Paul McCarthy Appointed as President of the Cannabis Council of Canada

Ottawa, Ontario, April 2, 2024 – The Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul McCarthy as its new President, effective immediately. McCarthy brings over two decades in public sector roles to C3, both as a public servant and senior political advisor supporting Ministries such as Labour, Housing & Homelessness, Industry, Environment and Veterans Affairs. He also held senior roles with a prominent Canadian licensed producer, focused on international market development and corporate policy compliance. McCarthy brings a profound understanding of government workings and policy to C3.

After having successfully navigated complex regulatory landscapes for decades, McCarthy brings his knowledge of highly regulated industries to C3. His extensive experience in negotiating agreements between public entities, Indigenous organizations, and various sectors, demonstrates his ability to establish strong relationships and achieve balanced interests.

Rick Savone, Chair of the Cannabis Council of Canada, expressed the Board’s enthusiasm about McCarthy's appointment, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Paul McCarthy as the new President of the Cannabis Council of Canada. His wealth of experience and proven track record in policy development and stakeholder engagement make him instrumental in driving C3’s annual strategic plan. We are confident that under his leadership, C3 will continue to be a leading voice in advocating for a thriving and responsible cannabis industry."

“There is great potential for the cannabis sector to flourish in Canada. It can contribute to the country’s productivity and provide good-paying, sustainable jobs. That, however, can only be achieved through a reformed regulatory regime and the eradication of the illicit market,” said Paul McCarthy, President of C3. “I look forward to working collaboratively with government and other stakeholders to make this industry the success story it can be.”

McCarthy’s achievements include receiving recognition for outstanding public service in managing the British Columbia component of the Infrastructure Stimulus program that saw a total investment of $1.2B to complete 450 projects over a two-year period. In addition, during his time with Veterans Affairs, he led the redesign and enhancement of financial benefits for Canadian Armed Forces veterans, culminating in the Pension for Life which provided greater financial security for a large number of veteran families.

McCarthy's appointment marks an exciting chapter for C3 as it continues to advance its mission of promoting a responsible and sustainable cannabis industry in Canada. Please join us in welcoming Paul McCarthy to his new role as President of the Cannabis Council of Canada.

The Board thanks C3 Treasurer, Tamara Lovi, and Secretary, Elisabeth Sieber, for their service – both of whom assumed the role of Acting Co-Executive Directors to ensure the smooth continuation of C3 operations during the transition period.

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