by Michelle Rutter Friberg, NCIA’s Deputy Director of Government Relations
When I first started at NCIA nearly nine years ago, there were a lot less people lobbying for cannabis reform on Capitol Hill. As our industry has grown and expanded, so has the government relations presence in D.C., but that also means that unification and coordination has become more difficult. New trade organizations have been created, individual companies with competing interests have hired their own lobbying firms – it’s a lot to keep track of! As a result, one of the things we’ve heard most from Capitol Hill staffers is that a unified voice would be incredibly helpful when trying to get legislation over the finish line.
So, NCIA got to work to make that happen, convening a working group comprised of the trade organizations in the cannabis space we work closely with on the Hill. In the following weeks, we sent a unified industry letter on SAFE Banking and hosted a briefing and reception for freshman members and staff on Capitol Hill.
Industry Letter
On March 21, NCIA, along with the National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR), United States Cannabis Council (USCC), Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), and National Hispanic Cannabis Council (NHCC) sent a letter to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-SC) calling on them to act to address the continued lack of equitable access to banking and capital for cannabis related businesses and expeditiously take action on the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act upon its reintroduction. You can read the full text of the letter here.
Just a day later, the American Bankers Association (ABA) Washington Summit was held. Chairman Brown said, “Prognosis is positive… I’m hopeful we can do it [SAFE Banking] relatively soon.” Ranking Member Scott also spoke about the importance of moving the bill forward through “regular order” while reiterating that he doesn’t necessarily support the legislation himself. Scott, who is running for president in 2024, also said that cannabis reform broadly is, “something that we’re going to have to wrestle with as a nation and as a Congress and get to an answer there.”
Looks like the Senators agree with our letter!
Freshman Briefing and Reception
As lobbyists, one of our biggest jobs is educating members of Congress and their staff about the issues facing our industry and how to address them. That can be difficult, however, there’s 535 members of Congress and a lot of staff turnover (not to mention elections every two years!).
To combat this, NCIA, NCR, USCC, and the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) came together to host a briefing on Cannabis 101 for freshman members of Congress and their staff. This is the first time that all of the major trade organizations have come together to host an event like this and it was incredibly well received. Former Colorado Senator Cory Gardner (R) even said to me personally how remarkable the coalition was!
The briefing included messages from all four members of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, panels on “Incremental Approaches & Comprehensive Reform” and “Current Operational Landscape Potential & Challenges” as well as a fireside chat between Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) and Sen. Gardner.
Following the briefing, a reception was held in Rayburn Cafeteria where more than 100 Hill staffers and lobbyists mingled to discuss all things cannabis. All of the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, with questions about when the next event would be! I made sure to remind everyone that NCIA’s 11th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days would be taking place May 16-18, and that we look forward to visiting their offices and educating them further.
You won’t want to miss this event – register today and sign up for our newsletter to make sure you continue to get all of the latest information and updates about how to get involved with our work in Washington!
Video: NCIA Evergreen Members Lobby Congress Virtually
Due to ongoing COVID-19 and Capitol security restrictions, efforts to lobby Congress on cannabis policy issues have been challenging. Though logistics prevent us from hosting our traditional annual fly-in event in D.C., with hundreds of cannabis industry professionals navigating the halls of Congress, members of Congress themselves are still able to hear from their constituents through virtual means. Recently, NCIA’s Government Relations team worked with our Evergreen Members to guide them through the process of meeting with members of Congress to continue to tell our stories and share our concerns for our industry.
Hear more about their experiences in this video with insights into how those meetings went.
NCIA’s Evergreen membership is for leading businesses looking to make a meaningful investment in shaping policy for the cannabis industry. This premium membership plan provides your company with a seat on NCIA’s Evergreen Member Roundtable, with exclusive access to private briefings from members of Congress, access to NCIA’s lobbying team, invitations to political events, special membership concierge service, and more.
How To Stay Politically Engaged in the Age of COVID-19
Photo By CannabisCamera.com
by Michelle Rutter Friberg, NCIA’s Deputy Director of Government Relations
Over the last few weeks, life in America has changed, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. However, even though most of us are practicing social distancing and working from home, there are still ways to remain politically engaged during this election year. Whether you use these tips to talk to members of Congress about COVID-19 or cannabis legislation, we encourage you to continue to communicate with your elected officials.
