National Cannabis Industry Association

National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
Founded2010
FounderAaron Smith and Steve Fox
TypeTrade association
FocusLegalization of cannabis in the United States
Commercialization of cannabis sales
Location
  • Washington, D.C.
Area served
United States
Websitethecannabisindustry.org

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is an American non-profit organization based in the District of Columbia, with an additional office in Denver, Colorado. NCIA is the largest cannabis trade association in the U.S. and the only organization representing state-sanctioned cannabis-related businesses at the federal level. Its mission is "to promote the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and work for a favorable social, economic and legal environment for that industry in the United States."[1] The organization was founded in late 2010 and has been described as the "first national trade group for the cannabis industry" in the United States.[2][3][4]

As the cannabis industry has grown and matured dramatically in recent years, NCIA has grown with it. The group officially held its first board meeting on December 16, 2010, with a small handful of members.[5] In January 2013, NCIA had 118 member businesses. In January 2014, NCIA had "nearly 400" member businesses.[6] As of July 2017, NCIA had nearly 1,400 member businesses.[7] In June 2019, NCIA reported nearly 2,000 member businesses.[8]

The NCIA has been negatively compared to the lobbying arms of the alcohol and tobacco industries, with activists worried that it could harm legalization efforts.[9]

In February 2020, the organization brought on five new board members; Canopy Rivers president and CEO Narbe Alexandrian, Law Offices of Omar Figueroa Inc. principal Omar Figueroa, Rocky Mountain Reagents Inc. VP Liz Geisleman, Copperstate Farms general counsel Ryan Hurley and Indica LLC and Stick Ypsi co-founder Chris Jackson.[10]

  1. ^ "Mission and Values". National Cannabis Industry Association. 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  2. ^ Warner, Joel (December 1, 2010). "Pot lobbying group National Cannabis Industry Assoc. first of its kind, stacked with CO players". Westword. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  3. ^ Tencer, Daniel (December 12, 2010). "Move over, Big Pharma and Big Oil, Big Marijuana is here". The Raw Story. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  4. ^ Hotakainen, Rob (December 12, 2010). "Marijuana-legalization push gets voice on Capitol Hill". McClatchy DC. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
  5. ^ "National Cannabis Industry Association Will Launch at the World's Largest Cannabis Lifestyle Convention - Salem-News.Com". www.salem-news.com. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  6. ^ Niraj Chokshi (January 2, 2014). "Marijuana legalization in Colorado reflects a maturing industry". Washington Post. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "Member Directory - The National Cannabis Industry Association". The National Cannabis Industry Association. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  8. ^ "Members Archive". The National Cannabis Industry Association. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  9. ^ "7 Things That Could Totally Kill Weed Legalization's Buzz". Huffington Post. April 18, 2014.
  10. ^ Price, Stephanie (February 13, 2020). "National Cannabis Industry Association welcomes board members". Health Europa. Retrieved February 25, 2020.