So, Canada has a Cannabis Council now

OTTAWA—The Cannabis Canada Association (CCA), Canadian Medical Cannabis Council (CMCC), as well as Canopy Growth Corp., have joined together to create a single national industry association for the sector, to be called the Cannabis Canada Council (“Cannabis Canada” or “C3”).

To govern the unified organization, the general membership has elected the following individuals to the Board of Directors:

• Dr. Avtar Dhillon – Emerald Health Therapeutics, Board Chair
• John Fowler – The Supreme Cannabis Company, Vice Chair, Adult Use
• Philippe Lucas – Tilray, Vice Chair, Medical
• Cam Battley – Aurora Cannabis Inc.
• Allison Gordon – 48 North Cannabis Co.
• Jeff Jacobson – Cronos Group
• Darren Karasiuk – MedReleaf
• Megan McCrae – Aphria
• Jeff Ryan – Canopy Growth Corporation
• John Stewart – Emblem Cannabis
• Sebastien St-Louis – Hydropothecary
• Neil Closner – MedReleaf (ex-officio)

To ensure that the needs of both Canada’s medical cannabis patients and the emerging adult consumer use market are addressed, Cannabis Canada has also amended its governance structure to include two primary committees, each led by a Vice Chair, which will focus on the needs of medical patients and adult consumer use clients respectively.

To support the Board, Cannabis Canada has also appointed Allan Rewak as the Executive Director.

“I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen as the Executive Director of C3. The legal Cannabis sector offers unparalleled economic and social opportunity for Canadians and the Cannabis Canada Council is ready to lead the way to a brighter future for all citizens of this incredible country,” said Rewak.

The Council’s mission is to act as the national voice for our members in their promotion of industry standards; support the development, growth and integrity of the regulated cannabis industry; and serve as an important resource on issues related to the safe and responsible use of cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes.

“The Cannabis Canada Council will speak on behalf of our members with respect to both the adult consumer use and medical segments,” said John Fowler, C3’s vice-chair for adult use. “The governance structure that we have adopted will allow us the flexibility to do this, ensuring that the opportunities and innovations of the consumer market are harnessed, while also guaranteeing that medical patients remain a priority.”

Members of the Cannabis Canada Council share a philosophy of both patient-centric care and improved public health, and are committed to product safety and quality, secure and reliable access, and the promotion of the safe and healthful use of cannabis.