A new national cannabis advocacy organization, the U.S. Cannabis Council, announced its formation on Monday saying it “aims to advance social equity and racial justice, and end federal cannabis prohibition.” The organization, a 501(c)4 nonprofit, counts cannabusinesses, associations, and advocacy organizations among its founding members.
USCC Interim CEO Steven Hawkins, who also serves as executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, described the organization as “a unified voice advocating for the descheduling and legalization of cannabis.”
“Legalization at both the state and federal level must include provisions ensuring social equity and redress for harms caused to communities impacted by cannabis prohibition.” – Hawkins, in a press release
Founding members of the organization include:
- Acreage Holdings
- Akerna Corp.
- American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp
- Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine
- BellRock Brands
- Buckeye Relief
- Cannabis Trade Federation
- Canopy Growth Corporation
- Columbia Care Inc.
- Cresco Labs Inc.
- Cronos Group
- Culta
- Curaleaf
- DNA Genetics
- Eaze
- Flowhub
- Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce
- Good Chemistry
- The Grove Cannabis Dispensary
- Headcount’s Cannabis Voter Project
- Husch Blackwell
- iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.
- Jushi
- Keef Brands
- Lightshade
- LivWell Enlightened Health
- Marijuana Policy Project
- Medicine Man
- MedMen
- Native Roots Cannabis Co.
- 1906 New Highs
- PAX Labs
- PharmaCann
- ProKure
- Raw Garden
- Schwazze
- Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
- Urbn Leaf
- Veterans Cannabis Project
- Vicente Sederberg LLP
- Vireo
- Wana
The organization has already received support from Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D), one of the staunchest supporters of federal cannabis law reforms and founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.
“We have a unique opportunity in the 117th Congress to advance cannabis reform, but we must remain united to create the change we know is possible,” Blumenauer said in a statement. “I look forward to welcoming the United States Cannabis Council to Washington, D.C. and working together toward meaningful policy change in the months and years ahead.”
Other members of the USCC includes Heather Azzi, general counsel for the Cannabis Trade Federation who will serve in that role for the USCC; Executive Assistant Brianca Hurley, who serves in the same capacity for the MPP; Deputy Vice President for Government Relations Chris Lindsay, who serves as a legislative analyst for the MPP; and Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce Executive Director Randal Meyer as vice president of government relations.
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