2023 Cannabis Industry Power Players

Rick is a dynamic leader in the cannabis business, providing interior millwork and cabinetry for over 55 dispensaries in 11 states. In addition, he has provided security programs and construction for several MSO’s and independent operators throughout the country. Smokin Dispensaries started as a millwork company eight years ago and has organically grown into a consultancy serving clients in all stages of canna-business. Rick serves on several boards including Real Brands RLBD (OTC)

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
The solution to overcoming the stigma is explaining the many benefits of cannabis including reduced anxiety and mild depression, along with treatment for sleep disorders, social anxiety disorder, anger management and a host of other improvements not limited to personality disorders.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Having recently guest lectured at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, and having been involved in research projects on CBD, CBG, and Psilocybin, we’ve created relationships with universities and medical doctors in a variety of positive ways.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
The New York cannabis industry will eventually reduce the black market sales to legitimate unique and effective cannabis products creating specialty stores in the various genres of the cannabis industry.

Michael Gruber is a co-founder & chief of strategy of Pura Industries NY, with its world class cultivation and manufacturing platform through the Hepworth Pura LLC joint venture. Mr. Gruber is a Managing Partner of Salveo Capital, a dedicated cannabis fund with a portfolio which includes leading companies such as: Curaleaf; Dutchie; Ascend Wellness; Treez; and Fyllo. Michael has built companies to scale and has invested in 120+ companies which have raised $6B+.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Cannabis has been de-stigmatized over the last decade, and with that accelerating of the last few years.  I don’t see any stigma in working in cannabis, and actually see it having a “cool” halo now. I entered the sector over 10 years ago in a different environment, and jumped in with both legs..committed that I would take the risk.  The key is to believe in what you are doing, and to educate others.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
The cannabis industry like any other cannot rely on it being a “silver bullet”, but it being a powerful tool to improve health and well-being.  Transparency and accuracy of information is key to building trust. It is critical that we break down barriers to increasing amounts of academic and scientific work so we can optimize how cannabis is used.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
New York is an amazing market, with an entrenched existing user base. Within 10 years, we will see hundreds of legal stores, spread throughout the state, along with a legalized delivery service that will be providing high quality and safe products to residents and tourists. There will be an advanced state of cultivation across indoor, greenhouse and outdoor to serve the voracious consumption desires, along with an exciting set of products across pricing categories. 

Arana Hankin-Biggers has over two decades of experience working in economic development policy and real estate development. She served as the NYS assistant commissioner for economic development, and the director of the Atlantic Yards Project for NYS Empire State Development. She worked as a senior executive at HR&A Advisors, WeWork, Lela Goren Group, Sugar Hill Capital Partners, and BRIC Arts. She entered the cannabis industry in March 2021.

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 definitely a stigma with regards to working in the cannabis industry. I work to overcome the stigma by sharing my story, why I got into cannabis, and to help educate people about the state of the industry today and the tremendous opportunity there is for growth. You can’t win everyone over, but hopefully folks will walk away more informed and open minded.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
One way to break this stigma is by supporting educational programming that takes place in communities that have the most to gain by entering this industry – communities that have been targeted by the War on Drugs and that will be left out of this billion-dollar industry if they do not overcome the stigma still attached to this plant. We partner with community experts to promote responsible consumption, and consumption that contributes to healing.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
Ten years from now, I am hopeful that cannabis will be federally legal. Once that happens opportunities for small entrepreneurs will begin to dwindle. This is why it is so important for communities of color to get involved in this billion-dollar industry now, at the ground floor, so that the industry is not taken over by corporate interests. Only by constant advocacy and education will we ensure that this industry is truly equitable.

