Hemp Beverage Alliance Board Candidate: Lance Blundell of cbdMD
HBA will elect three members to the board of directors in June. Each candidate has been invited to post information about their candidacy for voters to review.
Candidate Statement: Regulatory Leadership for a Stronger Hemp Beverage Industry
As General Counsel and Head of Business Development for cbdMD, a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (YCBD), I bring hands-on experience navigating complex regulatory landscapes, both domestic and foreign, shaping policy, and leading multi-jurisdictional compliance strategies at the highest level of corporate governance. I believe this experience positions me uniquely to support the Hemp Beverage Alliance in advancing its mission through credible, effective engagement with regulators and lawmakers.
My background spans nearly two decades at the intersection of wellness innovation and public policy. I began my career in 2006 as a founding executive with BluCigs, where I helped pioneer the e-cigarette industry and worked directly with the FDA and state Attorney Generals on early regulatory issues. In 2009, I became legal and strategic lead for a multi-state cannabis operator active in California, Oregon, and Nevada—at a time when few legal roadmaps existed, and the regulations were constantly in flux.
In addition to my role at cbdMD, I recently served for several years on the Board of Directors of the Natural Products Association, the largest dietary supplement trade organization in the U.S. There, I supported national legislative efforts to promote access to safe, well-regulated hemp and cannabinoid products. I have also served in an advisory role to the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and other hemp focused trade groups.
I have drafted legislation, worked directly with legislators and staff, testified before state and federal bodies, and collaborated with industry leaders to build frameworks that balance consumer safety, business viability, and regulatory clarity. I understand both the legal nuance and commercial urgency that define our industry’s current moment.
If elected to the Hemp Beverage Alliance Board of Directors, I will bring this depth of experience, strategic insight, and policymaking credibility to ensure our members have a strong, informed voice in every legislative conversation—and the tools to grow responsibly in a dynamic regulatory environment.
Please reach out with any questions or to get to know me better!
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