Board Election Videos! Get to the know the candidates this year.
NCIA’s 2018 Board of Directors election is officially here! We’re offering new ways for candidates to tell their stories and for NCIA members to get the information they need to cast their votes. Watch the videos below to get to know some of the candidates in this year’s election. Videos are posted in the order in which they were received.
(Ballots with unique links have been sent to NCIA member companies by Monday, April 30. If you are an NCIA member wishing to vote in the 2018 Board of Directors but have not received your ballot, please contact the Membership Department at Jeremy@TheCannabisIndustry.org)
The election closes at 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, May 31.
MCBA exists “to create equal access and economic empowerment for cannabis businesses, their patients, and the communities most affected by the war on drugs,” and NCIA’s mission is “to promote the growth of a legitimate and responsible cannabis industry.” This partnership aligns the two nonprofits’ work around respective projects and events that complement each organization’s mission.
NCIA and MCBA staff representatives discuss each organization’s upcoming efforts and events, select the best opportunities for collaboration, and work out the details of each organization’s contributions to the other’s planned scope of work for the following year. MCBA members in good standing will receive discounted registration fees to select NCIA events, including its Quarterly Cannabis Caucus series, Seed To Sale Show and Cannabis Business Summit & Expo events. MCBA and NCIA’s respective Policy Councils may also collaborate towards mutually shared advocacy goals. Hear more in this recent podcast interview with new MCBA president, Shanita Penny.
In addition, NCIA is pleased to again offer 60 scholarships, in partnership with MCBA, for free registration (valued at up $895) to NCIA’s 5th Annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, July 25-27, 2018, in San Jose, CA. The scholarship is for qualified applicants to support minority groups’ success within the cannabis industry.
Applicants must be:
Currently employed as a mid-to-senior level industry professional or as a cannabis-related business CEO or founder for at least one (1) year
Have demonstrated professional, advocacy, or civic/community leadership experience
Be committed to fully engage in all scholarship benefits
Have a demonstrable need for financial assistance to attend the Cannabis Business Summit
Up to 60 scholarships will be granted to the highest-scoring applicants, as determined by members of a joint MCBA-NCIA Steering Committee.
Applications are due by Midnight PDT, May 31, 2018. Awardees will be notified on June 15, 2018. Interested applicants can find more information and fill out the form to apply for the scholarship online.
New Study Proves CBD Helps with Addiction, Anxiety, Impulsivity
by NCIA Editorial Staff
A new study reveals CBD (cannabidiol) can be used as a treatment in curbing cocaine and alcohol relapse in lab animals. The Neuropsychopharmacology study from Nature Journal serves as further proof that cannabinoids do, in fact, have therapeutic value.
Much of the cannabis-focused scientific community and business owners are well aware of these benefits. However, this study is a welcomed addition to the mounting evidence in favor of treating patients with CBD- as well as calling cannabis medicine.
Mary’s Medicinals is a trusted leader in the therapeutic CBD industry. Their Chief Scientific Officer, Jeremy Riggle Ph.D. isn’t surprised with the study’s outcome but hopeful it may result in human clinical testing in the future. “While the outcome of this study is exciting, there are literally hundreds of other animal/preclinical studies that have demonstrated the potential of CBD for human health,” he said to NCIA in an exclusive interview. He added, “Until the federal government allows comprehensive double blind randomized placebo-controlled studies on human populations these studies will continue to pile up without any action or validation.”
The Executive Director of California marijuana dispensary, A Therapeutic Alternative, agrees its a step in the right direction. “When a study like this comes out it corroborates the decade of anecdotal evidence that I have been seeing first hand,” said Kimberly Cargile. One of the top reasons members come to her shop is to reduce their use of pharmaceuticals, street drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Her go-to recommendations for new members: CBD products.
Cargile said she sees it as the fastest growing market because anyone can use CBD without the psychoactive effects of products with THC. You can learn more about the differences between THC and CBD as well as how CBD helps patients with debilitating conditions in our recent MarijuanaDoctors.com blog post.
Facts from the published study:
CBD attenuated context-induced and stress-induced drug seeking without tolerance, sedative effects, or interference with normal motivated behavior
Following treatment termination, reinstatement remained attenuated up to ≈5 months
CBD also reduced experimental anxiety and prevented the development of high impulsivity in rats with an alcohol dependence history
Mary’s customers and patients can shop online for vaping oil, topical muscle freeze, and their CBD-releasing transdermal CBD gel pen – the same method of delivery used by researchers for the new study.
