NCIA’s Inclusion Initiative, headed up by our Minority Business Council (NCIA-MBC), had a good start this year, and we were able to make a difference for dozens of people in the cannabis industry or working to enter the industry. Considering the Council had its first formal meeting only seven months ago, we have achieved a great deal in raising awareness and beginning to take on the mandate of creating a more inclusive industry.
We also have a good start to 2016. We’ve added an Inclusion Initiative contribution option to the registration forms for the 2016 Cannabis Business Summit and have already begun building up the scholarship fund.
But we can never rest on our laurels, and the expectations of the industry are great. There is talk about what else we can do to help promote inclusion in this industry, and now is the time to start the discussion.
The next meeting of the NCIA-MBC will be a planning meeting at 2pm MT on Tuesday, January 19th. To join the meeting, simply call in to the conference call line at (303) 416-5167. (No PIN is necessary.)
With this meeting, we’ll seek to get a little more formal in our efforts. The goal is to establish a representative committee and meeting structure to ensure we are at the forward edge of our work and that what needs to be done is getting done.
In an effort to continue the development of this initiative and grow the opportunities for those who face barriers within the industry, we are putting forward the notion of creating a more formal structure – guiding the development of the NCIA Inclusion Initiative by expanding the Minority Business Council and establishing a less formal advisory committee as well.
Therefore, we seek your input into two areas:
Please review the proposed rules for serving on the NCIA Minority Business Council. Then let us know if you would like to serve on the Council under these rules or would like to stay or become involved with the Inclusion Initiative through the less formal advisory committee.
Proposed Requirements for NCIA Minority Business Council (MBC) Members
Council members must be employees of NCIA member-businesses
Council chair must be a member of the NCIA Board of Directors and thus report to and from MBC
Chair and Vice chair are elected by the Council members
Secretary is appointed from NCIA staff
Only one person from any given member-business can serve on the Council (but there is no limit to how many people from a business can serve on the advisory committee)
Council members must be able to attend at least 3 in-person meetings and 3 telephone meetings during a calendar year
Council members must commit to a minimum financial contribution to MBC activities (examples: scholarship pledges, in-kind donations, etc.), exact amount to be determined by the Council at an affordable level to all
We believe the optimal number of people on the Council would be about 12, so we are looking for 12 strong volunteers who have a point-of-view and are eager to contribute on these critical issues.
If you own or are employed at an NCIA member-business, please feel free to nominate yourself for the Council. We also welcome your recommendations for others for us to follow through on and ensure we have the best recruits we can get.
Even if you are not part of an NCIA member-business, we invite you to join the advisory committee for NCIA’s Inclusion Initiative. On this advisory committee, you will be invited to every meeting and kept fully informed of action and activities, as well as have direct input into the Council and the Inclusion Initiative.
Please let us know of your involvement and interest before January 11th, so we can schedule a meeting and put structure in place for fuller development.
And as we head into 2016, we invite you to suggest and share resources for the Inclusion Initiative page on NCIA’s website, so that we can build it into a helpful presence for those looking for industry support and knowledge.
Thank you for your interest in the Minority Business Council and NCIA’s Inclusion Initiative. We look forward to expanding and building upon the success of 2015!
NCIA’s Minority Business Council: Robert Van Roo, Palm Springs Safe Access Joshua Littlejohn, Accannadations LLC Dr. Lakisha Jenkins, Kiona T. Jenkins Foundation for Natural Health Luke Ramirez, Walking Raven LLC
Appropriations Pros and Cons in 2015 for Cannabis
by Michelle Rutter, Government Relations Coordinator
Every year, Congress must pass appropriations legislation to fund the government for the upcoming fiscal year. This annual funding bill has been one of the only avenues by which pro-cannabis reform language can be inserted into the federal budget, due to Congress’ inability to pass meaningful stand-alone legislation addressing the legal cannabis industry.
This year, two riders were included in the budget bill pertaining to cannabis. The first, known as the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, bans the Department of Justice from spending money to prevent the implementation of state-level medical cannabis programs, in addition to removing funding for federal medical cannabis raids, arrests, and prosecutions in states where medical cannabis is legal. When debated on the House floor this summer, the vote count increased from 219-189 in 2014 to 242-186 this year, with 67 Republicans voting ‘Yes.’ The Rohrabacher-Farr language was included in the final budget bill for the second year in a row, which is a promising sign of progress in Washington, D.C.
A rider known as the Bonamici-Massie amendment, which prevents the DEA from intervening with state-sanctioned and legal hemp, was also included in the final budget package. This section blocks federal money from being used to prevent states from allowing the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of industrial hemp. It’s important to note that although this progress is promising, the DEA has ignored appropriations language pertaining to cannabis in years prior.
There were other commonsense policy reforms related to cannabis, which were proposed and added to earlier versions of the budget package, but which unfortunately did not make it into the final bill. A crucial example was a provision which would have prevented the Treasury Department from punishing banks that work with legitimate marijuana-related businesses. Another would have allowed Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to recommend medical cannabis to veterans without fear of retaliation or punishment, and would have also prevented the VA from denying services to any veteran who is a medical marijuana patient.
An additional disappointment in the final budget package was the continuation of language from the previous year which blocks the adult-use sale and purchase of cannabis in Washington, D.C.
It’s important to remember that these appropriations amendments only protect states’ medical cannabis and hemp laws for the upcoming fiscal year and have to be re-included and voted on every year. While this progress is encouraging, it falls short of achieving our goals. NCIA will continue lobbying on behalf of the cannabis industry to achieve the substantive and lasting reforms that our businesses deserve.
NCIA Member Posts Year in Review
2015 has been a great year of growth and learning within our industry. Our members are invited to submit their guest blog posts throughout the year to share their wisdom and insight with our membership and followers. Today we look back at the year in Guest Posts. Did you miss any the first time around? Check them out here.
NCIA Staff Picks:
The National Cannabis Industry Association’s 5th Annual Lobby Days in Washington, D.C.
Are you interested in submitting a guest blog post for NCIA’s website? Please reach out to Bethany Moore by emailing bethany@thecannabisindustry.org to propose your topic.
Announcing the Quarterly Cannabis Caucus Event Series
Wow, where does the time go? The end of 2015 is in sight and 2016 is fast approaching! As per usual, these past 12 months made for another landmark year for our industry where we saw enormous growth across all sectors, as well as witnessed notable legislative victories in the House and the historic first-time introduction of cannabis-specific legislation in the Senate. We continue to see increased activity and support for our issues in D.C., due in no small part to our increasingly prominent voice within the halls of Congress, spearheaded by the work NCIA is doing with your support.
Now, we are excited to announce that starting in January, we’ll be debuting a new nationwide event series! NCIA’s Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses will be held in the cannabis industry’s 12 most active regions, on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the first month of each new quarter. The exact date will vary depending on your region, and you can view the full list of dates and locations here. The schedule for the first quarter will be:
Oregon Cannabis Caucus – Portland, OR – Tuesday, January 12 – REGISTER NOW
Mid-Atlantic Cannabis Caucus – Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, January 12 – REGISTER NOW
Northeast Cannabis Caucus – Boston, MA – Thursday, January 14 – REGISTER NOW
FloridaCannabis Caucus – Orlando, FL – Thursday, January 14 – REGISTER NOW
MidwestCannabis Caucus – Chicago, IL – Tuesday, January 19 – REGISTER NOW
Tri-StateCannabis Caucus – New York, NY – Tuesday, January 19 – REGISTER NOW
ColoradoCannabis Caucus – Denver, CO – Thursday, January 21 – REGISTER NOW
SouthwestCannabis Caucus – Phoenix, AZ – Thursday, January 21 – REGISTER NOW
NevadaCannabis Caucus – Las Vegas, NV – Tuesday, January 26 – REGISTER NOW
So. California CannabisCaucus – Los Angeles, CA – Tuesday, January 26 – REGISTER NOW
No. CaliforniaCannabis Caucus – San Francisco, CA – Thursday, January 28 – REGISTER NOW
WashingtonCannabis Caucus – Seattle, WA – Thursday, January 28 – REGISTER NOW
As NCIA heads into our sixth year of operation, we’re committed to growing and evolving our work to provide increased value to our members and reflect our unique position with the industry. The Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses have been designed to provide the quality and consistent programming you’ve come to expect from NCIA events, while also preparing you and your business to contribute to our legislative efforts on the national level.
You and your team will leave each Cannabis Caucus equipped with the tools to affect positive change on cannabis issues while making meaningful connections with vested industry players. Each Caucus will be free of charge for current NCIA members and include an in-depth federal policy update from senior NCIA staff or staff from a district congressional office, a comprehensive state and local policy update from a local elected official or a member of NCIA, an informational packet filled with detailed legislative analysis and recent federal policy developments, and an organizational update so you can keep up to date with what NCIA is doing for you. All of this will be offered as well as the opportunity to network with the leaders in the cannabis industry.
The Caucus also serves as an opportunity for our members to share their ideas and concerns with NCIA, which is committed to serving the industry in the best way possible
As the only national trade association representing cannabis business owners on Capitol Hill, we are your voice within the halls of Congress on a daily basis. We take this responsibilityseriously and by holding these quarterly member meetings, we hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity to make your own voice heard within our ranks as well.
Every day it seems a new event is popping up, vying for your time, money, and focus. We here at NCIA know that our members’ time is one of their most valued assets, so we’ve created this event series to pack maximum information, value, and member benefit into a regular quarterly meet-up.
Do you have questions regarding the upcoming Quarterly Cannabis Caucus in your area or others across the country? Reach out to events@thecannabisindustry.org any time with your questions, comments, or concerns.
Interested in sponsoring one or a series of events in a particular region throughout the year in order to gain valuable exposure for your company to our nationwide network of established business owners? Please contact Brian Gilbert at brian@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on series rates and associated discounts for packages including NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit 2016, taking place in Oakland, CA, June 20-22.
