With the Koch networking now entering the Arena it seems inevitable. This year we have seen the formation 3 extremely powerful industry groups in as many months.
Let’s start with the
Cannabis Freedom Alliance made up of
- Americans for Prosperity aka Koch Network The group rivals and is even larger than the Actual GOP in terms of its size, scope & spending.
- Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank.
- Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce, which is run by a former staffer of Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul.
- The Weldon Project, a nonprofit dedicated to getting people with marijuana convictions out of prison
This group I believe has the most potential to change the landscape as most resistance to legalization comes from Conservatives & Americans for Prosperity has enormous influence among them. What stands out to me the most about this group is Koch’s expressed desire for interstate commerce, lowering the tax rate & barriers to entry to allow people to transition from the Traditional to the Regulated Market.
Next up
Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation
Made up of
- Altria Client Services, the producer of Marlboro cigarettes.
- Constellation Brands, Producer of Corona
- Molson Coors Beverage Co., a beermaker.
- The Brink’s Co., a private security firm.
- National Association of Convenience Stores.
- The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.
- Convenience Distribution Association.
This group is not to be overlooked either as it’s backed by Big Alcohol & Tobacco who’s lobbyist I would argue have the most experience in this space “Post Prohibition Regulations” of potentially harmful substances. As they have over 4 Billion invested in the Cannabis Industry they have vested interest in this.
Last but not least
U.S Cannabis Council
- Acreage Holdings
- Akerna Corp.
- American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp
- Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine
- BellRock Brands
- Bridge City Collective
- Buckeye Relief
- Cannabis Trade Federation
- Cannabis Voter Project
- CanCore Concepts
- Canopy Growth Corporation
- Central Coast Agriculture
- Columbia Care Inc.
- Cresco Labs Inc.
- Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation
- Cronos Group
- Curaleaf
- DNA Genetics
- Eaze
- Flowhub
- Good Chemistry
- Holistic Industries Inc
- HuschBlackwell
- iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.
- iLava
- Jushi
- Keef Cola
- Leaflink
- Lightshade
- LivWell Enlightened Health
- Marijuana Policy Project
- MedicineMan
- MedMen
- Native Roots Cannabis Company
- 1906 New Highs
- Organa Brands
- PAX
- PharmaCann
- ProKure
- Schwazze
- Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
- The Grove Cannabis Dispensary
- Urbn Leaf
- Veterans Cannabis Project
- Vicente Sederberg LLC
- Vireo
- Wana
This group is another not to be taken lightly as it’s made up of the majority of Multi State Operators as well as Scott’s Miracle Grow which has as a sizable footprint in the equipment side of things under Hawthorn Gardening. As well as some companies Cronos & Canopy are heavily backed by Altria & Constellation respectively which are both part of the previous group.
Anyways let me know your thoughts ?