Cannabis Regulators Association elects new executive board members

Marlon I. Brown, DPA Director
Marlon I. Brown, DPA Director | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

The Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) recently held elections for its executive board. Brian Hanna, the executive director of Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency, was re-elected to his second consecutive term on the board. The election took place ahead of CANNRA's annual external stakeholder conference in Denver, Colorado.

Adria Berry from Oklahoma has been elected as CANNRA's president, succeeding Dominique Mendiola from Colorado. Other board members include Kirsten Davis-Franklin from Illinois, Nicole Elliott from California, Lila McKinley from Connecticut, Amy Moore from Missouri, and Andrew Turnage from Georgia. Mendiola will continue to serve as CANNRA’s Immediate Past President.

Brian Hanna expressed his enthusiasm about serving on the board again this year. "I am excited to serve on CANNRA’s board again this year," said Hanna. "As we continue to do the work to shape the future of cannabis and hemp regulation in Michigan and across the country, I’m honored to have been selected by my peers to help lead the way forward for the cannabis industry."

Dr. Gillian Schauer, Executive Director of CANNRA, also commented on the new board's role in furthering their mission. “I am looking forward to working with the 2025-2026 board to further our mission to convene, educate, and support government agencies involved in cannabis, cannabinoid, and hemp regulation,” she stated. She emphasized that the board is well-positioned to bring regulators and stakeholders together for important discussions.

The election was conducted during a CANNRA Business Meeting on June 9th. This meeting preceded CANNRA’s External Stakeholder Meeting held in Denver on June 10th and 11th. The event attracted over 130 regulators and government officials from more than 30 jurisdictions alongside over 175 other stakeholders from various organizations focused nationally and internationally.