Announcing the formation of a national
cannabis organization dedicated to
providing best practices for regulators around the country. In the
spirit of ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), The Cannabis Regulatory
Association (CANNRA) is made up of regulators from nineteen states. Focusing on
industrial hemp, medical cannabis and adult use cannabis, the group is non partisan
and takes no formal stance on decriminalization or legalization, according to a
press release. The group will seek input from
research organizations, public health officials, policymakers, legal
authorities, advocacy groups, and cannabis industry participants. However,
advocacy groups and industry members are not permitted to join CANNRA.
Norman Birenbaum, President of CAMRA and
Director of New York's cannabis programs said in the PR, “The Cannabis Regulators Association will
provide a much needed forum for regulators to engage with each other to
identify and develop best practices, create model policies that safeguard
public health and safety, and promote regulatory certainty for industry
participants. CANNRA’s inaugural president. He continues, "The association
will strive to create and promote harmony and standardization across jurisdictions
which choose to legalize and regulate cannabis." (From Norman Birenbaum
quote in CANNRA PR)
The
first Cannabis Regulators Roundtable was hosted in 2017 by the Washington State
Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). Rick Garza, Director of the WSLCB, said in
the press release, “I am proud that the nation’s first Cannabis Regulators
Roundtable meeting was hosted by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
(WSLCB) in April 2017 with just the first four states to legalize adult-use
cannabis: Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Alaska.” (From Rick Garza quote in
PR)
CANNRA is expecting more state and local regulators to join in the future. By joining members will have access to "member regulators, resources for cannabis policy development and staff training, and will have the ability to access, and participate in the development of model standards and best practices for cannabis regulation."
