The Cannabis Marketing Association, an industry group founded in 2016. announced it's closing. Below is the letter that CEO and founder Lisa Buffo sent to CMA members.
Dear CMA Members,
For over 9 incredible years, it has been an absolute honor to serve this industry by connecting, building, and strengthening the cannabis marketing community. However, after careful consideration, I have made the decision to close CMA. It has been a remarkable and transformative journey, and I am deeply proud of all that we’ve accomplished.
Looking back, this past decade was crucial in establishing the tone and foundation of the cannabis industry for years to come.
With your support, this community came together and created an impact far greater than I could have imagined. Community has been the heartbeat of CMA, and it will live on even though the business will not. Thanks to you, CMA trained thousands of cannabis professionals worldwide in all aspects of marketing. We launched an intimate conference and a podcast with a dedicated following. We engaged with the media and the public across sectors, advocated to policymakers, and educated stakeholders. We weathered a pandemic and navigated endless industry changes.
Countless connections were made—business partners found each other, vendors met customers, entrepreneurs met investors, collaborators came together, advocates supported causes, friendships were formed, ideas came to life, brands were launched, startups grew, wins were celebrated, losses were shared, and countless stories were told. All of this occurred during a time when our work and talent were needed most, and I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of it with you.
The mission of the Cannabis Marketing Association has always been to bring a positive perception to and authentic understanding of cannabis and its consumers around the world. We achieved this by supporting the growth of cannabis communications professionals through industry education, cultivating community, and establishing best practices.
I truly believe we accomplished what we set out to do, and I couldn’t be more proud. For me, this feels like a graduation, and I’m excited to celebrate all that we’ve done together in the near future.
As with any chapter in life, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to step into a new era, and that time has come for me. I am excited for what lies ahead and look forward to continuing to work with many of you in the years to come.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of our customers, partners, employees, and supporters who have been part of this journey. Your trust and loyalty have meant the world to me, and I am truly thankful to have been part of your lives.
With endless gratitude,
Lisa Buffo
Founder, CEO, and eternal student
