While the NCIA team was hoping to welcome all of our members to Washington, D.C. this spring for our 10th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, we have made the difficult yet necessary decision of postponing the event until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was not a decision made lightly, as our annual fly-in is an integral part of our government relations efforts on Capitol Hill. However, with congressional buildings being closed to the public, new virus variants, and continued community spread, we believe this is the smartest and safest decision for our members, elected officials, and their staff.
That being said, the NCIA government relations team continues to virtually lobby and “meet” with various stakeholders, coalitions, and congressional personnel to further cannabis policy reform every day, thanks to the financial support of our members. We are working hard to reintroduce priority bills, include the SAFE Banking Act in the next pandemic relief package, and are helping to craft new, exciting, progressive legislation that focuses on de-scheduling cannabis and creating a thriving, diverse, and equitable industry.
Stay tuned via our newsletter, website, and NCIA Connect to learn more about NCIA’s Lobby Days and what’s next. We can’t wait to host all of you back in our nation’s capital, but in the meantime, please stay safe and stay healthy!
Meet The Team: Jon Dinh – NCIA’s Membership Manager
Hello! My name is Jon Dinh and I work as the Membership Manager here at NCIA! I started my cannabis journey three years ago when I first tried cannabis legally in my home state of Colorado and completely changed my life for the better!
I grew up in Thornton, Colorado which is a suburban area north of Denver and didn’t have any interest in cannabis growing up. None of my friends participated in the cannabis culture so I didn’t have any influence growing up. Coming from an Asian culture, it was heavily looked down upon. When the laws changed in my state, I decided to try it and visited my first dispensary. I was amazed at the professionalism and knowledge the budtender provided. I ended up with an edible cookie as my first experience and took a bit much for a first time user. It’s crazy to think that moment changed my life and career path.
I was now curious about the war on drugs and drug policy reform and around this time stumbled upon NCIA. I was lucky enough to get hired as the Membership Coordinator and have learned a great deal about cannabis reform and how it affects people’s lives. I’m fortunate enough to try cannabis safely and legally and have no doubts that others will follow the same path for their first time experience. My scenario is much more common now with states legalizing and people having open access to cannabis. I just hope they’re more careful with their first dose than I was!
I’m now part of the mission here at NCIA to get cannabis businesses treated fairly like any other business in America and it has truly opened my mind to the struggles that face cannabis businesses now and what’s to come in the future. I hope to contribute towards the needed change of these laws and for better treatment of cannabis businesses. Cannabis businesses, even though legal, still exist in a world where the laws are not up to date and have caused issues like loss of profits and having to pay higher taxes.
I got to attend my first Lobby Days event with NCIA to talk about current cannabis issues and it was one of the most powerful experiences channeling my inner citizen lobbyist. I got to see firsthand how Capitol Hill works and what Hill meetings are all about. It’s an important part of how the government works, and it was great to see members of NCIA becoming citizen lobbyists too. This was my first time in D.C. and was blown away by the inner workings of it all. Thanks to NCIA for allowing me to be part of Lobby Days and hope other members of NCIA can join us in the future!
In the meantime, as part of my job duties, I hope to open the doors for others to experience cannabis in their home state and federal legalization in the future. I hope to change the world’s perception of cannabis and to open access to the plant.
The Importance of PACs and Political Involvement
by Madeline Grant, NCIA’s Government Relations Manager
Like the Olympics, we only have a presidential election every four years. Usually, this means more voters are engaged and paying attention to the political process than normal. It’s more important now than ever for voters to get involved, and there are many ways to do just that. Some people campaign by making phone calls and knocking doors to get out the vote, others simply vote on election day. Some choose to make financial contributions to candidates or issues-based PACs (political action committees) that they care about.
