Pennsylvania State Senator, Third District
 

Senator Sharif Street was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 2016, representing the Third Senatorial District of Philadelphia which encompasses more than 240,000 residents. He currently serves as the Democratic Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and sits on the Appropriations, Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Communications & Technology, and Urban Affairs & Housing committees.
 

Senator Street was instrumental in the creation of PENNIE, Pennsylvania’s state-based health insurance exchange, and the Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program. He is the main co-sponsor of Pennsylvania’s first bipartisan bill to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis.
 

In 2022, he made history as the first Black Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, elected during Juneteenth weekend.

Pennsylvania State Representative
District 188
 

Rick Krajewski was elected to serve as the state representative of the 188th Legislative District in 2020. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in Electrical Engineering and co-founded a campus group for mixed race students. 
 

In 2016, Krajewski became a community organizer with Reclaim Philadelphia. As Lead Mass Liberation Organizer,He helped elect Larry Krasner as District Attorney and launched participatory defense hubs in West and Southwest Philadelphia to support families impacted by the justice system.
 

His legislative priorities include affordable housing, ending cash bail, death by incarceration, and the school-to-prison pipeline, access to public education, advancing a Green New Deal, protecting workers and labor unions, and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable.

District Office Director, Representative Krajewski
 

Shira serves as the District Office Director for Representative Rick Krajewski, where she leads district operations, constituent services, and policy strategy to drive equity, justice, and impact for historically marginalized communities.

She has overseen public resource distribution, managed cross-sector coalitions, and helped craft legislation that lifts up communities often excluded from decision-making. Her leadership bridges policy, politics, and purpose with cultural competence, clarity, and a belief in bold, transformative action.

Shira is also a public speaker, strategist, and storyteller, delivering workshops and keynotes on self-determination, global mobility, and the role of Black women in shaping systems.

Chair CRCC

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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.

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.

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 Director

NAACP New York State Conference

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​Chris Alexander is a senior government executive, criminal justice reformer, advocate, and policy expert. He serves as the Executive Director of the NAACP New York State Conference in which he plays a pivotal role in moving the agenda for freedom and equality forward.

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He served as the inaugural Executive Director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), where he oversaw the launch of New York’s cannabis market. Before leading OCM, Chris worked as Policy Coordinator at the Drug Policy Alliance, where he launched the Start SMART NY campaign and served as lead drafter of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), New York’s landmark legalization bill.
 

Chris earned his B.A. in Political Science from Syracuse University and his J.D. from CUNY School of Law.

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.

Social Equity Program Director City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation.

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Dr. Imani Brown is the Social Equity Program Director for the Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation, where she oversees business licensing, compliance, technical assistance, workforce development, and the department’s grants and pro bono legal services programs. Her work promotes equitable ownership and employment opportunities in cannabis while addressing the disproportionate impacts of the War on Drugs on marginalized communities. Dr. Brown was also appointed to the California Cannabis Advisory Committee for the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
 

Dr. Brown is an urban policy and planning expert with more than twenty-five years’ experience in sustainable urban land use, small business development, government relations, and public policy.

Dr. Brown earned her doctorate from USC in Policy, Planning, and Development in 2009. 

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
NJ Dept. of State's Cannabis Training Academy
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Tauhid Chappell is the first Executive Director of New Jersey’s Cannabis Academy, the nation’s first government-run cannabis academy dedicated to diversifying the industry. He brings a decade of experience in cannabis as a medical marijuana patient, journalist covering legalization nationwide, budtender at Philadelphia’s second medical dispensary, and Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson University, where he teaches the country’s first graduate-level course on equity in cannabis.

A media industry veteran, Tauhid has held roles at The Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Free Press, where he focused on media equity and access. He also serves as an Executive Board Member and credentialed Parliamentarian of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, the first and oldest association of Black journalists in the country.

Co-Founder, CEO
Pure Genesis
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Faye is the co-founder and CEEO of Pure Genesis, a cannabis company built on access, advocacy, and ownership. With over 20 years of leadership at Fortune 500 companies like Kraft Foods, Campbell’s Soup, Target, and CVS, she brings deep expertise in building scalable systems and leading high-performing teams.
 

Under her guidance, Pure Genesis has secured licenses in multiple states, expanded into international hemp operations, and launched digital education programs for future cannabis leaders.

Committed to community impact, Faye creates initiatives that generate jobs, fund scholarships, and share profits with under-resourced communities—all while building profitable, sustainable businesses in a challenging industry.

City Clerk

Pontiac, Michigan 

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Doyle is a results-driven municipal leader and nonprofit executive with deep experience in cannabis regulation, community and economic development, and public policy advocacy. He currently serves as City Clerk for Pontiac, Michigan, where he oversees elections, City Council operations, and the city’s cannabis regulations. Doyle is also Board President of the National Council on Municipal Cannabis (NCMC), a national nonprofit resource center for local government regulators and municipalities.
 

He previously co-founded the Municipal Cannabis Regulators Network (MCRN), connecting municipal administrators nationwide who oversee cannabis policy.
 

