GreenShield Award Winner Spotlight: The Cannabis Trades Association (CTA)

Recognising a Decade of Leadership, Advocacy and Sector Stewardship

For nearly a decade, the Cannabis Trades Association (CTA) has been one of the most supportive, consistent and leading forces in the UK cannabis landscape. Long before public awareness expanded, before medical cannabis legislation changed and before the CBD market developed, the CTA was already bringing industry actors together, guiding emerging businesses and helping shape conversations that would later define the sector.

As the association approaches its ten-year anniversary, Global Cannabinoid Solutions is proud to recognise the CTA, and especially its leadership team, Sian Phillips and Marika Graham Woods, as GreenShield Award recipients. This recognition reflects their long-standing service, their advocacy and their continued commitment to responsible, fair and community-focused industry development.

A Decade of Evolution and Influence

The CTA has played a central role throughout every stage of the British Cannabis sector’s evolution. It has provided continuity during periods of regulatory uncertainty, supported businesses through major transitions and acted as a trusted point of contact for organisations seeking clarity during times of change.

Over the years, the CTA has adapted to new legislation, new industry expectations and new scientific and regulatory frameworks. This adaptability has been vital to the stability and direction of the UK cannabis ecosystem.

Leadership Rooted in Service

Much of the CTA’s most consequential work is visible to those engaged with the sector, yet the full scale of its impact often goes unrecognised. While Sian and Marika are active, present, and respected internationally, a significant proportion of their leadership happens behind the scenes. This reflects a philosophy rooted in service rather than self-promotion. They have consistently invested substantial time, expertise, and emotional labour into supporting the UK cannabis sector, often without expectation of acknowledgement. The cumulative effect of this work has been both profound and foundational.

Their leadership includes sustained engagement with the British government and regulatory bodies, attending meetings that shape policy direction, regulatory interpretation, and enforcement priorities. By being present in these spaces, they have helped ensure that industry realities, patient needs, and operational challenges are properly understood by decision-makers, reducing the risk of policy misalignment and unintended consequences.

Acting as trusted intermediaries across multiple government departments, they have clarified regulatory positions, translated complex requirements into practical guidance, and fed sector concerns back in a constructive and credible way. This has played a critical role in reducing uncertainty, mitigating risk, and building long-term institutional trust in an emerging and often misunderstood sector.

Beyond policy, Sian and Marika have provided hands-on support to businesses navigating operational, legal, and ethical challenges. From guiding new entrants through a highly regulated landscape to supporting established organisations facing novel issues, their input has helped raise standards, avoid costly mistakes, and strengthen professional integrity across the ecosystem.

They have also stepped in to mediate policy disputes, address community concerns, and ensure patient and public voices are heard. Their support frequently extends beyond formal membership boundaries, with significant voluntary time dedicated to strengthening the sector as a whole. Taken together, this form of leadership has shaped the UK cannabis industry in ways that are often unseen but deeply consequential, creating space for responsible innovation, protecting vulnerable voices, and strengthening trust. Without it, the sector would be materially weaker, more fragmented, and far less credible.

Supporting the Entire Sector

One of the defining qualities of the CTA is its commitment to supporting the entire community, not only its membership base. Over the years, startups, charities, patient groups, advocacy organisations and small brands have benefited from the CTA’s guidance and willingness to help.

This approach has fostered a more inclusive ecosystem and strengthened the collective resilience of the sector. It has ensured that important discussions involve a broad range of perspectives and that organisations with limited resources can still access guidance when they need it most.

Rebuilding and Renewing the Field

In recent years, Sian and Marika have also played an important role in bringing together a new wave of committed, forward-looking industry participants. This renewed collaboration has contributed to a more unified and constructive tone across the sector.

Their work has helped rebuild structures, restore confidence and support responsible businesses seeking to contribute positively to the future of UK cannabis.

Congratulations to The Cannabis Trades Association: Honouring a Decade of Leadership in Service

This GreenShield Award recognises a decade of sustained service to the UK cannabis sector, marked by advocacy grounded in integrity, responsibility, and long-term thinking. It acknowledges countless hours of unseen and often challenging work, steady leadership through periods of regulatory and commercial complexity, and consistent support for organisations of all sizes across the ecosystem.

It also reflects a genuine commitment to patients, charities, and new entrants, and the quiet but significant effort required to foster dialogue, trust, and unity within a highly diverse and evolving field.

Global Cannabinoid Solutions is proud to recognise the CTA for its contribution and to stand alongside them as partners, working together toward a stronger, more coherent, and more collaborative sector.

Thank You, Sian and Marika

Your dedication over the past decade has shaped the foundations of the modern UK cannabis industry. Your leadership has supported businesses, strengthened relationships and helped create a more unified community.

Congratulations on this GreenShield Award. It is genuinely and wholeheartedly deserved.