2023 Cannabis Industry Power Players

Joanne Wilson is a prominent early-stage angel investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist with a diverse background in retail, wholesale, media, real estate, and technology. Joanne co-founded Frame Home, a Brooklyn residential real estate development prioritizing stylish sustainability. She was the first chairperson of Hot Bread Kitchen and currently sits on the board of The Highline and The Public Housing Community Fund in NYC. Her latest venture, GOTHAM, is set to open its doors in Spring 2023.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
There might be a stigma, but there shouldn’t be. The stigma comes from past false narratives foisted upon the public by the government. We should be embracing this new industry that will employ many people whose lives have been uprooted from the failed War on Drugs. 

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
There are countless benefits from cannabis. As more and more studies are done, they should be shared with every person in the industry so users can become aware of those benefits.  

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
I hope to see countless jobs and innovations in the cannabis industry that the intentions put forth in the license roll-out will significantly impact under-served communities, as it should.

Mike Wilson is the CEO and founder of Temeka Group. Temeka has been involved with more than 400 cannabis dispensaries in the US and worked with brands like Cookies, STIIZY, and others to bring their dispensary vision to reality. Temeka is also an approved partner for social equity dispensaries in NY.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Coming from the West coast, we are a little further along when it comes to stigma around cannabis. New York will help fight the stigma as we open more dispensary locations, and more people realize the many benefits of cannabis.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Everyone who supports the cannabis industry should also be encouraging more cannabis research. It was a positive first step when the Medical Marijuana Research Bill was signed last year, and it will hopefully produce science-backed research that can help fight cannabis stigma.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
New York is going to produce some of the most creative consumer cannabis experiences we will ever see. We are already working with entrepreneurs to help bring their dispensary store experience to life and I can guarantee you’ll be blown away by what you see. 

Matt Wolf currently serves as CEO of Botannis Labs, Inc., a NY State licensed, FDA-inspected, ISO Certified, cGMP product testing lab that provides cutting-edge laboratory services. Botannis utilizes optimized testing methods and quality procedures to provide a comprehensive scope of harmonized GMP testing services and seasoned regulatory consulting. Matt has over 25 years of industry experience bringing vast expertise in development, testing, manufacturing, and packaging of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products.

Tremaine S. Wright currently serves as chairwoman of the NYS Cannabis Control Board. Ms. Wright is a former member of the New York State Assembly and went on to serve as the first director of the DFS Statewide Office of Financial Inclusion and Empowerment. Ms. Wright is an attorney, entrepreneur, and activist who is a second-generation Bedford Stuyvesant resident invested in preserving the rich legacy of her community and building a strong foundation for the future.

Hilary Yu is the co-founder and executive director of Our Academy, a nonprofit organization that operates as a 20-week cannabis accelerator for BIPOC and justice impacted founders. The organization has successfully supported multiple cohorts of founders across the US and is currently contracted with the NY Office of Cannabis Management to help 300 justice-impacted dispensary licensees. Yu’s passion stems from her desire to support underrepresented founders who are often overlooked despite their talent and potential.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Definitely! Particularly social equity applicants who may have had criminal charges, making it difficult for them to access capital, resources, and other opportunities necessary to start and grow a successful business. To remove this stigma, more education and outreach efforts are needed surrounding the negative effects of the War on Drugs and the benefits of providing social equity opportunities. Additionally, policies and programs providing resources and funding help elevate justice founders, eroding the stigma.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
By sponsoring independent research studies, collaborating with health care professionals, and supporting academic and community-based organizations that promote responsible cannabis use. Through these partnerships, the industry can help develop evidence-based recommendations and guidelines for cannabis use, ensure safe and responsible use, and provide accurate and up-to-date information to the public. It’s also important to consider different communities in these studies and study how benefits and risks may differ by community, particularly when dealing with generational trauma.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
I hope that in 10 years, NY is a road map for other states on how to support social equity’s role in this industry. The state has taken bold steps to try something different with its social equity programs. While this certainly hasn’t been a perfect roll-out, the intention is definitely there, and we at Our Academy have hope that empowering a new wave of diverse cannabis leaders will create a ripple effect in NY.

Michael Zaytsev directs LIM College’s groundbreaking bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in The Business of Cannabis. He is also the author of the bestseller The Cannabis Business Book, and he is the founder of High NY, a leading cannabis community platform known for some of the best cannabis events in NYC. As a business coach, Zaytsev facilitates growth for leaders at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Microsoft, Google, and entrepreneurs across the cannabis industry.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Yes, there’s still a major stigma around cannabis, even for those who use it as medicine and rely on its therapeutic benefits. This is largely due to decades of misinformation and a lack of access to quality cannabis education. Since 2014, it’s been my mission to combat cannaphobia through education and community events. I work to provide access to accurate information about cannabis so we can change hearts, minds, policy, and, ultimately, public health outcomes.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Collaboration is essential! LIM College works with the cannabis industry, government agencies, regulators, labor unions, nonprofits, and other educational institutions to develop robust, evidence-based, unbiased educational programs, so that we can prepare a vibrant and diverse workforce to support the industry’s growth. Industry support for academic programs is necessary to ensure that future generations are well-informed and able to sustain the industry. Medical schools also need to start teaching cannabis medicine and the endocannabinoid system.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
A decade ago, New Yorkers were advocating to legalize medical cannabis. Now we’re establishing an adult-use cannabis market. A decade from now, we’ll be on the cusp or in the midst of implementing Federal legalization. In the next 10 years, we’ll see hundreds of thousands of jobs created by cannabis; cannabis startups born in New York will become unicorns; and billions of dollars of cannabis tax revenue will go into rebuilding our state and communities.

Jeff is a cannabis industry attorney, serving as a trusted adviser to operators and investors on complex corporate structuring, early-stage financing, joint ventures, regulatory, compliance and licensing matters. He is a member of NCR, NYCCIA, the Executive Committee of the NYSBA Cannabis Law Section, and an advisor to the Weldon Project.  Jeff is a co-Founder of Flowerhouse NY, one of NY’s largest cultivators and brands. He graduated from Cardozo Law and the University of Michigan.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
The stigma is dwindling as cannabis consumption and commerce normalizes in New York. I work to overcome it by playing a fun game: replace the word “cannabis” with “liquor” and vice versa and tell me how silly it all sounds. Cannabis is not illegal because it’s dangerous. It’s dangerous because it’s illegal.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
The first step is to re-schedule cannabis. Schedule 1 controlled substances are deemed to have “no currently accepted medical use in treatment”. This is an obvious farce, making it nearly impossible to research the medical efficacy of the plant. It’s incumbent upon industry stakeholders to fight for legalization so that researchers can unlock the power of the plant and healthcare workers can be empowered with the necessary knowledge to apply it to patients.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
I predict that we will have at least 20 CAURD stores open by 2033. Just kidding! I don’t know where the New York cannabis industry is going to be in 10 weeks, let alone in 10 years. But my best guess is that we will have a healthy, thriving industry with plenty of stories of both success and heartbreak, as NYC cements itself as the global epicenter of cannabis culture. Sorry CA, it’s our turn now.