean McAllister, McAllister Garfield, P.C.
If you don’t know me yet, ask leaders in the cannabis industry about me. They will tell you:
I’m old school. I’ve been working for cannabis law reform for 21 years, beginning on a prison moratorium campaign, leading to my role as Chair of the Board of Directors of Sensible Colorado funded by MPP, and now evolving into a well-respected cannabis business lawyer.
I’m a fighter. I’m not afraid to speak truth to power. Cannabis law reform is not done and we need aggressive advocates for the industry who don’t apologize for wanting to be treated like any other industry.
I’m not an extremist. I have supported reasonable regulations on cannabis, similar to alcohol (but not identical). But I have opposed unreasonably high taxes and other efforts to over-regulate cannabis. I will resist efforts to regulate marijuana so strictly that all profitability is taken out of it.
I favor a free market approach whenever possible. I understand local reasons why limits on licenses might be needed or desired, but I generally favor open licensing processes that let the market sort out the best actors rather than the state.
My firm is growing. I now have 14 lawyers in four states, Colorado, California, Oregon, and Florida. I am one of the only major cannabis lawyers licensed in both Colorado and California. I have the national perspective needed to help the Board make good decisions.
I value inclusion and diversity in our industry. I will work to build our membership through my growing client base and ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in NCIA, including women and people of color.
I understand the problems with 280E. I have represented numerous companies in IRS audits and have seen how this issue is an existential threat to our industry.
I want to support and build the NCIA PAC. We must exert more political power to get laws changed.
I am a problem solver who believes in win-win situations.
I will be an articulate and professional voice for the industry as a Board member.
Sean McAllister Bio for NCIA Board Elections
21 years working on marijuana law reform, including founding Sensible Colorado in 2004 and serving as chair of its Board of Directors through adult use legalization in 2012.
McAllister Garfield has 14 lawyers, licensed in 5 states: Colorado, California, Oregon, Illinois and Florida.
Sean represents some of the largest infused products manufacturers in Colorado, which have been expanding to multiple states through licensing agreements and independent operations.
Sean’s firm has a Tribal Law Group that represents Native American tribes in multiple states seeking to do cannabis/hemp projects
Sean has litigated several groundbreaking cannabis cases, including defending the nation’s first cannabis products liability case, suing state regulators over enforcement actions, litigating pesticide standards, negotiating settlements for some of the most serious rules violations, litigating local bans on cannabis dispensaries; and assisting in authoring state and local ballot initiatives.
Sean handled the only federal prosecution of a licensed dispensary owner in Colorado, who was charged wrongly with federal money laundering and achieved a favorable outcome.
Sean is focused on being a top corporate counsel to dispensaries. His work involves all aspects of corporate formation, dissolution, governance, M&A, IP, promissory notes, civil litigation and land use matters.
Sean is a regular speaker at the nation’s largest cannabis conferences and is regularly quoted in the national press.
Sean has won several awards recognizing his advocacy for cannabis reform, including: Friend of Reform Award, Sensible Colorado, 2013 and 2015 MVP Award at the Cannabis Business Awards, and 2016 and 2017 named a Top Marijuana Lawyer by Denver’s 5280 Magazine.
Sean’s Firm is a sustaining member of NCIA. He also supports CCIA, NORML, DPA, MPP, Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, and National Cannabis Bar Association.
NCIA’s annual board of directors election is now open for all members looking to help select the leadership of the cannabis industry’s only national trade association!
If you are a member of NCIA, we hope that you will take some time to consider the great candidates vying for a seat on the board and cast a vote between now and May 22, when the online election closes.
For NCIA members:
In order to cast a vote, you will need to log into NCIA’s secure member ballot using your member company login. Only ONE ballot can be submitted per member company.
If you do not remember your password or are having trouble logging in, please contact us at info@thecannabisindustry.org or (303) 223-4530.
Please be sure to download and review our complete Voter Guide (PDF) before casting your vote.
Not yet a member of NCIA? If you are not a member of NCIA but want to participate in the election, join today and we’ll provide you access to the online ballot. Your membership will also support the industry’s only unified and coordinated effort to reform federal marijuana laws as well as provide other member benefits enjoyed by the more than 1,200 responsible cannabis businesses that make up NCIA’s community.
A few other important items about the board election:
Each member business can only vote once and votes cannot be changed once submitted online.