Doyle holds a Master of Public Administration (Nonprofit Administration) and a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management from Eastern Michigan University, as well as a B.A. from Wayne State University.

Hash Consultant, Cannabis Cultivator

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The Dank Duchess is an internationally recognized Hashish Consultant, Cannabis Cultivator, and Public Speaker with more than two decades of expertise in the cannabis industry. 

Her influence spans across media, where she has educated hundreds of thousands through social media, contributed to publications like Weed World UK, Cannabis Now, and Skunk Magazine, and appeared on VICELAND’s Bong Appetit.

Duchess also serves as a moderator for the International Women in Cannabis, a board member of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy, and sits on the Board of ACHEM (Association for Cannabis Health Equity in Medicine).

Her work reflects a commitment to advancing cannabis for health, equity, and education, always rooted in her motto: “Cannabis flower fuels my power, and My Niche is Hashish.”

Director
Bronx Cannabis Hub

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Damian Fagon is the Director of the Bronx Cannabis Hub, where he develops models for restorative justice and community-centered cannabis markets. He also serves as an Executive Leadership Fellow at the Parabola Center and is the former Chief Equity Officer for New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

A prominent advocate for cannabis social equity, Damian brings a strong record of advancing equity-focused policy and community impact.

Executive Director

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA)

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Kassandra Frederique is a leading voice for results-driven drug policies that reduce harm and promote public safety. Under her leadership, the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) has advanced public health approaches to drugs that contributed to a national decline in overdose deaths in 2024. A seasoned campaign strategist, she has led initiatives to expand access to addiction services, curb harmful enforcement practices, and increase investment in community-based solutions.
 

Frederique has centered her work on the communities most harmed by the drug war—Black, Latino, and Indigenous people, as well as those living in poverty. She has been pivotal in reframing national drug policy around reparative justice, care, and restitution. As DPA’s former New York State Director, she designed the campaign that reduced New York City marijuana arrests by more than 99% since 2010, ending its reputation as the nation’s marijuana arrest capital. 
 

She holds an M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University and a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

Board Member

Minority Cannabis Business

Association (MCBA)

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Maame Gyamfi is an experienced attorney with over 15 years of expertise in regulatory compliance and litigating class actions to enforce the civil rights of marginalized populations.

Throughout her career, Maame has successfully navigated complex legal landscapes, advocating for underrepresented populations while educating organizations on how to stay compliant with ever-evolving laws and regulations.

She is a passionate advocate for eliminating barriers that prohibit diverse entrepreneurs from having equal access to resources and opportunities in the cannabis industry

Executive Director

MN Cannabis College 

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Marcus Harcus is a social entrepreneur, organizer, writer, and equity advocate based in Minneapolis. He is best known as the founding Executive Director of the Minnesota Campaign for Full Legalization (MN CFL), a nonprofit working to end cannabis prohibition in Minnesota, establish an adult-use cannabis industry, and address harms from punitive prohibition laws.
 

Harcus also co-founded the Minnesota Cannabis College, and has been active in public education, media advocacy, and grassroots organizing to build support for full legalization. 
 

His education includes attendance at Southern University & A&M College, and he has run for public office (including Mayor of Minneapolis) under the Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party.

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.

Director of Social Equity

State of Minnesota

Office of Cannabis Management

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Jessica Jackson is a public policy strategist, equity practitioner, and author currently serving as Director of Social Equity for Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management. In this role, she leads Minnesota’s statewide social equity cannabis portfolio, overseeing a multi-million reinvestment fund focused on repairing the harms of cannabis prohibition through equitable licensing, grants, loans, and community-centered regulatory systems.

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Prior to joining state service, Jessica directed social equity initiatives for Michigan’s largest vertically integrated cannabis operator, managing a $1.1 million reinvestment portfolio and developing award-winning supplier diversity programs.

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Jessica holds an MBA in Strategic Leadership from the University of Delaware, an M.Ed. from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and a BA in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Michigan.

Senior Director

Colorado Department of Revenue

Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) & Natural Medicine Division.

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Mendiola began her work in marijuana policy and regulation with MED in 2014. She previously served as the Division’s Deputy Director where she managed rulemaking, licensing and media engagements for the Division and served as the primary liaison between the Division and Governor’s Office. Additionally, in 2018 former Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Mendiola as the state's Director of Marijuana Coordination.
 

Mendiola received her political science degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2009, and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College. Before joining the Marijuana Enforcement Division, she practiced law in Texas and Colorado, with a focus in civil litigation.

Founder, CEO

Native Black Cultivation

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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.

President

Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists

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Ernest Owens is an award-winning journalist, author, and CEO of Ernest Media Empire, LLC. He serves as Political Writer at Large for Philadelphia Magazine, President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, and Regional Vice President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Mid-Atlantic Chapter). He also hosts the podcast Ernestly Speaking!, Philadelphia City Council Live on WURD Radio, and is the author of The Case for Cancel Culture (St. Martin’s Press).
 