Here are a few ways you can do that from the comfort (and safety) of your own home:
Call your legislators
In the age of technology, we are lucky to have so many different ways to communicate with each other. Arguably, one of the most effective ways to contact your representatives and senators is by calling their offices. You can check out NCIA’s website for some do’s and don’t’s of calling, and if you need your elected officials’ contact information, you canfind it here. Pro-tip: try calling your legislators’ district offices – they are usually less inundated with calls than their D.C. counterparts.
Go old school: write a letter (or an email)
Sometimes it’s nice to be able to sit with your thoughts and write them down – plus, it’s also a great way to pass some time while at home. Put those skills to work and consider writing your elected officials a letter or an email. Remember to always keep it professional, but also be sure to include your personal story.
Stay informed: read the news, a book, or listen to a podcast
As citizens, we all have a duty to stay informed, and this is a great time to delve into some new content! You can settle in with your favorite cannabis product and a good book (politics, history, or whatever you like!), or hop online to check out the news or go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole. If reading isn’t your thing, try searching for a new podcast – we recommend NCIA’s Cannabis Industry Voice. One rule, though – always make sure whatever you’re consuming is from a reliable source.
While no campaigns are knocking on doors right now, there are still opportunities to get involved with one and help out from home. With 2020 being an election year, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to volunteer to help with the presidential race, either – you can help a local or state candidate, or a member of Congress. You can volunteer for the RNC, or if you’d prefer, help out the DCCC. Making phone calls for a candidate is also a great way to get some social interaction!
Follow your elected officials on social media
Once you’ve identified who your elected officials (or candidates) are, find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Not only is this another great way to get in touch with them, it’s also a way to stay informed as many of them are holding virtual town halls and “live” sessions. When interacting with these accounts, always remember to remain respectful.
Here at NCIA, we are all encouraged by our members and their dedication to patients, consumers, and overall public health, and we will continue to serve and advocate for you, even during these difficult times. COVID-19 will not last forever, and we will soon be back in the halls of Congress talking to members and their staff about the importance of reforming our outdated cannabis policies. Until then, stay home, stay safe, and stay healthy!
The Importance of PACs and Political Involvement
by Madeline Grant, NCIA’s Government Relations Manager
Like the Olympics, we only have a presidential election every four years. Usually, this means more voters are engaged and paying attention to the political process than normal. It’s more important now than ever for voters to get involved, and there are many ways to do just that. Some people campaign by making phone calls and knocking doors to get out the vote, others simply vote on election day. Some choose to make financial contributions to candidates or issues-based PACs (political action committees) that they care about.
As a trade association, NCIA has a PAC (the NCIA-PAC) that collects and contributes funds to candidates that support cannabis reform on Capitol Hill. In recent years, you may have heard that PACs are considered “special interest” or part of the “D.C. swamp.” Some candidates go so far as to not accept contributions from PACs to their campaigns. However, many small PACs, like the NCIA-PAC, are misrepresented by these characterizations and are fully funded by the hard-working members of their associations. The NCIA-PAC gives our cannabis professionals a united voice in the political process. Keep reading below to learn more about NCIA’s PAC and how you can get involved.
There is a common misconception that political contributions buy votes, however, the reality is that political contributions gain access. Of course, a politician’s goal is to get elected or re-elected and campaign contributions are a vital component of that goal. The NCIA-PAC helps support our champions and politicians that will fight for us on Capitol Hill so that they can continue fighting for our industry in D.C.
Another common misconception people have is that a one-time contribution will get you a friend for life, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. As long as a member stays in office, they will continue to ask for financial support. Think of it like this: supporting the NCIA-PAC lets us support elected officials who support the cannabis industry, and it’s imperative that they continue to be re-elected! Even the smallest donations make an impact.
At this point, you may be asking yourself: why should I support the NCIA-PAC? Well, your dollars support candidates who understand the cannabis industry’s concerns and who focus their attention on issues important to NCIA. A donation also affords you opportunities to collaborate with other concerned and politically active members to ensure our industry’s involvement in the legislative process and provides engagement, support, and information that is helpful to you, our cause, and your business.
