The Cannabis Diversity Report with Tahir Johnson

In this episode of The Cannabis Diversity Report, host Tahir Johnson explores the intersection of hip hop, cannabis, and politics with a stellar lineup of guests: Havoc of Mobb Deep, entrepreneur Shiest Bubz, and Shana Melius, a recent Congressional candidate for New Jersey's 10th District. The discussion begins with each guest sharing their favorite weed songs, delving into how cannabis culture has influenced the music scene. Havoc reflects on the role of cannabis in shaping the gritty, authentic sound of Mobb Deep, while Shiest Bubz talks about how cannabis has become a cornerstone of hip hop entrepreneurship. Shana Melius, who recently ran for Congress and is the co-founder of March For Equity, adds a critical political perspective. She emphasizes the importance of voting and political engagement, especially for communities affected by cannabis legislation. The conversation also touches on how cannabis has become a catalyst for political activism, influencing legislative reforms and driving social justice movements. This episode offers a rich discussion on how cannabis intersects with music, business, and politics, making it essential listening for those interested in the cultural and political dimensions of cannabis. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cannabisdiversity/support

James Edwards and Timothy Island serve as Co-CEOS at GreenSTOP INC, an ancillary technology company that provides automated solutions for retailers. GreenSTOP's MISM (Multi-Interface Smart Machine) can simultaneously serve four customers on one single kiosk. The MISM has the smallest footprint in its class which means more dollars per-square foot. The kiosk only takes up a 31inch footprint and can serve 4 customers at a time. It would take 4 traditional vending machines to do this in a much larger footprint. The Smart Dispensary platform champions itself on being the fastest way to purchase cannabis. A well-informed cannabis shopper can purchase cannabis on the MISM kiosk in as little as 30 seconds. To learn more about GreenSTOP visit www.greenstop.us --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cannabisdiversity/support

The Cleveland School of Cannabis is the only State Approved Career School for Cannabis education east of Colorado. CSC has industry leading affiliates in all major sectors of the cannabis industry. We work diligently to offer top notch cannabis education. Employers can be confident that when they hire CSC alumni, that they are getting individuals who are well equipped to represent their company with dignity. CSC is setting new standards to bring a level of prestige and professionalism that the cannabis industry has yet to see. CSC develops leaders and provides students with the skills and education necessary to take advantage of every opportunity that arises as a result of a new budding industry. To learn more about The Cleveland School of Cannabis visit http://www.csceducation.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cannabisdiversity/support

Black Cannabis Week (BCW22) is a collective web of educational and informational experiences to empower Black communities to move toward social and political change. In collective work, we aim to educate, destigmatize, and advance social justice efforts. The Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities (DACO) was established to help promote the awareness of cannabis in Black and Brown communities. Like other concerns and similarities, inequities in cannabis exist throughout the diaspora. We desire to ensure marginalized communities access and information to the opportunities in cannabis to generate positive change. You can learn more about Black Cannabis Week at https://www.wearedaco.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cannabisdiversity/support

Originally from the Bronx, Will started his career at top advertising agencies in New York and Los Angeles, but quickly realized he wasn't passionate about the day to day. He began working at friends' grow in Los Angeles in 2014 and soon after quit his job to dive into growing cannabis full-time. Will packed up and moved to Oregon 5 years ago and co-founded Magic Hour Cannabis- a boutique indoor cultivation operation right outside of Portland. Blending his knowledge of marketing/brand building and growing high-quality organic cannabis, Will has been able to help grow Magic Hour into one of the most respected brands in the state. He also has had a hand in crafting other top cannabis brands/grows in the state as a consultant. Will has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, CNN, VICE and other outlets due to the organic and rapid growth of Magic Hour as a brand. He's also passionate about empowering other young entrepreneurs of color to channel their love for cannabis and get into the industry. To learn more about Magic Hour Cannabis visit https://www.magichourcannabis.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Richeda Ashmeade is a Last Prisoner Project constituent who is heading into her second year of law school in Atlanta, GA. From competing on the San Diego Poetry Slam Team to recently opening for Ghostface Killa in NYC she is using her poetic platform to inspire her career in cannabis and fight back against her father's unfair 22 year sentence for cannabis. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Lawrence Hudson Jr is a Government Affairs Associate with Cronos Group, a globally diversified and vertically integrated cannabis company with a presence across four continents. Lawrence received his JD from Howard University School of Law. He also holds a Master's Degree in Television, Radio and Film from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and BS in Criminal Justice from with a Minor in Public Relations from St. John's University. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc and hails from Queens New York. To learn more about Cronos Group visit www.thecronosgroup.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Toi Hutchinson is the President and CEO of The Marijuana Policy Project. Toi served as an Illinois Senator, representing the 40th District from 2009 to 2019. During her time in the Senate, Hutchinson championed a variety of causes including protecting women and children from violence, modernizing the state's tax structure, and legalizing cannabis. Prior to leaving the Senate, she served as the 46th president of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Toi is an original co-sponsor of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), the most equity-centric law in the nation to legalize adult-use cannabis. The CRTA promotes equity and invests in the communities that suffered through the war on drugs, serving as a model for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis. In 2019, former Senator Hutchinson was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker as the Senior Advisor to the Governor for Cannabis Control. Toi earned a Bachelor of English degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a law degree from Northern Illinois University College of Law. She resides in Olympia Fields with her husband, with whom she shares three adult children. To learn more about The Marijuana Policy Project visit www.mpp.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Terrell Taylor is Inventory Manager at MedLeaf Dispensary in Upper Marlboro, MD. Terrell recently launched an app called The MJ Connect that helps cannabis patients find daily deals. To learn more about The MJ Connect visit www.themjconnect.com Check out MedLeaf Dispensary at www.med-leaf.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Kristin Jordan is the Founder + CEO of Park Jordan, a commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services firm serving the cannabis industry.  She is also an attorney, drug policy activist, and thought leader. Until recently, Kristin served as the Director of Real Estate at Acreage Holdings. In that role, Kristin led Acreage's efforts with regard to selecting real estate sites for the company's national footprint of cultivation, processing, and dispensary facilities, managing internal and external relationships, and negotiating and administering leases. Prior to her work in the cannabis sector, she practiced real estate law at several boutique firms and managed real estate portfolios for Kaplan, Inc., Morgan Stanley, and SoulCycle. She is a frequent speaker on real estate, cannabis regulations, and social equity and economic justice issues and in 2019 was distinguished by Forbes as one of “Fifteen Powerful and Innovative Women in Cannabis Right Now."   Kristin's passion for advancing cannabis reform has extended to a variety of professional and non-profit endeavors. She is the Founder and CEO of Mannada, a NYC-based cannabis professional event production company, which launched The Maze, a weekly cannabis event listing newsletter, as well as the Cannabis Summit Series including the Cannabis Media Summit, Cannabis Real Estate Summit, and Cannabis Law Summit. Kristin is also a co-founder of the Cannabis Cultural Association, a non-profit organization, and the founder of the Asian Cannabis Roundtable, a professional networking organization, both of which she served as Executive Director. Additionally, Kristin is a member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Cannabis and the Minority Cannabis Business Association Policy Committee. To learn more about Park Jordan visit parkjordan.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

