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Video Newsletter: We’re going to D.C. in May, and so should you…

One of our most impactful events of the year is just two months away, and NCIA wants you to be there with us in Washington, D.C.

In this month’s video newsletter, hear from NCIA executive director Aaron Smith, as well as NCIA members Steve DeAngelo of Harborside Health Center, Jaime Lewis of Mountain Medicine, Brian Caldwell of Triple C Collective, and Ean Seeb of Denver Relief, as they share their stories about joining NCIA on Capitol Hill for our annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days.

Register today for NCIA’s 6th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, May 12-13.


To make the most out of the Lobby Days experience, register early so that we can begin the process of setting up meetings for you on the Hill. Members who register before April 30th will be entered to win admission and travel expenses for two at NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, including airfare and lodging.

Guest Post: Mr. Seeb Goes To Washington

by Ean Seeb, Denver Relief

Editor’s Note: In January, Ean Seeb, who serves on the Board of Directors for NCIA and is co-founder of Denver Relief and Denver Relief Consulting, coordinated with NCIA’s Director of Government Relations Michael Correia to arrange personal meetings with congressional offices in Washington, D.C.

Ean Seeb speaks at NCIA's Policy Symposium in 2015
Ean Seeb speaks at NCIA’s Policy Symposium in 2015

In December, while planning for a January business trip to Washington, D.C., I realized that I should take the opportunity to use some downtime to lobby Capitol Hill offices on issues affecting the cannabis industry. I reached out to NCIA’s Executive Director Aaron Smith and Director of Government Relations Michael Correia and announced my intention. I was amazed at their responsiveness and support for my idea.

The whole planning process was quite easy. I let them know the date I was available and the focus of my trip and let the D.C. office coordinate logistics. Denver Relief Consulting has business interests in Hawaii and I wanted to focus on that state’s Congressional delegation. My goals were to update offices on medical marijuana implementation in Hawaii and ask these offices to co-sponsor The Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2015 (S. 987 & H.R. 1855), which amends Internal Revenue Code Section 280E to allow cannabis businesses in compliance with state law to take standard tax deductions and credits relating to business expenses.

The trip went very smoothly. I met up with Michael the evening before our meetings to discuss issues and logistics. Although I am well-versed on issues affecting our industry, it was really informative for me to sit down with him and discuss our focus, strategy, and talking points. We were joined by NCIA Member Tae Darnell, CEO of Sensi Media, whose background on cannabis reform in Hawaii goes back many years and was a great asset to our meetings.

 

 

We visited offices in both the Senate and House of Representatives, and each office was very informed about cannabis issues, was responsive to our concerns, and asked insightful questions. I remember back in 2013 when NCIA held its 3rd annual member lobby days. During those meetings, staffers would drop their jaws and say “You’re here to talk about what?” It was almost humorous because, back then, staffers were still in shock that cannabis issues were being brought to them. This time, one of our meetings lasted a full hour! The reception from congressional offices has evolved significantly over the past five years, and that can be attributed to the work NCIA has done on the ground.

 

The National Cannabis Industry Association's 5th Annual Lobby Days in Washington, D.C.
The National Cannabis Industry Association’s 5th Annual Lobby Days in Washington, D.C.

Although our meetings were with Democratic offices, who tend to be supportive of our issues, they were still not co-sponsors of legislation that would solve our 280E tax problems. The offices really appreciated tying the issue to Hawaii and answering questions specifically related to the state and how 280E will negatively affect their constituents. Each of the offices will discuss co-sponsoring legislation in the future, and our D.C. office will continue working with them to gain their support.

I did my homework with information provided by NCIA through newsletters, packets, and the website. An hour’s worth of studying on the front end made for some really powerful and effective meetings. As an NCIA member, it was personally and professionally fulfilling to be able to leave the Capitol thinking, “Today, I made some good progress on our issues, and for our industry, through the work done with these folks.”

 

I wholeheartedly encourage other NCIA members not only to go to NCIA’s 6th annual Member Lobby Days in May — but also to go to D.C. on your own. The NCIA Government Relations team will be there with you every step of the way.

As I was leaving, Michael said, “Please tell other members who happen to be traveling to D.C. that we are available for any NCIA member, at any time, who wants us to coordinate personal meetings with congressional offices.”

If you are interested in contacting NCIA’s Government Relations department to schedule meetings with Members of Congress in Washington, D.C., please email Government Relations Coordinator Michelle Rutter at michelle@thecannabisindustry for more information. 

 

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NCIA Board Candidate Statement – Ean Seeb (Incumbent)

By Ean Seeb, Denver Relief (CO)

I have been a part of the medical marijuana industry for over eight years. I am a co-founder and co-owner of Denver Relief and Denver Relief Consulting. Those businesses also have equity in Cannabis Talks and Extract Outfitters, all of which are members of NCIA. My relationship with NCIA goes back to the very beginning in early 2011, as Denver Relief is a founding member. Denver Relief also requires all the Colorado licensed vendors that we do business with to be members of NCIA.

For the past two years I have had the honor of serving NCIA as the Vice Chair and currently reside as Chair. During that time, I have brought more members to NCIA than any other individual or company. This numbers into the dozens. Between my business partners and myself, our member referrals are approaching fifty.

I have attended almost every NCIA event in Denver and have traveled to Nevada, Massachusetts, Oregon, California, Washington, and Washington  D.C., all in the name of our organization. I have lobbied Congress on three separate occasions and represented NCIA and Colorado at congressional briefings with our elected officials on Capitol Hill.

My momentum is just getting started with NCIA. Much progress has been made in the past two years but much more needs to be done. I have focused much of my own time on the banking issues we face as an industry. I’ve worked hard to educate members of Congress about the difficulties we face as small business owners. I’ve urged our colleagues to join our ranks and help grow our organization so we can continue to make big steps in ending cannabis prohibition as we know it. With your vote, I can continue to work hard for all of us in the hopes that our cannabis businesses will one day be treated like any other regular business in the United States.

Thank you.

See the full Board of Directors Voter Guide here.

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