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ATACH Announces National Council of State Organizations

For Immediate Release

Contact: Monica McCafferty, 303.903.3394


State Level Marijuana Permit Holder Groups Assemble National Effort

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, state-level marijuana trade associations – comprised of licensed businesses from across the country – announce they have formed the American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp’s (ATACH) National Council of State Organizations.

“Meaningful coordination among state level industry groups is crucial to advancing the legal cannabis marketplace especially since the industry is governed entirely by a patchwork of state laws,” said ATACH President Michael Bronstein. “ATACH’s National Council of State Organizations exists to create a collaborative environment among state leaders to share policy, provide strategic advice, and provide a meaningful platform for industry advocacy.”

The following state associations are part of ATACH’s National Council of State Organizations and represent the founding associations with more to be announced in the coming weeks:

  • Alaska Marijuana Industry Association
  • Washington Cannabusiness Association
  • Western Regional Cannabis Business Alliance
  • Montana Cannabis Industry Association
  • Oregon Cannabis Business Council
  • Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition
  • Ohio Medical Marijuana License Holder Coalition
  • New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association
  • Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association
  • Iowa Medical Marijuana License Holder Coalition (in formation)
  • Cannabis Organizations of Retail Establishments

ATACH National Council of State Organizations will be co-chaired by Vicki Christophersen, representing the Washington Cannabusiness Association, Kate Cholewa representing the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, and Cary Carrigan representing the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association.

ATACH National Council of State Organizations will participate in standards making processes with ASTM International and build industry standards, coordinate with the laboratory accreditation body of A2LA, and participate in the National Conference on Weights and Measures efforts to standardize measuring practices across jurisdictions.

ATACH National Council of State Organizations national legal partner is Duane Morris; the firm recently filed a brief in the Ninth Circuit on behalf of the association to protect the lawful transportation of hemp.

Here’s what our leaders are saying:

“The priority is for states to connect with each other about the safe, responsible development of the regulated industry. Our involvement with National Council empowers us to consider individual state policy challenges while coordinating a national effort that protects public health and safety and maximizes our influence.” – Vicki Christophersen, co-founder of the Western Regional Cannabis Business Alliance (WRCBA) and executive director of the Washington Cannabusiness Association (WACA), co-chair of ATACH’s National Council of State Organizations.

“It is a proud moment for the entire movement of legalized cannabis when states across the United States reach out to join in cannabis advocacy and to promote the agenda we are bringing forward with ATACH. Organizations from across the country are realizing the model of unity of purpose is paying dividends. We continue to welcome organizations who are unifying their state stakeholders to take a seat at the table with us as this process unfolds nationally.” – Cary Carrigan, Executive Director, Alaska Marijuana Industry Association and co-chair of ATACH’s National Council of State Organizations.

“Teaming with ATACH and other professional state associations will enable us to collaborate on standards development and share best practices. It will allow us to learn from and share our experience with other states and enable us to bring the best information possible to the table when working with our legislature and other stakeholders in Montana.” – Kate Cholewa, Political Director, Montana Cannabis Industry Association and co-chair of ATACH’s National Council of State Organizations.

“License holders in Ohio face many challenges as they work to provide medical marijuana to the patients who so desperately need it. Learning from other states who have worked through and solved similar challenges will be incredibly valuable.” – Alex Thomas, Executive Director, Ohio Medical Marijuana License Holder Coalition.

“Given the growing push for Northeastern states to adopt legal cannabis programs in a responsible manner and true to our goal to protect Pennsylvania’s emerging medical marijuana market, this partnership will make us stronger. Provided the states that have legalized cannabis and gone before us, this united front will serve as an informal repository of historical knowledge and helpful as we implement our state program.” – Andrew Blasco, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition

“All eyes are on New Jersey as our state potentially expands medical cannabis and moves to a possible voter referendum in 2020. Through this collaboration, we know we will be at the forefront of any state law that could impact current or future permit holders in the Garden State, both medical and recreational.” – Dara Servis, Executive Director, New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association

“Establishing a medical marijuana market in Missouri is a game-changer for patients and our local economy, and MoCannTrade is committed to helping do it the right way. The ability to work with other states on ATACH’s National Council is a true resource for us. We have a lot of people to educate — from state level policy makers to those looking to get into the industry — our goal is to be a leader everyone can rely on as we support our state during this exciting opportunity.”  Andrew Mullins, Executive Director, President, MoCannTrade (Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association)

“The legal landscape as it relates to hemp and cannabis reform is changing drastically. The time is prime for this collaboration as we work to offer guidance on sound policy and regulatory reforms or protect laws already established as demonstrated by the Blue Sky Scientific amicus brief in which we defended the transportation of hemp.” – Seth Goldberg, Partner, Duane Morris.

 

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About ATACH:

The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp is a leading 501(c)(6) trade organization dedicated to promoting the expansion and protection of legal sales of cannabis and hemp for industrial, medical, and recreational use. ATACH was recently recognized as “Trade Association of the Year” and “Corporate Grassroots Organization of the Year” by Campaigns & Elections for: its representation of the leading national industry players, advocacy on behalf of state level trade associations, work on legalization campaigns, involvement in the first ever industry event held at a national presidential nominating convention, and the organization’s historic agreement with ASTM International to develop standards for the industry. ATACH promotes the protection and expansion of the cannabis and hemp industry by providing credible industry representation.

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