Video Newsletter: Why NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit is 2016’s Can’t-Miss Event
Then purchase your Members-Only Early Bird tickets by December 18 to save $380 off the regular price!
Not yet an NCIA member? Add a one-year membership to your ticket purchase to get the early bird discount AND $50 off your member dues!
Register today and we’ll see you in Oakland, June 20-22, 2016!
Timeline: 2015 Legislative Year in Review
by Michelle Rutter, Government Relations Coordinator
As we look forward to 2016, there’s much on the horizon for the cannabis industry. NCIA remains dedicated in its effort to pass banking and tax legislation through Congress that would provide immediate relief to cannabis-related businesses all over the country.
In addition to the federal advocacy that NCIA engages in every day, there will be at least five states seeking to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis via the ballot initiative process: Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada. It’s also likely that Florida will have another ballot initiative relating to medical cannabis, and it’s possible that other states will move forward with cannabis reform through ballot initiatives or legislative processes. What happens over the next twelve months will be crucial in shaping the future of the legitimate and responsible cannabis industry.
While 2015 was a milestone year for cannabis reform, that same momentum will be necessary in order to continue moving the conversation forward with Congress in Washington, D.C. The Rohrabacher-Farr medical cannabis amendment earned more that 60 Republicans votes. For the first time ever, there are multiple pro-cannabis bills that have been introduced in the U.S. Senate. Continued progress is vital in garnering more national support for cannabis reform, so make sure your interests are heard through national advocacy, education, and community with NCIA.
The timeline below lays out some of the highlights from a busy year in cannabis industry advocacy. We look forward to more exciting milestones with your help in 2016!
*Click on the “Full Screen” button (with the four arrows) at the bottom of the image to expand its size.
Video Newsletter: 5 Years of Advocacy, Education, and Community
Even if you couldn’t attend NCIA’s 5th Anniversary Banquet held in Las Vegas on November 11th, you can still reflect on five years of industry advocacy, education, and community with a few of our founding members in this video presentation.
We are proud of the nearly 1,000 member-businesses that have come together as the unified voice of the cannabis industry.
Not yet a member of NCIA? It’s never too late to get involved in paving a prosperous future for the cannabis industry — join today!
Special Thanks to: Christie Lunsford, Jay and Diane Czarkowski, Brian Vicente, Ean Seeb, Erich Pearson, Étienne Fontán, Julianna Carella, Jill Lamoureux, Rob Kampia, and Steve DeAngelo.
Guest Post: NCIA Board Chair Reflects on the Past Five Years
by Jaime Lewis, Mountain Medicine
Dear cannabis colleagues,
I don’t know about you, but I cannot believe that it has been five years since Aaron Smith approached me with the idea of building a national trade association for the cannabis industry. Now, five years later, the National Cannabis Industry Association has become just that for us, and then some.
I’ve been witness to some incredible growth within the cannabis industry since NCIA was established in 2010. With the passage of full adult-use measures in four states and the continual growth of support within the halls of Congress, we have effectively been noticed as a legitimate industry that is gaining respect and recognition across the country.
It’s an amazing honor to have been involved from the very beginning – from attending the very first NCIA Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., to now serving as the chair of NCIA’s Board of Directors. All of us cannabis business leaders should be so proud to have effectively changed the conversation around our work, proving that we are a responsible and politically engaged industry. And we certainly have NCIA to thank for building a community of respected business owners and for fighting for this industry on the federal level for these past five years.
I invite you to come celebrate with me, share some laughs, and reflect on the last half-decade at Looking Back, Moving Forward – NCIA’s 5th Anniversary Celebration. Taking place on November 11 at the LiNQ Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the night will be be an unforgettable celebration of where we’ve been and what we have to look forward to in the years ahead. I am excited to celebrate with you! Sincerely, Jaime Lewis Owner, Mountain Medicine Chair, National Cannabis Industry Association Board of Directors
Jaime Lewis, Owner of Mountain Medicine & Chair of NCIA’s Board of Directors
Jaime Lewis is the founder and owner of Mountain Medicine, a leading marijuana provider in Colorado renowned for its quality products, patient services, community engagement, and philanthropic efforts.
Since 2010, she has applied industry best practices to advance the company’s mission to provide safe and legal access to marijuana infused products and improves patient quality of life through the therapeutic benefits of marijuana. Jaime’s business management and entrepreneurial skills have contributed to Mountain Medicine success. In addition she has experience in retail and Medical marijuana dispensary in Denver, with a background in culinary arts, Jaime’s career trajectory into the medical marijuana industry began by creating compassion edibles for HIV/AIDs patients in San Francisco. In 2009, she moved to Colorado and founded Mountain Medicine, a marijuana-infused product manufacturer. She continues to oversee product development, quality control, and product consistency – the main tenants of the philosophy behind the company she founded.
Jaime is founder and Chair of the Cannabis Business Alliance (CBA), which serves as the policy voice for the cannabis industry in Colorado. CBA reflects her priority to develop sound policies and respect for the industry as it grows. She is a current board member of the National Cannabis Industry Association and has been active in campaigns to advance the interest of the industry. As a business woman and industry advocate, her participation in these organizations reflects her passion and commitment to support responsible industry policies, promote patient access, and enhance the emerging industry’s role in the economy.
The 5 Critical Pieces of Cannabis Legislation You Need to Know About
by Michelle Rutter, Government Relations Coordinator
As the cannabis industry has continued to thrive and expand, the number of bills in Congress dealing with the issue has done the same. Between the House of Representatives and the Senate, there are well over a dozen bills that address the conflicts between state and federal cannabis policy. NCIA’s lobbying efforts focus primarily on banking access and the unfair taxation caused by Section 280E, but we also advocate for other bills that are crucial for the industry. Below are my choices for “The 5 Critical Pieces of Cannabis Legislation You Need to Know About”:
BANKING H.R.2076: Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015 Introduced by: Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO, 7th District) Last Action: Referred to House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on June 1, 2015. Summary: This bill would provide a safe harbor for depository institutions providing financial services to a cannabis-related business insofar as it prohibits a federal banking regulator from: (1) terminating or limiting the deposit or share insurance of a depository institution solely because it provides financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business; or (2) prohibiting, penalizing, or otherwise discouraging a depository institution from offering such services.
S.1726: Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act of 2015 Introduced by: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Last Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on July 9, 2015. Summary: Although the House and Senate cannabis banking bills are companions, the bill introduced by Sen. Merkley is slightly more detailed in its language.
The Senate bill would prevent federal banking regulators from: prohibiting, penalizing or discouraging a bank from providing financial services to a legitimate state-sanctioned and regulated marijuana business; terminating or limiting a bank’s federal deposit insurance solely because the bank is providing services to a state-sanctioned marijuana business; recommending or incentivizing a bank to halt or downgrade providing any kind of banking services to these businesses; or taking any action on a loan to an owner or operator of a marijuana-related business.
The bill also creates a safe harbor from criminal prosecution and liability and asset forfeiture for banks and their officers and employees who provide financial services to legitimate, state-sanctioned marijuana businesses, while maintaining banks’ right to choose not to offer those services. It would also require banks to comply with current Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance, while at the same time allowing FinCEN guidance to be streamlined over time as states and the federal government adapt to legalized medicinal and recreational marijuana policies.
280E H.R.1855: Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2015 Introduced by: Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR, 3rd District) Last Action: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means on April 16, 2015. Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code by adding language at the end of Section 280E that would exempt a trade or business that conducts marijuana sales in compliance with state law from the prohibition against allowing business-related tax credits or deductions for expenditures in connection with trafficking in controlled substances.
S.987: Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2015 Introduced by: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) Last Action: Referred to Senate Committee on Finance on April 16, 2015. Summary: This Senate bill is the companion to the H.R. 1855 described above. As such, the summary is the same.
STATES’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES H.R.1940: Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2015 Introduced by: Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA, 48th District) Last Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on May 15, 2015. Summary: Amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide that the provisions of the Act related to cannabis shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with state laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, or delivery of marijuana
CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE H.R.3518: Stop Civil Asset Forfeiture Funding for Marijuana Suppression Act of 2015 Introduced by: Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA, 33rd District) Last Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on October 5, 2015. Summary: This bill would prevent the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from using federal forfeiture funds to pay for its Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program. Additionally, the bill would ban transferring property to federal, state or local agencies if that property “is used for any purpose pertaining to” the DEA’s marijuana eradication program.
MEDICAL CANNABIS S.683: Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act of 2015 Introduced by: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) Last Action: Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary on March 10, 2015. Summary: Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to provide that control and enforcement provisions of such Act relating to marijuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with state law relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, laboratory testing, or delivery of medical marijuana.
Transfers marijuana from schedule I to schedule II of the CSA.
Excludes “cannabidiol” from the definition of “marijuana” and defines it separately as the substance cannabidiol, as derived from marijuana or the synthetic formulation, that contains not greater than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on a dry weight basis.
Prohibits a federal banking regulator from: (1) terminating or limiting the deposit insurance of a depository institution solely because it provides or has provided financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business; or (2) prohibiting, penalizing, or otherwise discouraging a depository institution from providing financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business.
Provides depository institutions that provide financial services to a marijuana-related legitimate business protection under federal law from federal criminal prosecution or investigation, criminal penalties, and forfeiture of legal interest in collateral solely for providing financial services to such a business.
Directs The Department of Health and Human Services to terminate the Public Health Service interdisciplinary review process described in the guidance entitled “Guidance on Procedures for the Provision of marijuana for Medical Research” (issued on May 21, 1999), and also demands the Drug Enforcement Administration to issue at least three licenses under CSA registration requirements to manufacture marijuana and marijuana-derivatives for research approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to authorize VA health care providers to provide veterans with recommendations and opinions regarding participation in state marijuana programs.
