NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) Diversity and Inclusion Director Wesley McWhite gave his feedback on national cannabis issues to Jersey stakeholders.
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The stakeholders had been convened for the Garden State Cannabis Workforce Collaborative by the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
National Cannabis Update for Jersey Stakeholders
McWhite explained they’ve worked hard building partnerships with the NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC), which established the Cannabis Training Academy (CTA).
He explained he went to the recent Cannabis Regulatory Association (CANNRA) meeting in Oklahoma.
“The technical assistance (CTA) program is a national model,” McWhite declared.
He said it was very popular at the meeting.
McWhite noted the federal rescheduling process moving medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis to Schedule III from Schedule I on the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) list is in the works.
The NJCRC has had a notice of a factsheet by CANNRA on the recent federal cannabis changes for some time on their website.
“There are some certainties about what the DEA is going to do. They still have to write their rules and regulations,” he explained.
McWhite noted that 280-E federal tax relief for deducting expenses is coming sooner than later for medical cannabis companies.
“The plant is under attack,” he added.
McWhite said the anti-marijuana group SAM is working hard to launch a witch hunt with millions of dollars to defeat legal cannabis in Massachusetts.
“We are at an inflection point,” he declared.
“We don’t know much, just like you don’t know much,” McWhite admitted about the federal rescheduling process.
“They don’t know much about cannabis,” he added about legislators.
(That’s why Heady NJ is a great resource to recommend!)
National Convention of State Cannabis Regulators Held in Oklahoma
According to their press release, CANNRA recently held its 5th Annual CANNRA External Stakeholder Meeting in Oklahoma City
The 295-person meeting included more than 125 government officials from over 35 states and U.S. territories, federal agencies, tribal nations, international governments, and nearly 170 external stakeholders from nationally and internationally focused organizations.
They convened a wide range of stakeholders with differing perspectives to discuss cannabis regulatory and policy issues with regulators.
The meeting included panel discussions about U.S. federal cannabis policy changes, state policy changes, cannabinoid hemp changes, medical cannabis use, science and research, compliance and enforcement, interstate commerce, industry training and education, small and equity businesses, impaired driving, and regulatory challenges.
New CANNRA Board Members
The day before the CANNRA External Stakeholder Meeting, CANNRA members elected the new 2026-2027 CANNRA Executive Board. The new board, which is comprised of regulators from U.S. states with varied cannabis and cannabinoid policies, includes:
- President: Brian Hanna, Executive Director, Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency
- Immediate Past President: Adria Berry, Oklahoma Secretary of Regulation & Licensing, and Executive Director, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority
- Board Member: Shawn Casey, Chief Government & External Affairs Officer, Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
- Board Member: Kirsten Davis-Franklin, Deputy Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer of Legislation and Policy, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Board Member: Andrew Goff, Branch Chief, Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Medical Cannabis
- Board Member: Lila McKinley, Cannabis Division Director, Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
- Board Member: Amy Moore, Director, Division of Cannabis Regulation, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
- Board Member: Owen Parker, Bureau Chief, Cannabis Regulation, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
“I look forward to working alongside my fellow regulators to advance knowledge, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and support responsible oversight of this evolving industry,” said newly elected CANNRA President Brian Hanna.
“This is an unprecedented and dynamic time for cannabis policy change in the U.S. and abroad,” said Dr. Gillian Schauer, Executive Director of CANNRA. “Our board represents regulators from across the country who are overseeing regulatory programs with a range of marijuana and hemp policies. They will be well-positioned to support CANNRA members and to help CANNRA bring government officials and stakeholders together for essential conversations in this important moment.”