Todd Harrison is the founding partner and chief investment officer of CB1 Capital Management, an investment manager and advisor that specializes in the supply chain of cannabinoid-based wellness solutions.  He is an advisor to numerous companies and organizations across the cannabis ecosystem, including Mission [Green], which works to secure the release of those incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.  Todd lives in Port Washington, NY with his wife and family.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
After several generations of U.S government propaganda villainized cannabis, the stigma has started to fade as a function of time. Interestingly, as federal illegality continues to stymie stateside research, the internet played a huge role in providing scientists around the world the ability to share their findings, which in turn helped educate modern society about the efficacious agility of this plant.  

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
There needs to be coordination and communication across various industry stakeholders but the current regulatory regime in New York isn’t conducive to that.  We believe that for the U.S (NY) cannabis industry to succeed, it needs to be “us and how,” not, “we vs. them.”  In other words, if everyone pulls at the baby, it’ll rip the baby apart and state-level structures will eventually need to support the federal framework.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
We must escape from (the current) New York cannabis landscape because the illicit operators are doing lasting damage–most New Yorkers think that is the legal framework! Products must be tested for safety and cannot be marketed to children for this industry to evolve into the economic, employment and wellness engine it is destined to become.

Matt Hawkins is the founder and managing partner of Entourage Effect Capital, a venture capital firm focused on the cannabis industry. Since 2014, the firm has invested in nearly 70 companies out of three funds and various co-investment vehicles. He is also chairman of the board of directors of StateHouse Holdings and a board member of Sunderstorm.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Interestingly, I think the stigma of working in the cannabis industry has largely disappeared over the past several years. However, the challenged legalization process and broad confusion about what is legal vs. illicit in the state of New York has brought some of the stigma back.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Education is vitally important in not just healthcare and academia but also for the general populace. The industry must work with media and local regulators to explain how seed to sale tracking in the legal sector works and why it’s beneficial, as opposed to the unregulated growing and manufacturing processes in the illicit market. The harmful additives and shortcuts leveraged to produce illicit cannabis would shock consumers if they were aware.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
Assuming the state can get over this very unfortunate false start of the adult use program AND the legal market can significantly tamp down the head start given to the illicit market by the regulators, then the state will be the second largest market in the United States behind California in less than 10 years.

NYC native David began his cannabis journey in 2017 in Washington DC’s Initiative-71 gifting market. He is a licensed caregiver, medical patient, and cannabis advocate. With experience in 32 legal cannabis states, he is a founding member and serves as the director of brand development for Happy Munkey, helping establish it as the East Coast’s premier cannabis lifestyle brand. Additionally, David founded Tai Ku Labs, advocating for digital art, photography, NFTs, and Web3.

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 is a stigma surrounding the cannabis industry, largely due to historical misconceptions and outdated regulations. To overcome it, I actively engage in education, collaboration, and advocacy. By hosting events like the Choose Happy Symposium and partnering with health care and academic professionals, we create open dialogues and increase awareness about cannabis benefits and responsible use. This helps shift public perception, fostering a more informed and accepting view of the industry and its potential.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
The cannabis industry can collaborate with health care and academic professionals through events like our Choose Happy Symposium on 4/18 at Columbia University. As Happy Munkey’s director of brand development, I’ve seen the value in expert-led panels discussing social equity, diversity, and economic impact. By fostering open dialogue, partnering with professionals, and offering resources like medical card registration, we can educate consumers and create an informed, responsible community about cannabis use.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I envision the New York cannabis industry as a thriving, inclusive, and diverse ecosystem. We’ll see robust economic growth, an increase in local entrepreneurship, and more opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities. Moreover, no one will be behind bars for Cannabis. Lastly, I expect cannabis to be integrated into healthcare, wellness, and lifestyle sectors, with a strong focus on research and innovation, making New York a leader in the global cannabis market. 

During her time in office, Governor Hochul has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to pursuing an equitable adult-use cannabis industry. Shortly after assuming office, she revitalized the rollout of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act by appointing to the Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board experienced and effective representatives who are committed to social and economic justice.

