CANNRA’s Key Players Behind the Push for 2023 Hemp Bill Changes
This article aims to shed light on the board members steering the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), a body that plays a significant role in shaping cannabis policy across the United States.
Intro & Author Note
This is part of an ongoing series covering the transition of the cannabis industry from Legacy to Modern markets, make sure you read the prior post here for context if needed.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cannabis regulation, understanding the key players is crucial. This article aims to shed light on the individuals steering the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), a body that plays a significant role in shaping cannabis policy across the United States.
I’ll start by presenting the facts—names, positions, and professional backgrounds, all of which were sourced from readily available public information such as LinkedIn profiles. This will be followed by an analysis section, where I’ll dive deeper into the possible implications of these backgrounds and affiliations.
NOTE: THE ANALYSIS SECTION CONTAINS THE AUTHOR'S OWN INTERPRETATIONS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS FACTUAL STATEMENTS. IT'S AN INVITATION TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT THE INFORMATION PRESENTED AND TO ENCOURAGE FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
The Backstory
The Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) is asking Congress to change laws around hemp and cannabinoids through the forthcoming 2023 Farm Bill. I In a letter sent last month they outlined and are calling for five specific adjustments, including adding a definition for "Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products",and ensuring that states can set their own, more stringent regulations.
The letter to federal regulators was signed by CANNRA’s executive director as well as members who help regulate cannabis in Maryland, Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota, Oklahoma, California, and Georgia in light of recent rulings by several states in FAVOR of hemp derived cannabinoids. Check out yesterday’s post here to get caught up on the rulings and set the stage for this post diving into the board members.
The Big Cannabis Connection
So, who's pulling the strings behind the curtain? Is it Big Cannabis or MSOs (Multi-State Operators)? The advocacy group CANNRA, which recently expanded its membership to include international regulators, is urging lawmakers to set minimum requirements for processing and manufacturing, ingredients, contaminant and potency testing, packaging, and labeling. It's hard not to see the ve¿
Meet the CANNRA Board Members
Gillian Schauer, PhD, MPH: The Executive Director of CANNRA. Dr. Schauer has over a decade of experience working with federal and state agencies on cannabis policy.
Linkedin about: PhD in Behavioral Science and Master's degree in Public Health with more than 15 years of experience working with state and federal agencies on drug policy, data monitoring, public education, and research translation. More than 70 peer reviewed publications; Senior Editor on the 2020 Surgeon General's Report on Smoking Cessation.
Will Tilburg: President, inaugural Director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration.
Linkedin about: Director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration & President of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA)
Dominique Mendiola: President-Elect, Senior Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue's Marijuana Enforcement Division.
Linkedin about: Senior Director, Colorado Marijuana & Natural Medicine “Colorado Department of Revenue 9 yrs 3 mos-“Responsible for planning, organizing and directing the operations of the Colorado Natural Medicine Division. The Division was established under Senate Bill 23-290 (informed by Proposition 122), which directs the Division to create a regulatory framework for natural medicine operations, including the licensing and regulation of healing centers and cultivation, manufacturing, and laboratory testing facilities in Colorado. The DOR's Natural Medicine Division carries out its responsibilities in coordination with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Department of Public Health & Environment, and the Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Board.”
Tyler Klimas: Past-President, first Executive Director Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board.
Linkedin about: Deputy Director - Nevada Department of Taxation · Full-time - Nevada Department of Taxation · Full-time - Oct 2019 - Dec 2019 · 3 mos- Las Vegas, Nevada, United States “Led the transition of cannabis regulatory oversight from the Department of Taxation to the newly created Cannabis Compliance Board.”
Chris Tholkes: Treasurer, Director of the Minnesota Office of Medical Cannabis.
Linkedin about: Director, Office of Medical Cannabis at Minnesota Department of Health.
Of Importance to Note: Chris Tholkes has been with the Minnesota Department of Health over 14 years. Several years were spent working on “smoke free” community incentives, program coordinator for an “Association of non smokers” for a time as well as the American Lung Association. Prior to this role I did not find any cannabis experience listed.
Adria Berry: Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority.
Linkedin about: “Executive Vice President - Common Ground Consulting, LLC Jan 2015 - Oct 2017 · 2 yrs 10 mos Oklahoma City. “Legislative affairs & Lobbying at the state level for clients in the energy, environmental, corporate, and non-profit sectors. Included a term as General Counsel to the EFO board.”
