On Thursday, the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association (ACIA) announced that it has formed an advisory board.
Chey Garrigan is the founder and Chief Executive Director of the Alabama Cannabis Industry Association.
Garrigan said in a statement that she is “thrilled to introduce” the Advisory Board, which is comprised of industry leaders committed to shaping the future of cannabis consumption and advocating for responsible use.
“The Advisory Board brings together experts from various fields, including government affairs, scientific research, manufacturing, brands, and communications, forming a diverse and influential group that will effectively represent the interests of Alabama’s rapidly growing cannabis industry,” Garrigan stated.
The inaugural board members include:
Akele Parnell began his career as a business attorney focusing on healthcare matters, but his interest in the highly regulated cannabis industry led him to explore opportunities within the sector. Parnell has a master’s degree in public health and a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
Antoine Mordican is a master engineer and hemp cultivation expert. Antoine has developed a signature method for growing premium cannabis using hydroponics. Mordican is the founder of Native Black Farm, a certified hemp-growing farm in Birmingham, Alabama. Mordican has a degree in engineering.
Andrew Farrior is the Managing Partner at Digital Venture Partners (DVP). He brings over a decade of expertise in marketing, communications, and project management to the Advisory Board. DVP is one of the few minority-owned portfolio companies in the United States and is focused on bridging mainstream culture with the evolving cannabis industry. Through strategic collaborations with prominent brands and platforms, DVP develops exceptional cannabis content and branding to enhance cannabis awareness among diverse mainstream audiences.
“We are honored to have such distinguished professionals on board,” said Garrigan. “Their expertise and commitment will be instrumental in driving positive change and shaping the future of the cannabis industry in Alabama. Together, we are dedicated to advocating for decriminalizing medical cannabis, promoting economic development, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all. The ACIA looks forward to working closely with its Advisory Board members to develop strategic initiatives that promote responsible cannabis consumption, elevate industry standards, and foster education and awareness.”
The ACIA was created in 2020 to advocate for the Alabama hemp industry. The ACIA was instrumental in the passage of the bill to legalize medical cannabis in 2021. That bipartisan legislation created the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC), which is tasked with regulating and licensing medical cannabis within the state of Alabama. The awarding of medical cannabis licenses to a limited number of businesses is currently on hold through October, pending an independent review of the licensing after some scoring discrepancies were uncovered,
The ACIA announced recently that their annual conference had been postponed to October due to the recent events with the licensing being delayed.
Possession of marijuana plants or raw marijuana plant material remains illegal in Alabama and will remain so, with businesses licensed to grow and process medical marijuana.
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