Hemp Industries Association president steps down

(This story has been updated with comments from Beckerman.)

The president of the Hemp Industries Association, Joy Beckerman, is leaving the organization, effective immediately, the group announced on Thursday.

The nonprofit said that Beckerman and the industry group had mutually agreed to part ways over “time constraints and many other responsibilities” she has with other organizations.

“Joy has been an immense asset to the HIA and the hemp industry in general,” the association’s vice president, Rick Trojan, said in a statement.

Her departure ensures the “cohesive execution of upcoming initiatives,” for the HIA and allows Beckerman to focus on her other endeavors, he added.

Beckerman told Hemp Industry Daily later Thursday that she was “surprised and confused by the press release.”

Beckerman said she “didn’t outline anything for anyone’s consideration, for anyone’s permission” before resigning.

Trojan will step into Beckerman’s role until a new president is elected, the group said. He did not immediately respond to questions about the change.

Last December, Colleen Keahey Lanier stepped down as executive director of HIA.

HIA was founded in Arizona in 1994 to represent the interests of hemp businesses.