Who's Who In Cannabis: Latest Executive Changes You Should Know About

As the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference gets underway in Florida, gathering top CEOs, investors and leaders in the cannabis industry, let's scroll through the latest leadership changes in space, starting with companies that named new CEOs over the past period.

Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. (TSXV:DB) (OTCQB:DBCCF) tapped Benjamin Sze to serve as its CEO a week ago, succeeding Paul Wilson. Sze rejoined the company after previously serving as CEO before resigning in late 2020 to focus on his family.

Denver-based Medicine Man Technologies, Inc., operating as Schwazze, (OTCQX:SHWZ) (NEO: SHWZ)  appointed its CFO Forrest Hoffmaster to the additional role of interim CEO in late February, following Nirup Krishnamurthy’s resignation as CEO and as a member of the board of directors.

Cannabis packaging and logistics company DIZPOT named Laura Sidney as its interim CEO in March.

Online cannabis seed bank I Love Growing Marijuana, wrapped up last month by welcoming Ernst Rustenhoven as its new CEO.

Interestingly, chief executive officers leading U.S.-based multi-state cannabis operators have surpassed the $500,000 base salary threshold in 2024 with annual median salaries topping $511,600 and representing a nearly 8% year-over-year increase. That’s roughly seven times what mid-level managers in the industry make, according to CannabizTeam Worldwide‘s 2024 Cannabis Industry Salary Guide.

See also: International Cannabis Executives To Watch In 2024

Multiple Appointments

• District Cannabis, the premier cannabis cultivator in Maryland and the District of Columbia appointed Bethany Frick as CEO and Bryce Freeman as COO recently, in an attempt to "position the company well as it forges ahead with its market expansion efforts in the region."
• Cannabis company Jones Soda Co. (CSE:JSDA) (OTCQB:JSDA), behind the original craft soda, recently announced a new operations team in March. Beverage expert Eric Bittner joined Jones as its new chief operating officer while experienced research and development scientist Mary Money has been named director of new product development and commercialization.
• ElleVet Sciences, a maker of hemp-based CBD products for pets recently expanded its executive leadership team with the promotion of Haley Israelson to chief financial officer and the addition of Ryan Shadrin as chief commercial officer.

New COOs and CFOs

• On Monday, vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator Jushi Holdings Inc. (CSE:JUSH) (OTCQX:JUSHF) appointed Todd West as its head of operations.
• Cannabis genetics company Phylos, advancing the science of cannabis and making large-scale cannabis production profitable and environmentally sustainable, named Whitney Conroy as its chief commercial officer in February.
• Cannabis consumer products maker and distributor Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE:TPB) named Andrew Flynn as the head of its finance department in March.
• Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation (CSE:GWAY) (OTCQB:GWAYF), a cultivator of high-quality greenhouse cannabis for the Canadian market, also named a new chief finance officer recently, Kyle Appleby who has "an impressive track record of financial leadership spanning over two decades."

Latest Board Changes

• Vancouver-based developer of marijuana and alcohol breath testing devices Cannabix Technologies Inc. (CSE:BLO) (OTC:BLOZF) kicked off April by welcoming Dr. Phillip Olla (Ph.D.) to its board of directors.
• In March, healthcare expert Terry Lierman joined IGC Pharma, Inc. (NYSE:IGC) as an independent director of the board to advance the company's Alzheimer's pipeline.
• iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. (CSE:IAN) (OTCQB:ITHUF) announces the resignation of John Paterson from its board of directors in mid-March.
• Meanwhile, Simply Solventless Concentrates Ltd. (TSXV:HASH) tapped veteran cannabis executive Olen Vanderleeden to serve on its board of directors in February.
• In late March, Compass Pathways plc (NASDAQ:CMPS) announced its co-founders, George Goldsmith and Ekaterina Malievskaia, resigned from the company's board of directors.

Other Industry Appointments, Resignations And Promotions

• Cannabis Bioscience International Holdings (OTC:CBIH) reported in February that Brian Cuban, the younger brother of the former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, has been elected to serve as an advisory board member in the firm.
• Massachusetts-based Needham Bank expanded its cannabis banking practice and has hired Brandon Curran as vice president and business development officer to help build market share.
• On Thursday, Shield Compliance, a compliance platform for cannabis banking, said it has promoted Jenna Meyer to the position of chief operating officer and Cami Cantrell to executive vice president of administration and professional services.
• Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission's (AMCC) member Dr. Jerzy Szaflarski resigned in April. An M.D. and Ph.D. with the UAB School of Medicine, Szaflarski was appointed to the AMCC in September 2021, as reported by 1819 News.
• Meanwhile, Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency, a cannabis and psychedelics PR and marketing, recently officially expanded into the broader natural products and wellness sector.

Now read: Key Leadership Changes In Cannabis You Should Know About As We Head Into 2024

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is returning to Florida, in a new venue in Hollywood, on April 16 and 17, 2024. The two-day event at The Diplomat Beach Resort will be a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world.

Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!