As a trade association, NCIA has a PAC (the NCIA-PAC) that collects and contributes funds to candidates that support cannabis reform on Capitol Hill. In recent years, you may have heard that PACs are considered “special interest” or part of the “D.C. swamp.” Some candidates go so far as to not accept contributions from PACs to their campaigns. However, many small PACs, like the NCIA-PAC, are misrepresented by these characterizations and are fully funded by the hard-working members of their associations. The NCIA-PAC gives our cannabis professionals a united voice in the political process. Keep reading below to learn more about NCIA’s PAC and how you can get involved.
There is a common misconception that political contributions buy votes, however, the reality is that political contributions gain access. Of course, a politician’s goal is to get elected or re-elected and campaign contributions are a vital component of that goal. The NCIA-PAC helps support our champions and politicians that will fight for us on Capitol Hill so that they can continue fighting for our industry in D.C.
Another common misconception people have is that a one-time contribution will get you a friend for life, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. As long as a member stays in office, they will continue to ask for financial support. Think of it like this: supporting the NCIA-PAC lets us support elected officials who support the cannabis industry, and it’s imperative that they continue to be re-elected! Even the smallest donations make an impact.
At this point, you may be asking yourself: why should I support the NCIA-PAC? Well, your dollars support candidates who understand the cannabis industry’s concerns and who focus their attention on issues important to NCIA. A donation also affords you opportunities to collaborate with other concerned and politically active members to ensure our industry’s involvement in the legislative process and provides engagement, support, and information that is helpful to you, our cause, and your business.
NCIA’s government relations team works year-round to build relationships on Capitol Hill and represent the cannabis industry. As a team, we reiterate the importance of access to banking, fixing the 280E tax provision, the necessity of descheduling cannabis, and ensuring that our industry is diverse and equitable, among other issues. Our efforts here in D.C. make an impact, but members of Congress and their staff also need to hear from you. So, we hope you will consider joining us and NCIA’s PAC Leadership Circle at our 2nd Annual VIP Day in Washington D.C., on May 19.
Through a donation of $1,000 dollars or more, you will participate in an exclusive day including briefings, a luncheon and meetings with members of Congress, meetings with committees of jurisdiction, complimentary entry to the NCIA-PAC Fundraiser, and networking with NCIA’s most politically active members. Additionally, you will receive even more benefits all throughout the year, such as complimentary registration for our annual conferences, prominent listing and link to your company website featured on NCIA’s PAC page, customized branding opportunities at NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, and much more. If you are interested in attending VIP Day or hearing more about the NCIA-PAC, please fill out an interest form here or contact Maddy Grant at Madeline@TheCannabisIndustry.org.
by Madeline Grant, NCIA Government Relations Manager
There has been a lot of cannabis action in the 116th Congress and that is not an accident — it’s time for cannabis policy reform!
We’ve seen historical hearings, votes, and mark-ups take place with the help of our champions on Capitol Hill. We need to continue to support these efforts and support Members of Congress who fight for cannabis reform. So… how can you help to impact reform in Washington, D.C.?
Mark your calendars for NCIA’s 10th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days on May 19-21! There is no better way to network with other NCIA members, meet with congressional staff and members, attend events, and most importantly tell YOUR stories on Capitol Hill.
What you don’t want to miss out on…
NCIA’s 2nd Annual VIP DAY(taking place during the day of May 19) forNCIA PAC Leadership CircleMembers! To participate you must be a member of the PAC Leadership Circle by contributing to the NCIA-PAC. The NCIA-PAC maintains no overhead costs so that 100% of donations are used to support industry-friendly candidates and build the political influence of our emerging business sector. For more information on joining and participating in this exclusive day please email Vanessa at Vanessa@thecannabisindustry.org.
Below are a few examples of what VIP Day consists of…
-Luncheon with Members of Congress -Meetings with Members of Congress -Meetings with committees of jurisdiction -Networking with NCIA’s politically active members -Capitol Hill briefings with Hill staffers and professionals
Pictured: Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45), NCIA’s Director of Government Relations, Michael Correia, and Maddy Grant, NCIA’s Government Relations Manager. Last year, Rep. Porter attended our VIP Luncheon.
