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.