420NJEvents is Black Owned Cannabis Lifestyle Brand focused on advocating for minorities that have been disproportionately impacted by the "War on Drugs." The company is Co-Founded by CEO Stanley Okoro and VP, Brendon Robinson. They've held Expungement Clinics, Cannabis Career Workshops, and Educational Seminars and look to be the bridge between the large corporations and the disenfranchised neighborhoods they wish to operate. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Ebony Andersen has over 15 years of experience as a land-use professional. She routinely works with special interest groups and legislative lobbyists on environmentally controversial or politically sensitive projects, including medicinal and adult-use cannabis programs in the Los Angeles region. Andersen has managed several dozen cannabis projects, including cultivation sites, extensive manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, retail locations in California, and consulted on projects in Washington, Oklahoma, and Nevada. She is known for helping operators convert their traditional or start-up cannabis businesses into fully functional, compliant operations. Her knowledge, expertise, and work ethic have dubbed her the "Olive Pope" of planning because she can execute complicated and convoluted projects when others cannot.  Andersen enjoys entrepreneurship. It's natural to see her working on policy projects, managing construction, functioning as an executive, securing cannabis licenses, and chairing a school board committee--all in one day! She credits her success to a non-traditional home life where her husband is a stay-at-home-dad who doubles as an office assistant. As she puts it, "He manages my life, while I manage everyone else's." Each day, Andersen lives the #BossLife she used to dream of, demonstrating that women indeed can have it all. When she's not working, she enjoys solving her son's riddles and taking family trips to Disneyland.  To learn more about Josephine & Billie's visit @josephineandbillies https://www.josephineandbillies.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

The  Cleveland  School  of  Cannabis  is  the  only  State  Approved  Career School for Cannabis  education  east  of Colorado.  CSC  has  industry  leading  affiliates  in  all  major sectors  of  the  cannabis  industry.  We  work diligently  to  offer  top  notch  cannabis education.  Employers  can  be confident that  when  they  hire  CSC alumni,  that  they  are getting  individuals  who are  well  equipped to  represent their company  with  dignity.  CSC is  setting new  standards  to  bring  a level  of prestige  and  professionalism  that  the cannabis  industry  has  yet to see.   CSC  develops  leaders and  provides students  with  the skills  and  education  necessary  to  take  advantage  of every opportunity  that  arises  as  a result of  a new budding  industry. To learn more about Cleveland School of Cannabis visit https://csceducation.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