Picking Up Speed In The 116th Congress – An Overview Of Our Progress
by Madeline Grant, NCIA’s Government Relations Manager
We’ve seen an extraordinary amount of momentum sweep through Capitol Hill so far this Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019 and the Judiciary Committee marked up the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2019. On top of these significant policy gains and historic achievements, we’ve seen an increase in cannabis-related bills, committee hearings, amendments, and markups.
With strong Democratic leadership on the House side, the question of legalizing cannabis has even been put on the table. Conversations are happening in hearings and markups that will help educate lawmakers. For example, as cannabis remains a Schedule I substance, significant federal research is still unattainable. These are the important conversations we are having with lawmakers. The SAFE Banking Act passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support, with a vote of 321-103. This bill has been supported by the American Bankers Association, the Governors Association, the National Association of Attorneys General, and the credit unions across the country. The McClintock-Blumenauer-Norton amendment, which would prohibit the Department of Justice from interfering with state cannabis programs, passed the House with a vote of 267-165. This historic vote shows just how far we have come and with continued momentum where we can go.
Now, we need your help. It is more important than ever that Congress hears from their constituents. Your stories and experiences are what resonates the most with Hill offices. Now that the SAFE Banking Act passed the house, we need to turn our attention to the Senate.
Please call your U.S. Senators and urge them to support S.1200, the SAFE Banking Act, which prevents federal banking regulators from punishing banks for working with cannabis-related businesses that are obeying state laws or halting their services, taking action on loans made to those businesses, or limiting depository institution’s access to the Deposit Insurance Fund. As you call your Senators, be sure to explain the frustration you have had with a lack of access to banking. Personal stories resonate with our Congressional offices, so take a few minutes to make these important calls.
To find your Senators, click this link and simply enter your address. The office phone number will pop up next to their photos.
Please join us May 19-21, 2020 for our 10th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in Washington, D.C. Not only will you meet with congressional offices to discuss priority cannabis legislation, but you’ll get to know other NCIA members from around the country. For more information about Lobby Days, contact Maddy Grant and madeline@thecannabisindustry.org.
NCIA’s 9th Annual Lobby Days – Strength in Numbers, Power in Progress
Just two short weeks ago, NCIA hosted our 9th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days. This impactful event brought over 250 NCIA members to our nation’s capital to advocate and lobby on important issues facing our industry like access to financial services, amending IRC Section 280E, and addressing social equity.
Over the course of 48 hours, attendees met with nearly 300 congressional offices to share their stories and experiences, and dropped off informational materials to 200 offices that we did not schedule meetings with. In addition to these meetings, we had two briefings, held a PAC fundraiser, and hosted our first-ever VIP Day for members of our Leadership Circle. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from this important event:
To kick off our first-ever VIP Day, we held a briefing at the House of Representatives entitled “SAFE Banking: Where We Are, and Where We’re Going,” where Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), the lead sponsor of HR 1595, the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, kicked off the day. On the panel was Tanner Daniel of the American Bankers Association, Becky Dansky of SARBA, and Gail Rand of ForwardGro, while attendees included NCIA members, congressional staff, and members of the press.
Following the briefing on banking, VIP Day attendees were shuttled to a luncheon featuring Reps. Joe Neguse (D-CO), Katie Porter (D-CA), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), and Steven Horsford (D-NV). All of these members of Congress are freshman who support cannabis reform, and talked about the importance of advocacy and the use of political action committees like the NCIA-PAC that they rely on.
After lunch, VIP Day attendees were shuttled back to Capitol Hill, where teams met personally with members of Congress, committees of jurisdiction, and congressional leadership.
Our first ever VIP Day was a huge success, and we thank the members of NCIA’s PAC Leadership Circle for their dedication to advocacy.
Lobby Days then officially started with a Welcome Reception attended by other advocates in Washington, D.C., NCIA members, and even congressional staff!
