​12th District of California

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Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been representing California’s 12th District (formerly 13th) since 1998. She is the highest ranking African American woman appointed to Democratic Leadership, serving as Co-Chair of the Policy and Steering Committee. She also serves on the Budget Committee, the powerful Appropriations Committee, which oversees all federal government spending, is the Chair of the Majority Leader’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity, Co-Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Cannabis Caucus. She is the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (111th Congress) and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (109th & 110th Congresses).

Chair CRCC

Founding Director, Cannabis NYC

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Dasheeda Dawson is The WeedHead™, a global cannabis advocate, award-winning strategist and bestselling author of How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industry. She has 20 years of business development and strategic management excellence while leading teams for United Way, Target and Victoria’s Secret. Currently, as Founding Director of Cannabis NYC she oversees the development of the city’s legal industry. She is also the Founding Chair of the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition (CRCC). Dasheeda received her MBA from Rutgers University and an undergraduate degree in molecular biology from Princeton University.

Vice Chair CRCC

Former Executive Director, Los Angeles

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Cat Packer is the director of drug markets and legal regulation at the Drug Policy Alliance, the vice chair of the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition, and a distinguished cannabis policy practitioner in residence at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center. From 2017 to 2022, Cat served as the first executive director of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation. Cat is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in public policy and management, and a law degree.

Senior Policy & Research Analyst

Cannabis NYC

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​Tosin Ajayi is a dedicated Senior Policy and Research Analyst for Cannabis NYC with a decade of experience in driving social change. She is a passionate cannabis advocate, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across various sectors. Tosin co-founded a CBD company to amplify wellness benefits, established CannaPolicy at NYU, and collaborates with impact-driven organizations to create an equitable cannabis industry. With a background in public health and public administration, she also has a successful nonprofit fundraising track record in cancer research and patient care. Tosin holds an MPA from New York University and a degree in Public Health from Rutgers University.

Executive Co-Director 

Central Florida Jobs With Justice​

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Jonathan has been involved in social justice organizing work for the last 10 years. First, as a student and organizer with the Student Labor Action Project chapter at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, and with the United States Student Association. He joined the Jobs with Justice network in 2014 as the membership organizer, working alongside FLIC staff and their various member groups throughout the state. Jonathan is a first-generation citizen born to parents who immigrated to the United states from the Bahamas via Uganda.

Commissioner
New Jersey  Cannabis Regulatory Commission

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Prior to being appointed by
Governor Phil Murphy to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Barker served four years as Constituent Advocate and Projects Specialist for the People on behalf of the Office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker. In that position he managed several policy areas, among them: cannabis, criminal justice reform, economic and small business development, and financial services. In 2018 Charles served as a Strategic Advisor to Anthony Cureton's successful election campaign. Cureton became the first Black sheriff in Bergen County.
Commissioner Barker, is an alumnus of Rutgers University where he received his Bachelor of Science. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from
Brooklyn Law School.

Executive Director

Emancipate NC

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Dawn Blagrove is an attorney and a proud graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and North Carolina Central School of Law. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in political science with a minor in Secondary Education, cum laude from FAMU, where she also obtained a Master’s Degree, magna cum laude, in Applied Social Science.

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With years of experience and an extensive background in post-conviction law and practice, she has emerged as a leading advocate against mass incarceration and systemic racism in North Carolina. Recognized by Governor Cooper as a subject matter expert, Dawn organizes community actions, provides public trainings, and engages in media discussions challenging the status quo. She is dedicated to educating youth and the public about criminal justice reform.

Public Health
Education Program Analyst
NYS Office of Cannabis Management

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Olivia Cahill is a public health and education program analyst, cannabis educator, and patient advocate. Since 2018, she has worked to destigmatize both medical and adult-use by promoting equitable and evidence-based cannabis policies that prioritize those disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization. Olivia’s mission is to create an informed, inclusive, and evidence-based cannabis industry and her efforts are reflected in her development of comprehensive cannabis educational materials and research efforts driving cannabis policy reformation nationwide. She holds a Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacology, a Bachelor of Arts in both English Literature and Public Relations from SUNY Plattsburgh, and certifications in Cannabusiness and Cannabis Horticulture from Oaksterdam University.