H.R.1538: Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act of 2015 Introduced by: Rep. Steve Cohen (D, TN-9) Last Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on April 21, 2015. Summary: This House bill is the companion to S. 683 described above. As such, the summary is the same.
In addition to these crucial pieces of legislation, there are other bills relating to cannabis that have been introduced to Congress on issues like CBD, a federal excise tax on cannabis, veterans’ access, and hemp. Cannabis advocates and NCIA members should continue to participate in NCIA’s events and lobbying efforts in addition to contacting their elected officials in order to see cannabis continue to progress in Washington, D.C. and on Capitol Hill.
Guest Post: Deal for Regulations Passes California Legislature
by Nate Bradley, Executive Director of California Cannabis Industry Association
We did it! After almost 20 years without statewide regulations, the California State Legislature has taken an important first step in creating a legal framework for medical cannabis. On September 11th at 11:47 pm, CCIA staff watched as the legislature sent a package of bills to the Governor’s office. Those bills – AB 266, AB 243, and SB 643 – combined to make the Medical Marijuana Regulation & Safety Act (MMRSA).
The MMRSA establishes the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation under the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Department of Food and Agriculture has responsibility for regulating cultivation and processing, the Department of Public Health is tasked with developing standards for the manufacture, testing, and production and labeling of all cannabis products, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation oversees developing pesticide standards. For more information on what this legislation does, please check out CCIA’s “MMSRA Cheat Sheet” here.
We think it’s fair to say most CCIA members understand the need for regulation and are glad California has started the process. That said, we believe parts of the bills need fixing. We are eager to hear what you think. We will continue relying on feedback from our allies in the industry to help us develop follow-up legislation — and to take part in the rule-making process — to address these issues. That said, the clear message from our members has been: even strict regulation is better than no regulation at all.
Nate Bradley, cofounder of the California Cannabis Industry Association, an independent state affiliate of NCIA
We also hope this legislation will put California in compliance with the U.S. Department of Justice guidelines, which ought to end federal prosecution of lawful cannabis operators in California. The citizens of California spoke clearly when they voted for medical cannabis in 1996; their elected representatives have just spoken again. We hope the federal government will respect California’s clear desire to have a well-regulated medical cannabis industry.
Our expectation is that California will now be able to take its rightful place as the center of investment and innovation in the cannabis economy. Governor Brown and his colleagues in the legislature have just given the green light to let California’s cannabis industry become the thriving, tax-paying, job-creating industry it was always destined to become.
Nate Bradley, based in Sacramento, is the executive director and cofounder of the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA). He is responsible for CCIA’s public policy advocacy and political strategy in California’s State Capitol. Nate also has ten years of education and experience in law enforcement and is a speaker for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).
Monthly Video Newsletter: September 2015 National Progress Report
Thank you for joining us for this September edition of NCIA’s monthly video newsletter.
Executive Director Aaron Smith shares the national progress report for the cannabis industry.
Not sure you’ll be making it to Vegas just yet? You can still support NCIA’s fifth anniversary by making a generous contribution to our annual fundraising drive today! All proceeds support our work defending the cannabis industry in Washington, D.C.
Guest Post: Growing Pains in Michigan
(As with all Guest Posts on NCIA’s website, this post solely represents the views and opinions of its author and does not represent an NCIA endorsement or official position. ~ eds.)
by Matthew Abel, Cannabis Counsel P.L.C.
Michigan is poised for change, as it has been for years. Almost seven years of the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (sponsored by MPP in 2008) has brought plenty of litigation, but no legal dispensaries. That seems likely to change in 2016, one way or another.
Matthew Abel speaks to the crowd at Hash Bash in Ann Arbor, MI
It is possible that the Michigan legislature, which has done nothing to improve the stalemate on dispensaries and the questionable legality of anything other than “dried leaves and flowers,” may finally move forward. The dispensary and extracts bills now are joined by a seed-to-sale tracking system. That finally may overcome the objections of those coddling law enforcement, who see enforcement having to move on to other things (like violations of the new regulations).
Multiple legalization petitions are afoot. One would set up a three-tiered system like the clumsy, expensive, and oligopolistic Michigan liquor control framework. It has taken years to allow brewpubs in this state. Even now, a small local brewery is prohibited from selling directly to retail outlets; everything must go through one of the few beer and wine wholesalers, who take a cut (of course). Even that, however, is not the worst part of the ballot initiative being circulated by the Michigan Cannabis Coalition. The worst part is that any violation of the law still would be a crime. Growing more plants than allowed (two flowering plants, or potentially four if the municipality allows it) would be a felony. Selling to anyone without a license would still be a felony.
The proposal I favor (and which I helped draft) is sponsored by MILegalize. Aside from allowing distribution directly from cultivator to retailer, the main benefit of this legalization proposal is that it no longer criminalizes marijuana except for providing to minors or for driving under the influence. As we move from prohibition to legalization, we need to remember that much of the benefit of legalization is the concept of generally removing marijuana from the illegal market, with the huge savings of lives and money which accompany the move to put cannabis distribution into the legal market.
MILegalize is the right form of legalization. It removes most criminal penalties for cannabis. Eliminating crime by design of our drug laws and treating it as a public health issue, rather than a criminal justice issue, is a healthy change. That is the best reason to support the model put forward by MILegalize, as opposed to the three-tiered system proposed by the Michigan Cannabis Coalition.
For those who need to see a direct economic benefit before considering financially supporting this initiative, don’t be shortsighted. Michigan has a population twice the size of Colorado. MILegalize has no residency requirement, no financial bars to entry, and no caps on size or number or growers, processors or retailers (that is left up to each municipality, who stand to recover 20% of the excise tax imposed at the retail level).
Marijuana legalization in the face of continued criminal punishment in not nearly as sweet. I cut my teeth as a criminal defense attorney, and have had the unfortunate opportunity to see, up close, the negative unintended consequences of a medical marijuana law which is far too restrictive and fails both in providing necessary products and access, while also failing to protect those who are intended to benefit from the law. We need to not continue to make the same mistakes in the progression toward full legalization.
As a person who wants to see government work for the people, we need to recognize that the law itself is most of the problem, and leaving criminal penalties in place only perpetuates the problem.
For more information on MILegalize or to make a contribution, visit www.milegalize.com.
Matthew Abel, Cannabis Counsel, PLC, based in Detroit, MI
Matthew Abel is Executive Director of Michigan NORML and Senior Partner of the Detroit law firm Cannabis Counsel, P.L.C. He has been a member of NCIA since July 2013. Mr. Abel has been a criminal defense lawyer with a special focus on marijuana cases for more than 20 years. Mr. Abel’s Detroit-based law office capably handles marijuana possession, trafficking and distribution cases throughout the state of Michigan. His marijuana-specific practice areas include smuggling issues on the U.S.-Canadian border, asset forfeiture that victimizes clients, and questionable drug testing procedures.
He is a lifetime member of the NORML Legal Committee and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a member of Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, the National Lawyers Guild, Americans for Safe Access, and the legal committee of the ACLU of Michigan. He has lectured on Michigan Medical Marihuana Law for Oaksterdam University in Michigan, the Michigan Cannabis College, MedGrow Cannabis College, the Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Cannabis Career Institute, and to bar associations throughout Michigan. Mr. Abel was Director of the Committee for a Safer Michigan, sponsor of an unsuccessful 2012 Michigan Constitutional Amendment Ballot Question Committee, to repeal marijuana prohibition in Michigan for adults 21 and over. www.repealtoday.org
Submit Your Speaker Proposal for the 2016 Cannabis Business Summit!
By Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events and Education
As the director of events and education for the National Cannabis Industry Association, there are many joys that come along with managing our speaker bureau.
Putting together the agenda for our annual national conference, the Cannabis Business Summit, is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable and important responsibilities I manage. Time and time again we hear from attendees how valuable the information presented at our events was to them. We are always striving for the highest quality of speakers and most relevant session topics to help your cannabis business be successful in the long run.
This is where you, as a valued member of NCIA, come in.
“The organization and overall experience at [NCIA] events is always extremely professional. The Cannabis Business Summit was no exception. As someone who attends over 30 industry events a year, I believe this makes for an environment which is conducive to teach and learn.”
-Nick Tanem, Owner, Essential Extracts
Becoming a speaker at our Cannabis Business Summit establishes you as a thought leader in the cannabis industry. It presents you with the opportunity to address and educate a national audience of business owners and operators. It also gives you the direct opportunity to continue creating and contributing to the advancement of a responsible industry. By working together and sharing knowledge, we will continue to raise the bar collectively and propel us into a new era.
So what are you waiting for? Submit your proposal today! Have questions or suggestions about how you can contribute to NCIA’s educational programs? Connect with me at brooke@thecannabisindustry.org to discuss potential opportunities.
by Aaron Smith, NCIA Co-founder and Executive Director
When a handful of top cannabis business leaders came together to form a national industry association in 2010, the world was a different place. Medical cannabis providers were routinely raided by federal law enforcement, the media often characterized cannabis businesses as illegitimate, and there was little political will in Congress to take on the marijuana issue whatsoever. Some of my colleagues in the reform movement even expressed skepticism over whether it was entirely a good idea to bring the industry together as a vocal stakeholder in the fight to change outdated marijuana laws.
Aaron Smith at NCIA’s 1st Annual Cannabis Business Summit, June 2014
As we come close to concluding our 5th year of operation, I’m incredibly proud of what our members have made possible. Cannabis businesses are now largely taken seriously by the mainstream media, a majority of voters, and we are experiencing greater momentum in Congress than ever before.
