2023 Cannabis Industry Power Players

Amanda Farías is the council member for the 18th District, native resident and a second-generation Afro-Latina. She serves as the chair of the Committee on Economic Development and co-chair of the Women’s Caucus. As chair, she hosted the City’s first legislative hearings on the adult-use cannabis industry, the NYC ferry system, and has worked to ensure that our City’s economic development priorities meet the needs of our local economies, small businesses, and everyday New Yorkers.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
There is a stigma among communities that stems from racism that fueled the war on drugs and mass incarceration. We can overcome that stigma with education, outreach and regulation so those same communities can see the direct benefits. The legalization of the cannabis industry not only makes consumption safer, but puts money into our local economies and gives working families who’ve been most affected by the historical prohibition on cannabis opportunity for upward economic mobility.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
I think the education piece that is most needed is on informing the public – especially seniors and those with chronic illnesses the difference between CBD and THC and how the pain-relief of CBD can benefit them. The workshop series hosted by Columbia Care + Urban Upbound last year is a great example of how we can partner across sectors to benefit our newest industry.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
I want New York’s cannabis industry to be not only one of the highest grossing cannabis industries in the country, but also the most equitable. The only way we can get there is by working in coordination across sectors, across levels of government, and across communities- that’s what I am hoping to start as the chair of the Committee on Economic Development at the NYC Council.

David Feldman is CEO and co-founder of Skip Intro Advisors LLC, focused on strategic guidance and finance and M&A for cannabis and psychedelics companies. He is also managing partner of Feldman Legal Advisors, PLLC, a boutique law firm also focused on these industries. He’s a Wharton grad and the author of four books on finance and entrepreneurship. He also has received accolades from Chambers & Partners, the National Law Journal and Business Insider.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
I believe the stigma has receded quite a bit in the 10 years I have been focused on this industry. If anything, the “cool” factor seems to outweigh any stigma issues. To the remaining skeptics, I remind them of the medical value of cannabis, the need to reverse the damage from the War on Drugs, and the focus on personal freedom in making your own choices that don’t harm others.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
There should be a greater focus on clinical research on the use of cannabis to treat a variety of ailments, with the help of the health care industry, academics, and proper financial backing. In addition, potential long term issues should be studied to dispel concerns some have about persistent use. Over time, medical providers will enhance their ability to properly dose and deliver the right amount and type of cannabis as needed.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
Thriving! Sadly, it may take much of that time to get there given the challenges thus far. I believe the OCM leaders are well-intentioned and hard working and will work in the months ahead to address the various issues they face. Most important is to adjust the “true party of interest” rules limiting what investors in NY can put money into in other states. Then NY will be the largest retail market in the country!

Annette Fernandez  founded the Washington Heights Women’s Walking Crew during the global pandemic as a way to create community. Fernandez also created La Casa Lola, a women’s cannabis consumption community and brand. She has twenty years experience building teams and businesses in the retail and finance sectors, working with brands including Victoria’s Secret and Gap. As an activist and entrepreneur, she believes cannabis to be the unlocking factor for restorative justice and economics 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?
Since only 53% of Americans agree with cannabis consumption, there is stigma attached to the plant whether you are consuming it or working in the industry. I think the more we normalize consumption by talking about our own personal use and how we incorporate it into our lives the more we overcome the stigma.  Education is the unlock.

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 so many opportunities to do intersectional education with heath care and academia.  The more the consumer knows from a scientific and data driven point of view and not just anecdotal information, the better the industry standards can be.  The more informed the consumer is, the healthier the market can be and all of this goes hand in hand with the craft of cultivation that so many care for in New York.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
New York is the cannabis consumption capital of the world and we also move markets! I hope that we will see a really dynamic, inclusive, and innovative industry. I am cautiously optimistic and hopeful about the regulators creating a market that can bring generational wealth to the entrepreneurs that the MRTA meant to prioritize; those of us who were disproportionately impacted by the supposed War on Drugs. There are headwinds to getting to that vision.

Erica Ford is a renowned human rights activist and anti-violence leader. She has impacted the lives of thousands of disenfranchised Black and Brown people in vulnerable communities. In 2002, she founded LIFE Camp knowing firsthand the complexities of systematic racism and that the solution is a community led approach. Erica is chair of the National Black and Brown Gun Violence Prevention Consortium, to identify and coordinate strategies in communities impacted by the cycle of violence.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Ongoing educational and experiential wellness events are built into our community engagement model. MOUs/ongoing partnerships with health care and academic professionals and institutions will allow us to integrate this much needed education sustainably, and make necessary adjustments to this content in real time, as the industry, products and usage evolve.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Our industries should also commit to sharing best informational practices on both sides, from the types of educational resources our community needs most, to the most effective platforms for them to receive the information. For us, education and wellness are pillars within our organization, both as a non-profit and a licensed cannabis dispensary.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
As CAURD license recipients directly impacted by the War on Drugs, I think wellness education should be built into every business model; at the same time, health care and academic professionals and institutions should integrate this as part of their corporate responsibility model, so that the funding is available to provide needed tools, materials and platforms.

