NCCC Endorses SHIP

July 21, 2025

Dear Representative Huffman,

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we are pleased to endorse the Small and Homestead Independent Producers (SHIP) Act of 2025 as proposed by your office, which would guarantee small cannabis producers access to direct-to-consumer shipping opportunities conditionally upon federal cannabis legalization.

While cannabis remains federally prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act, 40 states have now acted to legalize cannabis for medicinal use, and 24 states have legalized cannabis for adult use.

Within these states, thousands of small cannabis farmers and manufacturers have received licenses to operate under state law. Experience in these state-legal markets, however, has shown that the ability to receive a license is not, in itself, adequate to establish a cannabis market that provides real options for consumers and real opportunity for small businesses. In many states, a combination of limited licensure and restrictive market access opportunities have led to market consolidation and a shortage of high-quality, diverse, and artisanal products available within the legal market.

As conversations continue on the legalization of cannabis, the structure of a federally-legal market will play a decisive role in whether small and craft producers have a viable path forward. If cannabis regulations are structured such that market access is only available to large, scaled operators, independent and craft businesses, many of whom have been heavily impacted by the War on Drugs, will lack practical opportunities to compete in the market.

In other craft agricultural industries, such as America’s world-renowned artisanal wine industry, the ability to ship products directly to consumers has been the cornerstone of ensuring market access for small producers. According to the 2018 SOVOS Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping Report, just 10% of the total volume of U.S. wine is purchased through DTC channels. However, these channels are utilized almost exclusively by small producers. The SOVOS report finds that over 70% of the value of DTC sales is realized by “small” or “very small” producers, while another 21% of value is realized by “medium” scale producers. Large producers, which typically rely on traditional wholesale distribution channels, account for just 6% of the value of DTC sales.

In considering the structure of a legal cannabis market, we believe it is essential that Congress apply these lessons to support a diverse and accessible legal cannabis market. By guaranteeing direct-to-consumer sales opportunities for small-batch cannabis producers, the SHIP Act would help establish the building blocks of a cannabis framework that supports small businesses and consumers from day one of any prospective federal legalization.

We strongly support this legislation and thank your office for your leadership on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Genine Coleman, Executive Director, Origins Council (CA), Co-Founder, National Craft Cannabis Coalition
Micah Sherman, Board Member, Washington Sun & Craft Growers Association. Co-Founder, National Craft Cannabis Coalition
Geoffrey Pizzutillo, Executive Director, Vermont Growers Association, Co-Founder, National Craft Cannabis Coalition
Mark Barnett, Policy Director, Maine Craft Cannabis Association, Co-Founder, National Craft Cannabis Coalition
Hannah Whyte, President, Humboldt County Growers Alliance
Oliver Bates, Co-Founder, Central Coast Cannabis Club
Steve Amato, President, Mendocino Cannabis Alliance
Adrien Keys, Executive Director, Trinity County Agricultural Alliance
Frederika M. Easley, President, Minority Cannabis Business Association
Michelle Rutter Friberg, Director of Government Relations, National Cannabis Industry Association
Maritza Perez Medina, Director of Federal Affairs, Drug Policy Alliance
Shaleen Title, Board Chair, Parabola Center
Chelsea Higgs Wise, Executive Director, Marijuana Justice
Eric Goepel, Founder & CEO, Veterans Cannabis Coalition