The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) hired a new director of public policy to lead efforts by the largest marijuana trade group to ensure its voice is heard in Washington DC.
Andrew Kline, formerly president of the National Association of Cannabis Businesses (NACB), said he’ll take over the responsibilities of NCIA co-founder Steve Fox, who left to join the Cannabis Trade Federation. Kline will add more duties and responsibilities to his new position.
“My role will be to help draft policies and review legislation,” Kline told Marijuana Business Daily.
In a news release, he said he will “elevate the voice that our members have in the national debate and make certain that their business interests are protected.”
According to Kline, one example of his duties will be to run a coalition of companies to provide comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about its rulemaking process for CBD and hemp.
“As someone from the inside, I think I’ll be able to have a little more control of that.”
Before joining NACB, Kline served as special counsel for the Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau.
Bart Schaneman can be reached at barts@mjbizdaily.com