Unlike products with THC, CBD can be shipped across America because CBD is found in industrial hemp. As Dr. Riggle explained, “Industrial hemp is legal across the United States and most of the world so that gives hemp-infused product manufacturers more freedom than cannabis product manufacturers. Being able to sell products online and ship them nationwide is a game changer, and it allows for plant-based remedies to quickly and easily reach those who need it most.”
The team at Mary’s is also breaking new ground in the scientific community as they were the first to release products with lesser known compounds of the plant including; THCa, CBN, and CBC. “We dedicate a significant amount of resources to R&D so that we’re able to stay ahead of the curve and pave the way in releasing products that target different human indications,” said Dr. Riggle.
This new era of cannabis research is great for patients and for business. Savvy small business owners like Cargile know that by providing consumers with the option of CBD products, their business can increase sales. In addition to providing a higher level of customer satisfaction, “CBD products hold a higher sales value and will give a larger return as opposed to high-THC products,” she explained.
In the past decade, the medical community has seen more cannabinoid-related studies than any other time in history. As the industry and medical communities continue to establish cannabis as medicine, it’s only a matter of time until the U.S. Government removes cannabis from it’s list of banned substances without medical benefits.
The political implications of the study aren’t lost on the authors. They wrote, “the findings also inform the ongoing medical marijuana debate concerning medical benefits of non-psychoactive cannabinoids and their promise for development and use as therapeutics.” For Dr. Riggle, the issue of marijuana legalization and the medical application of CBD are completely separate. “I’d like to think that the vast number of studies being conducted, and the mounting amount of evidence can help move the needle,” he told NCIA.
VIDEO: How Section 280E of the IRS Tax Code Burdens the Cannabis Industry
As tax season officially concludes, many cannabis businesses are feeling the burden of Section 280E, which can have the effect of taxing direct-to-plant businesses at a rate up to 3.5 times higher than other businesses. This unfair provision in the federal tax code affects the entire industry’s growth potential.
Watch this video below to learn more about Section 280E. Find out more about the solution: The Small Business Tax Equity Act which would allow for the fair and equal treatment of cannabis businesses.
The Small Business Tax Equity Act: Supporting a Just Cause at NCIA Lobby Days
by NCIA Editorial Staff
The American cannabis industry should be proud of generating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in tax revenue for America- but can you imagine how much more we could do without the 280E tax burden?
While it’s an exciting time to be in the cannabis industry, our businesses are struggling under crippling federal taxation. It’s all due to Section 280E of the IRS tax code. A provision originally set out to penalize bad actors in criminal market. Unfortunately for our industry, the federal government has yet to remove the plant from its list of scheduled drugs and continues to deny cannabis as a fully legal product with medical benefits. In sum, if your business touches the plant then you’re in danger of losing your profits under Section 280E of the IRS tax code. It’s a critical time for us to come together and demand change for the industry at the federal level so our business owners can do what they do best; grow their business and give back to the community.
Despite the 280E difficulties, Portland’s MindRite dispensary was voted the most charitable cannabis store by DOPE magazine. Owners Shea and Jaime Conley said they would give even more if their business was taxed like any other industry.
MindRite can’t write off their tens of thousands of dollars in charitable donations because 280E hinders it. “It’s coming out of our profits but its just something we do and has never been up for debate because we believe it’s the business owner’s responsibility to make the community around them better, said Shea. The Conley’s also said they would jump through even more hoops and regulations because it’s a privilege to be able to work in an industry they are so passionate about. But the fact remains, “if 280E wasn’t over our heads,” he said, “we would’ve expanded our business by now.” Without 280E they would reinvest the money they paid the government. “We could have two more dispensaries open,” said Shea.
As tax professional Jim Marty of Bridge Westexplained, businesses can normally retain profits from usual business deductions such as; employee salaries, utilities, facility rent, payments to contractors, and health insurance premiums. For those in the green space, anything outside of the cost of goods sold is not deductible. In efforts to level the playing field, Jim works with clients and lobbyists at the state level to allow for deductions. “We’ve testified in front of committees,” he said, “and some state tax rates are lower than the federal.” In prior interviews with CNBC and FOX Business, his advice is to understand your business plan because 280E creates an impossible situation for legitimate cannabis businesses.
