Cannabis Scandal And Resignation Of Oregon Official, USCC's New Leadership & More Executive Moves

New Team Of Top Executives And Experts To Lead USCC Amid Possible Cannabis Policy Reform

The U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC) recently shook up its management team, reported Marijuana Moment. The marijuana advocacy group named Edward Conklin, previously a lobbyist for Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. CURA CURLF and vice chair of USCC's board, its new executive director, replacing interim CEO Khadijah Tribble.

Other top executives like Canopy Growth Corporation WEED CGC CEO David Klein, Curaleaf VP of Government Relations Matt Harrell, Dutchie Senior Director and Assistant General Counsel Bryan Barash and representatives of the cannabis businesses Green Thumb Industries Inc. GTII GTBIF and Verano Holdings Corp. VRNO VRNOF also agreed to join the board.

Former Colorado Rep. Dan Pabon (D) agreed to serve as vice chair, while Barash will serve as the organization's secretary. Former Canopy Growth executive David Culver will serve as USCC's head of policy instead of Bo Bryant.

Irwin Naturals Names New Director

Irwin Naturals Inc.'s IWIN IWINF (FRA: 97X) Marc-David Bismuth tendered his resignation as a director of the company earlier this week.

The Los Angeles-based company elected Keith Powers as its new director to fill the vacancy left by Bismuth's resignation.

Avant Brands Names New CFO, Board Member

Avant Brands Inc AVNT AVTBF (FRA:1BU0) recently appointed industry finance veteran Miguel Martinez as the new head of its finance department. Martinez will be replacing Matthew Whitt who resigned as the company's CFO.

Martinez is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over a decade of experience in agriculture, working with Village Farms, and has been actively working in the Canadian cannabis market since 2017. He also served as VP of finance for Pure Sunfarms.

"With a proven track record of being an operationally focused finance leader in the cannabis industry, we are confident that Miguel will be a valuable asset to our management team as we enter our next phase of growth through the recent Flowr acquisition," Norton Singhavon, founder and CEO of Avant, said.

In addition, the Kelowna, British Columbia-based company also nominated Sylvia Lee to serve as a director on its board of directors.

Oregon Secretary Of State Shemia Fagan Resigns Following Cannabis Scandal

Oregon's Secretary of State Shemia Fagan (D) resigned Tuesday amid a public scandal around the controversial cannabis consultant job she took as a side gig.

Fagan's resignation will be effective Monday, May 8. It comes on the heels of the termination of her contract with Veriede Holdings, LLC., an affiliate of the troubled marijuana company La Mota.

Governor Tina Kotek (D), who previously called on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to investigate Fagan's actions, said she supports Fagan's resignation. "It is essential that Oregonians have trust in their government," Kotek said. "I believe this is a first step in restoring that trust."

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