The following day, the work really began at our breakfast training. There, attendees met with the groups that they would be in for the day, were taught talking points on various bills and issues, and learned about how to use the app that housed all of their meeting information.
Washington, D.C. is full of great photo ops, so after our breakfast training, all of our attendees shuttled over to the Capitol… and snapped a few selfies, of course!
Meetings on Capitol Hill went from 12pm to 4pm. Each of NCIA’s 54 lobbying teams had at least four meetings over that course of time. Some groups were even lucky enough to sit down with members of Congress to talk about the issues that affect them and their businesses the most.
The day concluded with a fundraiser for the NCIA-PAC. This year’s event was wildly successful, as we had 15 members of the House of Representatives (Reps. Porter (D-CA), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Josh Harder (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Denny Heck (D-WA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Susie Lee (D-NV), Matt Gaetz (R-FL)) attend and speak, as well as Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
The final day of Lobby Days began with a standing-room-only briefing that focused on NCIA’s new white paper titled “Increasing Equity in the Cannabis Industry” that our Policy Council worked on with the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA). Opening remarks were given by MCBA’s President, Shanita Penny along with the Principal of Greenbridge Corporate Counsel, Board Vice-Chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association, and Co-Chair of the Minority Cannabis Business Association Policy Committee, Khurshid Khoja. We were also joined by two members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).
Lobby Days wrapped up with small groups dropping off folders with informational materials to congressional offices that we were unable to schedule meetings with. While some may think these drop-ins are ineffective, they actually prove to be incredibly helpful long after our attendees go home.
The dates for NCIA’s 10th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days have already been chosen, so mark your calendars for our biggest year yet, happening May 19-21, 2020!
Be sure to check out the full photo album from this year’s Lobby Days!
Top 5 Reasons You Should Attend Lobby Days This Year
Will you join us as a united front in Washington, D.C. this year?
Hundreds of cannabis industry professionals from all over the country will descend on Capitol Hill this month for the 9th year in a row for NCIA’s Annual Lobby Days. It’s more important than ever before to make your voice heard and advocate for the federal reforms our industry needs to truly thrive.
Whether it’s access to banking for your business, much-needed federal tax reforms, or some of the many other struggles faced by our industry that could be remedied by congressional action, we need you to tell your stories on Capitol Hill with us on May 21-23.
Here’s our top five reasons for you to register today to join us for this exciting and impactful event this year:
Progress made on SAFE Banking Act
Earlier this spring, we saw historic movement on one of our key pieces of legislation: banking. The SAFE Banking Act of 2019 was introduced in the House of Representatives by some of our champions in Congress – Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Denny Heck (D-WA). Following an historic hearing, the bill received a markup by the House Financial Services Committee and passed out of the House Financial Services Committee in a vote of 45-15. This is important because it is the first time in history that a cannabis banking bill has made its way this far through the legislative process. NCIA vigilantly jumped in to collect and submit the testimonies of dozens of cannabis industry leaders for the hearing.
The momentum continues to grow as the bill now has more than 160 co-sponsors and will likely be debated again in the House soon. Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. Join us at Lobby Days to educate and inform even more members of Congress about the struggles our industry faces to get and keep access to financial institutions!
New Attorney General is receptive to state’s rights issues
As the saying goes: out with the old and in with the new! Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who is known for his anti-cannabis stance, resigned from the Department of Justice earlier this year, and was replaced by William Bar. During his Senate confirmation hearing in January, Barr expressed his respect for the policies laid out in the Cole Memorandum, issued in 2014, which cannabis companies have relied on to continue doing business in a state-legal, regulated environment. Additionally, he wrote to the committee, “I still believe that the legislative process, rather than administrative guidance, is ultimately the right way to resolve whether and how to legalize marijuana.”
These statements hint at a more reasonable approach to cannabis reform, and the need for NCIA members to make their voices heard in the halls of Congress, particularly those in Congress with influence on the Senate Judiciary Committee and at the Department of Justice.
