As AYR’s head of corporate relations, Khari Edwards is responsible for providing strategic leadership and advancing AYR’s commitment toward being a force for good by creating a culture of inclusion and providing avenues of opportunity in the cannabis industry. Khari Edwards is an experienced leader in health care and government. Khari worked for several elected officials, non-profit organizations, and city agencies with a dedicated focus on strengthening communities by advocating and addressing racial, health and civic disparities.
What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
Currently, I see two pressing issues, with the first being the opening of more legal brick-and-mortar dispensaries, to support the farmers and the production of cannabis products. The second is marketing of the legal cannabis industry. I would like to see investment from the state and business owners to start an awareness campaign about the industry, its growth, and the benefits of legal cannabis.
Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
Breaking into the business has shown that this is truly a marathon and not a sprint. You must be prepared for stormy, hurricane type of days with huge risks. As a former small business owner who suffered greatly after 9/11, my heart breaks for so many who have lost out while waiting for this industry to take shape. The statistics for small businesses in general are alarming, even more so in a new industry.
What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
New York has a bright future in cannabis. Nothing is easy in New York, that is the price of doing business in this state, but after the smoke clears (no pun intended), we will show the world how things are done.
What are some of the positive impacts you’ve seen from legalizing cannabis in New York?
The governor, the Office of Cannabis Management, Chris Alexander, Tremaine Wright and the state legislators created opportunity for those whose lives were marginalized and destroyed by unfair drug laws, despite all the hiccups that were endured. The cannabis community, no matter your background or race, no longer hides in the shadows and can now be a thriving part of society. Lastly, legal cannabis has opened new pathways to changing health outcomes through medical programs.
