Andrew Kline joins NCIA to lead Public Policy and kicks off by establishing a coalition to influence FDA rule-making on CBD/Hemp

NCIA is pleased to announce that Andrew Kline has joined NCIA as Director of Public Policy. In this new role for NCIA, Andrew will lead our substantive public policy efforts, striving to prepare and protect the state-legal cannabis industry. He will also lead NCIA’s Policy Council, a group of NCIA members interested in influencing federal and state public policy.

Andrew’s first task is to lead a coalition of CBD/Hemp businesses to prepare public comments and testimony for the purpose of educating and influencing FDA rule-making. The work begins in earnest today. If you would like to join the coalition, please email Andrew ASAP at Andrew@thecannabisindustry.org.

Kline most recently served as President of the National Association of Cannabis Businesses (NACB), the first self-regulatory organization for the high-growth cannabis industry. At the NACB, Andrew led the creation of national standards for the state-legal cannabis industry, oversaw its standards governance board, and led day-to-day operations and strategic planning.

Kline has a deep and celebrated background in public policy, law enforcement, and coalition creation/management. He is renowned for his ability to create solutions to complex domestic and global public policy issues that appeal to both private and public constituencies.  

Prior to joining the NACB, Kline was Special Counsel for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau where he was responsible for high-profile investigations and public policy negotiations affecting the telecommunications, internet, cable and satellite industries. He also served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for Intellectual Property Enforcement in the Executive Office of the President [Obama] where he led public-private partnership and public policy efforts to address online trademark theft, copyright infringement, consumer safety, national security, and the protection of domestic business interests globally.  

Kline previously worked an Executive in Residence at American University’s School of Public Affairs where he taught graduate-level courses in public policy and law.  He also served as senior policy advisor to then-Senator Biden and Vice President Biden, and spent fourteen years as a federal prosecutor.

Mr. Kline is admitted to the California, Colorado and District of Columbia Bars, and holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.