State tax rates may be lower than federal in states like Colorado and Oregon, however, it’s not enough to offset the penalty they pay at the federal level. “We are aware of every dollar that goes out and comes in, it’s a must if you want longevity for your business,” said Shea. The dispensary deals with razor-sharp profit margins in anticipation of paying their penalty to the IRS every April.
It’s frustrating for business owners and employees. Mitch Woolheiser of Northern Lights Cannabis said his business growth is stunted as a direct result of the issue. “I can’t give my employees raises. I can’t put money back into my business. Instead, I’ve been hoarding cash in anticipation of what the IRS is going to take,” he said. In total, cannabis businesses are paying taxes on gross income which often amounts to paying rates that are 70% or higher. Comparatively, the corporate tax rate established by The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is only 21%.
That’s why we are once again taking to the steps of Congress in May for our 8th annual Lobby Days in Washington D.C. While in D.C., Jim said he hopes to meet with President Donald Trump. He said if the executive branch has authority to reschedule marijuana, he’d ask President Trump to categorize cannabis as a Schedule 3 substance or unschedule it completely because it would ensure that section 280E would no longer apply.
We also encourage everyone in support of a healthy, prosperous cannabis industry to talk to their Senators and Representatives about The Small Business Tax Equity Act. The amendment would exempt compliant cannabis businesses from the 280E provision which we believe would inevitably lead to in an influx of employment opportunities with more competitive salaries.
Member Blog: Pitch Perfect – Some Dos and Don’ts of Media Relations
The current media landscape is rapidly changing. It was much different a decade ago, five years ago, even a few months ago. Many magazines and newspapers—both print and digital—have sadly shuttered, some have cut back on publishing, while others have slashed budgets and staffs. Many times, these cuts mean reporters have to pick up more beats (it’s not uncommon for someone to cover, say, cannabis and local sports) meaning they are buried in work and deadlines and don’t have a lot of time to mull over your pitch or idea for a story.
Your goal is to make it easy for reporters to run your news. Here are some tips on what to do and what not to do when working with reporters.
DO: Throw a good pitch
A good pitch, just like the cliché sports analogy it refers to, should be thrown down the middle. It should be clean, hittable, and offer newsworthy information. (OK, that last line isn’t about baseball, but you get the picture.) Remember how busy reporters are and rehearse your pitch before getting on the phone until you know how to sell it in less than 60 seconds. While being upfront is important, it’s also okay to be creative. Help set the stage to pique a reporter’s interest, engage his/her imagination, and find the story quickly.
Tying your pitch into a larger story, trend, or current issue is a good way to get a reporter’s attention. There are big stories both on a regional and national level going on within the cannabis industry that you can tap into. For instance, Berkeley Patients Group, a well-known dispensary in Berkeley, CA recently did press outreach around the detriment of high taxes on the legal cannabis market. Because the dispensary’s leadership team has a close working relationship with the city and deeply understands the issues surrounding high taxes on cannabis, they were able to act as spokespeople and get coverage about the lowering of the city’s cannabis tax from 10% to 5%. The coverage helped get their name out to local cannabis consumers, but also contributed their reputation as a group of leading cannabis advocates, which is one of their main goals.
Another tactic in getting coverage is providing supporting and timely data and, if possible, information about the cannabis industry a reporter may not know. And, providing high resolution images, such as product photos, spokesperson headshots, and infographics will exponentially increase your chances of getting coverage. If you can offer all this, you’ll have wrapped your story in a nice package and made it easy for a reporter to tell that story.
DO: Build a relationship with reporters
Research is absolutely necessary to your success. Know who you are pitching, what they write about, and their writing style. There’s nothing that annoys reporters more than a pitch that has nothing to do with their publication or beat. Even at one media outlet, there may be multiple reporters on the cannabis beat, such as at the Associated Press and it’s important to know what each one of them covers, whether policy, products, health, etc., so that you know the right reporter to pitch.
If you have the opportunity, take the time to actually get to know reporters before pitching them. Take advantage of media in your geographic area, go to their offices or try to meet them for a coffee. You’ll also find the press attends cannabis industry conferences, which presents a great chance to meet reporters from across the country that you may otherwise never have the chance to meet in person. Face-to-face interactions, even for a brief moment, can go a long way when the time comes for pitching them. It helps build a foundation of trust for what you hope will be a long and fruitful professional relationship.