NCIA’s government relations team works year-round to build relationships on Capitol Hill and represent the cannabis industry. As a team, we reiterate the importance of access to banking, fixing the 280E tax provision, the necessity of descheduling cannabis, and ensuring that our industry is diverse and equitable, among other issues. Our efforts here in D.C. make an impact, but members of Congress and their staff also need to hear from you. So, we hope you will consider joining us and NCIA’s PAC Leadership Circle at our 2nd Annual VIP Day in Washington D.C., on May 19.
Through a donation of $1,000 dollars or more, you will participate in an exclusive day including briefings, a luncheon and meetings with members of Congress, meetings with committees of jurisdiction, complimentary entry to the NCIA-PAC Fundraiser, and networking with NCIA’s most politically active members. Additionally, you will receive even more benefits all throughout the year, such as complimentary registration for our annual conferences, prominent listing and link to your company website featured on NCIA’s PAC page, customized branding opportunities at NCIA’s Cannabis Business Summit & Expo, and much more. If you are interested in attending VIP Day or hearing more about the NCIA-PAC, please fill out an interest form here or contact Maddy Grant at Madeline@TheCannabisIndustry.org.
by Madeline Grant, NCIA Government Relations Manager
With all the action in the 116th Congress so far, NCIA strives to support as many cannabis champions on Capitol Hill as possible. It is key to keep Members of Congress that support cannabis reform in the halls of Congress, as they will continue to push the momentum forward through legislation, committee activity, and education. Our NCIA-PAC Leadership Circle members make this support possible, as their contributions go straight towards Members of Congress. Below are a few events and fundraisers where we utilized PAC funds to support our issues and Members on the Hill.
NCIA staff attended Congressman Ed Perlmutter’s fundraiser in celebration of the passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act on the House side. Rep. Perlmutter is the lead sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act and because of his leadership and hard work over the years, we are seeing more success this congress than ever before!
As we are approaching the Holiday season, Members of Congress are getting festive. NCIA hosted Congressman McNerny’s Holiday Party. Our D.C. staff is making use of our new office, as we’ve hosted a handful of holiday parties this year full of conversations, hot chocolate, and cookies for all.
Another festive holiday party hosted at our D.C. office with Congressman Earl Blumenauer. The Congressman gave everyone a mini fruit cake, a famous annual tradition in the Blumenauer office. With all the momentum this congress, Congressman Blumenauer has been one of our biggest champions in cannabis reform.
Mike and I attended Rep. Porter’s lunch fundraiser this year. It is always a pleasure discussing policy issues with the congresswoman. As a freshman Member of Congress, Rep. Porter has been fighting for the cannabis industry since day 1. We had the pleasure of meeting the Congresswoman when she entered into California’s 45th district race and continue to support her with NCIA’s PAC funds.
Our Director of Government Relations, Michael Correia, attended Rep. Lee’s birthday this past July. He was able to spend some time with Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Lee while discussing cannabis reform. As you know, the momentum in the 116th congress has been momentous so it’s important to thank the Members of Congress that helped make it happen.
How do we support our champions?
NCIA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) supports our champions on Capitol Hill. With NCIA-PAC funds we are able to contribute PAC dollars to the Members of Congress above and many more. These funds go to their campaigns to help them get reelected and stay to fight for us on Capitol Hill. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved with the NCIA-PAC, please send an email to Madeline@TheCannabisIndustry.org. Thank you to our PAC Leadership Circle members that help support cannabis reform on Capitol Hill- without you, we would not be able to support our champions.
Keeping the Momentum During August Recess
by Madeline Grant and Michelle Rutter, NCIA Government Relations Managers
The sun is hot, and the halls of Capitol Hill are empty… it must be August recess, but as your congressional representatives take a break from their busy schedule in D.C., we are still hard at work in the nation’s capital. We are continuing the momentum that the 116th Congress has had in changing cannabis policy. This summer there were many important hearings and events. Let’s take a look back at a few of them:
In June, the House Committee on Small Business held a hearing entitled “Unlocked Potential? Small Businesses in the Cannabis Industry.” The hearing allowed members of the Committee to learn about the opportunities the legitimate cannabis industry presents for small businesses in states with legal cannabis, as well as entrepreneurs from traditionally underserved communities. The hearing also discussed the challenges also faced by “ancillary” or “indirect” cannabis businesses. The Chairwoman of NCIA’s Banking Access Committee, Dana Chaves, testified, as well as representatives from the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), the Veterans Cannabis Coalition (VCC), and The Heritage Foundation. In the testimony NCIA submitted for the record, we wrote, “[SBA] programs were specifically designed to stimulate economic activity and create jobs through small-business enterprises. Offering funding to the emerging regulated cannabis industry, which is mostly comprised of small businesses, would perfectly align with SBA’s primary objective to maintain and strengthen the Nation’s economy.” You can read NCIA’s full testimony here.