Too much has happened over the last half-decade to list it all but here are just a few key developments:
Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized adult cannabis use and robust industries have already taken root in Colorado and Washington,
Protections for medical marijuana businesses have been included in the federal government’s annual budget,
Presidential candidates are taking our industry seriously and at least one held a fundraiser with the industry during NCIA’s national Cannabis Business Summit, and
This progress didn’t happen by coincidence. The cannabis industry is finally being taken seriously because our members have come together to assert their collective economic and political strength just as every other business sector does.
The coordinated political and communications strategy executed by NCIA has changed the narrative around marijuana. The debate is now more about how legal cannabis sales will be regulated than about whether people should be put in jail for its use. We have also reframed the conversation so that responsible cannabis businesses and the economic and social benefits they offer communities are at the forefront.
2016 is going to be an even bigger year for the industry and as we look back at our accomplishments, we also must acknowledge there is so much more work that needs to be done before our industry is treated fairly under federal law.
In celebration of NCIA’s 5th Anniversary, we are challenging each of our nearly 1,000 members to contribute at least $500 in our annual fund drive so that we can start next year off as strong as possible.
As a token of my gratitude, all members who contribute to this cause will be acknowledged at our 5th Anniversary Banquet in Las Vegas on November 11. All contributors will also be entered into a drawing to win an iPad Air 2, which will be selected at the Anniversary Banquet.
Please consider investing in the future of the industry by giving a $500 gift to NCIA* today. All proceeds will support our direct advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of the cannabis industry.
*This link to will take you to our new donation website, hosted by MemberClicks.
Guest Post: Favorable IRS Ruling – State Excise Tax May Escape 280E Treatment
by Luigi Zamarra, CPA
On July 31, 2015, the IRS released ILM 201531016, concluding that the old Washington State cannabis excise tax may be properly treated as a reduction of gross revenues received. This is a very favorable ruling for our industry as it means that this tax can escape the harsh non-deductibility treatment of IRC Section 280E.
Although this ruling is applicable directly only to old Washington law, it may have far-reaching consequences for cannabis businesses operating in other jurisdictions that also impose special taxes on cannabis business activities.
As originally enacted, the Washington excise tax is imposed upon all sales of cannabis, at either the producer level, the processor level, or the retail level. As written, the tax is imposed upon each sale. (This law has now been amended so that the tax is imposed only at the retail level.)
The IRS has concluded that businesses may treat this tax as a reduction of Gross Revenues. This treatment is similar to “Returns & Allowances” in that it is a “Revenue Contra Account.” As such, it is not an expense, either above-the-line (Cost of Goods Sold) or below-the-line. Since it may be treated as a reduction of Gross Revenues rather than as an expense, it should escape treatment as non-deductible under IRC Section 280E.
Colorado also imposes a variety of special taxes upon cannabis sales. In California, local cities and counties impose special taxes on cannabis sales too. Although it is not yet clear, it seems there may be opportunities for businesses in these jurisdictions to take advantage of this ruling. This would involve these businesses changing their accounting treatment for these taxes: away from an expense or Cost of Goods Sold treatment and toward a Revenue Contra Account treatment.
Businesses are advised to consult with their CPA for a more in-depth analysis of the application of this ruling to their particular situation.
Luigi Zamarra, CPA
Luigi Zamarra, CPA, has been a member of NCIA since 2013. Luigi CPA is an accounting firm located in Oakland, CA, that helps all types of businesses and individuals with tax planning, tax compliance, and tax dispute services. Luigi specializes in the medical marijuana industry. He helps these businesses comply with IRC Section 280E so as to balance tax cost against audit examination risk.
*Disclaimer: NCIA does not provide legal or financial services or advice. Any views or opinions presented in this guest blog post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the organization. You must not rely on the legal information on our website as an alternative to legal or financial advice from your lawyer or other professional services provider.
Guest Post: Regulating Marijuana – What Direction for FDA?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has learned the hard way, over decades, that there is a moving ‘thin blue line’ for it to take legal action. On one side, the last thing FDA wants is to see thousands of seriously ill people demonstrating at the gates, as happened during the AIDS crisis when FDA stood between horrendously ill and dying patients and potentially life-saving drugs. FDA has become a much more savvy political organization since then and knows that any action it takes is always subject to second guessing by the courts, by Congress, and by political pundits on all sides. On the other side, FDA must act when there is clear evidence of people being harmed by products that fall within its jurisdiction.
There is no question that marijuana, whether in smokable, edible, or any other form, creates drug-like effects in people and animals. This medical fact is acknowledged by everyone and everyone admits that FDA could have jurisdiction to act, if it chooses to act. So why hasn’t FDA acted, and can we read the tea-leaves to foresee when it will act, and how it will act?
The key issue for FDA is always safety to people and especially ‘at risk’ patients such as children, people who might mistakenly take cannabis, or people who are medically compromised. Since no one can smoke cannabis by mistake, and FDA physicians can assure themselves that smoking cannabis has remarkably few toxicity issues, the only remaining safety concern is ingestion. Since it is possible to keep ingesting cannabis-containing food materials until a person reaches levels of medical concern, the question moves to: let’s take a look at the data.
Steve Goldner, Regulatory Affairs Associates
While there may be some overdosed patients who have not been reported into the hospital reporting networks, we do have a couple of years with consumers and consumables in Colorado and Washington State. While there have been some reports of regrettable overdoses that created harm, in general, epidemiologists are surprised by the remarkable absence of medical problems. Frankly, we were expecting significant reports of mortality and morbidity, and the reports are nowhere near the level of concern that FDA sees in field reports when action is necessary to save lives. Certainly there have been isolated problems, but far less than were expected and the trend seems to be towards better labeling, better quality control, and better information at point-of-sale.
So if past action was not necessary by FDA, and current action doesn’t appear necessary, what about future action? Does it look like the marijuana movement is working towards higher standards, more scientific analysis, and greater transparency with medical and scientific collaboration? Or is this movement trying to hide problems and deny that critical self-examination issues need to be addressed?
Clearly the industry is making itself safer on a weekly basis through self-regulation and multiple state regulations. Can we do better? Absolutely! So what are the primary opportunities to make huge leaps forward toward better service and better products for our patients and customers?
We suggest these are the top 5 for you to consider. See if you can answer YES to each of these:
Do I use a test lab regularly, with suitable sampling, and have they performed ‘FDA validation’ for their analysis procedures so I know they are giving true values?
Is the cannabis product produced regularly in the same way so that the product is predictable and do I follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)?
Am I always honest about having safe and clean product for my customers?
Do I know all the state rules and regulations and am I and my workers following them in all parts of my operations?
Have I protected myself and my workers from adverse working conditions?
If you can say YES to all 5, then give yourself a hand, and keep looking ahead, so you can stay ahead.
Steve Goldner was Supervisor Forensic Toxicologist at Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, New York City while working on the team that developed the first commercial laboratory chromatography tests for drugs, which helped launch the drug screening industry in the 1970s. He then formulated the drug methadone with his mentor John Broich from Brookhaven Labs., got FDA approval and managed the drug company for several years. After earning his law degree at Quinnipiac University Law School and practicing law in Connecticut, he specialized in gaining FDA approval for new medical technologies, foods, drugs and medical devices. His consulting firm, Regulatory Affairs Associates, became members of NCIA in June 2015, and has helped get over 240 products approved by FDA which launched many new companies. He also has served as FDA Expert Consultant to the National Institutes of Health and advises testing labs, food and drug companies on FDA, State and International compliance.
Recapping the Cannabis Business Summit & Expo 2015
by Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events & Education
The National Cannabis Industry Association’s second annual Cannabis Business Summit took place June 29-July 1 in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. With attendance surging to nearly 2,000 this year, an expo hall filled with 100+ exhibitors, three full days of educational programming with over 135 speakers, and the bi-partisan involvement of four members of Congress and one Colorado state representative, the symposium represented the rapidly growing, maturing, and increasingly normalized cannabis industry developing here in the United States. Here we take a look, day-by-day, at what took place over the course of three days:
Day 1:
The Cannabis Business Summit & Expo kicked off with workshops, tours, and Canopy Boulder’s demo day. The eight workshops featured a wide range of topics, including:
Growing a National Brand
Complete Cultivation System Design Process
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and Security System Compliance, and
Marijuana Risk Management: Navigating Your Client or Cannabis Company Through the Weeds.
Those who signed up for tours got a special treat visiting the Dixie Brands, CannLabs, or EvoLab facilities.
Canopy Boulder rounded out the afternoon by conducting an investor demo day, featuring ten companies that have been participating in Canopy Boulder’s Spring Class of their incubator program. Immediately following, a networking reception officially opened the greatly expanded exhibition hall. Check out this piece from Reason magazine which highlights some of the many sponsors NCIA had on the expo floor.
Day 2:
Day Two’s primary focus was on the mainstream political support we are increasingly seeing behind cannabis policy reform. The day began with a moving video Welcome Address by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), co-sponsor of the CARERS act. NCIA executive director’s opening keynote was preceded by welcoming remarks from Denver Congresswoman Diana Degette, who thanked the industry for being responsible business people and spoke for the need for continued bipartisan support from legislators.
After the morning sessions, attendees broke for lunch, where they had the chance to attend a speech by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), one of the industry’s most consistent and vocal champions in Congress. If you missed the luncheon, check out this great Bloomberg interview with Rep. Rohrabacher.
After lunch, in what has been called a historical first, U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul (R-KY) joined in the activities by holding a private fundraiser at the Summit. Sen. Paul met with NCIA members to learn more about the problems they face due to outdated federal law, offering an unprecedented opportunity for industry leaders to directly address these issues with a presidential candidate vying for our nation’s highest elected office.
