U.S. Cannabis Council Launches to Advance Social Equity and Advocate for Federal Legalization

Top Cannabis Businesses, Associations, and Advocacy Organizations Join Forces to Launch U.S. Cannabis Council

A Coalition of Leading Companies and Advocates, USCC Aims to Advance Social Equity and Racial Justice, and End Federal Cannabis Prohibition

WASHINGTON-February 08, 2021-(BUSINESS WIRE)–Top cannabis businesses, associations, and advocacy organizations in the United States today launched the U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC), a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization that strategically aligns and unifies its members’ collective voices to advance cannabis reform.

The largest coalition of its kind, USCC will harness the resources, energy, and expertise of its founding members to end federal cannabis prohibition by bringing together a strategic alliance of organizations, businesses, and individuals. Importantly, USCC will focus on securing federal reforms that advance social equity and promote fair, safe, and well-regulated markets nationwide as states continue legalizing cannabis at a rapid rate.

“USCC is a unified voice advocating for the descheduling and legalization of cannabis,” said USCC Interim CEO Steven Hawkins, a leader in civil and human rights who also serves as Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a founding member of USCC.

Legalization at both the state and federal level must include provisions ensuring social equity and redress for harms caused to communities impacted by cannabis prohibition.

USCC Interim CEO Steven HawkinsThe alliance aims to raise ethical standards within the industry; achieve restorative justice for communities that have been disproportionately impacted by misguided state and federal cannabis policies; and create a healthy, inclusive, and well-regulated cannabis industry with social, financial, and environmental benefits shared by all.Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. are already looking forward to working hand-in-hand with the organization.

As founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, I’ve seen firsthand that our most successful cannabis wins have been secured by a team. That’s why I am glad to see this first-of-its-kind alliance.

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore

We have a unique opportunity in the 117th Congress to advance cannabis reform, but we must remain united to create the change we know is possible. I look forward to welcoming the United States Cannabis Council to Washington, D.C. and working together toward meaningful policy change in the months and years ahead.

After so many years working towards meaningful reform, it’s inspiring to see the diverse group of partners who have formed this collective voice, and together, we are hopeful that true, meaningful federal cannabis reform is within reach.

Christian Sederberg, USCC’s Acting Board Chairman and a partner at national cannabis law firm Vicente Sederberg, a founding member of USCC

The USCC’s founding members represent some of the most influential policy and business organizations in the modern cannabis industry. For every five board appointments, the USCC will reserve one additional board seat for members representing specific areas of focus, including DEI and environmental concerns.

Founding members of the U.S. Cannabis Council include standalone and multi-state businesses, associations, and advocacy organizations from throughout North America:

• Acreage Holdings
• Akerna Corp.
• American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp
• Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine
• BellRock Brands
• Buckeye Relief
• Cannabis Trade Federation
• Canopy Growth Corporation
• Columbia Care Inc.
• Cresco Labs Inc.
• Cronos Group
• Culta
• Curaleaf
• DNA Genetics
• Eaze
• Flowhub
• Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce
• Good Chemistry
• The Grove Cannabis Dispensary
• Headcount’s Cannabis Voter Project
• Husch Blackwell
• iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.
• Jushi
• Keef Brands
• Lightshade
• LivWell Enlightened Health
• Marijuana Policy Project
• Medicine Man
• MedMen
• Native Roots Cannabis Co.
• 1906 New Highs
• PAX Labs
• PharmaCann
• ProKure
• Raw Garden
• Schwazze
• Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
• Urbn Leaf
• Veterans Cannabis Project
• Vicente Sederberg LLP
• Vireo
• Wana

For more information on how to get involved with the USCC, please visit www.uscannabiscouncil.org.

The United States Cannabis Council is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization. USCC members seek to harness their collective expertise in order to advance social equity, end the federal prohibition of cannabis, modernize federal and state regulations and promote high ethical standards within the industry.