The Cannabis Diversity Report with Tahir Johnson

To learn more about MCBA visit minoritycannabis.org

To learn more about Bridge City Collective visit www.bridgecitycollective.com

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/

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

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.

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

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

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/

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/

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/

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/

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.

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/

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/

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/

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/

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. 

To learn more about PIF visit Livepif.com