The afternoon featured five different educational tracks including “Running Your CannaBusiness,” “Cultivation and Processing,” “Money Matters: Finance, Accounting, and Insurance,” “The Law, Policy, and Reform,” and “Emerging Topics.” Educational sessions throughout the afternoon ranged from “Analysis of Different Lighting Technology: HPS, Plasma, & LED” to “Defining the Limits of the IRS Authority over COGS: CCA 201504011 Explained”, “Boutique Cannabis: The Case for Small Business” and “Trademark Enforcement”.
The panel “National Outlook on Evolving State-Wide Regulations” finished up the programming for the day. The session featured an in-depth look at what types of policies and regulations are evolving nationwide, to give attendees a broad view of what’s happening across the United States, and what we can expect as more states come on line in the coming years.
The renowned Cannabis Carnival took place at the Fillmore Auditorium later in the evening, where 1600+ cannabis industry leaders & enthusiasts converged for one unforgettable night to celebrate progress and to support continued reform. Read the full recap here.
Day 3:
Day Three focused heavily on emerging topics in the cannabis industry and started out with the opening panel “Increasing Diversity within the Cannabis Industry.” It’s not a secret that minorities are not advancing as quickly in the cannabis industry as their white, male counterparts. This discussion took an in-depth look at the causes for this, what responsible business owners can do to create more diversity within their workplace, and why it is important to do so.
Breakout sessions for the day featured yet another diverse list of topics. This included “Preventing & Surviving an Armed Robbery,” “Managing the Operations of an Edibles Kitchen,” “To Spray or Not to Spray, That is the Question,” and “Sungrown Cannabis Cultivation – The Movement Towards Outdoor.”
Closing out the conference were two fireside chats, both focusing on different avenues of sustainability in the cannabis industry: “Building Customer Loyalty” and “The Greener Way – Innovative Steps Towards a Sustainable Industry.”
We cannot thank all of our speakers and sponsors enough for participating, and contributing to another successful annual summit. Let’s keep the energy, growth, and education going – register for our upcoming Fall Regional Cannabis Business Summit taking place in New York City, September 21-23.
Cannabis Carnival II: The Fusion of Art & Activism
Written by Brooke Gilbert, Director of Events & Education
For the second year in a row, the National Cannabis Industry Association set the stage for a night of fun, music, mischief, and the celebration of cannabis with our acclaimed benefit concert, Cannabis Carnival II. Held at Denver’s historic Fillmore Auditorium, the Carnival featured a wide-ranging group of world-class musicians and performers, including headliners Medeski Martin & Wood, Everyone Orchestra featuring an all-star ensemble of accomplished musicians, performance troupe Quixotic, and Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation.
Funhouse Facilitator Bhang Corporation gave the interior of the already impressive Fillmore Auditorium a new life through the creation of an inviting, Bhang-branded Funhouse Lounge space complete with seating, psychedelic fine art by Don Callarman and Android Jones, plus even a chance to get your fortune told by the mighty Zoltar!
Filling out the raised viewing area along the east side of the Fillmore were our Cannabis Cavalcade of supporting sponsors and our Non-Profit Village. Attendees had the chance to stop by Mountain Medicine, O.PenVAPE, Mahatma Concentrates, and Terrapin Care Station booth setups to pick up goodies, play carnival-themed games for a variety of prizes, and meet those who make these wonderful products. On top of all this, attendees could also visit the booths of harm reduction heroes Dancesafe and Harm Reduction Action Center to learn more about practical measures to stay safe at live music events and give back by entering into Share Your Cloud’s art raffle to raise money HRAC’s lifesaving local efforts.
The party continued outside with even more carnival fun. Whether taking a chance at soaking someone in the 300-gallon Dunk Tank or showing off your strength by taking a swing at the High Striker, there was plenty of excitement to go around. O.PenVAPE topped it all off by providing a stilt-walker to entertain guests throughout the night in hosting their tricked-out Volkswagen bus where attendees could take a break to play everyone’s party favorite, Mario Kart™.
Opening up the musical portion of the evening was Rob Garza, multi-instrumentalist and founding member of Thievery Corporation. His engaging mix of deep house and nu-disco during his set got everyone warmed up while exploring the venue. Intensely mesmerizing, highly skilled, and visually stunning, Quixotic took the stage next and stole the show for many who were unaware of what they were about to witness. Based out of Kansas City, this group of performers masters the fusion of dance, high fashion, aerial acrobatics, projection mapping, and original live music, producing a multi-dimensional experience unlike any other. You can view highlights from their performance in our official photo album found on our Facebook page here.
The constantly revolving improvisational supergroup Everyone Orchestra took the stage following Quixotic. Matt Butler, a masterful entertainer who also served as our jovial ringleader for the evening, conducted the highly anticipated lineup of musicians, including members of The String Cheese Incident, Big Gigantic, Papadosio, The Motet, Tea Leaf Green, Elephant Revival, The Bridge, and The Congress, through an hour-long improvisational journey which did not disappoint. Combining an eclectic mixture of funk, rock, bluegrass, soul, jazz, and audience participation all guided by the meticulous mind of Matt Butler, Everyone Orchestra got everyone dancing and letting loose to the collaboratively created soundtrack.
A surprise guest for the evening came out during the setbreak before Medeski Martin & Wood closed out the show. Few people knew beforehand that Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), a longtime champion of cannabis policy reform, also plays guitar and is no stranger to songwriting. In what might have been a first for a member of Congress, Rep. Rohrabacher jumped on stage and shared a personally penned song about freedom at a cannabis-centric concert. This rare moment was definitely a highlight of the evening as it reflected the merging of a political movement, art, and activism that Cannabis Carnival means to encompass.
World-renowned jazz funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood took the stage last, joined by a late night rush of local cannabis enthusiasts who weren’t going to miss their last stateside appearance in 2015. This increasingly rare performance by the jazz fusion pioneers was a real treat for all and the diverse audience once again demonstrated the role cannabis can play in crossing cultural boundaries. With never a dull moment, MMW’s set showcased their wide range with Billy Martin providing an ever-changing canvas of beats and percussive sounds for Chris Woods to build upon, while John Medeski took things deep through his expansive selection of vintage pianos, organs and synthesizers.
As attendees left with smiles on their faces, we couldn’t have been happier with another successful year of throwing Cannabis Carnival. In case you didn’t hear, NCIA will be taking the Cannabis Business Summit and Cannabis Carnival to the Bay Area in 2016. Stay on the lookout for date and location announcements for next year’s edition in the coming months!
VIDEO: Aaron Smith invites you to become a member of NCIA
NCIA co-founder and executive director Aaron Smith invites you to become a member and enjoy the many benefits of standing in unity with nearly 1,000 other responsible member businesses in the cannabis industry.
by Michelle Rutter, Government Relations Coordinator
In the first week of June, the cannabis industry was celebrating its victories in the House of Representatives. At the end of last week, we were celebrating a victory in the US Senate, too.
At the beginning of the month, the U.S. House of Representatives debated the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill (HR 2578), which funds applicable government agencies for the upcoming FY2016. This year, there were four cannabis-related amendments under consideration in the House: the Rohrabacher-Farr medical marijuana amendment, the McClintock-Polis adult-use marijuana amendment, the Bonamici-Massie industrial hemp amendment, and the Perry CBD oil amendment. You can read about the results of the House votes in this NCIA blog post.
On June 11, two cannabis-related amendments were brought before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Cannabis champion Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) offered a medical cannabis amendment, which would ban the Department of Justice from interfering with state-compliant medical cannabis businesses. In addition, Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) offered a hemp amendment that would protect state industrial hemp laws from the Department of Justice’s interference. These amendments are the Senate companions to the House’s Rohrabacher-Farr and Bonamici-Massie amendments, respectively.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted with Sen. Mikulski to protect state medical marijuana laws 21-9. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) changed his original ‘No’ vote to a ‘Yes’, while presidential contender and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also attempted to change his ‘No’ vote to a ‘Yes’, but was too late. Sen. Tester’s industrial hemp amendment also passed through the committee via voice-vote.
Victory is sweet, but it’s important to remember that these appropriations amendments only protect states’ medical cannabis and hemp laws for the upcoming fiscal year. As encouraging as the appropriations season has been, it is still imperative that we pass comprehensive cannabis banking and 280E reform bills in order to be treated like every other American business.
Below is the detailed vote breakdown from the Senate committee’s vote on the Mikulski amendment:
Republicans
Democrats
Thad Cochran (R-MS): No
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD): Yes
Mitch McConnell (R-KY): No
Patrick Leahy (D-VT): Yes
Richard Shelby (R-AL): No
Patty Murray (D-WA): Yes
Lamar Alexander (R-TN): Yes
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): No
Susan Collins (R-ME): Yes
Richard Durbin (D-IL): Yes
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): Yes
Jack Reed (D-RI): Yes
Lindsey Graham (R-SC): No
Jon Tester (D-MT): Yes
Mark Kirk (R-IL): No
Tom Udall (D-NM): Yes
Roy Blunt (R-MO): Yes
Jean Shaheen (D-NH): Yes
Jerry Moran (R-KS): Yes
Jeff Merkley (D-OR): Yes
John Hoven (R-ND): No
Chris Coons (D-DE): Yes
John Boozman (R-AR): No
Brian Schatz (D-HI): Yes
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV): Yes
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): Yes
Bill Cassidy (R-LA): Yes
Chris Murphy (D-CT): Yes
James Lankford (R-OK): No
Steve Daines (R-MT): Yes
Cannabis Milestone: Congress votes in favor of the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment
by Michelle Rutter, NCIA Government Relations Coordinator
This week was a milestone in the cannabis industry.
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives debated the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill (HR 2578), which funds applicable government agencies for the upcoming FY2016. This year, there were four cannabis-related amendments under consideration: the Rohrabacher-Farr medical marijuana amendment, the McClintock-Polis adult-use marijuana amendment, the Bonamici-Massie industrial hemp amendment, and the Perry CBD oil amendment. The results signaled a clear victory for the cannabis industry.