DON’T: Be a pest
Of course, even doing all your research and building that relationship the best you can, can’t guarantee a reporter will respond or write an article. You may have to tie your hands behind your back if you are tempted to follow up too many times. While it is important to follow up and maybe offer a different angle, stalking a reporter is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Here’s the scenario: You send a pitch. You hear nothing. Re-send it. Nothing. Maybe a third time, and this time, with a phone call. Nothing. Chances are your email has been deleted. (And if this happens a lot, please re-read DO: Throw a good pitch.) If you do get in touch with a reporter and he/she says no, it’s time to cut your losses. It’s tough, but it happens to the best of us.
DON’T: Shotgun pitch
What’s a shotgun pitch? It’s pretty much spam. You send your pitch to a long list of reporters all at once (cringe) using BCC: (cringe). This is also one of the biggest blunders you can make in media relations and reporters can spot it a mile away. It’s better to stay targeted and contact seven key reporters with a well-researched and tailored story versus throwing a general pitch at 50 media targets and hoping something sticks.
DON’T stress and DO keep it on the level
Pitching the press can be intimidating and stressful, but reporters are always looking for newsworthy stories and will welcome your pitch if it is delivered in the right way. Be transparent. Be informative. Be helpful. Be patient.
Carol Ruiz is co-founder and Partner of Higher Ground PR and Marketing. Janitor, construction crew clean up, waitress, documentary filmmaker, adjunct professor… just a few of the paths Carol Ruiz walked before finally finding what she would do for the rest of her life.
At these former gigs, as founder of NewGround PR & Marketing (a highly regarded agency in the real estate space), at Higher Ground, and at dinner tables the world over, Carol is a storyteller. Storytelling being the heart and soul of public relations, it’s no surprise that Carol was drawn to the world of PR.
Why it’s Critical For Cannabis Business Owners to Advocate for Policy Reform
by Rachelle Lynn Gordon, NCIA Editorial Contributor
Cannabis legalization reform has been in the works for years and will certainly continue for years to come due to the plant’s Schedule I status. In addition to the activists and organizations who have paved the way for marijuana legalization for decades, such as NORML, Marijuana Policy Project, and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), cannabis business owners are now at the forefront of what will most certainly be a multi-billion dollar industry within a short matter of time. But why is it important for these cultivators, dispensary owners, and investors to be directly involved with legalization advocacy?
“Advocacy is critical at this stage, where there is still so much progress to be made at the state and federal levels,” says David Murét, Co-founder & COO of Viridian Staffing. “While I believe that national legalization is now a foregone conclusion, the form in which it takes and who it will end up benefiting is still an open question.”
At this point in time, 30 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical and/or adult-use cannabis, each one with their own set of rules and regulations. As more and more states begin to come online and design their own programs, lawmakers will look to states where cannabis is already legal in order to learn from both successes and mistakes. At the federal level however, things are far more complicated.
While marijuana remains an illegal drug in the eyes of the federal government, certain protections are in place for businesses that are operating in compliance with their own states’ regulations. Several members of Congress representing these states have been pushing for even further protections and/or straight legalization, in spite of current Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ staunch anti-cannabis stance. In January, Sessions rescinded the Cole Memo, which had previously stated that federal funds shall not be directed towards enforcing federal cannabis policy within states that have passed for those operating in compliance with the items stated in the memo. However, this doesn’t mean that state prosecutors have to go after compliant businesses
Fortunately, the move was a moot point. A rider bill in the federal budget proposal, which is essentially a must-pass in order to prevent a government shutdown, maintained the protections that the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment (now Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment), which prevents the DOJ from going after state-legal medical cannabis. A bipartisan group of 62 members of Congress sent a letter to House appropriations leaders calling for action.
“We respectfully request that you include language barring the Department of Justice from prosecuting those who comply with their state’s medical marijuana laws,” the lawmakers, led by Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), wrote. “We believe such a policy is not only consistent with the wishes of a bipartisan majority of the members of the House, but also with the wishes of the American people.” These protections are now included through September 30th.
David Sutton, President & COO of NanoSphere Health Sciences, agrees that time is of the essence in order to create new legislation that will positively impact the industry in years to come.
“Cannabis business owners and professionals have to participate in advocacy,” he argues. “No matter how many states adopt some form of cannabis legalization, the industry still needs change at the federal level. Without a federal shift in cannabis policy, operators in the industry will remain hampered and handcuffed from growth.”
