Marijuana Rescheduling Prompts This Communications Agency To Tap Top Cannabis PR & Social Media Talent

KCSA Strategic Communications is expanding its senior leadership team in cannabis and psychedelic practices.

The strategic communications firm that offers public and investor relations and social media services tapped Ellen Mellody to serve as senior vice president of its public relations team and Maria Brasco Wurmbach as senior vice president of its social media team.

The news comes on the heels of an announcement that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) that cannabis be rescheduled from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

“Especially in light of last week’s announcement of HHS’ recommendation to the DEA that cannabis be rescheduled to a Schedule III drug, we are incredibly bullish on the Cannabis sector,” Todd Fromer, managing partner at KCSA told Benzinga. “If the DEA accepts that recommendation, it will have wide-ranging implications for the market. It is the perfect time to be adding the additional talent and expertise of Ellen and Maria and their decades of experience to our award-winning team.”

Benzinga is featuring KCSA and other innovative companies in the cannabis industry to celebrate their excellence. After the overwhelming success of the 4/20 business event in April, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is returning to Chicago on September 27-28.

Mellody, who brings over two decades of strategy, communications and public affairs experience, honed her skills at the “halls of The White House, Fortune 50s, presidential campaigns, governors’ offices and some of the world’s biggest events,” KCSA managing partner and principal Lewis Goldberg said on Wednesday. She cofounded Powerplant Global Strategies, which merged with MATTIO Communications in 2020.

Brasco Wurmbach also brings vast knowledge in “diverse industries and fast-paced, high-profile environments such as ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show,'” Goldberg continued.

Both communications experts served in senior leadership roles at MATTIO Communications previously, representing and advising cannabis and psychedelic companies, including AYR Wellness Inc., Jushi Holdings Inc., 4Front Ventures Corp., Pelorus Capital Group, Curaleaf, TerrAscend and Palo Santo.

Come join us at Benzinga’s September event and meet some of the top executives behind these cannabis enterprises such as Rosie Mattio, Boris Jordan, Jason Wild, Jamie Mendola and Rob Sechrist.

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done, is returning to Chicago Sept. 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photo: Benzinga edit on images by KCSA Strategic Communications and Matthew Brodeur on Unsplash