[PRESS RELEASE] – WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2025 – The Nationwide Hashish Trade Affiliation (NCIA), the country’s biggest and maximum established hashish business crew, introduced that its founding CEO, Aaron Smith, will step down on Aug. 15. Smith will proceed to serve on NCIA’s Board of Administrators to assist make certain a easy transition and fortify the group’s persisted luck and have an effect on.
“It’s been the distinction of an entire life to serve this group’s individuals and assist construct a super new American trade,” Smith stated. “NCIA used to be based to present hashish companies a seat on the policymaking desk at a time once we have been combating simply to be taken severely. These days, our trade is safely serving tens of tens of millions of grownup shoppers, producing billions in financial process and tax income, and is extra politically engaged than ever. I’m happy with what we’ve constructed in combination and stay up for supporting NCIA’s persisted have an effect on from a brand new vantage level.”
Smith’s departure marks a shift in organizational construction and control, with management transitioning to NCIA’s Board of Administrators. The board is chaired by means of Adam Rosenberg, an established hashish trade recommend, adviser, and govt at Vlasic Bioscience, an NCIA Evergreen Member since 2023.
NCIA’s Board of Administrators consists of leaders from around the prison hashish provide chain who’ve been decided on by means of the affiliation’s broader club. The board brings deep experience in coverage, trade and advocacy that may information the group via this transition and into its subsequent section of have an effect on.
Moreover, the board has promoted Leader Technique Officer Brooke Gilbert to the position of leader running officer (COO), the place she’s going to oversee all daily operations, together with workforce and contractor control. Gilbert has served in management roles at NCIA for greater than a decade and brings a gradual hand and deep institutional wisdom to this transition.
The NCIA workforce and board stay firmly dedicated to advancing the group’s venture: championing coverage reforms that fortify small and impartial companies whilst handing over outstanding provider to individuals. With the ones targets in thoughts, the board is endeavor a practical and considerate procedure to spot new management, whilst additionally supporting the group’s subsequent section of enlargement and have an effect on.
“NCIA is in extremely succesful palms. Brooke has been a motive force at the back of the scenes for years, and our board brings unequalled revel in and dedication to this venture,” Smith stated.
“One in every of NCIA’s largest strengths is the facility to unify a various trade round shared priorities,” Rosenberg stated. “Aaron constructed a company with lasting affect, and we’re thankful for his management. As we flip the web page and input a brand new technology for hashish, I’m commemorated to steer the group ahead with such an outstanding staff.
“We’re extra dedicated than ever to handing over our individuals the strategic, coordinated advocacy that displays the total possible of the hashish motion.”
Smith’s subsequent bankruptcy will center of attention on advancing structural reforms that deal with political disorder and polarization—limitations that experience lengthy impeded federal growth on hashish coverage. He’ll function political director at Unite The us, a number one cross-partisan group operating on electoral reforms like open primaries.
“In a way, I’m nonetheless operating on hashish reform,” Smith stated. “However I’m shifting additional upstream to assist repair the damaged political programs that experience stood in the best way of significant federal growth.”
Right through this transition, the group’s management can also be reached at [email protected] or (888) 683-5650.