New Jersey native Tiyahnn Bryant started Roll Up Life in 2018 after noticing a significant gap within the cannabis industry. While networking and learning more about how the industry operates, he became aware of the lack of black faces and others with his background represented within the cannabis community. As a result, Tiyahnn began on a voyage that would later become Roll Up Life Inc., a technology-based cannabis company that offers a unique and secure delivery experience that covers all transportation needs for growers, dispensaries and consumers in New Jersey. Established to roll with the cannabis industry as it continues to bloom, the Roll Up Life platform will connect the entire cannabis industry from seed to sale.Through partnerships, brand distributions, and valued relationships, Tiyahnn has made Roll Up Life the only black-owned business of its kind in the entire cannabis industry. At this stage, Roll Up delivers CBD-infused products like teas, essential oils and lotions to customers in parts of North Jersey, and sells its own products on its online storefront. It's been a great way for the company to test its infrastructure in advance of what is expected to be a multi-billion dollar cannabis (THC) market fully opens following New Jersey's recent legalization of adult use marijuana. To learn more about Roll Up Life visit rolluplife.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Kaliko Castille is the Board Chair and Co-Founder of ThndrStrm Strategies, a digital marketing and strategic communications firm. Before starting ThndrStrm, Kaliko spent 10 years in the marijuana reform movement, starting out as an activist and intern for NORML before going on to start a political action committee to raise money for legalization and eventually start a dispensary. Kaliko went on to run sales and marketing for various cannabis industry startups, eventually leading the business development and marketing teams for National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA). To learn more about MCBA visit minoritycannabis.org --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Brittany Williams joined PharmaCann in April 2021 as the vice president of social equity, diversity & inclusion where she is leading the company's efforts to create long-term, meaningful and systemic changes and foster fairness, justice and equality in the cannabis industry. Prior to PharmCann, Brittany was the regional director of social equity and educational development (SEED) at Cresco Labs where she was instrumental in creating social equity strategy and programming. As the program director at Justice Grown, she established partnerships with Chicago-based nonprofits, community organizations and colleges to advance social and restorative justice and launch equity-based initiatives, most notably, Justice by Design, a paid employment residency program. Brittany also has held roles in web design, filmmaking and photography. She has a master's degree in nonprofit management from DePaul University and a bachelor's degree in mass communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Judge Shelli Hayes (ret.), Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, brings 5+ years of regulated cannabis industry experience to Bridge City Collective. She has been an active participant in the development and growth of the Illinois cannabis industry since the inception of the Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. In 2017 Judge Hayes moved to Nevada and co-founded a licensed Cannabis Processing facility, where she serves as Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer, & Corporate Secretary. In addition, she has served as the Chief Compliance Officer for a Hemp Company in Grand Junction, Colorado. Judge Hayes has extensive experience working various aspects of operational cannabis regulatory compliance, such as seed to sale, state tracking systems, security, record keeping, general construction, water rights, transportation, disposal and generally the cultivation, production and dispensing of legal hemp and cannabis. Additionally, she has worked with numerous cannabis startups from the ground floor, and with investors seeking to enter the industry through the creation of compliance programs and applications for licensure. She also currently serves as a liaison to cannabis business owners and uninitiated investors seeking to enter the industry. Her previous cannabis work, especially founding and operating a successful cannabis processing establishment, has given her an understanding of the products and services our company will produce, and she is excited to put her extensive expertise to use in her home state of Illinois. Judge Hayes also served as a Judge of the Circuit Court of a County in Illinois for 18 years. While on the bench, she acquired courtroom legal experience in business, marketing and management. Her last assignment was presiding over a high-volume Civil Jury Trial Courtroom. As a trial lawyer with a law firm in Chicago, IL, her legal practice specialized in real estate matters, condemnation, zoning, litigation and municipal law. Judge Hayes left private practice to serve as the Director of Real Estate Management, County and as Assistant Chief Attorney, County Forest Preserve. Judge Hayes' background led to her appointment to the Founding Board of Directors of a Minority Business Association and the Founding Board of Directors of the National Cannabis Legal Association in 2015. She is a Founder of the first annual Minority Business Association Opportunity Summit 2018, Daniels College of Business at University of Denver, which encouraged minority participation and policy reforms in the cannabis industry. Most recently, she became a Co-Founding Board Member of Cannabis Project, an initiative to increase success outcomes for cannabis businesses owned by people of color and headquartered in Portland Oregon. This was launched after the people of Portland voted to invest cannabis tax dollars into communities impacted by the war on drugs. Judge Hayes is admitted to the New York Bar and the Illinois Bar. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York and her Juris Doctorate Degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana. A social justice warrior, with a long history of commitment and change in Illinois, she will be a driving force in every decision our company makes. To learn more about Bridge City Collective visit www.bridgecitycollective.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Recognized on the InsiderNJ 2021 “Insider 100: Cannabis Power List” as an influential voice in the cannabis debate, Chirali started her journey in the cannabis industry through self-education and organic networking in legal states such as Colorado as early as 2016. Chirali went on to gain experience in facilitating vertical applications for medical cannabis licenses in New Jersey and in advising individuals on ancillary market opportunities. She is also an advocate in the community and was the South Asian liaison for NJ CAN 2020, the successful “vote yes” campaign led by the ACLU-NJ to legalize adult-use. Chirali is currently an attorney in the Cannabis & Hemp Law and Litigation practices at one of the top law firms in New Jersey, Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, P.C.    Chirali combined her business and legal experience and created Blaze Responsibly™️, a brand that aims to educate and empower the new generation of cannabis leaders. Chirali is also a Managing Partner and the Chief Compliance Officer for Digital Venture Partners, a majority black-owned cannabis portfolio company. She is an Executive Member for the New Jersey State Bar Association Cannabis Committee and is Co-Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Subcommittee. She is also a member of several industry organizations and speaks frequently on the topic in her professional and personal capacity.    Chirali devoted the early years of her career to serving the public, previously working for the County of Bergen as assistant county counsel, for the City of Hoboken as assistant corporation counsel and assistant prosecutor, and for the County of Passaic as a legal associate. Her prior litigation experience at Carella Byrne Cecchi Brody & Agnello, P.C. is on complex commercial litigation, including business torts and civil RICO claims against Fortune 500 companies, and complex class actions and mass tort litigation against pharmaceutical drug companies and automobile manufacturers. Chirali was also appointed as Liaison Counsel in the multidistrict litigation In re Elmiron as part of one of the most arguably diverse plaintiff's steering committees.   Chirali received her Bachelor's in Business Management from Rutgers University Business School in New Jersey and her J.D. from Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York.  To learn more about Blaze Responsibly visit blazeresponsibly.org --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