New members of Congress
Last November, we saw midterm elections bring in a new class of freshman members of Congress. Many of these new faces replaced the old guard of those with long-standing prohibitionist views toward cannabis. Many of them lean more progressive, which means they are more likely to be friendly toward our issues. This infusion of new blood, new minds, and new perspectives in the halls of Congress can work in our favor.
NCIA’s Lobby Days is the best way to get direct access to some of these offices so we can get off on the right foot with them on our issues. Joining us in D.C. means you will inform and educate these new members of Congress on the struggles we face like tax reform, veteran’s medical access, social equity, and of course, the SAFE Banking Act specifically. How many new co-signers can we get on this bill? Let’s find out together.
Meeting 200+ other politically active industry professionals
It’s not a conference — It’s different. There’s no expo floor or panel discussions, just people. And it happens to be some of the most politically engaged leaders of our industry who attend Lobby Days. You’ll rub shoulders and team up with cannabis industry pioneers who have been in the game for years. You’ll learn the “ins and outs” of the Beltway from lobby day veterans who join us every year to advocate for our industry. Hear about it for yourself by watching this re-cap video from last year’s 8th Annual Lobby Days:
Learn how to lobby and take those lessons home
This isn’t our first rodeo, but it might be yours, and that’s okay. Even if you’ve never done citizen lobbying before, NCIA’s government relations team makes it easy by offering trainings before the event, as well as on-site. We’ll give you materials to help you tell your stories including descriptions of our priority legislation, and background information on the offices you’ll be speaking with. And you won’t have to go it alone! We will team you up with a small group of your fellow cannabis industry peers to navigate the halls of Congress together.
Lobby Days with NCIA will empower you to go back to your home state to advocate on the industry’s behalf. You’ll know what to say, how to say it, and what to expect.
Together, we can make a real difference and push our industry past the tipping point. Hundreds of NCIA members have already registered for this event, so what are you waiting for? Register today, schedule your flight, and book your hotel. We can’t wait to see you there.
VIDEO: Capitol Hill Update On Cannabis Banking Hearing In Congressional Committee
Every day, our Government Relations team is keeping our finger on the pulse of what’s happening on the Hill and how it affects our industry. In this case, we have important news from D.C. about movement to fix the banking crisis faced by cannabis industry operators.
Watch this video to learn more about the historic hearing that took place on February 13 in the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions. They held the first ever hearing on marijuana and financial services, entitled: Challenges and Solutions: Access to Banking Services for Cannabis-Related Businesses. Up for discussion was a new version of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act.
There’s no better way to stay informed and connected with what’s happening in federal policy than by being a member of NCIA – the largest and most influential national trade association representing the legal cannabis industry. We fight on your behalf year-round in the halls of Congress for our industry to be treated fairly like any other legitimate industry in this country.
Be sure to register in advance for our popular Cannabis Caucus event series – tickets are complimentary for NCIA members, and a limited number of non-member tickets are available. Join us throughout the month of March in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Lansing, and Philadelphia. For more information, visit our website.
And now is the time to start planning your trip to Washington, D.C. to join us on Capitol Hill! For the 9th year in a row, we’re hosting our Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days on May 21-23. This is your chance to walk the halls of Congress and make your voice heard about the unfair tax and banking policies that cripple our industry. This event is exclusively for current NCIA members, so if you’d like to join us for what NCIA members say is “the most important and exciting NCIA event of the year,” then now is the time to join NCIA at one of our three levels of membership, and then join us in May in our nation’s capitol.
If you’re already planning to join us, now is a perfect time to read up on our latest Policy Council report to learn more about priorities for our industry in the 116th Congress.
Video: Another Successful NCIA Lobby Days
NCIA’s Aaron Smith re-caps another successful Cannabis Industry Lobby Days! Watch this video to hear more about NCIA Members’ experiences and why you should plan to join us next year in D.C.
Are you an industry leader looking to invest in continued national advocacy for the industry but not yet a member of NCIA?