Rohrabacher-Farr
For the second year in a row, Congress voted in favor of the Rohrabacher-Farr medical cannabis amendment. This amendment, introduced by Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Sam Farr (D-CA), bans the Department of Justice from spending money to prevent the implementation of state-level medical cannabis programs, in addition to removing funding for federal medical cannabis raids, arrests and prosecutions in states where medical cannabis is legal. The vote count increased from 219-189 in 2014, to 242-186 this year, with 67 Republicans voting ‘Yes.’
McClintock-Polis
For the first time ever, the McClintock-Polis amendment was offered on the House floor. This amendment, introduced by Reps. Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Jared Polis (D-CO), is similar to the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, but would have extended the same protections from the Department of Justice to non-medical retail marijuana businesses and consumers in states where adult-use sales have been legalized. The measure narrowly failed, 206-222, with more than 40 Republicans in support.
Bonamici-Massie
This amendment, officially named the Bonamici-Massie-Blumenauer-Polis amendment, blocks federal tax dollars from being used to prevent states from allowing the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of industrial hemp. A member of the cannabis family, hemp is a valuable agricultural commodity that can be found in more than 25,000 commercial products including food, paper, beauty products, and more. The measure passed overwhelmingly, 282-146, with 101 Republicans voting in favor.
Perry
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) proposed an amendment to the CJS bill that would protect state laws that allow the use of CBD oils, but still leaves most medical marijuana patients and their providers vulnerable to federal arrest and prosecution. The measure was overwhelmingly passed by a margin of 297-130.
Just a few years ago, pro-cannabis amendments passing Congress was something that those involved in the industry could only dream of. Now, we’re just 16 votes shy of limiting the Department of Justice’s interference with any state-sanctioned marijuana business (McClintock-Polis). Though Congress moves at a notoriously glacial pace, these amendments shed light on politicians’ evolving stances on cannabis policy. These votes prove that NCIA, and all of our members, are slowly but surely convincing Congress that the cannabis industry is to be taken seriously.
Guest Post: Marijuana Millions – The Road Map to Your Success, Part 1
At Maya Media Collective, we believe that the key to marijuana millions begins with knowing who you are and why you are unique, and then using this discovery to build your company’s brand and overall strategy for success.
The first step is to define your Unique Selling Proposition.
Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is a marketing concept that is the foundation of your business and your brand. If the word “selling” turns you off, you can think of it as your Unique Market Proposition, or to make it more fun, your Unique Awesomeness.
Regardless of what you call it, it is imperative that you define it early on in your business.
Think of your USP as your reason for being.
Your USP is literally that which you propose to sell to your market that is unique from your competition. From the customer’s perspective it is the answer to the question, “Why should I do business with you?”
The USP should always come before your elevator speech and before your branding.
In fact, it is the driving force behind your branding, your niche, and your elevator speech.
Deciding on a USP Is One of the Most Important Decisions You Can Make About Your Business.
If you make your business stand apart from the crowd, everything you do will be easier. Customers will be easier to come by and they will happily spread the word about what you do because they love it.
On the other hand, if you don’t develop an effective USP, building an audience or getting any customers to pay attention to you will be a constant struggle.
How to Find Your Unique Selling Proposition
In order to find your USP, you must be willing to tap into your creativity and passions.
However, all the soul-searching in the world will not help you find your USP if you’re not willing to put your ideal customer first. At the end of the day, your USP is all about your ideal customer, and not about you at all.
In order to do this correctly, you must be willing to get out of your own way, start thinking about your perfect customer, and learn everything you can about him or her so you can target your approach to meet his or her needs.
Imagine your perfect customer and what would make them eager and excited to do business with you and spend their hard-earned dollars on your products and services.
Speaking of your products…
If you are a grower or processor in any of the western states such as Oregon, amazing products are NOT a USP. States like Oregon, Washington, California, and Colorado have had medical programs and access to seriously strong “high-grade” medicine for over a decade.
In places such as these, having the best product isn’t unique, it’s MANDATORY. Honestly, if you have anything less than the best, your business won’t make it through its first week of operation.
Remember, competition is fierce and you need more than the best product to be unique.
Instead of banking on your amazing product as your ticket to marijuana millions, think of becoming the best at something no one else is attempting.
You want to be able to confidently say, “Hey, at XYZ Company we’re all about X. We do things differently. If you’re into X come see us, we’re the only place where you can get it.”
Remember, You’re Not Trying To Appeal to Everyone
It’s easy to feel like you’ll be leaving out some potential customers when you start to narrowly define your USP. It’s a natural tendency to want to please everyone. Unfortunately in business when you try to please everyone, you generally wind up pleasing no one. When you connect more strongly with a particular audience, your influence can spread more quickly.
Be Unique, But Not For Its Own Sake
Being unique is an important marketing strategy, but beware of being unique for its own sake. Avoid the urge to come up with some catchy and unique just because it seems cool rather than because it’s something that the market truly wants.
Your USP only works when you’re addressing a specific market need. And it requires clarity. If your USP takes someone minutes or hours to understand, it probably won’t be effective.
Once You Have Developed Your USP…
Your job is to communicate it clearly and often.
A great business name, strong tagline, and professional design will bind everything together and put you on the path to marijuana millions.
Alexa Divett is the Co-Founder and Marketing Director of Maya Media Collective (http://www.mayamc.com), a Portland, Oregon-based marketing and design firm that provides brand identity packages, marketing strategies and business coaching to marijuana business owners and entrepreneurs. Maya Media Collective has been a member of NCIA since January 2014. With over 14 years of experience in marketing, public relations and coaching, Alexa helps cannabusiness owners earn marijuana millions while uplifting the cannabis industry.
Guest Post: Top 6 Reasons to Hire a Dedicated Cannabis Marketing Agency for Your Business
In this new and competitive multi-million dollar industry, the benefits of hiring a full-service cannabis marketing agency are many. Here are a few of the highlights that translate into higher performance and better visibility for your cannabis business.
The People
1. Time Is Money
It’s a numbers game, and the numbers work in your favor. A single marketing person in-house will have a longer turnaround time than a dedicated team from a top cannabis marketing agency sharing the work. Instead of hiring your own staff, contracting with an agency to communicate with a single member of your team makes it possible for all marketing to be completed swiftly and cohesively. If you have a marketing director, he or she can work directly with the agency to direct services such as event marketing or custom design work to further enhance your business.
2. Resourceful Talent and Talented Resources
With a full-service cannabis agency, you are able to choose the services tailored to your needs. You avoid the hassle of piecing together services from different providers, hoping they will all be on the same page to meet your vision. A dedicated agency will have a team of talented people at your disposal. Their diverse skill-sets will assist you with strategy, design, market research, search-engine optimization (SEO), social media, and more. If you’re looking to re-brand your business or simply want a print advertisement for Culture Magazine, the agency’s mission is to increase your return on investment and help your bottom line, and they will use their considerable resources to do it.
The Market
3. A Personal Ambassador for Media Buying and Cannabis Publications
A cannabis marketing agency worthy of its designation has invested in building relationships with both cannabis-specific and traditional trade publications. As such, they possess the ability to negotiate with sales representatives at various publications and leverage your media advertising buys. A dedicated marketing agency also has access to all of the latest publications’ media kits. By studying these, they can prime your marketing strategy and provide upcoming editorial and advertising trend forecasts.
4. The Power of Connection
A cannabis-savvy marketing agency has spent time and resources networking with journalists proficient in the industry, and thus they know which journalists can best pitch your brand and convey your specific message. By virtue of the constant networking involved, a cannabis marketing agency is also highly in-tune with consumer trends, and you reap the benefits of these connections.
The Laws
5. Dedication to Their Bread and Butter
By necessity, the cannabis-specific marketing agency possesses a thorough understanding of this unique marketplace. They are plugged into the wider community and are aware of current news and events, maximizing their ability to promote your brand at any given opportunity. As a member of the cannabis industry, the marketing agency is invested in the image, longevity, and future of the marketplace, and they will be highly motivated to portray your brand in the best possible light. If they’re committed to serving the cannabis industry, they should be members of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the only industry-led organization created to serve and protect the interests of those in the business. Through banding together with other like-minded businesses, your cannabis marketing agency can be a powerful ally, helping to fund education and PR campaigns to evolve the image of cannabis-related industries and to promote friendlier laws.
6. The Law and Lay of the Land
Regulations and laws regarding cannabis are constantly changing, and it’s imperative to work with a marketing agency fluent in the ever-changing landscape of marijuana legalese. Marketing, advertising, and packaging all have their rules (for instance, marijuana edible packaging) and ignorance is no defense in the eyes of the law. A truly knowledgeable and dedicated cannabis marketing agency can be your trusted guide through the minefield of political and legal jargon and help you stay in compliance with the most current laws.
Studio 420 became a Sponsoring Member of NCIA in April 2015, and is a leading Denver-based digital marketing agency specializing in promoting high-profile marijuana retailers, dispensaries and cannabis-related products. They have experience in providing company and product branding services, website design and development, e-commerce and online shopping, as well as digital marketing strategies.
Member Spotlight: Pioneer Nuggets
NCIA’s Member Spotlight for the month of May takes us up to Arlington, Washington, to speak with Fitz Couhig, CEO of Pioneer Nuggets, an indoor craft agriculture company that supports the adult retail consumer industry for cannabis in Washington State.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Cannabis Cultivation
NCIA Member Since:
2014
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis industry?
We focus on the core competency of making a quality flower product for consumers. Focusing on a core competency and providing effective just-in-time inventory services are setting us apart. Our assembly-line work flow and perpetual production that supports our made-to-order inventory management system are unique as well.
Why should customers buy cannabis grown by Pioneer Nuggets?