Members can vote for up to 11 of the 33 nominated candidates.
Votes are weighted according to membership status. If you are a member and would like to upgrade your membership to increase your influence in the board election, please contact us at (888) 683-5650 to process the upgrade before completing your online ballot.
There are eleven open board of directors seats and 33 nominated candidates (including eight current board members seeking reelection). Please refer to your voter guide for information on all the candidates and for more information on board election logistics before casting your vote online.
2017 Board Candidates:
Mitch Baruchowitz – Merida Capital Partners LP
Cody Bass (incumbent) – Tahoe Wellness Cooperative
Ken Berke – PayQwick, LLC
Jessica Billingsley (incumbent) – MJ Freeway
Caela Bintner – Faces Human Capital Management
AC Braddock (incumbent) – Eden Labs
Andy Brassington – Evergreen Herbal
Brian Caldwell – Triple C Collective
Jan Cole – Zol Solutions
Alex Cooley (incumbent) – Solstice
Ben Curren – Green Bits
Dasheeda Dawson – MaryJane Marketing LLC
Steve DeAngelo (incumbent) – Harborside Health Center
Shannon Fender – Native Roots
Hector Fernandez – G FarmaLabs
Bob Hoban – Hoban Law Group
Matt Hoffman – Hand Grown
Rob Kampia (incumbent) – Marijuana Policy Project Foundation
Kayvan Khalatbari (incumbent) – Denver Relief Consulting
Khurshid Khoja (incumbent) – Greenbridge Corporate Counsel
Steve Levine – Husch Blackwell LLC
Christie Lunsford – Pro MAX Grow
Marion Mariathasan – Simplifya
Randy Maslow – iAnthus
Sean McAllister – McAllister Garfield, P.C.
Norris Monson – Cultivated Industries
Ralph Morgan – Organa Brands
Brad Nattrass – urban-gro Inc.
Sal Pace – SMP LLC (Pueblo County Commissioner)
Keegan Peterson – wurk
Adrian Sedlin – Canndescent
Gregg Steinberg – Growcentia
Richard Walker – Thorburn Walker LLC
Participation in NCIA’s board election is one of the most important ways to engage as a member of your trade association, as it ensures that your values are represented within NCIA’s leadership. NCIA’s elected board is responsible for approving the organization’s budget and strategic plan as well as contributing to the organization financially and through developing membership.
Thank you for your membership and commitment to working together to build the responsible, legitimate, and sustainable industry that we envisioned at the founding of NCIA.
Member Blog: The Most Important Things to Consider When Purchasing Bulk or Wholesale Hemp Derived Phytocannabinoids
Folium Biosciences hemp farms are some of the largest in the USA. Location: La Junta, CO.
Hemp, more than any other plant on Earth, is unique in its ability to literally suck the heavy metals and toxic waste out of the environment. Hemp is even being used in phytoremediation at Chernobyl in Russia. What does this mean to consumers of hemp products? Knowing as much information as possible about your hemp is crucial to understanding its legality, limitations, and effectiveness.
Hemp from China, for example, contains some of the most dangerous heavy metals in the world. According to a 2011 study of Chinese hemp strains, the plant was able to absorb dangerously high levels of the heavy metal cadmium without detriment to the plant itself. Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic industrial and environmental pollutant classified as a human carcinogen.
What is the heavy metals and residual solvent content of the hemp oil? Residual solvents and heavy metals can negatively influence the health benefits of the oil.
Besides CBD, what other cannabinoids and terpenoids are present in the extract? A full spectrum profile of synergistic compounds has been shown to be more effective than an extract with only cannabidiol.
Was the hemp grown using clones or seeds? Clones provide a much more consistent end product. With seeds, you never truly know what is going to grow.
Can your supplier provide you with a consistent and reliable product? What good is the product if you cannot get it the exact same way every time and when you need it?
Considering the fact that many people are relying on CBD for their health and wellness, ensuring that your hemp oil is the highest quality is vital to its effectiveness. Prior to purchasing bulk or wholesale CBD oil, make sure you know where your hemp was grown and processed. Ask yourself this question before purchasing imported Chinese or European hemp oil: Would you feed your child milk imported from cows located in China or Eastern Europe? Didn’t think so.