Doug Francis co-founded Weedmaps in 2008 alongside Justin Hartfield where they bootstrapped the company to critical mass. From 2009 to 2016, Francis served as Weedmaps’ president & COO, before taking over the CEO role through March 2019. In 2021, Francis joined the Weedmaps board of directors when the company became publicly traded on Nasdaq ($MAPS). Currently, Doug is executive chair of the Weedmaps Board, and as of November 2022, he is acting CEO.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
When Justin and I started Weedmaps in 2008, there was undoubtedly a stigma with working in cannabis, the same stigma perpetuated since the War on Drugs. Fifteen years later, there are 21 states with legal, adult-use cannabis, which has helped shift perception, and led more people to our industry than ever. That said, there are still many challenges and a lot of work left to further destigmatize the plant and educate on its many benefits.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Weedmaps was an early adopter of leveraging medical doctors and subject matter experts to help demystify the stereotypes that still surround cannabis and our industry. We’ve had a relationship with Dr. Bonni Goldstein since 2014 that continues to this day. She advises us and also produces original content for our site. We continue to believe that leveraging subject matter experts like Dr. Bonni is critical to correcting myths and removing the stigma associated with cannabis.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
Ten years from now we expect cannabis to be federally legal in the U.S. which will provide our industry with a much needed monetary injection, and federal protections like banking and tax reform. For New York specifically, there’s an expectation the state becomes the next California with legal dispensaries accessible to all residents throughout the state – not just those in the metropolitan area.

Mr. Galvin is currently interim chief executive officer, interim chief operating officer and director of iAnthus, which owns and operates licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States. Prior to the appointment to his current roles, Mr. Galvin served as senior vice president, chief administrative officer, and a member of the iAnthus Board of Directors following the completion of the company’s transaction in February 2019 with MPX Bioceutical Corporation, where he also served as a board member.

Allan Gandelman is a farmer, entrepreneur, and advocate for the cannabis industry. In 2010, he started his farming journey and went on to become the founder and president of the Cannabis Association of New York (CANY). CANY’s mission is to promote the responsible and sustainable development of the cannabis industry, while advancing social justice and equity. He is also the co-founder of the brands Florist Farms, Head and Heal, Blotter, and Tune.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Despite cultural acceptance, stigma surrounding the cannabis industry remains, especially in financial services. Overcoming it requires public education on the plant’s benefits and breaking down the most harmful stigmas, including the belief that cannabis is dangerous and the racist policies criminalizing its use. By addressing these issues, we aim to increase understanding and acceptance.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Many institutions are beginning to offer advanced education around cannabis. Multiple SUNY schools, and private colleges are offering higher education programs focused on cannabis education, including introductory courses on cannabis, courses on cultivation and extraction, and courses on medical cannabis. 

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
I see the cannabis industry in New York as a thriving ecosystem of thousands of small businesses run by members of their own communities. This includes individuals running cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities, and retail stores that cater to local markets. The industry will support economic growth and provide meaningful job opportunities.  We need a more equitable industry that benefits everyone involved while also promoting responsible cannabis use and breaking down harmful stigmas.

A 50+ USA snowboarding champion, Melissa Gibson founded Hemp & Humanity in 2016 to provide hemp education, advocacy, and access. She owns a whole-hemp retail shop in the heart of Woodstock, NY, which offers a consciously curated collection featuring over 40 women-owned brands. In addition to creating Out There Hempcare, her own line of cannabinoid products aimed at the active and outdoor lifestyle markets, Melissa consults for several cannabis companies as a brand strategist.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
When I founded my company in 2016 I got plenty of winks and whispers when I shared what I did for a living. In 2023, the stigma of working in the industry has been reduced as the “business of cannabis” has gone mainstream with the rollout of the NY Adult Use market. I overcome stigma by focusing on two things: educating the public about the plant and building community with my industry brothers and sisters. 

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
It’s essential that healthcare and academic professionals work with cannabis industry experts to meet the educational needs of the public. It will take all of us working together for transparency and truth to win over prohibition and propaganda. Consider that the Endocannabinoid System, a system integral to every major system in the body, is hardly even explored in medical school or college. Cannabis education empowers people to gain a better understanding of their own wellbeing.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
It is my hope that in ten years, the New York cannabis industry will be accessible, equitable and inclusive, having prioritized smaller, independent and local enterprises.

In 2020, Ms. Gibson announced her run for Bronx borough president with a mission to move the Bronx forward with a focus on public safety, food equity, housing insecurity, health, gender equity, support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a myriad of other issues. On November 2nd, 2021, she was elected to be the 14th Bronx borough president to serve the over 1.4 million residents and families that call the Bronx home.

Mr. Gonzalez, age 40, is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. and Ponce Bank. Mr. Gonzalez oversees the implementation of the strategic plan including growth and infrastructure. Mr. Gonzalez has over 15 years of regulatory experience and is a commissioned National Bank Examiner. His banking experience and oversight ranges in size and complexity from banks under $20 million to over $2 trillion.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?

We focus on the people, not the product. During prohibition, alcohol had a stigma that to some degree is still around today (90 years later). Cannabis does too. Ponce Bank was founded on supporting our communities, many of whom were overlooked. Immigrants, or their children, who start small businesses to provide a better life for their families are the heartbeat of our communities and we are their bank.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use? 
I can’t offer medical advice, but the state of NY provides educational materials. Governor Hochul is ensuring we have the right infrastructure and access to information needed to expand the industry. Their website covers a wide range of topics from adult use, reading labels, taxes, and even a guide on safer consumption. We need to continue to have open discussions and listen to differing perspectives like any other industry that provides goods and services.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
I see a multibillion-dollar industry that will surpass California in sales. I see small business owners providing a better life for their families while employing members of the community and progressing to reduce the wealth gap. As a Community Development Financial Institution and Minority Depository Institution, I see Ponce Bank growing its deposit base as we always have, by helping disproportionately impacted immigrant communities throughout New York.