In addition to the Small Business Committee hearing, there was a resounding, victorious Floor vote in June that put every single member of the House of Representatives on the record when it comes to cannabis. Known as the Blumenauer-McClintock-Norton amendment, this provision that was added to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act of 2020, passed by a vote of 267-165 and would prevent any federal funds from being used to target state-legal cannabis programs. The vote was decisive: it had support from all but eight Democrats and picked up 41 ‘Ayes’ from Republicans.
In July, for the first time ever, lawmakers in the House of Representatives held a hearing to address the disproportionate ways in which marijuana prohibition has negatively impacted people of color and marginalized communities. The hearing, entitled “Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need for Reform,” was called by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and exclusively featured testimony from witnesses in favor of sweeping cannabis policy reforms. Notably, none of the members of the subcommittee or witnesses advocated for keeping cannabis illegal.
Less than a month ago, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs held a public hearing, “Challenges for Cannabis and Banking: Outside Perspectives,” to discuss the current banking challenges faced by the legal cannabis industry and to assess the unintended consequences and public safety risks associated with commercial businesses operating in an all-cash environment. Earlier this year, to help find close the gap between federal and state cannabis laws, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced S. 1200 – The Secure And Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, to provide protections for financial institutions that engage with state-legal cannabis-related businesses, including ancillary businesses that have a connection with cannabis businesses. The bill currently has 31 cosponsors in the Senate and is expected to have a House floor vote this Fall.
NCIA stayed busy outside the halls of Congress, too. In June, NCIA responded and submitted public comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) request for comments on Scientific Data and Information About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds. Given the substantial interest in this topic and the need for regulations and standardization throughout the industry, NCIA and this coalition are providing specific insight into all facets the FDA would like to examine, including health and safety risks, manufacturing and product quality, and marketing, labeling, and sales.
Since your representatives are not here in D.C., you don’t need to buy a plane ticket for them to hear your voice. Many representatives take this month to listen to their constituents, so there are many opportunities to speak to your members of Congress and make your voice heard. Go to https://townhallproject.com/ to find town halls in your area, invite your members of Congress to tour your business, or go visit their local office and schedule a meeting.
This is an important time in our country – history is changing right before our eyes. Cannabis policy has taken huge steps just these past months, and we cannot let that momentum stop. With your continued advocacy and support, we can continue to lead the change in our community.
Do you have questions or want to learn more about how you can help our efforts on Capitol Hill? We’d love to connect and tell you more via email or phone. Please send an email to Madeline@TheCannabisIndustry to set up an appointment to chat.
NCIA-PAC: Elect And Keep Our Champions On Capitol Hill
by Maddy Grant, NCIA Government Relations Manager
How does NCIA keep the momentum going on Capitol Hill? In the 116th Congress we’ve seen progress and support on cannabis issues unlike any Congress before – this is a historic time for cannabis reform!
The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019, which is now up to 206 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, up from 95 cosponsors in the 115th Congress, is expected to have a House vote at some point in in July.
The McClintock-Blumenauer-Norton amendment, which would protect ALL cannabis businesses from federal interference, passed the House with a vote of 267-165.
Our very own NCIA member, Dana Chaves, testified in front of the Small Business House Committee and expressed the urgency for our cannabis businesses to get access to financial institutions. These are just a few of the monumental successes we have reached this year – and it’s only June. We see the momentum growing and we need to keep the pressure on.
So what does this have to do with the NCIA-PAC?
Through our NCIA-PAC we are able to fiscally aid supporters of the cannabis industry, not only elected officials, but people running for congressional office. For example, leading up to the midterm election, the NCIA Government Relations team made sure we supported close races where cannabis-friendly candidates were running against cannabis opponents. One race I distinctly recall, Nevada’s third congressional district. Susie Lee, who is a supporter of cannabis, was running against incumbent Congressman Danny Tarkanian, an opponent of cannabis. Michael Correia, NCIA’s Director of Government Relations, and I met with Susie Lee in Las Vegas and we began to discuss how close her race had come and how every single PAC dollar would help her win. At that point, we contributed $1,000 of NCIA-PAC dollars to Susie Lee’s campaign and she beat incumbent Danny Tarkarnian. This is just one race where our contributions made a difference.
