On Monday, February 7, NCIA’s Board of Directors conducted its first meeting of the year and gladly welcomed Michael Cooper of Madison Jay Solutions and Peoples’ Ecosystem CEO Christine De La Rosa as newly-seated members of the leadership team.
A longtime member of NCIA, Christine also serves as chair of the association’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee. Michael is Chair Emeritus of NCIA’s State Regulations Committee and current Policy Co-Chair. Both have joined 13 other incumbent board members and will be serving during the 2022-24 board term.
NCIA commends Christine and Michael for their leadership and dedication to building an industry we can all be proud of.
The board also selected its slate of 2022 officers. By unanimous vote, the following directors have been appointed:
Along with CEO Aaron Smith, the board officers make up the governing leadership of the largest trade association representing the cannabis industry. NCIA is proud to be a member-led organization that looks out for what’s best for all legal cannabis businesses – large and small.
The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is announcing a slate of incoming members of its Board of Directors today, including six incumbent Board members and two new nominees selected by the organization’s Nominating Committee to serve for the Board’s 2022-24 term.
The organization’s Nominating Committee selected six incumbent board members and two new nominees to serve on the board for the 2022-24 term. The newly-selected board nominees are MadisonJay Solutions Managing Member and NCIA Policy Council Co-Chair Michael Cooper and The People’s Ecosystem CEO and Chair of NCIA’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee, Christine De La Rosa.
“We’re pleased to welcome the new and returning members for the next board term. Their leadership will be instrumental in advancing our vision for a legal, well-regulated, and inclusive cannabis industry,” stated NCIA CEO, co-founder, and Board member Aaron Smith.
As the longest running trade association for cannabis businesses, NCIA has been advocating on behalf of the cannabis industry since 2010. The organization has always maintained a transparent and representative leadership selection process in order to reflect its diverse membership, composed primarily of small businesses in the burgeoning industry.
“As the only broadly representative trade association representing the cannabis sector at the national level, we will always lead with integrity and advocate for the policies that are best for the industry as a whole, not just a handful of operators,” continued Smith. “That means always standing up for policies based in equity, restorative justice, inclusive markets, and against protectionist policies such as arbitrary license caps. I’m confident our board will continue to exemplify those core values in the year ahead.”
The incoming slate of Board members will join directors already serving on the Board for the 2021-23 term. The full list of current Board members and their bios is available here.
Video: NCIA Today – September 3, 2021
NCIA Deputy Director of Communications Bethany Moore checks in with what’s going on across the country with the National Cannabis Industry Association’s membership, board, allies, and staff. Join us every Friday here on Facebook for NCIA Today Live.
NCIA Welcomes New and Returning Members to Board of Directors
NCIA, the country’s largest cannabis trade association and industry advocacy organization, will be seating its newly-appointed Board of Directors today.
The board also conducted its 2021 officers election today.
Khurshid Khoja and Kris Krane were re-elected as the board’s Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
Narbe Alexandrian was re-elected as Treasurer and Chris Jackson was elected to the position of Secretary.
Henry Wykowski will continue to serve as the board’s General Counsel.
The organization’s Nominating Committee brought on four new board members.
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Seun Adedeji is the CEO of multi-state cannabis retailer Elev8 Cannabis with operations in Massachusetts and Oregon, and the youngest African-American dispensary owner in the United States.
Kimberly Cargile is the CEO of A Therapeutic Alternative, a California-based cannabis retailer, and a long-time advocate for medical cannabis patients.
Rebecca Colett is the CEO of Calyxeum, a licensed cannabis cultivation company based in Michigan, and has years of experience in the legal cannabis industry championing minority inclusion, veteran access programs and workforce development.
Cody Stross is the CEO of Northern Emeralds, a cannabis cultivator based in Northern California, and has significant experience in many areas of the cannabis industry as well as being a founding member of a cannabis trade association representing businesses in the Emerald Triangle.
Two incumbent Board members were also re-elected for another term: Kris Krane, current vice-chair of NCIA’s Board of Directors, and president and co-founder of 4Front Ventures; and Taylor West, partner at Heart + Mind Media.
“We are pleased to welcome these new and returning Board members for the next term as we enter what is arguably the most exciting time for cannabis policy reform in history,” said Aaron Smith, co-founder and chief executive officer of the National Cannabis Industry Association. “With their invaluable contributions and insight, NCIA will be well-positioned to improve the legal and regulatory landscape for the cannabis industry, lead it into new frontiers, and continue to be the most broadly representative proponent of cannabis businesses in the United States.”
The full list of Board members and their bios is available here.
Outgoing members include founding board members Troy Dayton and Etienne Fontan as well as Aaron Justis and Mark Passerini.
“On behalf of myself and the rest of the NCIA community, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Board members who are relinquishing their positions for their unwavering support of our efforts over the years to end prohibition and help the cannabis industry and its association grow,” said Smith. “We look forward to continuing our work with them in many capacities during this time of unprecedented opportunity.”
NCIA Board of Directors Results Are In
The results of NCIA’s 2020-2022 Board of Directors nominations process are in!
Earlier this year, we announced a new application process for our annual Board of Directors nominations. We are appreciative to have received so many very thoughtful and impressive applications from over 50 NCIA members seeking to fill eight available seats.
Candidates not chosen during the selection process may now seek an independent nomination to go before a vote of the NCIA membership. Independent candidates must get the signatures (electronic) of 3% of the membership in order to qualify for the ballot.
If no qualified independent candidates are received by December 20, the slate of nominees recommended by the Board of Directors shall be declared members of the Board of Directors and shall commence their term in January 2020.