NCIA’s staff and professional lobbying consultants work year-round in our nation’s capital to build support for the cannabis business community and the policy changes needed for our industry to reach its full potential. That work has led us to the tipping point we are seeing today and it’s all been made possible by the financial support of our members.
Adding your name to the growing list of responsible businesses behind this effort will bring us even closer to reaching the day when the cannabis industry is treated fairly under federal law.
Already a member of NCIA but want to enhance your support for this vital work? Sponsor a quarterly Cannabis Caucus event in a city near you! All profits from event sponsorships support the efforts of our robust team in D.C.
Walk the halls of Congress with us at #NCIALobbyDays
NCIA’s Lobby Days are less than three weeks away on May 21-23, 2018. In our 8th consecutive year of holding these important meetings with Congressional offices in Washington, D.C., many NCIA members have been excitedly looking forward to this event all year long. For newer members of NCIA or those who simply have not lobbied before, you’re probably wondering what it’s all about and how it works. This event is unlike any other conference or event you’ve experienced.
Watch this video to see and hear what it’s like to join hundreds of your industry peers for two incredible days of valuable networking and important advocacy work. Join us in creating a stronger, unified cannabis industry. Learn more and register now before Friday, May 18 to join us in D.C. this year.
News Alert! Omnibus Update: Medical cannabis businesses protected through September 30
by Michelle Rutter, NCIA Government Relations Manager
After years of continuing resolutions and many rounds of negotiations, Congress reached a budget deal and passed a new omnibus spending package that funds the government through the remainder of FY2018, which ends on September 30.
This new spending bill does include the Leahy amendment (formerly the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment), which prohibits the Department of Justice from using tax dollars to enforce federal law against state-legal medical cannabis patients and businesses. Following the rescission of the Cole Memo in January by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, NCIA and our allies in Washington, DC pushed even harder to ensure that this language, which has been included in federal appropriations bills since 2014, was included in the spending package for the remainder of FY2018. In addition to language protecting state-legal medical cannabis programs, the omnibus bill unfortunately also included a provision that continues to block Washington, DC from taxing and regulating adult-use cannabis, despite the fact that voters approved the legalization measure nearly four years ago.
In normal budget cycles, Congress passes a fiscal year budget that goes from October 1 until September 30. But in these extraordinarily partisan times, Congress has been unable to agree on an annual budget and has patched together short-term funding bills called Continuing Resolutions (CR’s), which maintains current funding levels. Since just last September, there have been five such short-term CR’s. All of these CR’s have included the Rohrabacher-Farr (now Rohrabacher-Blumenauer in the House and the Leahy amendment in the Senate) amendment which protects medical cannabis businesses, programs, and patients in states where it’s legal. The last of these continuing resolutions is set to expire on Friday, March 23rd. The new omnibus spending bill will continue to fund the government through the remainder of FY2018, which ends on September 30, 2018.
The congressional appropriations process for FY2019 is already underway. While we have achieved a victory in extending medical cannabis protections, there’s much more work to be done. NCIA is lobbying not only to continue the medical cannabis protections, but to also expand protections to protect all legal cannabis businesses from federal interference, including adult-use businesses operating in the eight states with such programs. We are also working to pass a cannabis banking amendment, as well as an amendment that would protect veterans who choose to participate in state-legal cannabis programs. In addition to all of these appropriations amendments, NCIA is still working to pass legislation that would solve the cannabis banking problem, amend IRC Section 280E, and, ultimately, end cannabis prohibition.
VIDEO: Save The Date For NCIA’s 8th Annual Lobby Days!
JUST ANNOUNCED! On May 21-23, 2018, NCIA Members will descend on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for the 8th year in a row.
WHAT IS LOBBY DAYS? Every year, the National Cannabis Industry Association hosts the annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in Washington, D.C. This year, Lobby Days will bring over 300 cannabis industry professionals together to make their voices heard in the halls of Congress.