40 Tons is an equity-focused social impact cannabis brand in California's adult-use cannabis market that sells apparel and accessories to support those behind bars for cannabis charges, and goes further to provide support as they re-enter society. To learn more about 40 Tons Brand visit 40tons.co --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Cae Jones is an expert in all things Black Botany! He's been growing his own jungle of over 60 Houseplants, Vegetables, Herbs, and Cannabis for the past 2 years. He explores Cannabis Science and Education as The Potanist! (pot botanist) and wants to educate as many people as he can on how to grow their own plants to learn to connect with nature! To learn more about Cae Jones visit junglecae.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Antuanette is an International Speaker and Cannabis Business Maven. She is the Founder + CEO of Pleasure Peaks, a Cannabinoid Sexual Health Company. She is also the Director of Canada at M4MM . And mentors many startups in the emerging cannabis industry globally within the legal framework through her business accelerator, the Green Rush Program. Her passion and love for uplifting entrepreneurs shows in her everyday life. For the past 6 years, she has been helping people start, buy, and sell brands/companies in the cannabis industry. With an extensive background in executive work and medical cannabis education, she has a thorough understanding of the cannabis market and knows what it takes to navigate the legal framework. She has been recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Scholar, made it to the Top 50 Toronto Life's Most Influential list, and has been seen on Breakfast Television, FLARE, Forbes, VICE, Elle Magazine, Cannabis Radio and so much more. Join the Green Rush Mentorship Program with Antuanette Gomez herself! Learn how to cash in on the green rush with her cannabis playbook. You'll learn how to effectively create a niche cannabis product line with access to manufacturers at your fingertips. This program is for any entrepreneur, medical professional or cannabis enthusiast wanting to get involved in the cannabis industry. Find her at www.AntuanetteGomez.com, www.PleasurePeaks.com, on FaceBook, and on Twitter @PleasurePeaks, or Instagram @Pleasure_Peaks, and @Antuanetteg @ItsAtuanette --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Michael Malcolm was born and raised on the south side of Chicago! ⁣⁣⁣