Executive Director 

City of Oakland Department of Race and Equity

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​Darlene Flynn has over 20 years of experience in City government policy and program management, having served in various capacities including City Council staff, public information specialist, and program manager. With more than a decade of providing racial equity training, she has built capacity for increasing racial justice in City government and the community. Darlene has extensively collaborated with cross-racial teams to bring about institutional and structural change, focusing on strategies that support People of Color in leadership development.

As a community activist passionate about equity in educational opportunities, Darlene served a four-year term on the Seattle Public School Board, transitioning theory into action for racial equity. In 2016, she became the Director of the new Department of Race and Equity in Oakland, California, where she continues to apply her expertise to lead and support the city's efforts to create a more just and equitable society.

Executive Director

Marijuana Justice 

Racial Justice Organizer

Chelsea was a clinical social worker for ten years before transitioning to help organizations create equitable policies for community safety. Chelsea’s expertise continues to influence criminal justice, mental health and anti-drug war priorities in Virginia.
In 2019, Chelsea co-founded Marijuana Justice for equitable legalization as a gateway to
dismantle the Virginia War on Drugs and in 2021 Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize simple possession of marijuana, home cultivation as well as create a fund to reinvest for community repair. Through her leadership, the organization also convenes southern organizers around Drug War Reparations as well as pushing anti-monopoly regulation in order to build
community-led economies. Federally, Chelsea is an active voice within the United for Marijuana Decriminalization (UMD) coalition focused on organizing public comment for the recent marijuana scheduling proposal.

Co-Founder & Chair, ACHEM

Former Chair, Oregon Cannabis Commission

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Dr. Rachel Knox, MD, MBA, is a specialist in cannabinoid medicine and clinical endocannabinology, earning 

her medical and business degrees from Tufts School of Medicine and Duke University. Initially trained in family and integrative medicine, she further specialized in functional medicine, cannabinology, and endocannabinology.

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Dr. Rachel co-founded Doctors Knox, Inc., American Cannabinoid Clinics, and Pivital Edu, advancing education and clinical care in cannabinoid medicine. She is also the co-founder and president of the Cannabis Health Equity Movement™ (CHEM) and chairs the Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine (ACHEM) and CHEM Allyance.

Dr. Rachel has served as the past chair of the Oregon Cannabis Commission and is involved with Portland's Cannabis Policy Oversight Team, Oregon’s Psilocybin Advisory Board, and NuLeaf PDX.

Deputy Director
City of Oakland Economic & Workforce Development Department

 

Greg oversees the Special Activity Permits Division since 2014, including the permitting of cannabis businesses and the co-creation of the nation's first cannabis equity program. Prior to leading the Special Activity Permits Division, Greg worked in the Oakland City Attorney's Office as a Neighborhood Law Corps Attorney. Greg has a joint city planning and law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Director

Alabama State Minorities for Medical Marijuana

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Antoine Mordican stands at the forefront of Alabama's medical cannabis industry as the founder of Native Black Cultivation, the state's first certified black-owned medical cannabis cultivation company. Beyond steering Native Black Farm, a hydroponic hemp-growing venture, Mordican is
a driving force in the advancement of medical marijuana in the region. He holds significant roles,
including the state director of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, where he founded the Alabama
chapter. His advocacy has been instrumental, notably addressing the Alabama House of Representatives Health Committee and playing a crucial role in the establishment of Alabama’s
Medical Cannabis law.

Executive Director

Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association

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Mary Jane Oatman is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe, a descendant of the Delaware Tribe, and a proud mother. In addition to executive director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, she is the founder of the Indigenous CANNabis Coalition (ICANNC), and publisher of THC Magazine. She travels the nation as a culture and events photographer, capturing special moments with plants and people. Dedicated to restoring pre-colonial economies in hemp and cannabis, Mary Jane has advocated on the state and federal levels to protect tribal sovereignty and ensure effective government relationships. Oatman was appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education and also served as Idaho’s first director of Indian Education.

