Norman Birenbaum is one of the country's most experienced cannabis regulators and leading regulatory experts. Norman was the Founding President of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), an association of cannabis regulatory agencies from across the United States that provides policy makers and regulatory agencies with the resources to make informed decisions when considering whether and how to legalize and regulate cannabis and hemp.

Norman served as Director of Cannabis Programs in New York from 2019 to 2022 where he oversaw the regulation, administration, and policy development for New York State’s medical marijuana, industrial and cannabinoid hemp industries, and led the state’s efforts to legalize cannabis for adult-use resulting int he passage of the MRTA. From 2015-2019, Norman led cannabis policy development and regulation for the state of Rhode Island including the restructuring of the state's medical marijuana program and creation of its hemp program. He also led the Governor's efforts to legalize cannabis for adult use and established the Rhode Island Office of Cannabis Regulation (OCR), the country's first cannabis regulatory office with consolidated authority over both hemp and marijuana licensees and products.

Norman was the founder and managing partner of Pear Tree Strategies, a consulting practice providing regulatory analysis, policy development, and strategic planning to governments implementing cannabis and hemp regulatory frameworks. Pear Tree Strategies also advised regulatory and financial compliance technology firms and Fortune 500 companies navigating the complex cannabis and hemp landscape.