Cannabis Movers & Shakers: Item 9 Labs, NORML And Others Confirm Industry Appointments & Promotions

Experienced Exec Takes On New Role At Illicit Gardens

Missouri-based Illicit Gardens recently announced that Kansas City native Jon Bond agreed to serve as chief revenue officer.

Bond was one of the first employees of the cannabis tech company Dutchie. His experience is expected to help lead the growing illicit team as it expands its foothold in the Missouri market while providing eCommerce and retail operations expertise for its five dispensaries in the state, From The Earth.

"After spending almost a decade in the cannabis industry, I take immense pride in joining a company composed of quality people, quality products, and a strong intention toward ending cannabis prohibition," Bond said.

NORML Strengthens Board With Four New Additions

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) recently tapped four new members to its board of directors, including:

• Chris Cano, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a founder of the organization's Suncoast (Florida) chapter;
• Imani Dawson, a founder of TCC Media, a strategic communications and political consulting firm, an alumnus of the Drug Policy Alliance's Start SMART NY legalization campaign, and a board member of the Cannabis Education Advocacy Symposium and Expo (CEASE);
• Nikki Fried, an attorney, a former Florida's 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and fierce cannabis activist who fought for medical marijuana patients' gun rights; and
• Pete Holmes, who served as Seattle's elected City Attorney for three terms, from 2010-2021 and has put an end to prosecutions for marijuana possession.

Meanwhile, Rick Steves, a television host and best-selling guidebook author, was recently re-elected to serve as the organization's board chair.

Item 9 Labs CEO Joins NCIA Retail Committee

Cannabis franchisor and operator Item 9 Labs Corp. INLB recently announced today that its CEO Mike Weinberger had been appointed to serve on the National Cannabis Industry Association's (NCIA) Retail Committee as a new member for the 2023-2025 term.

Item 9 and its brands initially joined the leading cannabis organization in February 2022.

Weinberger was promoted from chief franchise officer to CEO at the Phoenix-based company in November. He brings over two decades of experience in franchising.

Global Hemp Names New Product Manufacturing Advisor

Global Hemp Group Inc. GHG GBHPF GHG has recently strengthened its advisory board with the addition of Jeff Nagel, who agreed to serve as product manufacturing advisor.

Nagel is a veteran in the natural biologics drug discovery and manufacturing space, bringing over 15 years of experience in the industry.

He serves as vice president and director of medical product development at Apollon Formularies plc.

RS BioTherapeutics Names New CEO

RS BioTherapeutics, a company focusing on cannabinoids, has named a pharmaceutical industry veteran Dean Hart as its CEO last week.

With more than four decades of biopharmaceutical experience, Hart has helped multiple brands like Eisai from pre-launch/early commercialization to achieving blockbuster status.

Through his consulting firm, CommEx Consulting, Hart has provided strategic commercialization consulting to life science companies, assisting in the launch preparation for agents in several therapeutic areas, including Parkinson's, schizophrenia, depression, asthma, hemophilia, and pain.

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