Black Haze cannabis strain, grown by Pioneer Production and Processing, LLC
We serve consumers over the age of 21 that enjoy cannabis and visit an adult-use (+21) retail shop in the State of Washington. Adults should go with Pioneer Nuggets because they enjoy cannabis that is smooth and high in flavor profiles.
Can you give us some insight into the cannabis community in Washington, the challenges, upsides, and where you’d like to see it go?
The most unique challenge is being a wholesaler. No other taxed and traded system involves wholesaling and distribution, and we are required to do it without the help of any other organization. Serving retailers is what we do. We would like to see the industry move in the direction that allows retailers, processors, and producers to all thrive. We need tax reform and we need to be treated like normal businesses.
The Pioneer Nuggets team, based in Arlington, WA
How many employees do you have and how many customers do you serve?
We have 18 full-time employees and serve around 25 licensed retailers. It takes a lot of great people to continually make sensational products and provide excellent customer service.
Why did you join NCIA?
We joined NCIA for two reasons. One, the organization structure is well designed to develop a quality trade association for the cannabis industry we are a part of. Two, the team of people responsible for the NCIA and supporting its efforts and mission. We believe NCIA will succeed in creating the standards and forums industry professionals need, that our employees need, and that our organization needs.
Survey: Work and Well-Being in the Cannabis Industry – Participate by May 31
We need your help!
Researchers at Colorado State University are seeking participants in a confidential survey about work and well-being in the cannabis industry. If you work at a direct-to-plant organization in Colorado, you are eligible to participate! (e.g., budtenders, managers, grow facility workers, cannabinoid extractions, edibles manufacturing, etc.). All who participate will receive a $20 Amazon gift card as a ‘thank you’ for your time and efforts. The survey is completely confidential, and the results of the survey will be used to develop reports and training recommendations for the industry. Click below if you’d like to participate!
The researchers need as many responses as possible by May 31st, so please share this with anyone you know who is eligible to take the survey! This could be co-workers, friends, supervisors, subordinates, etc. Even if you’ve already completed our survey or if you aren’t eligible to take the survey, please share this information with people who might be.
NOTE: While we recognize the importance of health, safety, and well-being on a global scale (i.e., among industries and workers in other states and countries), we are focused only on Colorado in this study in order to have confidence in how we interpret the data – if we included other states and industries, there would be too much “noise” in the data to really know what we were seeing, given that this study is the first of its kind. Ideally, we will be able to conduct future projects that can examine and answer these questions in other industries as well.
Member Spotlight: A Therapeutic Alternative
For April’s Member Spotlight, we spoke with Kimberly Cargile, CEO of A Therapeutic Alternative, based in Sacramento, California. Kimberly and her team have a deep commitment to patient education and being active in shaping the future of medical cannabis.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Medical Cannabis Providers
NCIA Member Since:
2013
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis industry?
A Therapeutic Alternative’s patient-centered dispensary provides a variety of alternative healing therapies and lab-tested medicinal cannabis products to patients. Our patients have access to a range of complementary services, including yoga, Reiki, sound therapy, meditation, cranial sacral therapy, support groups, massage therapy, and acupressure. A Therapeutic Alternative is unique among dispensaries in California because we offer a holistic approach to treatment. We want to see patients heal, and we are dedicated to providing patients with natural therapies to use on their individual journeys. Lab testing medical cannabis is not required in California; however, we test all products with a third-party lab to ensure quality control. Products are tested for contaminants such as mold, mildew, bugs, pesticides, and solvents prior to being provided at A Therapeutic Alternative. We also test for the products’ cannabinoid percentages. This is very helpful to patients when they decide which strain to use. Because each cannabinoid produces differing pharmacological effects on the body, a product’s cannabinoid profile is extremely important.
Why should patients looking for medical cannabis services go to A Therapeutic Alternative?
A Therapeutic Alternative offers yoga, massage, Reiki, acupressure, and more.
A Therapeutic Alternative is a City of Sacramento permitted and regulated dispensary located in the medical district of Midtown. We are close to three major hospitals, the cancer center, doctors’ offices, and laboratories. We offer patients with immediate and long-term needs access to high quality service and products. Our outstanding service is due to the fact that we have hired a knowledgeable, experienced, and educated team. Together our team provides patients with support through diagnosis and treatment. A Therapeutic Alternative supplies a large variety of strains with varying cannabinoid profiles to cover a wide range of symptoms. We provide dried herbs, tinctures, topicals, edibles, capsules, concentrates, clones, and seeds. Our staff spends the time necessary with each patient to tailor a treatment plan for each individual.
Can you give us some insight into the medical cannabis community in Sacramento, where it’s been and where it’s headed?
It has taken a long time to make progress in Sacramento; however, the progress is great in respect to the rest of the state. The City of Sacramento’s staff, local patients, and advocates worked together to create a local ordinance regulating medical cannabis dispensaries. That process took about two years, starting in 2008 and finishing with a City Council vote in 2010. This allowed all 30 dispensaries to stay open and continue to operate through a stringent permitting process. A Therapeutic Alternative was the 5th dispensary in Sacramento to receive our final permit, a process that took nearly five years. There is a long road behind us and a long road ahead of us as we face state regulation legislation and adult-use or recreational use legalization initiatives in the next few years. Because we are operating in the capital of California, A Therapeutic Alternative has had a unique chance to have an impact on state legislation. We have given many tours to entities including state representatives, the Police Chiefs Association, California League of Cities and Counties, and the Board of Equalization. It is our goal to use our place in the capital to spread education about our industry’s and our patients’ needs.
Why did you join the team at A Therapeutic Alternative?
Kimberly Cargile, CEO of A Therapeutic Alternative
I have been working in the medical cannabis industry in California since 2003. When I graduated from Humboldt State University in 2006, I moved to Sacramento and took on my first job as the general manager at one of California’s first dispensaries, Capitol Wellness Collective. In 2007, I had an opportunity to work behind the camera interviewing medical cannabis patients for a documentary about the need for dispensaries. During that special time I spent with those patients, I realized that I had a responsibility to stand up and speak up for those who were too sick or too scared to do so for themselves. So, I decided to start volunteering for Americans for Safe Access and began organizing patients for City Council meetings, County Board of Supervisor meetings, Planning Commission meetings, State Senate and Assembly meetings, protests, and signature drives. In 2009, A Therapeutic Alternative opened up close to my house, and I joined the collective. Shortly thereafter I took on a consulting position to help the founders learn the ins and outs of managing a medical cannabis dispensary. I also started a yoga program at A Therapeutic Alternative for cancer patients, which I still teach to this day. In 2012, the founders asked me to join the board and take on a more active role in the dispensary. I am currently the CEO of A Therapeutic Alternative and enjoy my position managing the daily operations. Whenever I get stressed out or frustrated by the office work and politics, I go downstairs and spend time helping the patients. Talking with patients helps me to remember why I am doing it all and makes me thankful that I have the courage to help them access safe medical cannabis.
Why did you join NCIA?
When Aaron Smith told me he was going to fulfill the needs of our emerging industry by providing us with the National Cannabis Industry Association, I was thrilled. As we make progress throughout the nation, we need communication and education on multiple levels. We need it within our industry, between businesses, in order to set high standards and best operating practices. We also need it outside our industry with government, in order to make good laws protecting cannabis businesses and patients. The National Cannabis Industry Association does just that.
Nominations Open for NCIA Board of Directors Election
The National Cannabis Industry Association’s annual board election begins April 27. As the only national trade association for the cannabis industry, NCIA prides itself on the democratic system it employs to select the Board of Directors who are tasked with overseeing the organization’s budget and strategic plan as well as acting as ambassadors for the association. Board members also support NCIA and the NCIA-PAC through financial contributions and member recruitment.
Any current Sustaining NCIA member may run for a seat on the board with the nomination of any other member. Nominations for board candidates are being accepted through this online form until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 17.
NCIA’s Board of Directors is made up of 20 elected positions and the executive director, who reports to the entire board. Elected members serve two-year terms and elections are staggered with 11 of the 20 seats open this year. A list of current board members is available online.
The online ballot will open to members from Monday, April 27 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 16. NCIA utilizes a weighted voting system. Each member business can cast one vote. That vote is then weighted according to membership status. A Sponsoring member’s vote carries twice the weight of a basic member’s vote and a Sustaining member is weighted at five times that of a basic member.
If you are not yet a member of your industry’s trade association but want to participate in the election as either a voter or candidate, contact NCIA’s Bethany Moore at bethany@thecannabisindustry.org or (888) 683-5650, ext. 17. We are also happy to answer any questions you have about the election or upgrade your membership so your vote will carry more influence.
More information about the board election, including a voter guide with candidate information, will be made available to our membership by e-mail in the weeks ahead.
Guest Post: Mindful’s Master Cultivator, Philip Hague [Video]
I am very excited and honored to the be a keynote speaker at NCIA’s Cultivation Management Symposium in Seattle, March 16-18. I will be presenting on March 17th, focusing on Operations Management: Production, Processing, and Distribution.
In this video, you will see a brief introduction to our Denver facility, where Rolling Stone said “…if your nose is Snoop Dog-calibrated to sniff out only majority primo herb, you might just end up…“
We are proud of the work we have done in growing the finest quality small-batch medical and recreational cannabis on a large scale with consistency through beyond organic practices. There is a lot to cover and I look forward to presenting what we do and how we have done it. I will start out with the key to any strong operation, genetics, and take you right through our cultivation, harvesting, processing of the highest quality waxes, shatters, hash, live wax, live resin, and on through distribution.
If you have any specific areas on which you would like for me to speak or questions you would like to see answered, please comment here and I will do my best to make sure they are answered at the event. If you would like a private meeting or consultation at the event, please contact erik.williams@bemindful.today.
