TOP 10 Cannabis Associations in the USA
Cannabis trade organizations collaborate to advance public policy that is both beneficial and protective for the cannabis industry. These groups want to establish an equal and diverse pot community while ensuring that the industry protects its employees, and so on. In this guide, you will learn about the top 10 cannabis business associations in the United States. In addition to these top cannabis associations, there are other methods that cannabusinesses can utilize to grow and expand, but they are still a powerful tool in the industry nonetheless.
These cannabis business associations are important for the following reasons:
- They allow for networking and collaboration between different businesses in the industry.
- They provide a platform for businesses to share their knowledge and expertise.
- They lobby on behalf of the industry to advance public policy.
- They offer resources and support to members.
- They promote responsible cannabis use.
- The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
- Americans for Safe Access (ASA)
- The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)
- The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
- The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
- The Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF)
- American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp (ATACH)
- The Hemp Industries Association (HIA)
- Native American Cannabis Alliance (NACA)
- Organic Cannabis Association (OCA)
- In Conclusion
The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
Founded: 2010
Location: Washington, D.C.
The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is the largest cannabis organization in the United States. They lobby on behalf of the cannabis industry at the state and federal levels, provide resources for businesses, and host events such as their annual Cannabis Business Summit & Expo. The hundreds of firms in the state-legal cannabis industries are a significant economic influence in the United States. NCIA, as the country’s national trade association, works diligently to ensure that this expanding industry sector is well represented on the national stage.
Americans for Safe Access (ASA)
Founded: 2002
Location: Washington, D.C
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens promoting legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome scientific and political opposition by empowering its members with information, organizing grassroots action, and creating Coalitions with like-minded organizations. They also lobby on behalf of their membership at the state and federal levels.
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)
Founded: 1995
Location: Washington, D.C
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the leading cannabis organization in the United States working to end marijuana prohibition and replace it with a system in which marijuana is regulated like alcohol. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harms associated with marijuana is to regulate it. MPP focuses on eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana usage because they believe that the most serious consequence of marijuana is imprisonment. A key focus is on making marijuana accessible to people with serious medical conditions who have doctor approval.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Founded: 1970
Location: Washington, D.C
NORML is a non-profit, public-interest advocacy group working to reform state and federal marijuana laws. NORML’s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty. NORML lobbies on Capitol Hill and provides resources for activists, lawyers, and students working to reform their state laws.
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
Founded: 1982
Location: Silver Spring, MD
AHPA is the only national trade organization devoted to herbal products. AHPA’s members include growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of herbal products, including botanical ingredients used in foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and personal care products. AHPA is committed to protecting and serving the herbal industry by providing science-based and industry-specific information and resources, advocating on behalf of the herbal products sector, and promoting the responsible commerce of herbs.
The Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF)
Founded: 2018
Location: Washington, DC
CTF is a national trade association representing the interests of the regulated cannabis industry. CTF’s members are state-licensed cannabis businesses that are engaged in the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, distribution, testing, and retail sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products. CTF is committed to promoting the growth of responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and to working with state and federal lawmakers to enact sensible cannabis policies.
American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp (ATACH)
Founded: unknown
Location: Washington, DC
ATACH is a national cannabis industry association representing the interests of the American cannabis and hemp businesses. ATACH’s members are state-licensed cannabis businesses that are owners of various cannabis and cannabis-related companies. ATACH is facilitating the cannabis industry’s integration into the mainstream by building relationships with businesses that will help end prohibition. The organization is working to professionalize industry representation in the cannabis community and beyond and make it easier for new businesses to enter the marketplace.
The Hemp Industries Association (HIA)
Founded: 1992
Location: Summerland, CA
HIA is a national trade organization representing the interests of the hemp industry. HIA’s members are growers, processors, manufacturers, and marketers of hemp products, including botanical ingredients used in foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and personal care products. HIA is committed to protecting and serving the hemp industry by providing science-based and industry-specific information and resources, advocating on behalf of the hemp sector, and promoting the responsible commerce of hemp.
Native American Cannabis Alliance (NACA)
Founded: 2018
Location: n/a
NACA is a multinational organization representing the interests of the Native American cannabis industry. NACA is committed to protecting and serving the Native American cannabis industry. NACA is the only national organization that represents the collective interests of the entire Native American cannabis industry. They strive to better the supply chain by coordinating a collaborative and sustainable ecosystem that will benefit tribal communities. This is done through empowering indigenous farmers and making use of underutilized agricultural assets.
Organic Cannabis Association (OCA)
Founded: 2017
Location: Houston, TX
The OCA is a national cannabis industry association intended to empower the organic cannabis industry growth and set certain standards. They have spent years collaborating with farmers to develop a socially responsible and ecologically sound company and cultivation processes, as leaders in sustainable agriculture. If we want organic growers to produce a high-quality crop that is better than others, then it’s time for a credible organization to give them the proper tools and standards. This way, they can label their products as being of high quality.
In Conclusion
The organizations above are only a few of the many that exist to help further the cannabis industry. As more research is done and more states are interested in cannabis legalization, it’s likely that many more organizations will pop up. It’s important to support these organizations so that the industry can continue to grow in a responsible and sustainable way. If you also belong to a cannabis niche, you should consider joining one of these organizations. They can provide you with valuable resources, networking opportunities, and a chance to have your voice heard on a national level.
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