​​Jeffrey is a cannabis attorney and legalization activist whose firm focuses entirely on cannabis, including licensees in the adult-use cannabis market, patients and practitioners in the medical cannabis space, and cannabis adjacent product and service providers. He is a leader in promoting pro bono advocacy for the rights of those impacted by anti-cannabis enforcement, whereby he aids cannabis prisoners in gaining their freedom and assists those convicted of cannabis offenses in getting such convictions expunged.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
There absolutely remains a stigma in the United States around working in the cannabis industry. In order to overcome this, I make it a priority to be very vocal about both what I do for employment as well as my cannabis consumption. We cannot eliminate a stigma without confronting it head on.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
We can pass legislation to allow medical cannabis patients to have their medicine paid for by health insurance companies, require all medical professionals to take CME classes about cannabis and the endocannabinoid system, and teach about cannabis in our schools.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
New York will be one of the leading jurisdictions in the cannabis industry worldwide, and New York City specifically will be the cannabis tourism capital of the world. New Amsterdam is the new Amsterdam.

David is a partner in Prince Lobel Tye LLP’s cannabis practice group. He has been a thought leader for decades in his roles as a litigator bringing precedential lawsuits in the space, serving as executive and legal director of Empire State NORML, co-founder of the NYC Cannabis Industry Association, and former counsel to High Times Magazine. He is regularly consulted by legislators, the media, and industry participants about the law and legal market.

Do you think there is a stigma around working in the cannabis industry and if so how do you work to overcome it?
Today, providing legal services in the cannabis space is much less controversial than when I started in the space decades ago. Back then, advocates, attorneys, and thought leaders endured arrests, tax audits, social ostracism, and faced ethics investigations for providing legal advice in the space. It took courage to advocate for and litigate to create the possibilities of legalization. Today, there is not the same stigma or resistance that marked earlier eras.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Education and access to safe, tested, and regulated products is critical at this juncture. With the rapid increase in legal dispensaries, greater education, and better product regulation will come a corresponding decrease in the flow of unregulated and dangerous products that have entered the gray market. The gray market itself should wane in time as well as the licensed retail shops carrying those regulated products expands.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
New York will be a leader in the cannabis space world-wide. It is a forward thinking program that strives for inclusivity and opportunity across a wide spectrum of demographics and geographic locales. Further, the state has become a market participant with the advent of the CAURD program thus ensuring continuous exposure of the state agencies to the challenges, successes, and failures of the program which can be course corrected in the years to come.

Wei Hu is the founding partner of MRTA Law PC, a boutique NY Cannabis Law firm, with offices in Ulster County and Manhattan. Wei specializes in NY Cannabis Law, regulations, licensing and industry transactions. Additionally, he counsels several Cultivator and CAURD licensees, legacy operators, and ancillary businesses in participating in the NYS 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, but the stigma concerning cannabis and working in the industry is gradually abating. Being open and mature about cannabis, acknowledging the changing social mores, and being sober about the medical properties of cannabis help people understand why certain people choose to consume it. The plant originated in China and has been cultivated for millennia for medical properties and funerary rituals. Only racism and misinformation fed by Anslinger rendered this plant socially unacceptable.

How can the cannabis industry work with health care and academic professionals to educate consumers about the benefits and risks of cannabis use?
Now that cannabis consumption is finally legal and regulated, we can now finally have honest discussions about responsible use. I believe that involving consumers in conversations about whether they set an intention in cannabis use, and if so, would bring far greater awareness of this plant’s potential benefits for mental health and hygiene.

Where do you see the cannabis industry in New York 10 years from now?
I see NY having the most robust, dynamic and vibrant market across the world. When NYC returns to over 60 million annual visitors, you will certainly see that cannabis tourism will flourish here. In relation to cannabis and cannabis consumption, New Amsterdam will be the *new* Amsterdam. Growers will be pushing varieties of terpenes with high-THC levels for flower products and extracts.