Marijuana Business Magazine April 2020

Marijuana Business Magazine | April 2020 66 M embership in cannabis trade associations has skyrocketed over the past decade, thanks to the industry’s explosive growth. And many industry executives endorse such groups as a way to communicate business-related issues to lawmakers and regulators who influence policy. Yet, while membership helps further the industry’s broad interests, what specific benefits does it offer to indi- vidual business operators? And how do you choose the right trade association to meet your needs? (See box on page 73 .) A decade ago, when the National Cannabis Industry Association was founded with 30 members, no such groups existed. Today, NCIA boasts nearly 2,000 member businesses in plant-touching and ancillary fields. There also are dozens of state-level and sector-specific trade associations, along with a handful of other national organizations, including the Cannabis Trade Federation and the Minority Cannabis Business Association. “I’ve been involved in working with people in trade organizations for nearly 13 years,” said Sabrina Fendrick, chief public affairs officer with California- based Berkeley Patients Group, a medical cannabis dispensary established in 1999. “And some have really built themselves into incredibly impressive powerhouses.” MEMBER BENEFITS The opportunity to work on association subcommittees is often cited as an effective way to achieve specific business goals. Bryce Berryessa, president of La Vida Verde, a craft-infused products company in Santa Cruz, California, said participating on the manufacturing subcommittee for the California Cannabis Industry Association enabled the rollout of regulations in a compliant and effective way. The CCIA’s network of members are all tackling the same issues and challenges, he said, and can collectively propose ideas, table issues and solve problems. That collaboration alone is “invaluable,” Berryessa said. “Rather than having to pay third-party consultants or lawyers, we’re working with our peers.” Collaboration also often leads to see- ing things in a different way than would Berkeley Patients Group is a member of several trade associations and employs a public affairs officer to work with regulators, lawmakers and advocacy groups. Courtesy Photo Sabrina Fendrick Courtesy Photo Membership in cannabis trade associations has surged in the past decade, reflecting the marijuana industry’s rapid growth. Membership helps advance industry interests and provides individual benefits such as networking and information sharing. But not every group is a good match. Here are highlights: • Dozens of state-level and marijuana-specific trade associations have emerged over the years, along with a handful of national organizations, including the National Cannabis Industry Association, the Cannabis Trade Federation and the Minority Cannabis Business Association. • Associations’ most important priority is political representation to present industry interests to state and federal lawmakers as well as regulators. • At both the national and state levels, for example, cannabis trade associations have been able to sway legislators and influence public opinion about issues ranging from legalization to cannabis banking. • While trade associations further the industry’s broad interests, dues- paying members will want to ensure the association also benefits their individual business objectives. • Choosing an association to best meet your individual business needs requires due diligence, including reading the bylaws, analyzing the board’s industry experience and sounding out others about the group’s reputation. Tools of the Trade