I received the following press release from Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s office:
Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee received the 2015 Legislative Leadership Award from the National Cannabis Industry Association at the organization’s 5th annual gala dinner.
“It is truly a humbling honor to receive this award. I’d like to thank the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), Board Chairwoman Jamie Lewis and Executive Director Aaron Smith for this tremendous honor,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
NCIA is the largest cannabis trade association in the U.S. and the only organization representing cannabis-related businesses at the federal level.
“Over the last five years, NCIA has been a tireless advocate for a common sense and pro-business cannabis policy that is focused on providing care and legal access,” added Congresswoman Lee.
“As a bold leader, Congresswoman Lee has been a longtime champion of rational marijuana policies — even before the position was popular. Now that a majority of Americans support reform, Representative Lee will no doubt be among those who lead the charge to finally end the disastrous policies of prohibition. The Congresswoman is also an exceptional servant to the cannabis businesses in her district by sponsoring important legislation that would end the industry’s unfair and dangerous banking access crisis,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of NCIA. “We are proud to be able to honor her visionary leadership by presenting her with our annual Cannabis Industry Legislator of the Year award.”
Past awardees of this honor include Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (2014) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (2013).
Congresswoman Lee is the sponsor of State’s Medical Marijuana Property Rights Protection Act (HR 262) and a co-sponsor of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act (HR 1013), Marijuana Tax Revenue Act (HR 1014), Compassionate Access Act (HR 1774), Respect State Marijuana Laws Act (HR 1940) and Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act (HR 2076). As a member of the Appropriations Committee, she has led and supported several amendments to protect state-legal cannabis users and businesses.
###
Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.
