A new marijuana trade group in California representing the state’s largest retailers aims to improve legislative policies for the industry, which is bracing for a potential tax hike in July.
The California Cannabis Operators Association (CaCOA) has launched with 17 members, including the Catalyst Cannabis Co., Embarc and Stiiizy, which operate about 75 dispensaries combined.
The group is led by Executive Director Amy O’Gorman Jenkins, who has lobbied for marijuana reform for more than a decade as founder of Sacramento-based Precision Advocacy and lead lobbyist for the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA).
Jenkins told Green Market Report that CaCOA’s top priorities are preventing an expected state cannabis excise-tax hike from 15% to 19% on July 1 and establishing new regulations for intoxicating hemp products and operators.
The Sacramento-headquartered CIAA – California’s oldest and largest industry trade group with more than 100 members, announced Jenkins’ departure Thursday.
The group said in a news release emailed to MJBizDaily that it has initiated a search for new legislative representation at the state capital.
Alex Freeman, CEO of Los Angeles-based marijuana company Traditional and a former attorney with the L.A. Department of Cannabis Regulation, will serve as the CaCOA’s president.
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