Other interesting work experience include: “Counselor to Secretary of State, SVP Government Affairs & Public Policy for a company called The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma , Executive Director, and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority.
Nicole Elliott: Board Member, Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control.
Linkedin About: “Nicole Elliott was appointed Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control by Governor Gavin Newsom in July 2021, and confirmed by the California Senate in April 2022.
Previous to her current role, Nicole served as Governor Gavin Newsom’s Advisor on Cannabis and, prior to her state appointments, the Director of the Office of Cannabis for the City & County of San Francisco.
Nicole has held multiple positions in Executive Administrations, including serving in San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee’s Administration from 2011 to 2017 as Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, Mayor’s Liaison to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Director of Appointments and Mayor’s Liaison to all Commissions. She also held multiple positions in San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Administration from 2009 to 2010, including a policy role in the City & County’s Budget Office, Director of Scheduling and Deputy Legislative Liaison to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.”
Andrew Turnage: Board Member, Executive Director of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission.
Linkedin About: Executive Director - Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission · Jun 2020 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos - Georgia Secretary of State office held multiple roles over the 7 years 5 months employed there.
Notice anything?
While not necessarily a bad thing, and maybe it’s nothing of importance at all, but definitely work digging into the “similar” backgrounds found here.
Many of these board members have held or currently hold significant positions in state cannabis regulatory bodies as well as backgrounds of lobbying, legislative appointments, health and community policy making, and more worth digging into more.
While these folks have impressive titles and backgrounds, it's totally fair to question who's really pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Here are some angles I have explored and will dig into via future posts. I encourage others to do your own research and hope this provides a solid base for that if needed.
Corporate Ties: Look into each individual's financial disclosures, if available, to see if they have any direct or indirect ties to big corporations that could benefit from certain regulations (or lack thereof).
Revolving Door: Check if any of these individuals have moved between the public and private sectors, especially within the cannabis industry. This could indicate potential conflicts of interest.
Lobbying Connections: Adria Berry, for example, has experience in legislative consulting and lobbying. Who were her clients? Could any of them benefit from her current role?
Political Donations: Investigate if these individuals have made political donations, or if they've received campaign funds from corporations or special interest groups related to the cannabis industry.
Legislation Track Record: What kinds of policies have they advocated for or against? Do these policies disproportionately benefit large corporations over small businesses or individual consumers?
Advisory Boards: Are any of these individuals on advisory boards for private companies or think tanks? This could indicate where their loyalties or influences might lie.
Public Statements: Sometimes a simple review of past interviews, op-eds, or social media posts can reveal a lot about a person's true leanings and potential biases.
Consulting Gigs: Have they done any consulting work? If so, for whom and on what topics? This could reveal additional layers of influence.
Transparency: How transparent are they about their roles, responsibilities, and affiliations? A lack of transparency could be a red flag.
Community Feedback: Sometimes the community has the best intel. This is where I access my vast “rolodex” of contacts to ask things like, “What do local cannabis businesses, activists, or even competitors have to say about this person?”
Summary & Analysis:
NOTE: THE ANALYSIS SECTION CONTAINS THE AUTHOR'S OWN INTERPRETATIONS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS FACTUAL STATEMENTS. IT'S AN INVITATION TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT THE INFORMATION PRESENTED AND TO ENCOURAGE FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
Is There a MSO Connection… Or not?
The big question myself and I’m sure others want to know: Are the board members connected to Multi-State Operators (MSOs) or "Big Cannabis"?
While I did not find direct evidence, the influence and reach of these individuals in the cannabis industry cannot be ignored. The fact that they're pushing for changes that could potentially benefit larger operators is, let's say, "convenient."
I’m definitely going to be digging in a bit further to see who’s funding them, what the agenda is, and any other relevant leads the public information might give me.
It could ALSO be true that they are…. Wait for it…. Legit.
Listen… hear me out… it could happen! They look young. Their bios read mostly out of University. I mean… There WILL be a generation that is raised very soon, sooner than myself or others that likely follow me will be prepared for… and they will be different, they will not stigmatize the plant, or have immense vested financial interest. They will just be doing life.
And that… that’s really what we are working for as activists. At least I am anyway.
