Navigating Government Relations in the Cannabis Sector

Are you ready to gain a strategic edge in the fast-paced cannabis industry? With insights from communications expert Scot Rutledge, we promise to equip you with the tools you need to navigate and influence the political landscape that dictates this booming sector. 

This episode is all about the art of government relations and their pivotal role in shaping public policies, laws, and regulations. We unravel the importance of staying informed, proactive, and compliant in this ever-evolving regulatory environment. Scot unveils how privileged cannabis licenses and solid relationships with local officials can give your business the political clout it needs to thrive. 

Learn the importance of hiring a government affairs specialist and how to find the right one, understand local legislation, and be resourceful even if an in-house political specialist isn't within your means. So, strap in! This episode is a masterclass for any cannabis entrepreneur looking to gain a foothold or expand their influence in the industry.

Thank you for tuning in to 'Cann Strategy: Elevating Your Cannabis Business Venture'. Our mission is to empower cannabis investors, business owners, and entrepreneurs with rarely shared insider knowledge to navigate the fast-growth cannabis industry.

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Also, don't forget to check out our website at www.cannstrategy.com for even more resources and insights into the cannabis business world. We offer a range of consulting services to help you navigate the complex cannabis industry and turn your cannabis business dream into a reality, no matter what stage of the game you're in.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 0 (00:00):
Hey there, let's chat about how cannabis gets
political.
When you're knee-deep in thecannabis industry, you've got to
keep up with all the ins andouts of federal, state and
regional laws.
I know it's a lot to jugglewhen you're running a business,
but here's the deal ignoring thepolicies around cannabis can
land your business in hot water.
You could get left in the dustby regional legislature changes
or, worse, get slapped withnon-compliance penalties.

(00:22):
So we had to sit down withScott Rutledge, a communications
pro, to pick his brains aboutwhy it's crucial to engage with
government in the cannabis world, how to get your voice heard in
cannabis legislation and thetop three things to remember
when hiring a government affairswhiz.
Now, if you're scratching yourhead over what government
relations actually are, don'tfret.

(00:42):
They're all about influencingpublic policies and buddying up
with political influencers toget things done in your industry
, whether that's locally,regionally or nationally.
It's like a branch of PR, butwith a focus on how businesses
and organizations can workeffectively and positively with
the government.
Scott Rutledge puts it this wayyou might know what you want to

(01:03):
do, but making it happen at thegovernment level.
That's where government affairsspecialists step in.
Now why should you care aboutgovernment affairs if you're in
the cannabis business.
Well, they're crucial for anybusiness, but even more so for
the cannabis industry.
Here's why you need to knowwho's calling the shots for your
business and industry.
Keeping an eye on the law andregulations is key, especially

(01:27):
when changes could impact yourbusiness.
You can play a role in shapingthe laws and regulations in the
ever-growing cannabis industry.
Being proactive doesn't meanyou're always pushing for change
.
It means you're in the knowabout what's happening in your
industry and how it affects you.
So how about those privilegedcannabis licenses?
These babies are heavilyregulated and the rules can

(01:49):
change from state to state,region to region.
To keep your license, you needsolid relationships with your
local officials, why, withprivileged licenses, especially
limited ones, even tiny detailscan risk revocation.
Knowing the right folks cancome in handy when you need
things like land use approvals,zoning permissions, permits or

(02:11):
just advice on staying compliant.
So cultivating thoserelationships definitely worth
it.
Now you might be thinking howcan I make a difference in
cannabis legislation?
Well, if you've got a handle onthe compliance for your
privileged cannabis license, youcould help pave the way for the
next wave of cannabis businessowners.
Teaming up with a governmentaffairs rep, who has a solid

(02:32):
relationship with statelegislators and local officials,
can give you a leg up.
They can help push yourinitiatives and influence local
rules and regulations.
Your chosen specialist doesn'tneed to be a cannabis guru.
They just need to be able toclearly communicate your goals
and make sure you get the votesor approvals you need.
But what if you don't want tospend money on government
affairs?
That's a valid question.

(02:53):
No cannabis entrepreneur isexcited about adding another
expense to their business.
But think about it.
Not having a government affairsstrategy could cost you more.
In the long run it could meanmissed opportunities in
legislation or regulations thatdon't work in your favor.
Remember, government affairsgive your business clout, that's
, influence or power in yoursector.

(03:13):
The can of businesses you seewith political clout didn't get
there by accident.
They invested in governmentaffairs.
With good government affairsyour business stays competitive,
no matter who's making thedecisions or which party is in
control.
It keeps you focused on yourbusiness goals, not just the
latest political whim.
Scott Rutledge says if youdon't invest in government

(03:34):
affairs and political strategy,you won't know what you don't
know.
You won't have the knowledge ofwhat's currently happening to
your industry and how to addressit.
To wrap things up, here arethree final tips on hiring
government affairs for yourcannabis business.
First, find the right person.
If you can afford an in-housegovernment affairs specialist,
start there.
This person it needs to be allabout politics, no compliance,

(03:57):
manage campaign budgets andunderstand how laws are being
drafted and how they'll affectyour business.
Second, go local Partner withsomeone who knows your state and
local legislation inside andout.
Government affairs are all aboutrelationships.
A good lobbying firm inCalifornia won't do you any good
.
If your business is in Illinois, your in-house specialist
should be able to meet withelected officials, know your

(04:19):
business inside and out andspeak powerfully on your behalf.
They'll also want to coordinatewith local government affairs
specialists who have the bestrelationships in each
jurisdiction you work in.
Third, be resourceful.
If you can't afford an in-housepolitical specialist or don't
see it as a priority, look forprofessional services that can
assess your political strategyand help you build relationships

(04:42):
.
Ask companies you trust whothey work with and why, and
always get at least two to threeproposals when hiring
professional services for yourgovernment affairs needs.
Alright, that wraps up our deepdive into the political world of
cannabis.
Remember, navigating thecomplexities of this
ever-evolving industry doesn'thave to be a solo mission.
Investing in government affairs, whether in-house or external,

(05:07):
isn't just a business expense.
It's a strategic move thatcould make all the difference,
whether you're just startingyour journey or looking to
expand and influence legislation, remember the importance of
local knowledge, relationshipbuilding and staying in tune
with the regulatory environment.
The power to shape the futureof the cannabis industry is in
your hands.

(05:27):
Thanks for tuning in to ourpodcast today.
If you found this insightful,be sure to share it with other
cannabis entrepreneurs.
Stay informed, stay proactiveand let's continue to drive the
cannabis industry forwardtogether.