THE Cannabis Industry Council is up-and-running with over 85 founder members logging in to a Zoom call to back this new UK industry voice.
The meeting was chaired by respected cannabis clinician Prof Mike Barnes who ran through a series of motions and a number of votes.
Attendees included, businesses, patients, researchers, and trade groups voted to establish some key goals and parameters for the CIC.
Its initial goals encompass providing a collective voice for the industry, boosting patient access to medial cannabis, initiating research, setting high standards for the sector and pressing for regulatory changes.
Next meeting In July
It is to be run as a Community Interest Company with Prof Barnes as its interim chairman. It is to be funded through voluntary contributions with a suggested fee of £1,000 per organisation.
Its next meeting is to be a physical event, most probably in London on Wednesday, July 7, when it will look to initiate a number of sub-groups most likely to include; standards, lobbying, media & marketing, research and industrial hemp.
As the session drew to a close attendee Catherine Wilson of the European Industrial Hemp Association welcomed the development saying: “Thank you Mike. This is a wonderful opportunity for the sector to work together and bring about change,
“Whichever aspect of the plant you are working in, you will have issues and between each other we know what can be done; I think we will achieve a lot.”
Stephen Murphy, Co-Founder of leading global data and Canna-tech firm Prohibition Partners, welcomed the development, telling BusinessCann: “The launch of the Cannabis Industry Council is a very positive milestone for the domestic industry that ensures a democratic representation and provides an inclusive body for the industry.
“The UK is emerging as a European leader and the Cannabis Industry Council will have a significant role to play if we are going to achieve our potential.”
For further information on the CIC visit https://cannabisindustrycouncil.org/