After graduating from law school and spending time working for the United States Attorney's Office in Miami, Florida, upon her return to California Amber has been actively involved in the commercial cannabis industry. Currently, Amber Norwood is the co-founder of Weed the People Law (www.weedthepeoplelaw.com) which helps both cannabis entrepreneurs and industry veterans win licenses, remain in compliance on both the local and state level, optimize facility design, standardize operations, and maximize business development. Ms. Norwood has over four years' experience navigating medical and recreational marijuana regulations in California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland. Her licensing application expertise is unmatched in the industry – having won over 62 licenses for clients, she specializes in writing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures across all aspects of the industry. Her implementational oversight, coupled with her legal training and personal drive, has positioned her to become a vital addition to both established brands and newbies wanting to enter the industry. Amber has worked with some of the leading cannabis brand cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and retail dispensaries in the industry. Most recently she was brought onboard as the Chief Compliance Officer for Element 7, LLC as it continues to expand its cannabis footprint across the state of California with licenses that cover seed to sale: Cultivation, Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail and Delivery. Element 7 has recently merged with Mercer Park Brand in a deal worth $567 million (https://www.globenewswire.com/newsrel...) . Located in the heart of the “Green Rush” Los Angeles, California she has a pulse on what is happening in the industry before it makes headlines. Amber is currently working on a female-focused cannabis line called PAIISE (www.pausebrands.com) which will cater to the canna-curious female market, and supply a range of mini pre-rolls, pens, tinctures, and edibles to consumers. Amber is clearing the way for more women to enter the industry which is primarily male dominated. She is a member of Minorities in Cannabis Business Association, Women Grow, NORML, NDICA, Los Angeles Young Professionals Urban League and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce. Amber resides in Pasadena with her six-year-old daughter, Ayris. In her free-time Amber volunteers with Girls Inc., the Impact Project, and Union Station Homeless Services. She is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana (B.A. Political Science), and Southern University Law Center (J.D.). To learn more about Weed The People Law visit https://weedthepeoplelaw.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Janessa Bailey serves as the Culture Editor for Leafly. With a background in content, activism, and African-American studies, Janessa focuses on inclusion in the cannabis industry – and specifically on owning the power and responsibility of creating a more just and equitable industry. Her writing for Leafly examines the equity, cannabis businesses, and the War on Drugs, among other topics pertaining to cannabis lifestyles, trends, and culture. Janessa is the principal author of Leafly's inaugural Seeds of Change report, which takes a multifaceted look at the cannabis industry and social justice issues, and measures states' efforts in making social equity a foundational part of cannabis legalization. She is committed to helping states craft thoughtful and intentional policy, with this report playing a key role in Leafly's overall work to create equity in the cannabis industry. To read Leafly's Seeds of Change report visit https://bit.ly/3ClYbF5 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Shaleen Title is an Indian-American attorney and longtime drug policy activist. She currently serves as Distinguished Cannabis Policy Practitioner in Residence at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law's Drug Enforcement and Policy Center and as vice-chair of the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition. She is a frequent keynote speaker and consultant on cannabis policy and has testified in front of governmental bodies around the world about restorative justice in marijuana laws. As CEO of the crowdfunded policy project Parabola Center, she co-authored 2021 model federal amendments focusing on people rather than corporate profits. In 2017, she was appointed by the Massachusetts governor, attorney general, and treasurer to serve as one of five inaugural commissioners of the Cannabis Control Commission, the agency tasked with regulating legal and medical marijuana in the commonwealth. Her three-year term was extended to December 31, 2020. Described as “the people's weed watchdog” in Boston Magazine's 2019 Power List, she was widely recognized during her term for her focus on racial justice and her efforts to make the cannabis industry more fair and inclusive. Previously, in her role as a founding board member of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, she led the creation of the MCBA Model Bill, the first state-level model bill created to give states guidance to implement a process of reinvestment and reconciliation. She also served as a trustee for Students for Sensible Drug Policy and a board member of the National Lawyers Guild. She was a co-founder of THC Staffing, the first recruiting firm focused on inclusion in the cannabis industry, and was part of the multistate tax group at Deloitte Tax. Shaleen's interviews have been featured in outlets including PBS NewsHour, Politico, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, The Guardian, Vice News, and many NPR stations, and she has written guest op-eds for The Boston Globe, Philadelphia Inquirer, Commonwealth Magazine, Marijuana Moment, and Boston Business Journal. She is an alumna of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a public magnet school with an emphasis on developing problem solvers, and she holds a business degree, law degree, and graduate degree in accounting from the University of Illinois. To learn more about The Parabola Center visit theparabolacenter.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Otha was born in Lothian, Md located in beautiful Southern Anne Arundel County. An entrepreneur at an early age, he started his first business, Aggressive Detailing LLC, while still in high school. Aggressive Detailing grew to provide on-site detailing services to residential and commercial customers and created long term contractual agreements with car dealerships and Marina's throughout Maryland, DC and Virginia area. While growing this business, He graduated from Bowie State University with a degree in Business Marketing. After the recession in 2008, Otha closed Aggressive Detailing and secured an Outside Sales position at Constellation Energy, selling solar to residential and commercial customers. During his 5 year tenure, he achieved President's Club 4 out 5 years and was promoted to team leader. In his spare time he enjoys running 5k and 8k races, biking through various trails in MD and VA, and watching Mobster movies with family and friends. As a medical patient, Otha found it extremely important to keep track of the cannabis products he purchased. After trying so many products he quickly realized he couldn't remember how each product made him feel which led him to find a better solution for cannabis patients. To learn more about Tetragram visit tetragramapp.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Niambe Mcintosh is the last child of the revolutionary musician and activist Peter Tosh. Despite being the youngest of nine, Niambe is an executive of her father's estate and brand. In addition, she puts heavy emphasis on a health and wellness lifestyle while advocating for freedom, justice, and equity. Born in Jamaica and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Niambe is a frequent traveler between the two distinctly different worlds. As a precocious child and young adult, she recognized society's disparities in lifestyle, infrastructure, income, and opportunities; thus, her passion for helping those who are marginalized ignited. McIntosh first graduated the Wentworth Institution of Technology with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, then later obtained her Master's degree in Education. Niambe spent her early twenties as an engineer, but her passion for children influenced her to change her career. After teaching in the Boston Public School system for a decade, in February of 2017, Niambe's career as a teacher was abruptly interrupted by a serious and unfortunate event. While incarcerated for cannabis possession, Jawara McIntosh (Tosh1), a musician, cannabis activist, and son of Peter Tosh, was brutally attacked in jail. Since then, on behalf of the Tosh Family, Niambe launched Justice for Jawara, a campaign geared towards breaking the stigma around cannabis and supporting families directly affected by its prohibition. In 2016, the Tosh family opened the Peter Tosh Museum, a landmark edifice located in Kingston, Jamaica. The museum exhibits and codifies the physical and intellectual properties of its namesake, Peter Tosh. In 2017, Niambe and her family founded the Peter Tosh Foundation. The philanthropic intent of the Peter Tosh Foundation is to uphold her father's legacy through education, empowerment, and advocacy. Niambe is a woman who is serious about transforming minds and furthering equal rights and justice. She wishes to use the foundation in order to serve as a mechanism for disseminating the ideals of freedom, justice and equity to the international platform. Niambe McIntosh urges you to visit the Peter Tosh Museum in Kingston, Ja, and delve into the life and legacy of Peter Tosh. Furthermore, Niambe is available for speaking engagements, consulting and other forms of outreach. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Known as the Lioness of Marketing, Martine aims to serve as the GPS for Black and Brown founders in the cannabis space, empowering them to start, build and scale their businesses through a mix of education and collaboration. Martine's work in the cannabis space aims to level the playing field and bring social equity to the communities affected the most by its legalization, connecting the dots between the Cagrowing corporate cannabis industry and the legacy market. After seven years in Digital Marketing, she pivoted to focus her career exclusively on the cannabis industry. Her life's work is to help people with a vision create an impact in their communities through cannabis entrepreneurship. To learn more about Cannulation University visit https://cannalution.app/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Cimone Casson is a cannabis insurance agent and the owner of Cannas Capital an insurance company that focuses on the protection needs of cannabis and crafting brewing businesses. Cannas Capital produces tailor-made insurance portfolios for legal marijuana businesses and craft brewers in order for them to operate with the same peace of mind as other companies despite their unique risk. Insurance helps solidify the businesses structure and mitigate risk. With Cannas Capital, companies can find broad insurance protection including employee benefits, delivery fleets, and crop and inventory. Cimone attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan completing studies in art; she used her love for beauty and fashion to establish her first business in Chicago. Cimone opened a make-up studio and spa that was featured in the Chicago Sun Times and Red Eye Chicago. She gradually climbed the ladder of small business success and her clientele and revenue grew. It came to an abrupt halt in 2009 with the great recession, which forced her to close the business. She learned that the only plausible way to save her business would have been to use bank loans, but due to her unfamiliarity with the banking system and credit requirements, she was not able to do so. This life-changing experience motivated her to enhance her current knowledge of banking and investing and it inspired her to study finance. Cimone frequently speaks around the country on the importance of minorities investing in cannabis via co-op crops and stocks. She also educates individuals on how to create cannabis-based stock portfolios. To learn more about Cannas Capital visit www.cannascapital.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Cherissa Jackson, a registered nurse and retired Air Force combat clinician, with 23 years of active duty service, deployed three times during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as a battlefield clinician. Jackson is a passionate author and speaker, single mother of twin daughters, and determined ambassador and advocate for patients and Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Cherissa heads AMVETS National's HEAL Program, which strives to confront the risk factors that lead to crisis and veteran suicide. She leads AMVETS' efforts to address issues related to women veterans and champion legislation that improves access to quality healthcare. Cherissa is hosting the AMVETS Alternative Healthcare Summit on June 27, 2021 (PTSD Awareness Day) to discuss options for holistic health and economic empowerment through cannabis. To learn more about the AMVETS Alternative Healthcare Summit visit the website here. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