If one or more qualified independent candidates qualify, all candidates will be presented to the membership for an election in late December.
For information on the process or instructions on seeking an independent nomination, contact NCIA’s Hilary Srole at Hilary@TheCannabisIndustry.org by Friday, November 22.
Stay tuned!
2018 Board of Directors Election Now Open!
It’s time to vote in NCIA’s annual board of directors election! Participation in NCIA’s board election is one of the most important ways to engage as a member of your trade association, as it ensures that your values are represented within NCIA’s leadership.
If you are a member of NCIA, we encourage you to review the voter guide of this year’s candidates and cast your ballot between now and May 31 for the 2018-2020 term.
About NCIA’s Board of Directors:
As the largest national trade association for the industry, NCIA’s Board of Directors establishes the organization’s board objectives and strategic direction. Board Members are responsible for building membership, fundraising for the organization, and ensuring that NCIA continues to be the strongest force advocating for the fair and equal treatment of the industry on the Hill.
About the election process: NCIA members will receive an email with a unique link to a secure online election ballot.
There are 9 open board of directors seats and 21 nominated candidates (including seven current board members seeking reelection). Please refer to your voter guide for information on all candidates and for more information on board election logistics before casting your vote online.
Each member business can only vote once and votes cannot be changed once submitted.
Votes are weighted according to membership status.
Voting closes at 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, May 31.
Learn more about the candidates: 1. Download the VOTER GUIDE. 2. Watch the candidate VIDEOS. 3. Watch recordings of the moderated NCIA Board Nominee Forums which took place on May 2, 3, and 4! Take the opportunity to listen in as nominees answer critical questions about their candidacy and discuss their long-term vision for NCIA and the industry at-large.
Moe Asnani – iLava Gary Cohen – Cova John Davis (Incumbent) – Northwest Cannabis Troy Dayton (Incumbent) – The Arcview Group Etienne Fontan (Incumbent) – Berkeley Patients Group Michael Gruber – Salveo Capital (WITHDRAWN) Aaron Justis (Incumbent) – Buds and Roses Kris Krane (Incumbent) – 4Front Ventures Jaime Lewis (Incumbent) – Coldwater Consulting Olivia Mannix – Cannabrand John MacKay – Synergistic Technology Associates (WITHDRAWN) Michael Minardi – Minardi Law Mark Passerini – Om of Medicine Erich Pearson (Incumbent) – SPARC Ean Seeb (Incumbent) – Manna Molecular Gregg Steinberg – Growcentia Michael Steinmetz – Flow Kana Ian Stewart, Esq. – Wilson Elser Law Firm Kimley Svendsen – Waterstone Staffing Holdings, LLC Manndie Tingler – Papa & Barkley Taylor West – COHNNABIS
Note: Individuals who cast a ballot on behalf of their member-business are responsible for verifying that they are authorized to do so within their own corporate leadership structure.
Not yet a member of NCIA?
If you are not a member of NCIA but want to participate in the election, join today and we’ll provide you access to the online ballot. Your membership will also support the industry’s only unified and coordinated effort to reform federal marijuana laws as well as provide other member benefits enjoyed by the more than 1,500 responsible cannabis businesses that make up NCIA’s national network.
NCIA Board of Directors Nominations Open!
Do you want to have an influential role in strengthening and protecting the industry we’ve built together? This is your chance. Joining NCIA’s Board of Directorsis the premier opportunity to contribute to the progress and success of the cannabis industry.
As the only national trade association for the industry, joining NCIA’s Board of Directors is the premier opportunity to contribute to the progress and success of the cannabis industry. NCIA’s Board of Directors is the executive body that establishes NCIA’s broad objectives and strategic direction. As such, the board has authority over NCIA’s bylaws, mission, budget, and provides oversight to ensure the organization continues to serve our members’ interests as the industry grows and matures.
NCIA prides itself on truly being an organization run for and by its members. Now until Friday, April 27, NCIA will be accepting nominations for candidates to run for the Board of Directors.
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
Any representative of a current NCIA Sustaining Member business may run for a seat on the board with the nomination by another representative of any other NCIA member-business.
For current NCIA members wishing to nominate a candidate, nominations are being accepted through this online form. Representatives of Basic or Sponsoring level member businesses who are interested in serving on the board are encouraged to contact us at membership@thecannabisindustry.org or (888) 683-5650 to upgrade your membership before seeking nomination. You can also ask another NCIA member to nominate you by reviewing our member directory!
HOW DO MEMBERS VOTE?
After nominations close at 11:59 PM EDT on April 27, NCIA will send information about all qualifying candidates in a Voter Guide. A secure online ballot will be open to all current NCIA members starting at noon EDT on Monday, April 30, and online voting will be open until until 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, May 31.
For questions about participating in NCIA’s board election as a candidate or a voter, please contact NCIA Membership Director, Jeremy DePasquale at Jeremy@TheCannabisIndustry.org.
2017 Board of Directors Election Results
National Cannabis Industry Association members have voted in the association’s annual board of directors election and 11 candidates have been elected to serve on the board for the 2017-19 term.
Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all of the candidates for their commitment to NCIA!
NCIA is proud of its open and transparent process for selecting board members. The board has oversight over the association’s strategic direction and budget, so it’s important that they represent the membership’s interest. The new board members-elect will join the NCIA executive director and the 11 other elected members at the next board meeting.
Members can contact us any time for more information about the board election results or the election process.
If your business is not yet a part of the movement, please join NCIA today.
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.
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Rebecca Colett
Cody Stross