***EDITOR’S NOTE: Federal policy toward hemp-derived CBD products with respect to Section 7606 is currently subject to substantial debate. The USDA’s website states, “[S]ection 7606 did not alter the approval process for new drug applications or any other authorities of the FDA, nor does it alter the requirements of the Controlled Substances Act that apply to the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of drug products containing controlled substances.”
Ryan Lewis is the VP and Head of Global Sales for Folium Biosciences of Colorado Springs, CO. Folium Biosciences is the largest vertically integrated producer, manufacturer, and distributor of hemp derived phytocannabinoids in the U.S. Folium, along with their exclusive distributor, Entourage Nutritional Distributors, supplies section 7606 US Farm bill compliant hemp derived phytocannabinoids to some of the leading brands and companies in the world. Ryan graduated with high honors from Brown University and attended Pepperdine University Law School and Business School.
VIDEO: Head to D.C. with us on the “Path to Marijuana Reform”
With NCIA’s 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days less than a month away, Deputy Director Taylor West reports on some exciting news out of Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Several members of Congress introduced a package of legislation to support the growing cannabis industry, including a fix to the crippling taxation of 280E. Find out more about the “Path to Marijuana Reform” and get excited for your chance to speak directly with the lawmakers in the House and Senate about our industry’s future. Register for Lobby Days today and join us in D.C., May 16-17.
Member Blog: 5 Critical Keys to Cannabiz Marketing Success
It’s such a thrilling time to be an up and coming cannabis company. And if you’re looking to build a brand, it’s also a critical time to ensure you’re making all the right moves to build a solid brand foundation that can ensure you capture market share. The cannabis “brandscape” holds a lot of opportunity, if you use the right approach.
Here are 5 of the most critical keys to achieving your brand objectives.
1) Establish a compelling, differentiated brand
Communicate your brand vision by stopping customers in their tracks with killer design, then close the deal with messages that motivate shoppers to become customers.
2) Be agile, move fast
Buckle up partner because this industry is in the middle of a gold rush, and that demands flexibility so you can quickly address market and regulatory changes.
3) Get certified, test every product
We all know the hot topics here but the real question is: which brands will step up and lead the way to creating and adhering to valid standards for safe cannabis cultivation and consumption?
4) Grow your channels
Retail, wholesale or anything in between requires a channel strategy, and more importantly, effective tactics that drive response. Focused B2B marketing is critical – even in the age of Snapchat.
5) Show your digital prowess
Sure, social media has it’s place in cannabis. But the brands that will win the land grab are the ones that integrate digital mojo so they stand out in the crowded online marketplace.
From foundation building to execution, the number one key to success is to define clear objectives, identify your best resources (internal and external consultants, vendors and partners), measure results and continually adapt.
A little bit of planning goes a long way. Don’t skip this critical step.
Lisa Hansen has more than 15 years of marketing experience, working across a wide range of industries, from technology to packaged goods. At Plaid Cannabiz and its parent company, McDill Associates, she leads business development as well as execution of client marketing programs. Lisa is known for her sound strategic thinking, and excellent writing and presentation skills. An information junkie, she is a voracious reader, making her a valuable information resource for our clients. She stays on top of the rapidly changing cannabiz trends to drive innovative marketing strategies and programs.
A Closer Look at the “Flurry” of Cannabis Legislation in Congress
by Michael Correia, NCIA Director of Government Relations
Last week, we saw Congress introduce a flurry of marijuana related legislation, with many aspects directly affecting the cannabis industry.
Taking the lead on bill introductions were cannabis champions Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, who introduced a series of bi-cameral, bi-partisan bills that they referred to collectively as the ‘Path to Marijuana Reform’. In addition, the cannabis industry gained a new Republican champion – Rep. Carlos Curbelo of Florida. Rep. Curbelo is a member of the Ways and Means committee and is an original co-sponsor of the new legislation that aims to fix 280E. Their goal was to pave the way for regulation of cannabis at the federal level, and provide certainty in the 50 states. In addition, Colorado Congressman Jared Polis introduced his own stand-alone regulation bill.
This legislation would repeal the tax penalty that singles out state-legal marijuana businesses and bars them from claiming deductions and tax credits. Because marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, cannabis dispensaries operating legally under state law are prohibited from deducting normal business expenses from their net income on federal tax returns. In fact, many dispensaries have been forced to pay between 50 and 70 percent of their net income to the federal government. The lead sponsor is Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo from Florida, who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, the Committee of jurisdiction on tax bills. NCIA has been lobbying on this bill for years and is happy to have the Congressman help us navigate this bill through Congress.