A former “Big 4” accounting professional, Naomi Granger has over 15 years of experience in both public accounting and industry accounting. Over 4 years ago, Naomi decided to try her hat at entrepreneurship and has never looked back. Naomi recognized a void in the cannabis industry and founded the National Association of Cannabis Accounting and Tax Professionals (NACAT Pros) in order to bring proper bookkeeping, accounting and tax practices to cannabis businesses. NACAT Pros provides educational tools for accountants and financial professionals to enter into the cannabis industry for untapped professional potential. Our mission is to help accountants fall back in love with accounting again, by changing the current state of the accounting industry from being high stress, highly competitive; to a collaborative, value producing asset to our client's businesses. Naomi has a regular expert column in Marijuana Business Daily, one of the top trade publications in the cannabis industry and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Cheddar TV, on the cover of the Las Vegas Sun, and dozens of other accounting and cannabis publications. To learn more about The National Association of Cannabis Accounting and Tax Professionals visit nacatpros.org --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Mariah Dodson is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, US Army veteran and local politician who serves as Vice-Chair of the California City, CA City. In 2013 she enrolled at HBCU, Virginia State University but departed after one year to enlist in the Army where shed graduated basic training at the top of her class. She is the owner of a retail CBD store, Evolution of Healing, and Dust to Diamonds, an eco-friendly medical cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility that is currently under development. To learn more about Evolution of Healing visit evolutionofhealing.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Jerel Registre is Managing Director of the Curio WMBE Fund. The fund was started by Maryland cannabis company Curio Wellness with the goal of investing $30 million dollars to support up to fifty women, minorities, and disabled veterans to open and operate a Curio franchise with a path to 100% ownership in 3 years. To learn more about The Curio Wellness visit https://curiowellness.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Gia V Morón is the President for Women Grow. She oversees the company's day-to-day operations, internal and external communications, education programming, and strategic partnerships. She began working with Women Grow headquarters in January 2017 as Director of Communications, after transitioning from the Women Grow New York City market in 2016. With 25 years of experience in public relations, in 2012 Gia launched GVM Communications, Inc., a public relations, brand and business development firm. Her client base ranges from small to mid-sized businesses, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, authors and celebrity clients. Prior to launching her firm and working with Women Grow, she was a Media Relations Officer in the Corporate Communications department for fifteen years at the Goldman Sachs Group Inc. While at Goldman Sachs, Gia oversaw various business areas from Private Equity, Urban Investment, Investment Research and Technology to the firm's organizational focus on Corporate Engagement, Diversity, Recruiting, Human Resources and Corporate Services. Before joining Goldman Sachs, Gia was Director of Promotions and Publicity for six years at The Fremantle Corporation, an international television distribution and production company. Outside of her professional accomplishments, she continuously works with a number of non-profit organizations in New York City and mentors up-and-coming young women entrepreneurs across the country to South Africa. Gia currently resides in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY, with her daughter. To learn more about Women Grow visit https://womengrow.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Bryant Bowens from Gary, IN, is the Co Founder of CRONJA Culture LLC, Partner at Murano Tips & JC RAD Inc. CRONJA is a consumer lifestyle brand that caters to a wide range of different needs within the cannabis industry, from high end accessoires to full service distribution and business development consulting. To learn more about CRONJA Culture visit https://www.cronjaculture.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Cannabis doing good is a platform to create opportunities for cannabis and communities to collaborate, to inspire new ways of people, planet and business engagement, and to showcase companies doing good. Cannabis Doing Good aims to create a purpose-driven cannabis network, showcase companies doing good, and set the standard for social responsibility in the cannabis sector. Courtney Mathis is the CEO and co-founder of Cannabis Doing Good and Kelly Perez is President/co-founder. To learn more about Cannabis Doing Good visit https://cannabisdoinggood.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Venus Hemachandra is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Herbiculture. Herbiculture is one of a very few minority and woman owned medical cannabis dispensaries in Maryland, with just recently receiving the pre-approvals to operate medical cannabis cultivation and manufacturing operations in Maryland. Venus got her start in Canada, with her and the team obtaining one of the very first pre-approvals to operate in Canada as a licensed medical cannabis producer in 2013. Since then, Herbiculture has recently obtained a retail operator license, which allows for 30 dispensary locations in Ontario, Canada, with the first store front expected to open in April. Venus also plays an active role in the Maryland Medical Dispensary Association (MDMDA) where she currently co-chairs the diversity and inclusion initiative, DREAM. She has since joined the Board of the Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association and has been recognized as one of 10 key players in Maryland's legal cannabis space by the Baltimore Business Journal. To learn more about Herbiculture visit https://www.herbiculture.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Ngaio Bealum is an American comedian, musician, writer, actor, activist, juggler and publisher. He co-hosted Cannabis Planet and published West Coast Cannabis Magazine. Bealum hosted his own podcast on Cannabis Radio, which was formatted as a travelogue of cannabis events with a discussion on cannabis topics and trends. He writes a column in Sacramento News & Review, answering questions from readers about marijuana and its politics, and currently hosts on cannabis education and trivia app Daily Bonfire. He was also the host of Neflix's first cannabis show, Cooking on High. Ngaio was born in San Francisco to hippie parents, leading to jokes about how he got his name. As an entertainer and activist, Bealum is often a guest speaker on television and cultural commentary podcasts, notably on topics concerning the cannabis industry. He regularly hosts High Times events, and participates in the annual International Cannabis Business Conference. His debut comedy album "Weed and Sex" was released in 2012. Bealum was also a member of the award winning hip hop band Most Chill Slackmob (vocals, percussion), and 1994 People's Choice Award winner of the International Jugglers Association Fest. Bealum has a line of cannabis "pre-rolls" through Mothership Farms, where he showcases interesting Cannabis strains through his close relationship with growers. The first release was Tahoe Nebula. He also has a featured strain through Natural Cannabis' "High Life Celebrities" line. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

