Bottom Line: Pro-cannabis alliance hires first firm as reform momentum builds

Cannabis

The Cannabis Freedom Alliance has hired its first lobbying firm, the Bose Public Affairs Group, to work on issues related to marijuana reform. The coalition, which includes the Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity and the R Street Institute, aims to end federal prohibitions on and criminalization of cannabis, according to its website. 

The lobbying registration comes after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended marijuana be reclassified from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug.

A cannabis banking bill also passed out of a Senate committee for the first time ever in September, and some lawmakers and cannabis advocates see the bill as an opportunity to add social and criminal justice measures. Quincy Cunningham, former chief of staff to Rep. Jim Baird (R-Ind.), will work on the account.

Mental Health

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hired Actum to lobby on issues related to health care, alcohol and drug abuse, veterans and military personnel. Jeffrey Regan, a former Senate staffer who led advocacy efforts for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Psychiatric Association, will work on the account.

Defense

​The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, hired Holland & Knight to lobby on issues including the Ukraine Reconstruction Engineering Fellowship, academic engagement on cyber activities in the annual defense authorization bill and defense appropriations. One of the lobbyists on the account is Daniel Sennott, a former minority staff director for the House Armed Services Committee who served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years.

Energy

Shell USA hired Acorn Consulting to lobby on a range of issues, including climate change, permitting reform, energy imports and infrastructure project delivery. Michael Henry, a veteran lobbyist and former staffer on the House Transportation and Energy and National Resources committees, will work on the account.

Finance

The ​Structured Finance Association hired 9th Street Strategies to lobby on issues related to structured finance — financial instruments typically used by large companies with complex financing requirements — and “conflict of interest” rulemaking at the SEC. Ben Turner, who worked as legislative counsel to Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) and legislative director for former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), will work on the account.