H.R. 1824/S. 780, the Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act of 2017:
Congressional advocates say this bill reduces the conflict between state and federal law, without legalizing cannabis at the federal level. An all-encompassing bill, this legislation contains numerous sections addressing cannabis reform. Section 101 amends the Controlled Substances Act to exempt any person acting in compliance with state laws law from criminal penalties. Sections 201-207 address the 280E provision; makes exemptions for marijuana advertisements; allows access to banking services; allows access to bankruptcy relief; and allows tribal entities to pursue cannabis reform with fear of federal penalties. Sections 301-306 allow expungement of criminal records for certain marijuana-related offenses; limits marijuana drug testing for federal employment; excludes marijuana misdemeanors offenses from federal financial aid; limits federal civil forfeiture of state compliant marijuana businesses; limits immigrant deportation for marijuana related activity; and excludes marijuana related activity for federally assisted housing. Sections 401-403 lowers barriers to federal medical research of marijuana; authorizes Veterans Affairs doctors to allow recommendations for medical marijuana; and allows Indian Health Services to allow recommendations for medical marijuana.
This legislation would effectively legalize marijuana at the federal level by de-scheduling, taxing, and regulating marijuana. If passed, the Attorney General would have 60 days to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, but would still prohibit the transport of marijuana into any state in which it was still illegal under state law. Because of marijuana’s removal from the Controlled Substances Act, 280E would no longer apply to state-legal cannabis operators. In addition, this legislation would allow for a federal excise tax on marijuana. An excise tax of 10 percent would be in effect for the first two years after enactment. The rate would increase to 15 percent in the third year, 20 percent in the fourth year, and 25 percent thereafter. In addition, a $1000 per year occupational tax would be levied on each marijuana production facility.
H.R. 1841, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act:
This bill, introduced by Colorado Congressman Jared Polis, would eliminate the federal ban on marijuana and establish a regulatory system that enables that choose to allow the use of marijuana without interference from the federal government. 60 days after enactment, marijuana would be removed from the Controlled Substances Act, but does not apply to interstate commerce. It would remove oversight from the DEA and move it to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and would regulate marijuana like alcohol. It would establish a permitting system stemming from an annual licensing fee on marijuana producers. Finally, it would establish standards for advertising marijuana and its products.
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With uncertainty still remaining related to potential Department of Justice enforcement, more and more advocates in Congress are coming out in support of our efforts. NCIA will continue pushing for reforms at the federal level and our friends on Capitol Hill won’t stop until your cannabis businesses are able to operate freely, like all other businesses.
NCIA member looking to help advance our issues on Capitol Hill should register for our 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days coming up May 16 and 17 in Washington, D.C.
Member Spotlight: W Vapes
This month, we checked in with Dr. Juli Crockett of W Vapes, a vaporizer and extraction brand that originally launched in California, and is a Sustaining level member of NCIA. W Vapes was named one of the “Best Vape Cartridges” of 2016 at the California Chalice Cup. Juli also sits as a Co-Chair on NCIA’s recently launched Policy Council.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Extraction/Manufacturing
NCIA Member Member Since: December 2015
Tell me a bit about your background and why you launched W Vapes?
The first W Vapes products were officially launched in California in August of 2015. A short two years later, and we are about to transition to being a national brand with locations in Oregon, Nevada, and beyond. W Vapes is becoming W The Brand.
Dr. Juli Crockett with Edibles Magazine Editor-in-chief Patrick Moore
How it all began? A family history of multiple types of cancer, as well as other ailments, led our co-founders to the research and development of our extracts. A defining moment that confirmed their faith in this amazing medicine was after providing cannabis oil to a family member with Tourette’s syndrome who experienced more than 100 ticks per day. After a single dose of cannabis oil his ticks subsided completely. They then knew their mission was to bring high quality cannabis to the people. After working for years in every aspect of the cannabis industry, from growing to dispensaries to manufacturing, their small, home-grown pen company (RELM) was sought out by visionary investors that recognized the massive potential of their high quality oil. From that union, W Vapes was born. I suppose you could call me the midwife? I was recruited in early 2015 to help with the launching of the W brand in California. While my official title is Chief Compliance Officer, we all have worn a whole mess of hats in the past two years, which goes along well with my diverse background in the arts (playwright, theater director, singer, bandleader), PhD in Philosophy, experience as a Marketing Director in the adult toy industry, and undefeated professional boxer. It sounds like a unique resume, however, the cannabis industry has no shortage of dreamers, daredevils, and polymaths. I’m in excellent company.