Points of Interest
Gillian Schauer's extensive background in public health and policy is as impressive as it is perplexing for someone leading the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA). With a career spanning nearly a decade at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Schauer has been deeply involved in tobacco cessation programs and has even served as a Senior Cannabis Consultant. Weird to go from advocating for YEARS against smoking to…. Heading the regulatory board on National Cannabis policy? I’m not sure I will ever understand how tobacco that KILLS PEOPLE is any way closely related to my medicine.
Highlights in my research that I feel are worth noting:
Tobacco Cessation
Schauer co-led the University of Washington Tobacco Studies Program for almost eight years, focusing on tobacco-related health effects and disparities. This raises questions about her stance on cannabis, given her extensive work against tobacco use.
CDC and FDA Connections
Schauer's long tenure at the CDC included roles like Senior Cannabis Consultant and Behavioral Health Scientist. She has also worked on policy teams at the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health. Her connections to these federal agencies could potentially influence her approach to cannabis regulation.
Consulting Work
Through her own consulting firm, Schauer has offered "policy-related technical assistance" to a variety of federal and state public health agencies, including the CDC Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Pharmaceutical Ties
Early in her career, Schauer was a Hospital Account Representative for Johnson & Johnson, a pharmaceutical giant. This experience in the pharmaceutical industry could be seen as a conflict of interest, given the ongoing tension between pharmaceutical companies and the burgeoning cannabis industry.
Multi-State Collaborative
Schauer initiated the Multi-State Learning Collaborative for Cannabis and Public Health, funded by a one-time grant from the State of California. The initiative convenes State Health Officials to discuss cannabis policy, which could be seen as a way to standardize regulations that may benefit certain stakeholders.
Public Health vs. Cannabis Advocacy
Schauer's career has largely focused on public health initiatives, particularly those aimed at reducing the use of substances like tobacco. This could be at odds with her current role in an organization that regulates cannabis, a substance increasingly used for both medical and recreational purposes.
Given these points, one has to wonder: Is Gillian Schauer the impartial leader that the cannabis industry needs, or do her past affiliations suggest a more complex agenda?
Will Tilburg
Will Tilburg, the President of CANNRA, has been involved with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. He's also been a part of the Maryland Department of Health. But alas, my search didn't turn up any direct affiliations with MSOs or big cannabis companies.
However, it's worth noting that Maryland has been a hotbed for cannabis legislation and business, so who knows what connections lie beneath the surface?
Dominique Mendiola
Ah, Dominique Mendiola, the President-Elect of CANNRA. She's been with the Marijuana Enforcement Division in Colorado for quite some time. She's also been tagged as the state's director of marijuana coordination.
While there's no direct evidence of her being connected to MSOs, she's been in the game long enough to have probably shaken hands with a few big players, but so have many others, so I won’t hold that against her of course.
Tyler Klimas
Tyler Klimas, the Past-President of CANNRA, was appointed by Governor Steve Sisolak as the first Executive Director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. Nevada, as we know, is another state that's been quite active in the cannabis industry.
But again, no direct MSO connections popped up in my search. However, being the first Executive Director of a state compliance board does raise an eyebrow or two for me at least.
Adria Berry
Last but not least, we have Adria Berry, the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. She's an attorney who advised Gov. Kevin Stitt on cannabis policy. She's also been involved in policy work in opposition to SQ 788 through the Oklahoma StateChamber.
Now, that's interesting, isn't it?
While no direct MSO affiliations were found, her policy work could be a breadcrumb trail to something more.
While we don't have any smoking guns linking these folks to MSOs, their positions and the states they operate in are, let's say, "conveniently" significant in the cannabis industry. It's like a game of Clue, but instead of Colonel Mustard in the library, it's cannabis regulators in the legislative chambers… and also isn’t very fun for most of us playing.
The State Hemp Web Unraveled
There you have it. A web of "similarities," court rulings, and regulatory bodies that seem to be playing a game where the rules are made up, and the points don't matter. But what does matter is the future of small businesses in the hemp industry, and it's high time someone took a closer look at the people pulling the strings.
I hope if you have just found this blog you are planning to dive into my other pieces. I have been on this beat for a few years now, and would love any new sources, information, or leads. Feel free to email directly at taraeveland@gmail.com or simply respond to any email you are sent!
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