In recent years, the Cannabis Trades Association (CTA) has found itself facing accusations from some within the legal cannabis and hemp industry. These claims, particularly from private consultants, suggest that the CTA is merely ‘taking money’ without providing enough tangible value to its members.
However, such allegations often fail to consider the broad scope of work that the CTA performs behind the scenes to benefit its members and the wider cannabis industry. Far from being a passive organisation, the CTA plays a pivotal role in shaping the legal, regulatory, and commercial landscapes for cannabis and hemp businesses across the United Kingdom.
So, what does the CTA actually do for its members? And why does it have access to regulatory bodies and meetings that private consultants do not? These are crucial questions that, when answered, demonstrate the CTA’s unique position and why its work is vital for the industry’s future.
The Role of the Cannabis Trades Association (CTA)
The CTA serves as a central voice for businesses across the legal cannabis, hemp, and wellness sectors in the UK. Its mission is to ensure that the industry operates within a stable and transparent regulatory framework, allowing businesses to thrive. This work includes engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, politicians, and other key players across the sector.
The value the CTA provides to its members can be seen in several areas:
1. Advocacy and Representation
The CTA engages directly with regulatory bodies such as the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Home Office, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It advocates on behalf of its members to influence and shape policy, ensuring that regulations are fair, transparent, and conducive to business growth. These negotiations involve complex discussions on topics like the Novel Foods process, the regulation of CBD products, and broader industry issues.
While private consultants may offer tailored advice to individual businesses, they lack the collective influence and access that the CTA has built over years of consistent advocacy. The CTA’s strength comes from its ability to represent an entire industry, not just individual clients, which gives it more weight in regulatory discussions.
2. Access to Key Regulatory Meetings
One of the reasons the CTA faces criticism is due to its privileged access to high-level meetings with regulatory bodies that private consultants cannot attend. This access isn’t about exclusivity for its own sake; rather, it’s a reflection of the CTA’s role as a trusted intermediary between the industry and the government.
Private consultants, though often knowledgeable, do not have the same level of engagement with regulatory bodies because their role is inherently more limited. They serve their clients on a one-on-one basis and do not represent the collective interests of an entire sector. Regulatory bodies prefer to engage with organisations like the CTA because they can communicate the needs, concerns, and opportunities of the broader industry in a structured and unified manner. This access is crucial in shaping long-term regulatory policies that benefit the whole industry, from start-ups to established businesses.
3. Shaping Industry Standards
The CTA also works to create and maintain industry standards. It monitors compliance with marketing, product labelling, and production standards across its membership to ensure that businesses operate responsibly and legally. For example, the CTA’s compliance training courses for Food and Medicines Marketing & Product Labelling are designed to help members understand complex UK and EU regulations, including the Misuse of Drugs Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act, and relevant MHRA guidance. This ensures that businesses stay compliant and avoid costly legal pitfalls, something that private consultants often cannot achieve at the same scale.
4. Political Advocacy
The CTA plays a crucial role in political advocacy, especially when it comes to navigating the legal complexities of the cannabis and hemp industries. It actively engages with policymakers to ensure that cannabis-related regulations are transparent, fair, and promote market growth. Through All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and other forums, the CTA represents its members in key political discussions, ensuring their voices are heard by decision-makers. Private consultants, while useful for specific business tasks, do not have the same access to political influence as the CTA does in these contexts.
Addressing the 'Taking Money' Accusation
It’s easy to see how accusations of ‘taking money’ arise, especially when the work being done is not always visible to the average business. However, the reality is that the CTA operates in a complex and highly regulated environment where progress can be slow and incremental. The time and effort that goes into influencing policy, advocating for businesses, and ensuring compliance are substantial and require significant resources.
All organisations, including the CTA, must be financially sustainable. The fees paid by members are an investment in the CTA’s work, allowing it to continue advocating for the industry and representing its interests at the highest levels. Without this funding, the CTA could not engage with regulatory bodies or lobby for changes that will benefit the entire sector. As with any business, there is a cost to professional expertise and advocacy. Private consultants are similarly paid for their services, but they work on an individual level rather than addressing systemic industry-wide issues.
In conclusion, the Cannabis Trades Association provides significant value to its members, offering services that go beyond the reach of private consultants.
From regulatory access and political advocacy to industry compliance and market leadership, the CTA is an essential entity for the future of the UK’s cannabis and hemp industries. The fees charged are a necessary part of sustaining this work, ensuring that the industry continues to grow in a regulated, legal, and safe environment. After all, everyone in this industry needs to be paid for their work, whether they are private consultants or part of a larger organisation like the CTA. Click the image to book a chat.
Published - 01/10/2024