CMO, Equity Trade Network

Former Chair, San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee

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Nina Parks is an expert in cannabis, cannabis policy and social equity in the emergent cannabis industry. In 2018 Hightime’s Magazine named her one of the High-time’s 100 top influential people in Cannabis of 2018.

Nina has a unique background in the development and facilitation of youth diversion programs and cultural events as an artist and educator in San Francisco prior to her career in cannabis, giving her a holistic perspective. Her methods help to keep a humanitarian lens on the creation of cannabis brands, policy and regulation.

Senior Cannabis Business Manager, City of Boston 

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As the Senior Cannabis Business Manager for the City of Boston, in the Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, Shekia oversees the economic development and equitable growth initiatives for Boston's cannabis industry as well as the Boston Cannabis Equity Program. Previously, she was the inaugural Director of Equity and Community Outreach for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, pioneering the nation's first, statewide cannabis social equity program. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition.

Founder and CEO
MAKR House

Co-Founder & Executive Director Supernova Women

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Amber E. Senter is a visionary entrepreneur with over 20 years of marketing and project management experience. She is the founder and CEO of MAKR House, a CPG and cannabis house of brands, and previously served as Chief Operations Officer of an Oakland dispensary, where she secured the city's first onsite consumption permit.

Amber also co-founded and serves as Executive Director of Supernova Women, an organization dedicated to empowering Black and Brown small business owners in the cannabis industry. She played a key role in creating Oakland's social equity program, the first of its kind in the country.

A US Coast Guard veteran, Amber is a sought-after leader in the cannabis industry, recognized for her trusted voice and extensive knowledge of the medical and adult-use industries.​

Founder, Parabola Center

Former Commissioner, MA Cannabis Control Commission

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Shaleen Title is an Indian-American attorney and drug policy activist with over 20 years of experience in equitable cannabis law. She is the author of "Fair and Square: How to Effectively Incorporate Social Equity Into Cannabis Laws and Regulations" and founder of the Parabola Center, a think tank focused on creating policies that protect people over corporate profits. Shaleen also serves as Distinguished Cannabis Policy Practitioner in Residence at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law’s Drug Enforcement and Policy Center

In 2017, she was appointed as one of five inaugural commissioners of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, where she focused on racial justice and industry inclusivity. Shaleen has testified globally on restorative justice in marijuana laws and was named to Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list in 2021. She co-founded THC Staffing, served on the Minority Cannabis Business Association board, and is an advisor to Supernova Women.

Chair, Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission

Founder, Beyond Equity

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Chaney Turner is an entrepreneur, organizer and equity thought leader. Born and bred in East Oakland, CA,  they have been an organizer for over twenty years, with a specific focus on Black and Brown communities who are often left out of the conversation.

Chaney believes in accessibility, equity, and a dedicated, transparent investment in the economic, social and political lives of those most impacted by gentrification & state sanctioned violence. In 2016, they founded Town Biz Oakland, a cultural and social justice brand providing safe spaces for the community. They also co-founded a cannabis dispensary in Oakland, leading cannabis policy and culture. Their work has earned them awards such as East Bay Express Best of The Bay (2016), Oakland Rising Business of the Year (2017), and Oakland Indie Award “Ripple Effect” (2018).

In 2020, Chaney founded Beyond Equity, advocating for equity in the cannabis industry. Their leadership emphasizes empowering those most impacted by inequities to implement sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Chaney currently chairs the City of Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission and was elected as a California Assembly Delegate for Alameda County, District 18, in 2023.

Executive Director

Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition

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Shreeta Waldon received her
Bachelor of Arts from Clark Atlanta University and her Masters in Professional Counseling, from Argosy University, Illinois. She
received her Licensure as Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor in 2016 and renewed her certification as a board approved supervisor with the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug
Counselors in 2023. Shreeta also  serves on two boards; National Black Harm Reduction Network and Feed Louisville.
With 17 years of experience in the social services arena, she
is an expert in the field of substance use disorder
treatment and prevention.