CCIA Staff
Amy O’Gorman Jenkins left a successful career in the State Capitol to become a lobbyist in November 2014. Since that time, she has managed a diverse client portfolio that includes local government, consumer product safety, clean energy financing and cannabis industry clients.
As Lobbyist to the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA), Jenkins spearheaded policy and legislation for the legal cannabis industry, including Proposition 64 and the Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. She advanced legislation to establish new safety standards for cannabis manufacturers and created Cannabis Caucus, comprised of 10 lobbying firms with cannabis-related clients to better organize and represent the industry.
As a local government advocate, Jenkins led a team through several successful statewide ballot measure campaigns to protect local government revenues and has advanced numerous measures to protect local control and authority. Most recently, Jenkins helped craft legislation to create the most comprehensive consumer protections for homeowners who choose to use PACE, as a financing solution, sponsored by local governments to address important energy and water-conservation home improvement needs.
As Chief of Staff to then State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), Amy planned and directed all administrative, financial, legislative, and operational activities in the Senator’s Capitol and District offices. During her tenure with the Senator, Amy helped advance legislation to establish a Santa Ana River Conservancy and reform California’s campaign laws. She also helped advance legislation to improve the operational effectiveness of the California Military Department, earning her the department’s Civilian Medal of Honor in 2013.
Prior to her work in Senate, Amy served Legislative, Intergovernmental and Public Affairs Officer for the County of Solano; Director of the League of California Cities’ nationally recognized regional public affairs program; Legislative Aide to Assembly Member Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana); and Consultant to the Assembly Business & Professions Committee.
In August 2018, Amy was listed #100 in Capitol Weekly’s top 100 power brokers in California and was nicknamed “Pot Girl” in an April 2017 profile by Dan Morain.
Henry Wykowski is recognized as one of the most respected cannabis attorneys in the country, and widely considered the counsel of choice for the most significant challenges facing the industry.
As lead attorney, Henry has orchestrated the successful defense of the industry’s most important cases, including the forfeiture actions filed by the federal government against Harborside Health Center (the nation’s largest dispensary), Berkeley Patient's Group (the oldest operating dispensary) and Shambhala Healing Center. Henry has also distinguished himself in the representation of dispensaries in actions brought by the IRS. As counsel in Californians Helping to Alleviate Medical Problems (CHAMP) v. Commissioner, he established important precedents recognizing the right to deduct cost of cannabis sold and limiting the punitive applicability of IRC Sec. 280E. Henry’s forceful legal strategies have assured his clients, and the industry, continued success. His firm advises on the navigation of the conflict between federal and state law, the formation of entities, real estate matters, state, county and local regulation, current industry trends and financing.
Henry is a sought-after speaker and panelist by the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and various cannabis industry groups as an expert in cannabis law. He serves as counsel for many of the most prominent leaders in the industry. A former federal prosecutor, Henry is a founding member of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) and serves as its Counsel.