Cannabis group’s CEO stepping down

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(This story has been updated to reflect that the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp remains independent.)

Marijuana industry veteran Neal Levine announced on Thursday that he is resigning as the CEO of the Cannabis Trade Federation, a national coalition of MJ-related businesses.

Before being tapped as CEO of Washington DC-based CTF in June 2018, Levine had been co-founder of the New Federalism Fund.

CTF was created in April 2018, when Levine’s group and the independent American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp agreed to collaborate in order to promote pro-marijuana laws and policies at the federal level.

In a statement, Levine said his initial plan was to serve as CEO of CTF for two years. It was “never my intent to run it long-term,” he said.

He added that, with “the election heating up” and federal legislative movement starting to slow down, “now is the perfect time to make a transition.”

Levine will remain in the CEO post until a successor is hired.

He also joined the board of CTF and has agreed to serve as a senior strategic adviser for the group.

Levine did not provide any other details about his plans after he steps down as CEO.