The Cannabis Alliance

What The Cannabis Alliance does

The Cannabis Alliance is a Washington-state nonprofit 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 2015 that serves as the principal advocacy body for the state's licensed cannabis industry. It represents retailers, producers, processors, laboratories, ancillary businesses, medical cannabis patients, social equity licensees, and consumer advocates, operating exclusively within Washington state and headquartered in Seattle with 13 employees. Its core offerings are advocacy and lobbying services (legislative testimony, Lobby Day convening over 50 legislator meetings annually, direct engagement with the Liquor and Cannabis Board, Department of Health, and Department of Ecology), educational events (the Washington Cannabis Summit, Medical Cannabis Summit, Summer Classic Golf Tournament, Lobby Day, Policy Bootcamp, webinars), and a recurring membership program with auto-renewal billing.

The business model is membership-dues and donation-driven, supplemented by event sponsorship packages (Co-Presenter, Exhibitor Table, Banner, beverage cart tiers) and one-time/recurring donations at preset tiers of $10–$100 or custom amounts. Distribution is direct-to-member through thecannabisalliance.us, with no third-party resellers and no disclosed pricing for membership tiers (Partner and Legacy levels exist but are not publicly priced). The technology stack is intentionally light: there is no proprietary platform, no app, no API, and no AI/ML components disclosed; the only digital product beyond the marketing site is a Looker Studio-based Cannabis Hospitality Data Dashboard.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the organization has no parent, no subsidiaries, no venture or institutional investors, and no funding rounds. Operating geographies are strictly Washington state, and the organization's brand is its principal economic asset — repeatedly described as Washington's largest and most influential cannabis trade group, with a documented ten-year track record of legislative wins including the elimination of the 37% medical excise tax (HB 1453), patient arrest protections (HB 1563), retail ownership limits (SB 5403, signed May 2025), and record vacation rights (SB 5605).

Name

The Cannabis Alliance

Legal name

The Cannabis Alliance

Website

https://thecannabisalliance.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cannabis Alliance is a Washington-state 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 2015 that advocates on behalf of cannabis retailers, producers, processors, labs, patients, and ancillary businesses through lobbying, education, events, and coalition building across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The Cannabis Alliance generates revenue through membership dues from cannabis businesses, advocates, consumers, and industry stakeholders. Membership includes automatic renewal with annual or monthly billing options.
2. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts tax-deductible donations from supporters. The website prominently features donation options with preset amounts ($10, $20, $50, $100) and custom amounts, available as one-time, weekly, or monthly donations.
3. Event Sponsorships: Revenue generated through sponsorship opportunities at major events including the Washington Cannabis Summit and Summer Classic Golf Tournament. Sponsorship tiers include Co-Presenter, Exhibitor Table, Banner Sponsorship, and beverage cart sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Cannabis Alliance is a Washington-state 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association that provides legislative advocacy, policy representation, and industry education to licensed cannabis businesses. Its core deliverable is a paid membership program that bundles lobbying services, regulatory engagement, and member access to summits, bootcamps, and networking events.

