Nevada’s oldest and largest cannabis trade association, the Nevada Dispensary Association, has transitioned to a new name, the Nevada Cannabis Association (NCA). The association’s new brand represents its expanded membership, which now extends beyond dispensaries to include cultivation, production and distribution licensees, independent testing laboratories, and affiliated cannabis businesses across Nevada.
“From the start, the association has been dedicated to developing and promoting best practices among Nevada cannabis dispensaries,” said Layke Martin, executive director of the NCA. “As Nevada’s industry has grown, our dedication to representing the cannabis industry has expanded to include cultivation, production and distribution licensees, independent testing laboratories, and other cannabis businesses. For these members, a voice within the NCA amplifies our collective goal of inclusivity, opportunity and unity within the industry.”
Launched in 2014, the NCA supports cannabis companies through four channels: education and compliance resources, government affairs and lobbying, networking events, and exclusive business resources. The organization provides members with analysis on proposed regulations impacting the industry; government relations and lobbying at the federal, state, and local levels; regular member updates; and a monthly industry newsletter. The NCA also conducts political and community outreach as well as media relations.
The NCA also recently welcomed its newest board members, Jennifer Gallerani, vice president of compliance and regulatory affairs for Blackbird; and Jerry Velarde, president and founder of NV 3480 Hacienda Partners, Inc., which oversees Evergreen Organix, Ego Brands and Fleur Cannabis.
Gallerani works directly with state regulators on several industry-wide initiatives through her chair of the board position for the Cannabis Distribution Association, with a particular focus on issues related to track-and-trace systems. She also currently serves as the chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association’s State Regulations Committee, Technology and Compliance Subcommittee. Velarde, who was awarded a production and cultivation license in 2014, built out a 32,000-square-foot facility to accommodate both approved operations and created the well-known Evergreen Organix and Fleur Cannabis brands. In 2020, Velarde entered a partnership to bid on a Nevada dispensary license, which was awarded and is currently operating under the name of WallFlower.
Gallerani and Velarde join existing Board members Tisha Black of Black & Wadhams and Nevada Made, Phillip Peckman of Thrive Cannabis Marketplace, Brandon Wiegand of The Source+, Jon Marshall of Deep Roots Harvest, and Michael Cristalli of Clark Hill and Jade Dispensary.
