Founding Partner

In 2018, John Payne served as campaign manager for New Approach Missouri, which successfully legalized medical cannabis across the state by passing Amendment 2.

He is also an experienced cannabis policy consultant with 10 years spent advising Missouri regulatory agencies and legislative bodies on effective policy making concerning the legalization, regulatory framing, and taxation of Missouri’s Medical Marijuana Program.

Being a longstanding advocate for cannabis policy reform, John is a co-author Amendment 2, a board member of the Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association, and led the formation of a state medical cannabis operator cooperative—MIMCA .

In addition to directing cannabis business development, he also leads drug-war reform, having coordinated witnesses for hearings on the hemp oil bill, industrial hemp, and collaborated on successful expungement efforts for marijuana offenders.

As Missouri’s medical cannabis market develops, John leads A2C’s government affairs, public relations, and business development operations and remains engaged with policy reform at the state and national levels.