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November has been a busy month in cannabis policy: Congress is on the brink of ending the longest-ever government shutdown (with implications for the hemp industry and veterans access), while Virginia and New Jersey just held statewide elections that will undoubtedly change the cannabis landscape in those states (well, Commonwealth in Virginia’s case!). Let’s take…

2026 Committee Applications Now Open!  Joining a National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) committee is one of the best ways to get involved, expand your network, and influence national cannabis policy. Work alongside top professionals, advocates, and innovators to help move the industry forward. Why Join? Build connections with professionals from all sectors of the cannabis…

NCIA is now accepting applications for eligible candidates to apply for the board through December 10, 2025. The National Cannabis Industry Association is a nonprofit organization run for and by its membership, so we hope you’ll consider this opportunity to apply for a seat on the NCIA Board. Serving on NCIA’s Board of Directors is…

Several years ago at the PBC Conference on cannabis banking, the keynote speaker, then Deputy Attorney General James Cole, lamented that his “Cole Memorandum,” published in August 2013, directing Attorneys General not to focus their prosecutorial resources on state-licensed cannabis businesses and used by FinCEN in drafting and issuing its guidance on banking marijuana in…

The heart of NCIA is a powerful network of business owners, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs who share a common goal: building a fair, inclusive, and thriving cannabis industry. Through our “Rooted in Community” series, we shine a light on the members who help support and shape that vision every day. This month, we’re proud to…

The word “advocacy” is a loaded term. It evokes different emotions in different people. However, in the cannabis industry, it’s a case of goose and gander, as a win for advocacy is a win for operators as well — with policy wins ultimately translating into financial benefits for operators. Thus, it would stand to reason…

Committee Blog: Streamlining Cannabis Ownership Changes – Time for a Smarter Approach By Joanne Caceres and Jessica Steinberg (SRC Committee)  Let’s be real: changing ownership of a cannabis business is a slog. Between “nontransferable” licenses that force full entity sales, wildly different definitions of who counts as an owner, and piles of disclosures, fingerprints, forms,…

How to Build a Cannabis Business Continuity Plan  Before the Next Natural Disaster  By Nichelle Santos  Founder, CEO  CannaCoverage Insurance and CannaShield Compliance  “The power was out for days, and we had no cooling. We lost inventory,  time, and trust.”  — Reported sentiment from multiple Texas cannabis retailers after Hurricane Beryl (July  2024)  The Problem:…

As the cannabis industry continues its rapid expansion, the demand for high-quality  cannabis extracts for medicinal, recreational, and industrial applications is skyrocketing. With this growth comes increased pressure on businesses to innovate, scale production, and meet evolving operational challenges — all while navigating a complex web of occupational safety and regulatory requirements.   Among these, chemical…

A few years ago, picking a CBD gummy was simple—grab the fruitiest one on the shelf and hope it worked. But as users got smarter, so did the products. People started asking, What’s actually in this? How much CBD do I really need? And can it do more than just help me relax? That curiosity…

While cannabis reform has always moved at a glacial pace in Washington, D.C., 2025 seems like an extreme example. To date, Congress has introduced almost no standalone legislation related to the issue and efforts to reclassify marijuana have stalled; but the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has seemed more willing to examine the…

Some THC gummies just hit better. No weird aftertaste, no sudden crash, and definitely no guessing if it’s working. You take one, and it feels… right. Then there are the others. The ones that feel off from the start—too sweet, too melty, too all-over-the-place with the effects. The difference usually isn’t about the dose. It’s…

The first half of 2025 has brought NCIA committee members together each month to discuss industry trends, changing regulations and how those are impacting their businesses. NCIA committee members have been busy producing some great content this year as well! Follow the links below for a quick recap of some of the blogs & webinars…

Published by NCIA’s Banking & Financial Services Committee (BFSC) Executive Summary A potential U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) represents one of the most disruptive technologies on the horizon for the financial world, with profound implications for the cannabis industry. While a “digital dollar” could theoretically solve the industry’s payment rail issues overnight, it also introduces…

Dear NCIA Members & Supporters, After 15 unforgettable years, I’ll be stepping down as CEO of NCIA, effective August 15. Launching and growing this association — and serving incredible members like you — has been the defining experience of my professional life. While the decision wasn’t easy, I’ve reached a point where I’m ready to…

NCIA is closely following the tragic events surrounding the recent ICE raid at a licensed cannabis farm in California that resulted in the death of farmworker Jaime Alanís Garcia. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. NCIA takes any potential violation of labor laws extremely seriously, and we believe…

Cannabis cultivation has seen dramatic advances in genetics, lighting, and environmental controls—but post-harvest processing remains stuck in the past. Traditional drying and curing methods, often involving hang-drying in climate-controlled rooms for 10–21 days, are not only time- and labor-intensive but prone to microbial contamination, terpene degradation, and batch inconsistency. Enter Flash Frozen Curing, a patented…

Why Customer Insights? Retailers in any industry, especially cannabis, are finding it harder to retain customers and grow their business due to the highly competitive nature of consumer packaged goods coupled with slim margins.  Consumers are inundated with choices, and most cannabis retailers likely carry similar inventory with similar discounting strategies. This makes it difficult…

One key area where compliance and operational efficiency intersect is deciding how to fill hiring needs, especially when dealing with the cultivation cycles and the fluctuating needs for extra hands around the garden. While most operators understand the value of training and retaining full-time staff, keeping staff off-cycle can be costly. Bridging the labor gap…

This spring, Cannabis NewsHub partnered with the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) to spotlight the voices of cannabis industry leaders in a special series: INSIGHTS Matter – The Value of NCIA Lobby Days. The goal? To explore why attending NCIA Lobby Days is not just important—but impactful for businesses, professionals, and the future of our industry. Launched…