Top Cannabis Attorneys Tap Weed Regulatory Expert To Lead Organization, Here's What She Plans To Do

The International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) has welcomed Shahiedah Shabazz as its new executive director, succeeding Christopher Davis who has served since 2017.

Prior Experience

Shabazz joins INCBA after years spent working as a municipal attorney in Southern California and as an associate in top law firms. While at ArentFox Schiff LLP, Shabazz was the firm's cannabis regulatory expert and co-lead of the firmwide Cannabis Industry Group.

She brings vast expertise and leadership to the organization, having spent 15 years as an attorney, training in organizational leadership as well as a deep knowledge of the cannabis industry.

Shabazz was a transactional and regulatory attorney in prior roles, helping cannabis operators obtain and maintain state and local licenses, respond to enforcement actions and successfully complete mergers and acquisitions.

A Congressional internship in the Senate Office of Barack Obama inspired her interest in public-private partnerships in 2005.

"We are beyond thrilled to have Shahiedah Shabazz join INCBA as our new executive director," Jason Horst, president of INCBA said. "Her impressive legal career, particularly in the cannabis industry, makes her an ideal candidate to lead our organization and advocate for the interests of our members."

In addition to her legal practice, Shabazz serves on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Chicago.

The LA City Council previously appointed her as the Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Center Authority commissioner.

What's Next

As INCBA's executive director, Shahiedah will provide education, networking opportunities, and advocacy for legal professionals involved in the cannabis industry.

She will work closely with INCBA's board of directors, members and volunteers to advance the association's goals and support its global network of cannabis lawyers.

INCBA's Impact On Cannabis Space

Meanwhile, a recent International Cannabis Bar Association conference hosted a discussion between Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and GOP House Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) on a cannabis bill that would address the main issues cannabis advocates and lawmakers have been pushing over the past few years, including banking, research and veterans, to name a few.

Schumer and Joyce discussed combining two already existing bipartisan bills - the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, from Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), and the Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement (HOPE) Act sponsored by Joyce and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). That measure would help states expunge criminal records for people with convictions for non-violent cannabis offenses by setting up a State Expungement Opportunity Grant Program.

Hear more about the state-by-state patchwork of cannabis regulations at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago this Sept 27-28. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photo: Courtesy of The International Cannabis Bar Association