The Arizona Dispensaries Association (ADA), the professional association of Ariz. cannabis dispensaries, just announced their incoming 2022 board of directors who will lead the organization into the state’s second year of adult-use legalized cannabis. Members and their bios are below.
ADA Executive Director Samuel Richard said, “We are extremely excited to have such a strong group of leaders ready and committed to lead the association into 2022. We have a busy year ahead and will be looking to these industry experts and luminaries as we continue to shape the future of cannabis in Arizona.”
ADA board members serve a term of two years with staggered elections ensuring a consistency of leadership. As ADA heads into 2022, the seven individuals below will work to ensure that the association keeps its focus on regulatory compliance, legislative advocacy, political action, continuing cannabis education, job creation, professional policies, and giving back to the communities it serves.
Ryan Hermansky, ADA Board President, said, “This first year of legalized adult-use cannabis in the state has been a whirlwind of activity. I’m honored to continue our work ensuring that ADA and our members are supporting synergy among our communities.” Hermansky is the founder and CEO of Noble Herb Dispensary (fka Greenhouse of Flagstaff) and Pure Edibles.
Lilach Mazor Power, the only woman majority-owner of an Ariz. dispensary, The Giving Tree, added, “This past year has shown us that legalizing adult-use cannabis in Arizona was the right move for our state. We have created thousands of jobs, funded important programs like community colleges and behavioral health services, and more. However, it also showed we still have work to do around educating the public and breaking the stigma that limits our industry. I’m excited to be part of the team that will make that happen.”
Arizona has already seen more than $150 million in tax revenue generated in the first ten months of legalized adult-use cannabis. This does not include the savings from money the state would have otherwise spent on policing, prosecuting, and jailing those who choose to use cannabis.
“Arizonans are starting to recognize the responsibility that dispensaries uphold and are seeing first-hand the important role the cannabis industry plays in the health of our economy and our communities,” Richard said.
“We are immensely grateful for the two board members, Steve White and Sara Presler, who will be ending their service with the ADA after several years of dedication to both the association and the industry at large,” Hermansky said. ”I am lucky to call both of them friends and want to acknowledge their incredible commitment and lasting contributions. Our association is better because of their leadership and future cannabis industry professionals will be standing on the shoulders of these giants.”
ADA is proud to announce its 2022 Board of Directors:
Steve Cottrell – Market President, Arizona – Curaleaf, Select
Cottrell started working in the cannabis industry in early 2010 when the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act initiative was first introduced. In addition to his role leading Curaleaf in Ariz., Cottrell is a representative on the Testing Advisory Council of the Arizona Department Of Health Services where he develops mandated safety standards. He was also involved in several committees that have helped advise legislators on the creation of medical marijuana testing legislation for the state of Nevada, among a myriad of additional efforts to raise the professionalism and stature of regulated cannabis.
Pamela Donner – Chief Operating Officer – Various Licenses & Cannabis Companies
Donner was recently named the 12th Most Powerful Woman in the Cannabis Industry by Cannabis Business Executive Magazine. She currently serves as the chief operating officer of a variety of cannabis ventures including successful retail operations, edible brands, and a luxury jewelry and accessories company. Donner is an experienced C-level corporate executive, with a proven history of growing companies, navigating successful business turnarounds, launching new products, and implementing structural organization changes to reduce costs and maximize profits.
Ryan Hermansky – Founder & CEO – Noble Herb (fka Greenhouse of Flagstaff), Pure Edibles
Hermansky is the Founder and CEO of Noble Herb Dispensary (fka Greenhouse of Flagstaff) and has been involved in every aspect of the operation since its creation in 2013. He currently oversees the retail and wholesale operations, including the development of in-house brands such as Pure Edibles and Everest Concentrates. Hermansky has been a member of the ADA since its inception and president of the ADA’s board since 2020.
Brad Kotansky – Chief Financial Officer – Sol Flower, Copperstate Farms
Kotansky has more than 20 years of executive-level experience leading teams in diverse industries including cannabis, software, real estate, and Wall Street across the U.S. and Canada. His key focus is to guide and advise executive teams on how to scale and build sustainable, growing businesses while trying to implement solutions to de-risk the idea and opportunity with minimal capital required. Prior to his role at Copperstate Farms he was the CFO of 4 Front Ventures, a publicly traded cannabis company.
Lilach Mazor Power – Founder & CEO – Giving Tree Dispensary, Kindred
Power is the Founder & CEO of the Giving Tree Dispensaries, a vertically integrated cannabis company where they manage a 15,000 square-foot cannabis operation ranging from cultivation to extraction, retail, and wholesale. She has built two top cannabis companies in Ariz. and continues to grow nationally and globally by teaming up with top companies around the world.
Lauren Neihaus – Director of Government Relations – Trulieve (fka Harvest)
Niehaus is a director of government relations for Trulieve Cannabis Corp. where she focuses her efforts collaborating with government officials at all levels to ensure the company’s operational goals are conducted throughout the country. Niehaus is responsible for lobbying local and state government agencies and providing internal strategic guidance related to the implementation of policies and procedures in alignment with the passage of new administrative rules and legislation.
Rami Sweis – Market President, Arizona – AYR Wellness (fka Oasis Cannabis)
As CEO and founder of Total Health & Wellness Inc., Sweis created Oasis Dispensaries, a boutique medical marijuana dispensary brand, with the vision of providing patients with the highest standards of care, quality and trusted knowledgeable advice. Sweis is a serial entrepreneur and pioneer with significant experience across a variety of industries, most notably in the regulated cannabis space.
The Arizona Dispensaries Association (ADA) is the voice of Arizona’s regulated cannabis ecosystem. The ADA is dedicated to advancing the industry through political advocacy, continuing education on key compliance and regulatory topics, and the overall professionalization and normalization of cannabis. ADA’s mission is to promote and advocate for a smart and safe cannabis industry in Arizona.
