As the cannabis legalization movement continues to score victories across the country, the number of lobbyists for the industry continues to grow.
They will descend May 16 and 17 on Washington to speak with members of Congress about changing federal laws on marijuana. That, of course, includes legalization at the federal level, but also banking rules that keep banks for providing services to cannabis businesses.
The event, called the Cannabis Industry Lobby Days, is sponsored by the National Cannabis Industry Association. Founded in 2010, the association refers to itself as the only national association representing cannabis businesses at the federal level.
“With victories in eight states across the country during the 2016 presidential election, as well as the challenges ahead of us as we see a new administration come into the White House, fixing federal policies is more critical than ever,” according to the association website.
The growth of the association tells a story of its own. At the beginning of 2013, the association had 118 members. Now, that number totals more than 800.
Former government regulators
The NCIA is just one sign of the growth of the industry. Many other lobbyists have formed their own consulting businesses after leaving government agencies where they once oversaw regulation of the…