Phillip Hague, Mindful’s Master Cultivator, is widely recognized as the industry’s highly responsible leader of specialized growing practices. Having grown up working in his family’s twelve-acre greenhouse complex, he possesses a lifetime of horticultural knowledge encompassing large-scale commercial greenhouse production, large commercial landscape projects, and extensive knowledge of commercial farming practices. He understands the intricacies of industrial gardening and mindfully uses that experience to grow the highest quality cannabis with an eye toward honoring, protecting and improving genetics. Winner of numerous awards, including the prestigious Cannabis Cup, Phillip has been featured in a number of articles on the cannabis industry including High Times centerfold feature “The Indoor Acre”, in Rolling Stone Magazine, 60 Minutes, The New York Times, Yahoo News, The Wall Street Journal, in foreign press representing some 45 countries and will soon be featured in National Geographic. Prior to Mindful, Mr. Hague was the Master Grower for Golden Goat/VIP Cannabis and Natural Remedies, where he was responsible for warehouse grows and light grow facilities.
NCIA’s Cultivation Management Symposium is just around the corner!
Join us in Seattle from March 16-18 to learn from experts and pioneers in the field what you need to know to operate a successful cultivation operation while staying on top of emerging trends in the evolving cannabis industry. Register today!NCIA members save $150 on admission.
This three-day conference held at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center will showcase presentations from leaders in the cannabis cultivation arena with industry leaders specializing in sustainable cultivation methods and green business practices to learn how to keep your cannabusiness ahead of the curve while providing a positive example for others to follow.
Guest Post: Work and Well-Being in the Cannabis Industry
Across countries, continents, and cultures, we humans all have certain things in common. Generally speaking, one of those commonalities is work, which we all spend a huge portion of our lives doing. Since we all devote so much time to work, I often ask myself: “how can we make all this time spent working into the best experience it can be?” As such, my research is devoted to understanding and creating positive work environments that foster a sense of well-being, such as this latest project among workers in the cannabis industry of Colorado.
This isn’t always an easy task to accomplish. A quick Google search on “job stress” or “job safety” will instantly provide thousands of pages showing daunting statistics about how stressed out today’s worker is (like this report by NIOSH) or how dangerous some jobs are based on injuries, illnesses, and fatalities (which the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks). The general takeaway from all these numbers is that 1) job stress is very real, and continues to increase in society; and 2) while we are continually developing better ways to make safe and healthy workplaces, there is still much more work to be done.
With these discussions in mind, you might be asking yourself: how does all this relate to workers in the cannabis industry? The short answer is “we don’t know yet”. The longer answer is “we don’t know how this relates to workers in the cannabis industry, because no one has ever asked these workers until now.” And that’s where we (my research team and I) come in, to ask these questions and provide the longest (and most thorough) answer we can.
When I first became involved with the cannabis industry, I was on a team to conduct a general health, safety, and well-being assessment for a dispensary in the Denver area. After speaking with the management and workers there, our team quickly realized that best practices for health, safety, and wellness on the job had not been addressed for this industry on a large scale. While we were able to provide our services and fill this void for that particular dispensary, it was only one piece of the puzzle – we need more pieces in order to really know how we can help this whole industry, which is constantly growing and is economically valuable to Colorado.
Additionally, there is more to satisfaction at work than simply being physically safe and healthy. Emotions, relationships, interpersonal communication, thoughts, and feelings all matter, and all play a role in determining how satisfied and happy we are with the work that we do. With that in mind, my research team and I are here to play our part in ensuring a healthy, safe, and happy future for workers in the cannabis industry.
Our team of researchers comes from Colorado State University and the University of Colorado-Denver. We are experts in a variety of fields and topics, including psychology, stress, occupational health, public health, health promotion, training, vocation, and quality of life. In this project, we are combining our skills to conduct a survey about work-related health, stress, and well-being among workers in the cannabis industry of Colorado. We are trying to understand a number of things, including why people choose to work in the industry, what sorts of jobs these workers perform, and how they feel about their job and work environment. We will then give this information back and provide results and recommendations for the industry, free of charge and with no catch.
We need help from workers in the cannabis industry of Colorado to complete an anonymous and confidential 30-45 minute online survey about your work environment and experiences. Ideally, entire organizations will participate (including management and workers) because this will allow us to paint a better picture of what is happening across the entire industry. In return, each person who completes the 30-45 minute survey will receive $20 in cash or a gift card as a “thank you” for your help! As mentioned above, we will also provide survey results and recommendations to the industry when the project is completed.
Interested in helping? If so, please complete this very brief survey to answer a few questions. After you complete this brief survey, a member of our research team will contact you to follow up and arrange to take the 30-45 minute survey. We are ready and available to come to your worksite with tablets for you to complete the survey on. If in-person tablet surveys are difficult to schedule, we can also email you a survey link or conduct pen-and-paper surveys the old-fashioned way.
Thank you for playing your role in ensuring a safe and healthy future for this industry! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the email address below.
NOTE: While we recognize the importance of health, safety, and well-being on a global scale (i.e., among industries and workers in other states and countries), we are focused only on Colorado in this study in order to have confidence in how we interpret the data. If we included other states and industries, there would be too much “noise” in the data to really know what we were seeing, given that this study is the first of its kind. Ideally, we will be able to conduct future projects that can examine and answer these questions in other industries as well.
Kevin M. Walters, graduate student at Colorado State University in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
NCIA Member Profile: The Giving Tree Wellness Center
This month, NCIA checks in with Lilach Power, Managing Director at The Giving Tree Wellness Center based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Giving Tree Wellness Center has been a member of NCIA since September 2013, taking an holistic approach in supporting their clients by offering a range of medical marijuana products along with alternative healing methods, including massage and acupuncture, to promote the best quality of life possible through both their North Phoenix and Mesa locations.
Cannabis Industry Sector:
Medical Cannabis Providers
NCIA Member Since:
2013
How do you uniquely serve the cannabis industry?
Lilach Power, Managing Director at The Giving Tree Wellness Center
When Gina and I started our business, we had a vision of creating a safe and inviting environment for patients, and I think we have succeeded. We have beautiful spa-like stores that are very inviting. We do not have the traditional pot shop that I think a lot of people think of when they envision a dispensary. There are no bars, bullet-proof glass or tiny bank windows. This is truly a place to get help and find quality medicine.
We understand that patients might be intimidated coming to a dispensary at first, so we like to make them as comfortable as possible. We have private consultation rooms where patients can really sit down and be comfortable discussing their medical issues and see what options we have for them. We encourage patients to schedule one-on-one consultations with our patient consultants or with our medical director (my business partner, Gina Berman, M.D.). We never up-sell or push patients to buy anything. Our goal is only to find the ideal medicine for each patient. We never rush patients – whether they are a first timer, or this is their hundredth visit.
Gina Berman, M.D. of The Giving Tree Wellness Center
The Giving Tree takes pride in its local community philanthropic endeavors. We participate in two big fundraising events annually. Our next one is on April 11th, the Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis walk. We match all donations and I am proud to say many vendors have been participating, so we are getting the industry involved in our community as well. Our other big annual event is the breast cancer Walk for the Cure in the Fall. In addition, we raise money and hold canned food drives during the holiday season to help local folks in need.
Realizing that there are patients for whom the cost of this medicine is a burden, we started our own program for discounted medicine for patients on SNAP or long-term disability. We also deliver for patients with physical hardship, with no delivery charge.
Why should patients looking for medical cannabis services go to The Giving Tree Wellness Center?
Service and quality: We have an elite team of patient consultants (PCs) and we are patient-focused. Our PCs are truly passionate and have a fund of knowledge – I am so proud every time I walk into the dispensary and see how much they really care. Our patients really do become part of The Giving Tree Family.
Our medicine: We grow a majority of the medicine we offer. We stress quality over quantity and grow strains based not on their yield but on the merits of their quality and variety. We do not use pesticides, and we always use an independent, third-party lab to test all our medicine. We definitely have learned a lot during this process and our goal is to make each harvest better than the last. We are proud each time we harvest and cure and see our medicine on the menu.
The Giving Tree Wellness Center – Arizona
Can you give us some insight into the medical cannabis community in Arizona, where it’s been and where it’s headed?
Arizona is a really unique cannabis community. There are not many medical marijuana dispensaries operating and there won’t ever be, per statute. That really takes the competition out of the equation for the most part and we can really just focus on creating and maintaining a well-regulated and upstanding industry where the focus is truly just on the patients.
Also, as time goes on and more and more Arizonans are helped by cannabis, our communities will hopefully embrace us as offering a much-needed service instead of being thought of as the criminal-laden underbelly of the cities. The regulated stores are dramatically different than any black market operation. I think this will become more apparent as time goes on as more people in the community are exposed to state-regulated dispensaries.
We see the need for an organization to bring us all together and represent us on the national stage. There is no other organization that does that. We see the importance in supporting it, becoming part of it, and hopefully being more involved in the future. It is the only way to move our industry forward.
If you are a member of NCIA and would like to contribute to the NCIA blog, please contact development officer Bethany Moore by emailing bethany@thecannabisindustry.org.
This site uses cookies. By using this site or closing this notice, you agree to the use of cookies and our privacy policy.
A rider known as the Bonamici-Massie amendment, which prevents the DEA from intervening with state-sanctioned and legal hemp, was also included in the final budget package. This section 
Studio 420
We need help from workers in the cannabis industry of Colorado to complete an anonymous and confidential 30-45 minute online survey about your work environment and experiences. Ideally, entire organizations will participate (including management and workers) because this will allow us to paint a better picture of what is happening across the entire industry. In return, each person who completes the 30-45 minute survey will receive $20 in cash or a gift card as a “thank you” for your help! As mentioned above, we will also provide survey results and recommendations to the industry when the project is completed.
