The medical marijuana industry has a new trade organization in Washington, D.C., The New York Times reported Nov. 22.

The National Cannabis Industry Association — which will be officially launched at a December convention in Denver — will be the first national-level organization focused on marijuana. It will serve growers and dispensers of medical marijuana, as well as equipment suppliers.

“This is an industry in its infancy,” said Bob Selan, one of the new trade group's board members. “But it is an industry now.”

In addition to lobbying Congress, the trade group will also advise medical marijuana businesses on relevant local laws.

“A lot of times these dispensaries can make a huge capital investment only to find out that the local municipality changed its rules, and they have to close down,” said board member J.B. Woods, an insurance agent who serves medical marijuana businesses in several states. “You are in an industry that is very complicated, and ultimately it's about having a source of credible information.”