State Level Advocacy

Our mission is to ensure that HCGA members’ voices are heard in the Capitol and beyond. 

Our Government Affairs Program provides a unique platform for Humboldt County’s small and independent cannabis businesses to benefit from direct representation with policymakers in Sacramento. 

In December 2021, HCGA joined forces with Origins Council to advocate collectively on state and federal policy alongside the Trinity County Agriculture Alliance, Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, Sonoma County Growers Association, Nevada County Cannabis Alliance, and Big Sur Farmers Association. 

HCGA is proud to be partnered with other legacy cannabis-producing regions through Origins Council to collectively serve as the largest membership-based cannabis advocacy organization in the state, with nearly 900 licensed cannabis businesses members across six counties. 

Origins Council
Mendocino Cannabis Alliance
Trinity County Ag. Alliance
Sonoma Growers Alliance
NEVADA County Cannabis Alliance
Big Sur Farmers Association

What You Get From US

Serve as a unifed voice for HCGA’s membership.

Work with professional representation in Sacramento to impact state legislation, regulation and public policy

Provide a platform for members’ participation in a democratic process     

Educate and inform public policy makers and influencers with specialized knowledge and expertise

Transparent Process

HCGA government relations professionals, in collaboration with Origins Council, monitor proposed legislation and regulations to evaluate their impact on members. Information is presented to the membership during weekly Industry Affairs calls and via our online member platform for group discussion and feedback. 

The Policy Committee, an elected and appointed decision-making body, votes to direct HCGA’s policy positions. Staff implements the directives of the membership, submits formal letters to the authors of bills stating the position of the organization, and implements grassroots advocacy programs for or against specific state or county policy proposals.  

Latest News

Policy Committee Members

Chairperson, Kaylie Saxon, Forbidden Fruit Farms
District 2, Nikolai Erickson, Full Moon Farms
District 3, Kimberly Haile, Arcata Processing Co & Bear Extraction House
District 4, Lindsey Renner, Native Humboldt & Eureka Distribution
District 5, Hannah Whyte, Emerald Queen Farms​
At-large, Alexis Huber, Highline Nursery
Mark Feldman, Proxima Investments
Nathan Voelckers, Cache Farms​
Mohamad Alnakhlawi, Green Ox Distribution
Rose Moberly, Huckleberry Hill Farms

The Process of the Policy Committee

Policy Committee elections occur in the fall. Any active/current, plant-touching member of HCGA may nominate themselves for the Policy Committee. Licensed operators may appoint a staff person to serve on behalf of their business and the greater community. Members need to apply for a seat based on the County Supervisorial District in which their primary business is located (not the place of residence). One vote cast per membership for each district candidate. All membership types may vote.

  • Yearly election

  • Unlimited terms

The elected members of the Policy Committee represent the other business members within their district. HCGA Board Members appoint one “at large” license holder to serve on the Policy Committee.

  • Votes to adopt policy strategic plan

  • Votes on policy positions for the organization

  • Policy Committee members must participate in the weekly Industry Affairs call.

  • The Policy Committee meets once a week by conference call to vote on discussed policy decisions.

  • Votes are recorded on HCGA’s online communication platform.

Join Now!

Be part of our mission to preserve, protect and enhance Humboldt’s world-renowned cannabis.

BECOME A MEMBER