Many canna-business owners are not only involved with pro-legalization policy efforts with the industry’s future in mind, but also the end consumers. High-profile cases of medical marijuana patients becoming ill due to flower containing mold and instances of widespread pathogen prescences from certain cultivators have increased efforts to prevent these products from getting to market.
“We have a responsibility to ensure this business grows in the right way,” explains Brett Johnson, Founder & CEO of Spectrum-Gro. “We have to be the adults in the room. I am always advocating for the end users – we need to guarantee safe and consistent products that are free from harsh chemicals and other pathogens. If the current leaders in this industry do not advocate for the future, there could be negative results across the board – from cultivation to the consumer.”
There are many ways business owners and professionals within the cannabis space to get involved with advocacy. NCIA Lobby Days brings hundreds of industry professionals and thought leaders to Washington, D.C. in order to tell their stories to lawmakers and push for cannabis reform. In addition, working with local organizations within their own states and jurisdictions is a wonderful way for entrepreneurs to spread awareness and potentially help build legislation in their communities.
“If we want to see how big the industry could be and how many lives can be changed for the better, you cannot simply rely on just hope, everyone needs to act,” adds Sutton. “Change comes from the masses and the masses need each and every owner and professional to participate in industry advocacy.”
Rachelle Lynn Gordon is a Minneapolis-based writer and reporter and graduate of Hamline University. She has contributed to publications such as Cannabis Now Magazine and High Times.
Member Blog: “Death Penalty for State-Legal Marijuana Businesses” Is a Good Headline; It’s Not the Real Takeaway
In recent days, and for the second time in 2018, the state-legal cannabis industry is abuzz over a new memo issued by Attorney General Sessions. Having revoked the Cole Memo in a January memo, the Attorney General’s latest memo addresses the use of capital punishment in drug cases. Notably, he urges federal prosecutors to consider the death penalty in drug cases—including in circumstances that facially could include the operation of large-scale state-legal marijuana businesses regardless of compliance with local rules.
There’s no doubt “Sessions to Execute Legal Industry Members” makes for an eye-catching headline, but it’s time to pour some cold water on the hype: It’s highly unlikely that federal prosecutors would ever bring such a death penalty case. And even if prosecutors brought such a case, it’s even more unlikely that they could convince a jury to impose a death sentence that would stand up on appeal.
Given the fervor over this news, it’s worth explaining why the death penalty shouldn’t be keeping rule-following business owners up at night. But stepping back from the sensationalized headlines, it’s also worth considering what the real takeaway from the memo should be.
First, the prospect of a federal prosecutor seeking the death penalty against an individual for conduct she committed pursuant to a state-issued license and in conformance with a state-promulgated regulatory system are exceptionally low. Ask anyone who has actually interacted with federal prosecutors (and not just seen Goodfellas or American Hustle): Federal prosecutors are, unfailingly, exceptionally dedicated public servants who care above all about wielding their powers fairly and judiciously and getting the result right. They want to prevent serious crimes and put away threats to public safety. The idea that they would seek the death penalty against the owner of a state-licensed marijuana business operating in strict compliance with those rules is farfetched. After all, by their very conduct those individuals are demonstrating their ability to abide by the rule of law.
Certainly, Attorney General Sessions is not a fan of the state-legal marijuana industries. But it is an incredible leap to believe that he intends to have prosecutors seek the death penalty in such cases. As the memo says, the Attorney General “encourage[s]” prosecutors to seek the death penalty “when appropriate.” There has been no indication to date that Attorney General Sessions or any other federal prosecutor believe the death penalty is “appropriate” for a rule-following licensed cultivator in Colorado or retailer in Nevada.
Second, even assuming a hypothetical prosecutor brought such a case and secured a conviction for the underlying offense, they would still have significant constitutional hurdles. As an initial matter, under the Sixth Amendment, those prosecutors would need to convince a jury in the state where the conduct occurred (and is licensed) that sufficient aggravating factors existed to impose the death penalty. Without getting too deeply into the legal weeds, the U.S. Supreme Court reiterated in 2016’s Hurst v. Florida that before a defendant can be sentenced to death, he has “right to have a jury find the facts behind his punishment.” Convincing a jury of the defendant’s peers in a state where the conduct is legal that the defendant’s conduct warrants the punishment of death would be a tall task for any prosecutor.