Product overview

The Cannabis Alliance operates as a nonprofit 501(c)6 trade association serving as Washington's most impactful cannabis industry organization since 2015. The organization functions as a platform of advocacy services rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include legislative advocacy and lobbying, educational events and programs (Washington Cannabis Summit, Medical Cannabis Summit, Summer Classic Golf Tournament, Lobby Day, Policy Bootcamp, Webinars), membership with business development support, and digital resources including a blog, newsletter, and Cannabis Hospitality Data Dashboard. The organization connects cannabis businesses, advocates, consumers, legislators, and regulatory agencies to develop law and policy promoting economic vitality, consumer rights, environmental responsibility, and social equity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Paid annual membership for licensed Washington cannabis businesses (producers, processors, retailers) and ancillary vendors, bundling legislative advocacy, regulatory updates, and access to Alliance events and resources.
• Legislative Advocacy Services Direct representation of cannabis industry members before the Washington State Legislature and regulatory agencies, delivered as part of the membership program.
• Washington Cannabis Summit Annual industry conference for Washington cannabis license holders featuring policy, regulatory, and business programming; sold via ticketed registration and sponsorship packages.
• Medical Cannabis Summit Annual conference segment focused on medical cannabis policy, patient access, and healthcare-provider engagement for Washington cannabis operators and advocates.
• Summer Classic Golf Tournament Ticketed networking and fundraising golf tournament for Alliance members and industry partners, supporting advocacy operations.
• Lobby Day Annual coordinated lobbying day in Olympia for Alliance members to engage Washington legislators directly on cannabis policy priorities.
• Policy Bootcamp Structured educational program that trains cannabis operators and staff on Washington state cannabis policy, compliance, and effective advocacy engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminated 37% Washington state excise tax on medical cannabis through HB 1453
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Pacific Northwest Regional StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Collaborated with The Cannabis Alliance on Lynnwood cannabis retail ban lifting initiative. Provided technical foundation and outreach support alongside the Alliance to help city leaders move from hesitation to confidence on cannabis policy reform.
• Pacific Public AffairscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2025Lobbying partner that worked alongside The Cannabis Alliance in Tukwila to expand retail zoning. Provided testimony on economic, public safety, and community benefits of fair cannabis regulation.
• Washington Cannabis Licensee Association (WCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Worked closely with The Cannabis Alliance and Sun and Craft Growers Association to present united front advocating for clear, balanced, and enforceable rules regarding SB 5403 on retail ownership limits.
• Sun and Craft Growers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborated with The Cannabis Alliance and WCLA on SB 5403 advocacy, presenting a united front for clear retail ownership rules and market fairness.
• Confidence AnalyticsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Co-host of Washington Cannabis Summit afterparty at CitizenM venue. Partnered on member events and sponsorships.
• Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB)coreOthers · 1 January 2025Primary regulatory body that The Cannabis Alliance engages with on rulemaking, policy development, and industry advocacy. Represents the Alliance at Cannabis Advisory Council meetings.
• Washington State Department of Health (DOH)coreOthers · 1 January 2025The Alliance participates in DOH rulemaking processes for medical cannabis standards, providing stakeholder feedback on testing requirements and medical product regulations.
• Washington State University Center for Cannabis Policy, Research, and OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Research partnership on cannabis impairment research to advance understanding of cannabis effects on impairment and contribute to safer consumption practices and regulatory guidelines.
• University of Washington Northwest Center for Occupational Health and SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborated on UV exposure research grant studying effects of ultraviolet light on cannabis products for improved product safety and handling practices.
• National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Cannabis Alliance Executive Director serves as guest panelist for NCIA Industry Essentials webinars on cannabis industry lobby days and policy advocacy. The Alliance is a co-founder of NCIA.
• Zero Waste WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to promote sustainable practices across the cannabis industry, reduce waste, and enhance environmental responsibility.
• Washington State Department of EcologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership on sustainable practices including vape battery reclamation pilot program and environmental responsibility initiatives.
• The Collective SeattleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Venue partner for the 10th Annual Washington Cannabis Summit on May 9, 2025. A unique venue designed for connection, collaboration, and big ideas.
• Piece of Mind Cannabis BellinghamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Host of Vendor Day event where The Cannabis Alliance staff information table to connect with community members, answer questions, and discuss advocacy work.
• Americans for Safe Access (ASA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Cannabis Alliance hosted ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer for a member presentation on medical cannabis policy implications of Schedule III federal developments.
• Blake Refund BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Worked closely with The Cannabis Alliance over two years on State v. Blake implementation. The Alliance hosted educational webinars on record vacation and financial reimbursement for cannabis convictions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Marijuana Policy Project (MPP): National cannabis policy reform organization focused on legalization, regulation, and harm reduction. Operates in the same advocacy, lobbying, and coalition-building space as The Cannabis Alliance, though at the federal/multiple-state level.
• National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA): The largest US national cannabis trade association. The Cannabis Alliance is a co-founder of NCIA and its Executive Director regularly participates in NCIA programming; both organizations serve cannabis businesses with advocacy, education, and policy influence.
• Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics: Cannabis industry coalition co-founded by Alliance adjunct board member Oscar Velasco-Schmitz. Works on standards, ethics, and policy in the same Washington cannabis advocacy space.
• Sun and Craft Growers Association: Washington cannabis trade group representing craft and sun-grown producers. Coalition partner with The Cannabis Alliance on SB 5403, operating the same Washington-focused policy advocacy model.
• Americans for Safe Access (ASA): National medical cannabis patient advocacy organization. Direct partner of The Cannabis Alliance (hosted ASA's Executive Director for member education on Schedule III) and competes for the same patient-access and medical cannabis policy agenda.
• Drug Policy Alliance: Major US drug policy reform nonprofit. Operates in adjacent policy space (broader drug reform including cannabis), with comparable advocacy, lobbying, donor-funded model, and legislative impact emphasis.
• Cannabis Trade Federation: National trade association representing cannabis retailers, cultivators, and ancillary businesses. Comparable membership-based model providing advocacy, education, and networking for industry operators.
• Washington Cannabis Licensee Association (WCLA): Washington-state cannabis licensee trade association. Coalition partner on SB 5403 and operates in the same Washington-only advocacy, lobbying, and member-services category as The Cannabis Alliance.
• NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws): Foundational cannabis policy advocacy organization with state chapters. Comparable as a member/donor-supported cannabis policy nonprofit that engages in lobbying, public education, and coalition work.

Emerging players

• National Hemp Association: Trade association for the US hemp industry. Related but adjacent plant-cannabis advocacy space; partial overlap in regulatory engagement, agricultural policy, and industry coalition work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thecannabisalliance
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCanAlliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecannabisalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-cannabis-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Cannabis Alliance