What unique value does W Vapes offer to the cannabis industry?
W Vapes is a unique hybrid that combines incredible quality standards and a deep commitment to patient safety with sophisticated, sleek branding and marketing savvy. A big differentiator is that our extractions are single-origin, strain-specific, and always pesticide-free. The oil in our cartridges and dabs comes from a single strain of a single batch of cannabis flower. There are no additives, flavorings, store bought terpenes, mixing of strains, synthetics, or cutting agents. One source, one strain, nothing else. We work with farmers that employee pesticide-free practices to produce high quality cannabis flowers, which we transform via small batch CO2 supercritical extractions into the liquid soul of the plant.
We are purists, plain and simple. We believe that the mission of the extraction process is to preserve and amplify the authentic soul of each cannabis strain. The vaping experience should be the inhalation of the concentrated soul of a plant, with no additives, synthetics, flavorings, or adulterants in the mix. That is why we do small-batch, single-origin, strain-specific extractions of certified and lab-tested, pesticide-free, potency-proven cannabis flowers. Our motto is “Gold In/Gold Out.”
Cannabis companies have a unique responsibility to shape this growing industry to be responsible and treated equally as any other industry. How does W Vapes help work toward that goal for the greater good of the cannabis industry?
Our goal and mission is to make the highest quality extracts accessible to all. Everyone deserves excellent, pure medicine. We have already distinguished ourselves by bringing more healthy delivery systems (such as glass and stainless steel cartridges, rather than plastic) to the masses, which is quickly becoming the industry standard. We hope to continue to innovate and influence the cannabis space in positive ways by always demanding the best for ourselves, patients and all people.
Our mission is to bring pure, pesticide-free, clean medicine of the highest quality to patients that may not even know or care about quality, pesticides, and clean medicine. We are a high-end product that is still affordable, as we believe that good, clean medicine should be the rule and not the exception.
What kind of challenges do you face in the industry and what solutions would you like to see?
W Vapes Co-Founder, Amber Abbott
Staying on top of the ever-changing and ever-developing regulatory landscape is a big challenge. It can be difficult for a company to make future plans when the future is still somewhat unknown. As an industry we face the paradoxical challenges of lack of regulation in some areas and over regulation in others on the horizon. Overall, the solutions we seek are being treated like any other industry, held to those standards, and given the same incentives and opportunities. Access to banking, sensible taxation, functional regulations, all with a focus on patient safety and the healthy growth of the cannabis industry — allowing for maximum participation by the people who created the cannabis industry over the past decades.
Why did you join NCIA? What’s the best part about being a member?
Being engaged in the political process, locally and at the state level, is of the utmost importance during this time of transition, when so many laws and regulations are being created and implemented. This is why it was important for us to not only join NCIA, and our local state affiliate CCIA (California Cannabis Industry Association), but to become deeply involved with both organizations. I currently sit on the Board of Directors for CCIA, several of its committees, and serve as a Co-Chair on NCIA’s newly formed Policy Council. This is an unprecedented moment in which the pioneers of the cannabis industry have the opportunity to come together and speak with a collective and powerful voice. The future of the industry is being defined and decided every day, in every moment. We do not have time to waste. This is our moment.
Note: NCIA member profiles highlight members and stories within our cannabis industry community. They do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of specific products or services by NCIA.
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will tell you:
Ryan Lewis is the VP and Head of Global Sales for Folium Biosciences of Colorado Springs, CO. Folium Biosciences is the largest vertically integrated producer, manufacturer, and distributor of hemp derived phytocannabinoids in the U.S. Folium, along with their exclusive distributor, 
It’s such a thrilling time to be an up and coming cannabis company. And if you’re looking to build a brand, it’s also a critical time to ensure you’re making all the right moves to build a solid brand foundation that can ensure you capture market share. The cannabis “brandscape” holds a lot of opportunity, if you use the right approach. 
Lisa Hansen has more than 15 years of marketing experience, working across a wide range of industries, from technology to packaged goods. At 