Congresswoman Susie Lee from Nevada has been a supporter of cannabis issues and with NCIA-PAC dollars she can continue to represent our industry on Capitol Hill.
This wasn’t the only race that was close in 2016. The NCIA-PAC supported and helped elect 45 cannabis champions to Congress, including 15 Democratic challengers who successfully unseated incumbents who opposed reforming our outdated federal marijuana laws. Many of these races were won on razor-thin margins, which proves how far this support goes to enact change on the Hill. The NCIA-PAC aided to grow our support on Capitol Hill while establishing good relationships and educating Members of Congress.
Freshman member, Congressman Gil Cisenors, has been supportive of cannabis issues on Capitol Hill.
Government Relations Director, Michael Correia, attending Congresswoman Dina Titus fundraiser. Thanks to NCIA-PAC dollars we could attend and thank the Congresswoman for all of her work.
At the 9th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days in May, we had 21 Members of Congress attend our PAC fundraiser. Congressional members showed up and spoke to NCIA members about cannabis issues on Capitol Hill and how supporting their races are crucial to allow them to continue to fight for our issues. Over and over we heard from these members about the importance of getting the right people in office that will fight for what their constituents care about. The NCIA-PAC helps us do just this, and every single dollar helps. It is time to end marijuana prohibition and to hold our congressional leaders accountable to represent the will of their constituents. Help us keep our champions on Capitol Hill and continue to add more! Whether it’s $5 or $5,000, every single dollar counts.
Top 3 Ways to Get Involved with Congress at Home During August Recess
by Michelle Rutter, Government Relations Coordinator
Each year, Congress recesses for the month of August. Traditionally, this time has been used for Members to return home to their districts and meet with constituents and, of course, campaign for re-election. Though this makes August a quiet month in D.C., it’s a great time for you and your colleagues to get involved with the political process, engage with Members of Congress, and educate them on cannabis policy.
Here are the top 3 ways you can get involved at home during August recess:
Attend (or plan) a town hall
Town hall meetings are an excellent way for businesses, local leaders, and representatives of the cannabis movement to communicate with elected officials about issues affecting your community. Make sure you call or check your Representative and Senators’ websites to see if any town halls have been scheduled during August recess. If they aren’t planning on holding one, consider planning a town hall yourself and inviting various elected officials to talk about cannabis policy in your community and on the federal level.
Invite Members of Congress or their office staff on a tour of your business
Even though cannabis is arguably more mainstream than it’s ever been, many elected officials still have not had the chance to experience what the responsible and legal cannabis industry looks like firsthand. Whether you’re involved with growing, processing, or dispensing cannabis, or operate an ancillary business, a tour with a Member of Congress and/or their staff can be invaluable to them. Reach out to your elected officials’ district office and ask if they would be interested in a tour- their answer may surprise you!
Schedule a meeting with your Member’s district office
August recess means Members of Congress are home for an entire month and is a great opportunity to meet with them and their staff! There are very few things more compelling than a personal story when talking to elected officials, so whether your experience has been with the benefits of medical cannabis, the unfair tax burden of 280E, or the struggle for traditional banking, be sure to schedule an appointment with your district office to tell that story. Click here to find out who your Representative is and visit their website to see where their district office is located.
We all have a responsibility to educate and engage with elected officials in order to change the perception surrounding cannabis. August recess is the perfect opportunity to get involved with federally elected officials without having to leave home! If you need advice, help, or materials to assist you, remember to contact NCIA’s Washington, D.C. office by emailing michelle@thecannabisindustry.org.
Each year, Congress recesses for the month of August. Traditionally, this time has been used for Members to return home to their districts and meet with constituents and, of course, campaign for re-election. Though this makes August a quiet month in D.C., it’s a great time for you and your colleagues to get involved with the political process, engage with Members of Congress, and educate them on cannabis policy.
Follow NCIA
Newsletter
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
News & Resource Topics
–
This Just In
The MJBiz Breakdown: NCIA Members Share Expertise and Experience
Congressional Movement and Election Roundup