Press Release: Michigan’s Brian Hanna Elected President of Cannabis Regulators Association

Press Release: Michigan’s Brian Hanna Elected President of Cannabis Regulators Association

To: CRA Stakeholders

June 15, 2026 – Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Executive Director Brian Hanna has been elected President of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) for the 2026-2027 term, becoming the first U.S. military veteran to serve as president of the organization.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as President of CANNRA,” said Hanna. “Throughout my public service and military career, I have seen firsthand the value of collaboration, professionalism, and shared purpose. Those same principles are at the heart of CANNRA’s mission. As cannabis policy continues to mature, I look forward to working alongside my fellow regulators to advance knowledge, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and support responsible oversight of this evolving industry.”

Hanna previously served as a CANNRA Board Member during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 terms.

“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,” she added. “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.”

Hanna’s election makes Michigan the first state to have two different cannabis regulators serve as CANNRA President, following former Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Executive Director Andrew Brisbo, who served during the 2021-2022 term.

CANNRA’s mission is to convene, educate, and support government agencies involved in cannabis, cannabinoid, and hemp regulation. CANNRA Board Members must be current government regulators from a CANNRA-member jurisdiction. They serve a one-year term and are elected by a designated Voting Member from each member U.S. state or jurisdiction.

The newly elected 2026-2027 CANNRA Executive Board includes:

– Brian Hanna (Michigan), President

– Shawn Casey (Virginia)

– Kirsten Davis-Franklin (Illinois)

– Andrew Goff (Hawaii)

– Lila McKinley (Connecticut)

– Amy Moore (Missouri)

– Owen Parker (Iowa)

– Adria Berry (Oklahoma), Immediate Past President

The election took place in conjunction with CANNRA’s 5th Annual External Stakeholder Meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, held June 9-10. The meeting brought together nearly 170 external stakeholders from nationally and internationally focused organizations, as well as more than 125 government officials from more than 35 states and U.S. territories, U.S. federal agencies, tribal nations and international governments.

The meeting included panel discussions on 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.

The Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association of government agencies involved in cannabis, cannabinoid, and hemp regulation. CANNRA was formed in November 2020 by 19 founding member states and now includes more than 45 states and U.S. territories, and the governments of Canada, Albania, Malta, and the Netherlands. CANNRA membership is restricted to governments; there are no non-governmental members. CANNRA does not lobby, but rather serves to educate, convene, and support governments.

CANNRA Group PictureLeft to right, Dominique Mendiola (Colorado, outgoing CANNRA past-president), Brian Hanna (Michigan, current CANNRA president), Adria Berry (Oklahoma, immediate CANNRA past-president)

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