With a background in biochemistry and microbiology, as well as being the founder, CEO, and market leader for several cannabis companies, Susan Hwang has a solid understanding of the positive impact cannabis can have on the human body. Propelled by the desire to provide people the positive benefits of cannabis without having to compromise mental clarity, Susan founded DailyDose—a luxury online and retail store that focuses on premium, CBD products. When Susan isn't working at DailyDose or as the CEO and Class A member of Jamestown Center, Inc., founder and CEO of cannabis consulting firm SH Management Services, LLC, and CEO of Susu Holdings, LLC, Susan is heavily involved in philanthropic endeavors. She actively supports causes committed to gender and racial equality, volunteering for Girls who Inspire, Volunteer and Empower (G.I.V.E), and is an advocate for One Community, which supports LGBTQ rights. Within the cannabis community, Susan serves as Market Leader for Women Grow Phoenix and Women Grow Los Angeles, one of the largest national networks for cannabis entrepreneurs. To learn more about Best Dispensary visit https://bestdispensary.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Andrew Farrior is the Managing Partner at Digital Venture Partners. He has over 10 years of Marketing, Communications, and Project Management experience. Digital Venture Partners was founded as one of the only minority-owned portfolio companies in the United States and is focused on the intersection of mainstream culture and cannabis. By collaborating with brands and platforms, they create quality cannabis content and branding that raises cannabis awareness in the minds of mainstream audiences from every background. Digital Venture Partners has been featured in Fortune Magazine, The Associated Press, Playboy, REVOLT, Cannabis Business Times, BET and more. To Learn More about Digital Venture Partners visit https://www.digitalventure.partners/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Yoko Miyashita is the CEO of Leafly, the world's definitive cannabis information resource and a marketplace to connect consumers with cannabis retailers and brands. Miyashita joined Leafly in 2019 as General Counsel, where she led Leafly's position and policies on key compliance and government affairs issues to maintain and progress the company's reputation as a trusted and authoritative cannabis resource. Prior to Leafly, Miyashita served as General Counsel at Getty Images. Download the Leafly app on your phone and visit www.leafly.com to learn more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

A child of Yahweh, Husband, Father, Hard Worker, Hustla, Alphonso (Tucky) Blunt Jr., is a true testament to walking your path. The Owner of both Blunts + Moore dispensary, and Proud Papas clothing is a 5th generation Oakland native, that has opened the 1st dispensary under Oakland's Cannabis Equity Program. While growing up in Oakland, California during the war on drugs era, he managed to stay out of trouble and maintain a 4.0 gpa and a full time job while in high school. He was also using and selling cannabis. Cannabis sales to him was another form of employment. In 1999 while on an errand with his grandmother, she had him go to a dispensary, from that day forward his mission was to own one for himself, so he could sale cannabis legally. He worked at and was a vendor for multiple bay area dispensaries from 1999-2004. In 2003 he attempted to become an owner of a dispensary, and was told blacks would never own in this business. In 2004 he was arrested for possession with the intent to sale, and given 10 years of felony probation with a 4 way search clause. Still determined to learn more on the legal side, he attended and graduated from Oaksterdam University in 2008. In true path formation, had he not been arrested, he would not have qualified for the Equity program... Now as the 1st person to open a dispensary under Oakland's Equity program, he is finally continuing on that path of ownership. His goals and values are still spiritual and family driven. He is looking to change the face of the cannabis industry, one location at a time. Blunts + Moore opened its doors on November 24th, 2018 to a huge crowd, great food, and lifted spirits. A native born son, selling cannabis legally in OAKLAND!!! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Kim Napoli is the Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Affairs at Parallel, one of the largest privately-held multi-state cannabis operators in the U.S. Kim served as the Director of Outreach for the successful Yes on 4 Campaign to Regulate and Tax Marijuana in Massachusetts in 2016. Now, as a Massachusetts Cannabis Advisory Board member, Kim helps develop and deliver messaging regarding social justice and equality in the Massachusetts cannabis industry in order to support and bolster equity in ownership amongst disparately impacted communities such as her own. To learn more about Parallel visit https://www.liveparallel.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Richard Ng is a ‘cannapreneur' who is committed to creating an equitable cannabis industry. As a Social Impact consultant he worked with startups in the San Francisco Bay Area to increase their community impact. In his decade of experience in the cannabis industry he has worked with Washington state–based and BIPOC owned legacy brands Gold Leaf Gardens and Leira Cannagars on business development and social impact strategies, and with Make Green Go as a technical assistance provider for the City of Oakland's Social Equity Program. He currently works with the leading cannabis and hemp manufacturing software provider Backbone as a sales enablement and operations specialist and is a social impact program coordinator for the world's most recognized cannabis brand, Cookies. To learn more about Backbone visit https://www.backboneiq.com/ and Cookies at https://cookies.co/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Ishaq Ali is the Social Impact Manager at Eaze. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fresno State with a degree in Political Science, Middle Eastern studies, and a certificate of legal studies focusing on War on Terror and War on Drug Policy. After a fellowship at UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy, he shifted his focus to cannabis related policy, studying the disproportionate effects of decriminalization vs. legalization and its effects on communities of color. Ishaq started at Eaze in late 2017 focusing on growth and analytics, eventually moving to the legal team in 2018 to focus on building internal compliance programs as the regulated market began to emerge, helping Eaze launch over 200 cities in CA. Ishaq then shifted focus to social impact in early 2019, tasked with building Momentum, Eaze's business accelerator focusing on supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. Since the fall of 2019 he has been directing and managing the Momentum Program, supporting 10 small businesses based out of CA and OR. Momentum is now accepting applications for its second nationwide, the deadline to apply is Dec. 15. To Learn more about the Eaze Momentum Program visit https://www.eaze.com/momentum --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Mary Jane Oatman is a mitochondrial matriarch of the Nimiipuu people who inherited the responsibility of recuperating sacred sites and restoring traditional economies. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Indigenous Cannabis Coalition. The mother of three is known for her advocacy of returning to indigenous knowledge systems that strengthen humanity.  Amir Caliph El Bey aka Chief Red Wolf is an educator and well known historian, and student of international law. CEO and Founder of the Indigenous Hemp Education Association, and a hemp advocate and activist with focus on Social Equity. He is a proven MMJ industry research and development consultant. To learn more about ICANNC visit https://indigenouscannabiscoalition.com/. To learn more about The IHEA visit https://www.indigenoushistoryofhemp.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

