Sit down with The Director of The Cannabis Regulatory Agency in Michigan to get first hand insight into the state of the Cannabis industry in Michigan in 2023. Get first hand insight from Brian Hanna regarding current trends and a look into the future of Cannabis in Michigan.
Brian Hanna; Executive Director, Cannabis Regulatory Agency
Executive Director Brian Hanna was designated by Governor Whitmer to lead Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) in December 2022. The CRA oversees the medical and adult-use marijuana industries, regulates hemp-derived products, and runs the state’s medical marijuana registry card program. CRA’s mission is to establish Michigan as the national model for a regulatory program that stimulates business growth while preserving safe consumer access to cannabis.
Hanna’s previous service in the CRA under former Executive Director Andrew Brisbo will ensure he continues the mission and ongoing work of the agency. Hanna spent 5 years with the CRA as the manager of field operations, inspections, and investigations. He has a law enforcement and military background, having previously worked as a criminal intelligence manager and analyst with MSP and as a Deputy Sheriff for Kalamazoo County. He also served as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve with a combat deployment to Afghanistan from 2010-2011. Hanna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University and an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Brian Hanna is also active in the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), a national organization of more than 40 US state and territorial regulatory agencies that provides policy makers and regulatory agencies with the resources to make informed decisions when considering how to approach the legalization and regulation of cannabis.