A new nonprofit group has been created to represent the growing cannabis industry, with a focus on convincing Congress to pass legislation preventing the federal government from cracking down on states that legalize marijuana.

The Cannabis Trade Federation is a "national coalition of cannabis-related businesses that represent all aspects of the industry including cultivators, dispensaries, wholesalers, distributors and ancillary businesses," according to a statement from the group.

Neal Levine, a longtime figure in the cannabis industry and former board member of the National Cannabis Industry Association, was appointed CEO of the new group. CTF is being formed as a 501(c)(4) organization, meaning the group is not required to report its donors to the Internal Revenue Service under new guidance issued by the agency July 16.

The top priority for CTF is passage of the STATES Act, which would recognize the legal status of marijuana in states that choose to decriminalize the drug.

CTF's website is cannabistradefederation.com.

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