Moreover, even assuming prosecutors secured a death sentence from the jury, any defendant would immediately appeal asserting that such a punishment violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. As the Supreme Court reiterated in 2008’s Kennedy v. Louisiana, punishment for a crime must be graduated and proportionate to the offense under currently prevailing societal standards. That is a heavy burden for conduct that is licensed and regulated in the defendant’s home state. Particularly daunting for the prosecution is the fact that the proportionality inquiry includes consideration of which states permit execution for the offense. In this hypothetical case, the conduct in question is (1) not a capital offense in the defendant’s home jurisdiction, (2) not illegal in the defendant’s home jurisdiction, and (3) actually licensed and regulated by the defendant’s home jurisdiction.
So, if rule-abiding business owners shouldn’t spend sleepless nights waiting for a death penalty prosecution, what should they conclude from this memo? Foremost, they should recognize that their efforts to comply with state rules on marijuana are more essential than ever.
The Attorney General’s memo makes plain that federal prosecutors will aggressively pursue drug crimes. To the extent that a state-licensed business appears to those prosecutors to be violating local law and diverting marijuana to the criminal market or selling to minors, that is a prime target for aggressive enforcement. Savvy licensees are already building robust compliance programs to avoid providing any appearance that they are not in strict compliance with local rules. In a federal enforcement environment in which the Attorney General is encouraging prosecutions with a clear intent to deter bad actors in the future, those efforts become even more essential.
In short, the prospect of a death penalty prosecution of the owner of a rule-following, state-licensed marijuana business is very remote. The way to keep it very remote is to focus on efforts that demonstrate that you are, in fact, following the rules.
Michael Cooper is the co-founder and managing member of MadisonJay Solutions LLC, the leading regulatory advisor to adult-use cannabis companies. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he previously served as General Counsel of MHW, Ltd., a leading provider of compliance services in the beverage alcohol industry, and in the litigation department of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, known as one of the nation’s premier law firms for nearly two centuries.
Do you want to have an influential role in strengthening and protecting the industry we’ve built together? This is your chance. Joining NCIA’s Board of Directorsis the premier opportunity to contribute to the progress and success of the cannabis industry.
As the only national trade association for the industry, joining NCIA’s Board of Directors is the premier opportunity to contribute to the progress and success of the cannabis industry. NCIA’s Board of Directors is the executive body that establishes NCIA’s broad objectives and strategic direction. As such, the board has authority over NCIA’s bylaws, mission, budget, and provides oversight to ensure the organization continues to serve our members’ interests as the industry grows and matures.
NCIA prides itself on truly being an organization run for and by its members. Now until Friday, April 27, NCIA will be accepting nominations for candidates to run for the Board of Directors.
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
Any representative of a current NCIA Sustaining Member business may run for a seat on the board with the nomination by another representative of any other NCIA member-business.
For current NCIA members wishing to nominate a candidate, nominations are being accepted through this online form. Representatives of Basic or Sponsoring level member businesses who are interested in serving on the board are encouraged to contact us at membership@thecannabisindustry.org or (888) 683-5650 to upgrade your membership before seeking nomination. You can also ask another NCIA member to nominate you by reviewing our member directory!
HOW DO MEMBERS VOTE?
After nominations close at 11:59 PM EDT on April 27, NCIA will send information about all qualifying candidates in a Voter Guide. A secure online ballot will be open to all current NCIA members starting at noon EDT on Monday, April 30, and online voting will be open until until 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, May 31.
For questions about participating in NCIA’s board election as a candidate or a voter, please contact NCIA Membership Director, Jeremy DePasquale at Jeremy@TheCannabisIndustry.org.
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Carol Ruiz is co-founder and Partner of Higher Ground PR and Marketing. Janitor, construction crew clean up, waitress, documentary filmmaker, adjunct professor… just a few of the paths Carol Ruiz walked before finally finding what she would do for the rest of her life.
In recent days, and for the second time in 2018, the state-legal cannabis industry is abuzz over a new memo issued by Attorney General Sessions. Having revoked the Cole Memo in a January memo, the Attorney General’s latest memo addresses the use of capital punishment in drug cases. Notably, he urges federal prosecutors to consider the death penalty in drug cases—including in circumstances that facially could include the operation of large-scale state-legal marijuana businesses regardless of compliance with local rules. 
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Michael Cooper is the co-founder and managing member of 