Michigan marijuana agency helps establish Cannabis Regulators Association

Michigan is among 19 states whose marijuana regulatory agencies have collectively created a new cannabis-related organization.

The Cannabis Regulators Association — CANNRA — is billed as a newly-formed, non-partisan group established to share institutional knowledge and regulatory best practices with federal, state and local jurisdictions who’ve approved legalization of marijuana or are considering it.

“The Cannabis Regulators Association will provide a much needed forum for regulators to engage with each other to identify and develop best practices, create model policies that safeguard public health and safety, and promote regulatory certainty for industry participants,” Norman Birenbaum, CANNRA’s inaugural president, stated in a news release.

The organization is said to be the first of its kind in the United States established to facilitate interaction among jurisdictions, established cannabis markets and programs, and other stakeholders. Its plan is to offer regulatory experiences and institutional expertise, along with assisting regulators on navigating evolving policy and regulatory issues associated with legalizing and regulating marijuana.

According to the news release, CANNRA “is not an advocacy group and takes no formal position for or against cannabis legalization, but rather seeks to provide government jurisdictions with unbiased information to help make informed decisions when considering whether or how to legalize or expand regulated cannabis.” [Read more at Press & Guide]