State Officials React to Founding of CANNRA

Membership includes officials from 19 states

“CANNRA’s formation provides assurance to citizens and policy makers that cannabis regulation across the U.S. will be informed by best practices and the consolidated expertise of state regulators. Whether it is for recreational or medical purposes, states are on the cutting edge of a transition from a societal prohibition on cannabis use to systems that effectively provide for consumer protection standards in the commercialization of cannabis.”

- Steve Marks, Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission

“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. The future was clear then that more states would soon follow.  Today, this body is in position to provide regulatory guidance to the federal government should it move towards declassification of cannabis and legalization nationwide.

- WSLCB Director Rick Garza

“CANNRA provides a forum for Colorado to continue to share our pioneering experience creating an effective and credible regulated framework and market for cannabis. Colorado also benefits from learning about the cannabis policy work in other states across the country."

- Jim Burack, Director of Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division

“The CCB is proud to be a founding member of CANNRA, giving Nevada an active voice in critical state and federal conversations surrounding cannabis policy and regulation. Working with state counterparts to advance important dialogue and serving as an executive officer provides a great opportunity to showcase Nevada’s position as a leader in cannabis oversight.”

- Cannabis Compliance Board Executive Director Tyler Klimas.

“As New Jersey moves forward with enacting the will of the voters to legalize cannabis, and continues to expand our medical cannabis program, membership in CANNRA will help our state learn from best practices in other states. Working with CANNRA to bring the best evidence-based policies to New Jersey will help ensure our market is fair, equitable and safe for consumers.”

- Jeff Brown, Assistant Commissioner for Medicinal Marijuana at the New Jersey Department of Health and incoming Executive Director of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

“The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) is proud to serve as a founding member of the Cannabis Regulators Associations (CANNRA). CANNRA resources, and the regulatory expertise of CANNRA members, will provide an invaluable benefit to Maryland policymakers as they consider changes to, or expansion of, the cannabis industry in Maryland.”

- Will Tilburg, Executive Director for the MMCC

“Massachusetts’ legal cannabis industry would not be where it is today, serving nearly 90,000 certified active patients in our Medical Use of Marijuana Program and supporting a $1 billion adult-use industry, without the strong collaboration we have enjoyed with peers throughout the nation. The Cannabis Regulators Association will enable existing and newly legalizing states to continue sharing their experiences and expertise to ensure the nation’s growing cannabis industry incorporates the safe, accessible, and equitable policies that patients, consumers, and industry participants expect and deserve.”

-Shawn Collins, Cannabis Control Commission Executive Director

As the tenth state and second on the east coast to launch retail sales of adult use cannabis, the Office of Marijuana Policy is proud to partner with our fellow regulators in this important endeavor. As we developed the regulatory framework for Maine’s adult use marijuana program, we relied heavily on the expertise of the states that came before us. We look forward to sharing our best practices, lessons learned, and high standards with other regulating jurisdictions through the Cannabis Regulators Association.”

- Erik Gundersen, Director of Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy

“The Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) has always strived to keep Michigan aligned with the best practices and at the forefront of innovative policy in this new industry. Being a founding member of the association and serving as an executive officer is an exciting opportunity as we strive to establish Michigan as the national model for a regulatory program that stimulates business growth while preserving safe consumer access to marijuana.”

- MRA Executive Director Andrew Brisbo.

“Illinois is proud to be a founding member of this new association which is key to ensuring cannabis legalization is pursued in a fair, equitable manner for all. As we continue to prioritize equity in forming Illinois’ legal cannabis industry, we look forward to sharing our learnings and benefitting from the experience of other states in the months and years ahead.”

- Danielle Perry, Cannabis Regulation and Oversight Officer for the State of Illinois.

“It is an honor to be a founding member of an organization that will develop standards in the industry and provides regulatory guidance to state and federal elected officials. We are also proud to collaborate and welcome the expertise of other states as we regulate products so they are safe for consumers."

- Medical Marijuana Program Director Tabitha Irvin, Esq.

“We are very proud to join CANNRA as a founding member. The timing is perfect--Georgia just released its first Request For Proposals for Class 1 and Class 2 Production Licenses. We’re already known as the number one state in the nation in which to do business, a leading agribusiness and agricultural export state, as well as a growing information technology hub. We’re aiming for Georgia to be the leader in patient outcomes with medical cannabis. CANNRA gives Georgia an important opportunity to be a part of emerging cannabis policy and regulation development at the state and federal level that will impact our state.”

-Andrew Turnage, Executive Director of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission

“As Connecticut continues to explore the impact of an adult use cannabis program, as well as regulate a successful medical cannabis program, membership in CANNRA will be a valuable resource that will enable us to learn from other government officials ​and share best practices for regulating the industry,”

-Michelle H. Seagull, Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection