(OTTAWA and WASHINGTON, D.C.) – August 24, 2020 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce International Cannabis Council and the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to better support Canadian and American companies seeking to capitalize on the exponential growth of the international cannabis market.
Canada and the U.S. are playing a leading role in the development of this nascent global industry. Canada is the first large developed economy to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use and boasts some of the most innovative recreational and medical cannabis producers in the world. Communities across Canada have been re-vitalized through investments by the regulated cannabis industry, with production and processing facilities that provide thousands of Canadians with good-paying, middle-class jobs. The cannabis industry has already contributed an additional $8.3B to Canada’s GDP as of July 2019. The U.S. market is poised to exceed $15B in sales in 2020 with several new state-level markets poised to legalize.
The MOU between the Canadian Chamber and ATACH will support companies on both sides of the border through cross-border collaboration and advocacy on international cannabis policy, regulations and standards.
“The future of the global cannabis trade will be driven by Canadian and U.S. companies and this landmark agreement will help provide leadership, marketplace advocacy, and foster relationships between the world’s leading cannabis economies,” said Michael Bronstein, President of the American Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp. “We are excited to work closely with the Canadian Chamber and its membership of Canada’s leading cannabis companies, to help facilitate international engagement and fulfill the promise of a responsible cannabis industry.”
“This agreement brings together two of the largest and most influential cannabis industry organizations in North America,” said Cameron Bishop, Vice President Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations at Organigram and co-chair of the International Cannabis Council. “Through deeper collaboration, knowledge exchange and advocacy, we will advance the social justice and economic opportunities inherent in the legalization of cannabis”.
“By working together we will support North American companies seeking to take advantage of incredible international opportunities now and over the next decade and beyond,” continued Nathan Mison, Chief Executive Officer at Diplomat Consulting and co-chair of the International Cannabis Council.
About ATACH
The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) is the leading 501(c)(6) cannabis industry trade organization promoting the expansion and protection of legal sales of cannabis for industrial, medical, and adult use. ATACH had been named “Trade Association of the Year” and “Corporate Grassroots Organization of the Year” by Campaigns & Elections magazine. ATACH’s membership is comprised of the largest and most influential businesses in the industry, fourteen organizational MOU relationships with state level associations and national organizations, to promote the protection and expansion of the cannabis industry.
About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce International Cannabis Council
The International Cannabis Council is part of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s National Cannabis Working Group. Since its launch in June 2019, the National Cannabis Working Group has grown to more than 70 organizations with a shared interest of improving the growth and competitiveness of the Canadian cannabis industry while helping governments achieve their health and safety objectives. Follow us on twitter at @CCC_Cannabis
