The powerhouse cannabis woman on the Hill, Michelle Rutter, gets a bump up to Government Relations Manager of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA). Rutter’s previous post was also with the NCIA, as their Government Relations Coordinator.
The National Cannabis Industry Association is the nation’s only industry-led organization lobbying and organizing the cannabis industry. Their goal is to expand legislative efforts, and further legitimize the legal cannabis market in America. NCIA aims to accomplish this by “promoting the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and work for a favorable social, economic, and legal environment for that industry in the United States.”
Based in Washington, D.C., Rutter is involved with cannabis-related policies at the national level.
Prior to working for NCIA, she was a research analyst at a government affairs firm in Washington, D.C., where she analyzed and tracked legislation on numerous issues. Rutter graduated from James Madison University in 2012, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in History.
During her studies, she held a year-long internship with Virginia House of Delegates member Tony Wilt (R). There, she communicated with constituents, businesses, and government officials alike, facilitating meaningful conversations. Rutter was also a member of a pre-law fraternity where she planned events and hosted social functions that sought to encourage long-lasting professional and personal relationships with members.
NCIA’s work on the Hill
One of the most recent updates in the cannabis sector was the announcement of a handful of bills to Congress regarding pro-cannabis reforms. The measures deal with issues that impact every cannabis business owner, like banking and taxes.
The titles of the measures are as follows:
- The Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2017
- The Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap (RAMP) Act
- The Marijuana Tax Revenue Act
- The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act
- The Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act
The bills that were introduced have the potential to make huge changes in the way state-legal cannabis businesses conduct their day-to-day business.
“State-legal cannabis businesses have added tens of thousands of jobs, supplanted criminal markets, and generated tens of millions in new tax revenue,” NCIA said in a statement. “States are clearly realizing the benefits of regulating marijuana and we are glad to see a growing number of federal policymakers are taking notice.”
Fun fact: Rutter was featured as one of The Hill’s 50 Most Beautiful People in 2015, and inner beauty and intellect are immeasurable.
