10 January 2017
Baltimore Business Journal reports
The 20 founding members of Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association (MedCan) are among those whose growing and processing businesses were selected for the first round preliminary licenses by the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.
The associations is comprised of seven organizations that have received preliminary licenses for growing and processing, six companies that have received preliminary licenses for growing only and seven that have received preliminary licenses for processing only.
Medical marijuana growers and processors who have been pre-approved for state licenses… more
Reggie Alston, treasurer of MedCan and business development officer at Seven Points Agro-Therapeutics LLC, said the association’s primary goal would be to help patients in need gain access to medical cannabis as soon as possible.
“Maryland has yet to make medical cannabis accessible, and for years, patients have been waiting on the sidelines in certainty,” Alston said in a statement. “MedCan is first and foremost committed to advocating on behalf of those patients, who may need medical cannabis to alleviate serious medical ailments.”
Another MedCan goal is to educate and inform patients, medical providers and lawmakers regarding the cannabis industry so continued advancements can be made in Maryland. It also aims to ensure that Maryland serves as a national example for education and quality standards.
MedCan has hired lobbying firm Manis, Canning & Associates to advocate on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry, namely those around patient safety and access. It has also hired KOFA Public Affairs for public relations, and Venable LLP to provide legal counsel.
“All of us are committed to the responsible and safe cultivation of cannabis and the production of medical cannabis-derived products while promoting transparency, consistency and accountability within the state’s medical cannabis industry,” Sue Quintero, chairwoman of MedCan’s board of directors, said in a statement.
MedCan’s board is represented by all of its members. The executive committee that includes:
- Chairwoman: Sue Quintero, Advisor, ForwardGro LLC
- Vice Chair: Jake Van Wingerden, President, SunMed Growers LLC
- Treasurer: Reggie Alston, Business Development Officer, Seven Points Agro-Therapeutics LLC
- Secretary: Mackie Barch, Director of Corporate Development, Doctor’s Orders LLC
- At-Large: Haris Siddiqui, Director, HMS Health, LLC
- At-Large: Michael Bronfein, CEO, Curio Wellness, LLC
- At-Large: Susan Zimmerman, CEO, Kind Therapeutics USA LLC
