NCIA Founding CEO Steps Down After 15 Years

The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), a cannabis trade group, announced that its founding CEO, Aaron Smith, will step down on August 15. Smith will continue to serve on NCIA’s Board of Directors to help ensure a smooth transition and support the organization’s continued success and impact.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve this organization’s members and help build a great new American industry,” said Smith in a news release. “NCIA was founded to give cannabis businesses a seat at the policymaking table at a time when we were fighting just to be taken seriously. Today, our industry is safely serving tens of millions of adult consumers, generating billions in economic activity and tax revenue, and is more politically engaged than ever. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and look forward to supporting NCIA’s continued impact from a new vantage point.”

NCIA Leadership Transitions

Smith’s departure marks a shift in organizational structure and management, with leadership transitioning to NCIA’s Board of Directors, according to the company. The board is chaired by Adam Rosenberg, a longtime cannabis industry advocate, advisor and executive at Vlasic Bioscience, an NCIA Evergreen Member since 2023.

NCIA’s Board of Directors is composed of leaders from across the legal cannabis supply chain who have been selected by the association’s broader membership, according to the company. The board will guide the organization through this transition and into its next phase of impact.

Additionally, the board has promoted chief strategy officer Brooke Gilbert to the role of chief operating officer (COO), according to the company, where she will oversee all day-to-day operations, including staff and contractor management. Gilbert has served in leadership roles at NCIA for more than a decade.

“NCIA is in incredibly capable hands. Brooke has been a driving force behind the scenes for years, and our board brings unmatched experience and commitment to this mission,” said Smith in the release.

“One of NCIA’s greatest strengths is the ability to unify a diverse industry around shared priorities,” added NCIA Board chair Adam Rosenberg. “Aaron built an organization with lasting influence, and we are grateful for his leadership. As we turn the page and enter a new era for cannabis, I am honored to lead the organization forward with such an exceptional team.”

During this transition the organization’s leadership can be reached at info@thecannabisindustry.org or (888) 683-5650. 

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