The intersection of cannabis and politics promises to be a hot-button issue this year and NDRN Green promises to bring you the latest in cannapolitics. As a first step in bringing you in on the ground level of what’s going on, we have this report from the NCIA’s first quarterly cannabis caucus in Washington, D.C.
Tuesday evening the NCIA organized its first round of regional quarterly cannabis caucuses in D.C. and Portland. NDRN Green was at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. covering the kickoff to their new nationwide initiative.
From their website:
“NCIA is the only national trade association advancing the interests of the legitimate and responsible cannabis industry. Our industry supports tens of thousands of jobs, tens of millions in tax revenue, and billions in economic activity in the United States. NCIA is leading the unified and coordinated campaign to ensure this emerging sector is treated fairly under federal law.”
After a round of networking, Michael Correia, NCIA Director of Government Relations took to the podium to speak about pro-cannabis legislation in the Senate and other upcoming events.
Photo: Taken by Lauren Jarema of Michael Correia, Director of Government Relations for NCIA speaks at the 1st Cannabis Caucus at the National Press Club in D.C.
As a trade organization representing the cannabis industry, NCIA gives direction to lobbyists on what issues to focus on and, in turn, those lobbyists efforts to compel Congress.
Right now NCIA says the focus is on the cannabis industry’s gray areas such as W-280E tax reforms and banking issues for the cannabis industry. Correia hopes future appropriations bills have the language regarding cannabis and the financial sector that clearly detail the intent of Congress.
He explained that appropriation bills are important to NCIA’s bottom line because stand-alone legislation in the House and Senate are hard to move with this Republican majority in Congress. Instead, the pro-cannabis sector has seen success in offering amendments to appropriations bills already being discussed on the floor. A recent example of this success is the language passed as an amendment forbidding any funding to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to go after cannabis businesses and dispensaries in states with pro-cannabis laws.
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The NCIA says they are working with the hemp industry and veterans for cannabis in the coming year. “We are making inroads,” says Correia.
In 2016, you can also expect to see a lot of political attack ads and campaign promises as America decides who to elect as successor to President Barack Obama. Cannabis-dominated stories are making headlines like Gary Johnson announcing his presidential bid with his pro-cannabis platform and the petition to dethrone the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) for her anti-cannabis stance.
Asked for comment on the Johnson bid, Correia told NDRN Green, ‘We aren’t political. If candidates are talking about the issue of cannabis then we have PAC money donations for pro-canna candidates like Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders. We will do what we can to help Gary Johnson.’
On the DNC chair’s anti-cannabis rhetoric he says, ‘we aren’t in the business of attacking her, she is wrong but we are in the business side of the industry, not drug reform. I won’t be retaliating to her on Twitter.’
Overall, the event drew a small room of local businesses and advocates of the cannabis industry together. With plenty of time to network, the first NCIA cannabis caucus explained the organization’s next steps and what legislation they are looking to push in 2016. The information packet given to attendees contains policy updates, 2015 legislative year in review and information on their 3rd annual Cannabis Business Summit and Expo in Oakland, CA this summer as well as information on how to become a paying member of the NCIA.
Chase Freeman and Jackson Farmer, co-founders of EZ-XY Cannabis Sex Test, really enjoyed the event.
“It’s a different feel than local DC NORML chapter meetings, lot’s of business networking and news straight from the source.”
Charles Lichtensten says he knows a lot of friends who wanted to attend but couldn’t afford the ticket price. He adds, “the meeting needs a place to smoke.”
Ben Droz wearing his bolo tie, an example of businesses in the cannabis industry
Ben Droz was documenting the event for NCIA with photos but we couldn’t help but notice his bolo tie. In addition to photography, Droz says has a business called YoloBolo Notable Neckware.
NCIA lobbying days are May 12 and 13 and their regional cannabis caucuses continue to rollout on Thursday in Orlando and Boston. Quarterly Cannabis Caucuses are free for NCIA members and non-members can attend with a $50 donation.