She Blaze is a trailblazing podcast bringing Cannabis culture from a woman's perspective to the mainstream. Co-hosts Dasheeda and Ice are millennial women offering a frank and funny take on the industry, combining keen business insight with head-nodding real talk, news, reviews, and interviews. Welcome to a bold new take on the high life.  The award-winning weekly show offers a glimpse into life of trendsetting thought-leader Dasheeda Dawson, with ‘Where in the World is The WeedHead™' and the fun, girly, cultural intersection with little sister, Ice Dawson, the Cannabis Socialite whose bubbly personality and striking white ensembles have made her a rising influencer on the cannabis social scene. Dasheeda is an internationally renowned cannabis leader and expert who has used her business acumen and background in molecular biology to shape multi-million dollar industry projects and currently serves as the Cannabis Program Supervisor for the city of Portland, OR. While Ice isn't just the life of the party, she also knows how to get it started as an event producer.  Together, they offer an incisive industry perspective fueled by their on-the-ground experience. Join them every Saturday at 9am PST/12pm EST for the latest from the world of cannabis. To learn more about The Weedhead™ & Company and She Blaze visit https://www.theweedhead.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Nadir Pearson, a recent graduate of Brown University is the founder of SMART (Student Marijuana Alliance for Research & Transparency) a national college cannabis community. After his freshman year a, Nadir was forced to retire from his Division 1 football career after suffering his sixth concussion. and made the pivot from a full-time student athlete to entrepreneur. He's now been featured in Forbes, Huff Post, and Entrepreneur. An expert digital strategist, Pearson has experience with Herb, High Times, Ardent Cannabis and some of the cannabis industry's most prominent media platforms. Nadir has also given a TED Talk on cannabis. You can learn more about SMART at https://studentmmj.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Leo Bridgewater Sr. currently serves as Director of Veteran's Outreach for Minorities for Medical Marijuana. Born and raised in Trenton NJ, he attended Trenton Central High School graduating in 1994. In 2001 Leo enlisted into the United States Army in response to the September 11 attacks in New York City and Washington DC and served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army Specialist. Leo's advocacy has seen him testify in NJ Senate Committee to have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) added to the NJ Medical Marijuana Program. In September of 2016 NJ Gov. Chris Christie signed bill S-2345 adding PTSD to the NJMMP. He is also a plaintiff in a lawsuit against Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice over the unconstitutional classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance. Harmony, the medical cannabis dispensary in Secaucus, honored Leo Bridgewater in time for Memorial Day by naming a cannabis strain after him, Bridge H2O. The strain was developed in consultation with Bridgewater to alleviate PTSD and anxiety, among other conditions, many veterans and others experience. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Rico Lamitte is the founder and CEO of Canivision. In 2016 a cancer scare led Lamitte to abruptly leave a nearly 10-year career in corporate finance into the cannabis industry. Rico's been able to successfully navigate the industry's notoriously difficult California business climate; building brands and forging lasting relationships throughout the state. He is also a TedX speaker and was the market leader for Los Angeles and Orange County chapters of Cannagather and was a co-founder of the National Diversity and Inclusion Cannabis Alliance (NDICA). To learn more about Canivision visit Canivision.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support

Landon Dais is the Chief Strategy Officer at Plant Inspired Future. He specializes in policy, employment, and construction litigation and is admitted in the 1st department of New York. In 2015, Dais was named pro-bono attorney of the year by Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center for his work handling drug convictions and arrests. Prior to joining PIF, Landon was the National Director of Partnerships for Medmen, one of the largest MJ companies in the US. He also previously served as the Political Director for the MJ Policy Project of New York (“MPP of NY”). Recently, Dais was given the prestigious NAACP Roy Wilkins Award in recognition of his work in policy, law and advocacy. In addition to his professional accolades Landon starred in the popular early reality show, Harlem Heights on BET. To learn more about PIF visit Livepif.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cannabisdiversity/support