Known for his candid commentary on race, LGBTQIA+ issues, and pop culture, Ernest’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stone, CNN, NBC, and more. He is an adjunct professor at Community College of Philadelphia and earned degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Director

Drug Markets & Legal Regulation

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA)

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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.

Director of Federal Affairs 

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA)

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Maritza manages the Drug Policy Alliance’s federal legislative agenda and advocacy strategy in Congress, as well as the organization’s broader engagement with the federal government.
 

Previously, she served as a Senior Policy Analyst for Criminal Justice Reform at the Center for American Progress and as a Legislative Staff Attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), where she advanced civil rights issues affecting Latino communities.
 

Maritza holds a B.A. from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, California, and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Founder,

Black Cannabis Week (BCW)
Co-Founder, Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities (DACO)

Cherron Perry-Thomas is a nationally recognized cannabis equity advocate, cultural strategist, and community organizer dedicated to advancing justice, wellness, and opportunity across the
industry.

As co-founder of DACO and
founder of Black Cannabis Week (BCW), Cherron has played a pivotal role in shaping one of the country’s most impactful, equity-driven cannabis convening.

As co-owner of Plant and People, a community-rooted plant shop and wellness hub in
Philadelphia, that bridges culture, sustainability, and holistic healing practices. Through Plant and People, Cherron cultivates spaces for education, wellness, and intergenerational learning
that extend beyond cannabis into everyday lifestyle and community care with plants.

Director 

Maryland Cannabis Administration

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Tabatha Robinson is the Director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration, appointed by Governor Wes Moore in 2025. She brings extensive experience in cannabis regulation, law, and social equity program design.
 

Previously, she served as Executive Deputy Director of Economic Development and Acting Chief Equity Officer at New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), where she developed economic programs and equity licensing policies for the state’s adult-use and medical cannabis markets. Under her leadership, more than 50% of new licenses went to social equity business owners, and over 90% of operational retailers had prior marijuana-related convictions.
 

Robinson’s career also includes roles as a Special Assistant Attorney General for Workers’ Rights in Washington, D.C., and as a corporate attorney.

She holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and a B.A. from Stanford University.

Senior Cannabis Industry Manager, City of Boston 

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As the Senior Cannabis Industry Manager for the City of Boston, in the Mayor's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, Shekia oversees the economic development and equitable growth of Boston's cannabis industry as well as the Boston Cannabis Equity Program.

Previously, she served as 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.

Assistant Director 

Drexel Medical Cannabis Research Center

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Jim Seaberg earned his MPH with a concentration in Healthcare Management and Policy at Drexel University and is a graduate of Susquehanna University.
 

He has worked in the medical cannabis industry since 2019, working in patient education and relations. Jim has also worked in relationship management for the banking and finance industry and has lived internationally in Spain and the UAE.
 

He is responsible for building and managing the community and scientific advisory boards for the MCRC and is designing an ongoing guest speaker series on medical cannabis. He is passionate about developing evidence-based policy initiatives to address issues of social justice, patient access, legalization, and public health related to cannabis.

Social Equity Program Coordinator

City of Los Angeles 

Department of Cannabis Regulation 

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Ethan Spalding is an experienced Public Policy Specialist with a strong background in government administration and a focus on advancing equity through policy reform. With a particular emphasis on the cannabis industry, he works to ensure the fair and effective implementation of transformative public policies and he is dedicated to creating systems that deliver meaningful impact for communities.

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.

Founding Member

Vasquez Attorneys at Law, P.C

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Jorge L. Vasquez, Jr. is the founding member of Vasquez Attorneys at Law, P.C., and a leading attorney in cannabis and employment law, as well as a respected civil rights advocate, policy influencer, and democracy expert. With nearly two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, litigator, and community organizer, he has successfully represented clients in high-stakes cases across federal and state courts, focusing on cannabis regulation, employment, election law, and civil rights litigation.

His expertise has been recognized nationally, with appearances as a legal analyst on CNN, ABC Live, NPR, NBC Telemundo, Univision, WPIX 11, News 12, and Spectrum News 1.
 

Jorge’s work includes impactful cases such as Fiore v. New York State Cannabis Control Board and United States Department of Commerce v. State of New York, where his advocacy has helped shape cannabis and constitutional law. He is also dedicated to advancing access and equity in the cannabis industry through his practice and policy influence.
 

He earned his LL.M. in Trial and Advocacy from Temple University Beasley School of Law, his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, and both a B.A. and M.A. from SUNY Albany.​

President & CEO 

NuProject, Portland, OR.

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Jeannette co-founded NuProject in 2018 in Portland, OR, and has since expanded its funding footprint across the U.S. and Canada, growing it into a mission-based lender supporting equity in cannabis.
 

She entered the cannabis industry in 2015, leading marketing and public relations for a publicly traded cannabis technology company, after a 15-year career in communications and marketing at Fortune 100 companies, including a decade at The Coca-Cola Company.
 

Motivated by her own experience, arrested for a cannabis-related charge at 20, and as a witness to the criminal justice system’s pervasive impact on Black families, Jeannette is deeply committed to repairing the economic harm caused by prohibition.