WHY ARE LOBBY DAYS IMPORTANT? With victories in eight states across the country during the 2016 presidential election, as well as the challenges posed by the new administration, fixing federal policies is more critical than ever. This year, we will continue to emphasize the importance of protecting legal cannabis businesses and patients, reforming section 280E of the federal tax code, and solutions to the banking crisis, all of which are critical to respecting state marijuana laws. Our team in Washington, D.C., works everyday to make the industry’s voice heard, but nothing matches the power of a personal story personally told.
Watch this short video to see highlights from last year’s 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, and to learn more about why you should plan to join us this year as we create momentum for cannabis policy reform in the halls of Congress.
Last month, more than 250 cannabis industry professionals came to D.C. for NCIA’s 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days. In this month’s video newsletter, we capture highlights from this energizing two days of advocacy, education, and community. Watch the video to re-live the experience, or live vicariously through your fellow NCIA members. And plan to join us next year to add your voice!
Were you there? How did your meetings on Capitol Hill go? What was your favorite part of the experience? Please send a brief testimonial of your experiences to NCIA Communications Manager Bethany Moore by emailing bethany@thecannabisindustry.org.
Thank you to the co-chairs of NCIA’s Policy Council for their premier sponsorship of our 2017 Cannabis Industry Lobby Days:
The Cannabis Industry Takes D.C. – Highlights from NCIA’s 7th Annual Lobby Days
by Michelle Rutter, NCIA Government Relations Manager
With the uncertainty that the new administration has brought the cannabis industry, it’s become more important now than ever before to be proactive in government and in our nation’s capital. Last month, NCIA did just that by hosting our 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days. 250 cannabis industry professionals joined us in Washington, D.C., to meet with more than 300 Capitol Hill offices and tell their stories.
Lobby Days kicked off with a breakfast and training session for our attendees, where they learned lobbying basics and were briefed on our talking points. There, attendees met with their groups and gathered their materials to drop off in Capitol Hill offices for staff.
Once the training session was complete, we led our attendees down to our group photo location. Every year, NCIA has nearly doubled the number of participants at Lobby Days.
Following our (very large!) group photo, meetings on Capitol Hill commenced. We scheduled more than 300 meetings with congressional opponents, advocates, members from relevant committees, and others. In addition to the meetings we had scheduled, we also dropped in on various offices and left information about our issues with staff for them to review. In all, we made contact with nearly all of the 535 congressional offices on the Hill!
Simultaneously during our Hill meetings, NCIA hosted a private luncheon for Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), the new sponsor of H.R. 1810: The Small Business Tax Equity Act, which addresses the unfair burden of 280E faced by the cannabis industry. Over the years, NCIA has consistently worked to increase our Capitol Hill advocates and are thrilled that Congressman Curbelo will be leading the charge on 280E reform.
After a busy day of meetings on Capitol Hill, NCIA hosted a fundraiser for the NCIA-PAC, the Political Action Committee (PAC) for cannabis industry professionals. We had six members of Congress show their support by joining us: Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Dina Titus (D-NV).
We were thrilled to raise $60,000 for the NCIA-PAC, which supports federal candidates who are open to the challenges and concerns our industry faces, support cannabis reform at the federal level, and introduce or support pro-cannabis legislation.
Our second day got off to a great start with a press conference held in front of the United States Capitol Building. NCIA executive director Aaron Smith was joined by seven members of Congress (Reps. Blumenauer, Steve Cohen [D-TN], Curbelo, Diana DeGette [D-CO], Eleanor Holmes-Norton [D-DC], Polis [D-CO], and Titus [D-NV]) to address the need for reform federal marijuana laws.
Overall, it was an incredibly successful Lobby Days, and our biggest yet! We’ve already seen co-sponsorship on cannabis-related bills increase, and it is undoubtedly related to the meetings and personal stories NCIA members shared. We look forward to seeing you all in Washington, D.C., for our 8th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in 2018!
Thank you to the co-chairs of NCIA’s Policy Council for their premier sponsorship of our 2017 Cannabis Industry Lobby Days:
VIDEO: Head to D.C. with us on the “Path to Marijuana Reform”
With NCIA’s 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days less than a month away, Deputy Director Taylor West reports on some exciting news out of Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Several members of Congress introduced a package of legislation to support the growing cannabis industry, including a fix to the crippling taxation of 280E. Find out more about the “Path to Marijuana Reform” and get excited for your chance to speak directly with the lawmakers in the House and Senate about our industry’s future. Register for Lobby Days today and join us in D.C., May 16-17.
VIDEO: The Importance of Making Your Voice Heard in D.C.
NCIA Deputy Director Taylor West delivers this month’s video newsletter, encouraging you to get involved and make your voice heard to the new administration and new Congress. As NCIA prepares for our 7th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, there’s never been a more important time to speak up for your business and the industry we’re building together by engaging with our advocacy work on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Thank you to the co-chairs of NCIA’s Policy Council for their premier sponsorship of our 2017 Cannabis Industry Lobby Days:
Are you interested in sponsorship opportunities for your company at NCIA’s most important policy event of the year? Contact us at sponsorship@thecannabisindustry.org to find out more!
Register today! NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Lobby Days – May 16-17, 2017
Eager to get more involved in cannabis politics and make your voice heard? Wondering how you can help secure the future of our industry in a time of uncertainty? Good news! NCIA’s annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in Washington, D.C. are coming in May.
It’s one of the most important ways you can stand up for cannabis reform and your business, and we don’t want you to miss it.
So CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY and join us on May 16 and 17 for NCIA’s 2017 Cannabis Industry Lobby Days. NCIA’s Lobby Days provide the best opportunity to show our nation’s decision-makers what a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry looks like.
NCIA’s 2016 Cannabis Industry Lobby Days. Photo: Kim Sidwell, Cannabis Camera
NCIA members from across the country descend on Capitol Hill to tell their stories and urge their representatives to fix the unfair tax and banking policies crippling our industry.
With victories in eight states across the country during the 2016 presidential election, as well as the challenges ahead of us as we see a new administration come in to the White House, fixing federal policies is more critical than ever. Our team in Washington, D.C., works every day to make the industry’s voice heard, but nothing matches the power of a personal story personally told.
We’re excited that this year’s Lobby Days are being held in conjunction with the Spring 2017 Marijuana Business Conference & Expo, May 17-19 in Washington, D.C. MJBizCon is generously extending a $100 discount on full conference registration for Lobby Days attendees so be sure to register for Lobby Days and we’ll send the discount code in your confirmation e-mail.
We look forward to seeing you in D.C.!
Thank you to the co-chairs of NCIA’s Policy Council for their premier sponsorship of our 2017 Cannabis Industry Lobby Days:
Are you interested in sponsorship opportunities for your company at NCIA’s most important policy event of the year? Contact us at sponsorship@thecannabisindustry.org to find out more!
Video Newsletter: Lobby Days 2016 Recap
This year’s NCIA Cannabis Industry Lobby Days were the largest and most influential in history.
Watch the video above for a recap of our most successful Lobby Days yet!
Our Government Relations team in D.C. been hearing back from our advocates in Congress saying how happy they were with the meetings and how they have heard from other offices looking to co-sponsor our priority legislation. NCIA’s message is being heard on Capitol Hill.
Even if you weren’t able to attend this year’s Lobby Days, you can still contribute. Use our simple online tools to email or call your representatives in Washington, D.C., and tell them to fix federal marijuana laws!
Announcing NCIA’s January – June 2016 Events Calendar
Do you have questions regarding any upcoming events 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.
Interested in speaking at the upcoming Cannabis Business Summit? Please contact brooke@thecannabisindustry.org for more information on remaining opportunities.
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Hello! My name is Jon Dinh and I work as the Membership Manager here at NCIA! I started my cannabis journey three years ago when I first tried cannabis legally in my home state of Colorado and completely changed my life for the better! 
