2024 Cannabis Industry Power Players

Jeffrey Hoffman is a cannabis attorney and legalization activist. His law 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 has a particular interest in justice-involved individuals and social and economic equity cannabis license applicants as well as assisting cannabis prisoners in gaining their freedom and expunging cannabis offenses from their records.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
We must make sure that the cannabis regulations match the cannabis law.

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
Nothing will happen as quickly as you want it to.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
New York City is already the cannabis capital of the world. With a little elbow grease, we can also make it the most equitable and most profitable.

What are some of the positive impacts you’ve seen from legalizing cannabis in New York?
No more arrests, no more convictions, and no more incarcerations for something that should never have been illegal in the first place.

Co-owner and operator of Lenox Hill Cannabis Co. and County Road Cannabis (coming June 2024), Wei Hu is also the founding partner at MRTA Law PC, a boutique NY cannabis law firm assisting applicants and licensees navigate the adult-use industry. Wei is a native NYC’er, who previously represented NYC on public assistance litigation and policy for over 15 years, and still lives in the same Lower East Side apartment that he grew up in.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
The most pressing issue is our current pivot from illegal and unlicensed sales of out-of-state cannabis, including hemp-derived synthetic cannabinoids, to licensed and regulated sales. Licensees and operators need the NY government to keep a sustained enforcement to ensure that young children and those under 21 do not have any access to legal cannabis.

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
New entrepreneurs need a deep and thorough understanding of cannabis culture and the plant itself. While people can learn the business, the industry and the various participants, connections are hard to foster when new entrepreneurs lack knowledge about the subject matter.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
NYC will become the cannabis capital of the world – it’s simply a matter of how many more years. I hope the cannabis culture NY has fostered will be embraced by new consumers and markets – that cannabis will be appreciated across all social and racial lines to enhance social exchanges, personal wellness, and tolerance of others.

What are some of the positive impacts you’ve seen from legalizing cannabis in New York?
Increased tax revenue, reduction of stigma for cannabis consumption, fewer alcohol-related fatalities, mitigation of deaths caused by opiate-related narcotics, stronger communities that bond over consuming cannabis, greater tolerance of differences and backgrounds.

Mack Hueber is the president of ayrloom and Gen V labs, a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer and brand in New York. Ayrloom was a top selling cannabis brand in New York in 2023, and launched the state’s first cannabis beverage. Mack and ayrloom are also founding members of the Empire Cannabis Manufacturer’s Alliance.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
The continued presence of illicit shops is the most urgent issue facing New York. Not only does this directly harm legal retail operators, but it also undermines the entire legal supply chain and the equitable market we’re all working to build. We need to get more legal dispensaries open in more areas to dilute the presence of illicit shops and give struggling farmers and processors more outlets for selling their products.

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
Don’t try to be everything all at once; find your identity and stick with it. At ayrloom, we knew exactly what we wanted to lean into, and that was our preexisting experience with food and beverage production at Beak & Skiff. Maintaining that focus has really helped us find success, as we were able to put the right energy into establishing our infrastructure and creating products that were practical and resonated with our customers.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
Hopefully, New York can overcome some initial growing pains and find the balance needed to have a functional and profitable supply chain where growers, processors and retailers are all finding success. Establishing a new legal industry is certainly not easy, and there is still a vast potential for our market to be the most robust in the country if the pathway there can be paved more clearly. I have no doubt we can achieve it.

What are some of the positive impacts you’ve seen from legalizing cannabis in New York?
Again, even with some of the hiccups, there are business owners who are finding new opportunities in adult-use cannabis and that’s something that will only continue if we get the industry where it needs to be. Also, we’re seeing the stigmas begin to lift and a lot more canna-curious folks have been able to dabble with legal products and discover some of the benefits the plant has to offer. Without legalization, that certainly wouldn’t happen.

Jordan Isenstadt founded Marino’s cannabis strategic communications practice in 2018 and has built it into an industry leading force. A former advisor to the New York State Senate and the New York State Governor’s office, he has led award-winning strategic communications programs for a broad spectrum of clients up and down the cannabis supply chain, as well as ancillaries and non-planting entities.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
The illicit market remains the number one existential threat facing New York’s cannabis industry. It’s really tough taking an industry that has been illegal and criminalized for a generation and suddenly making it legal one day. It’s going to take years, and possibly decades, before the illicit cannabis market is shut down. But we have to start somewhere and it’s gratifying to finally see some progress in tackling the illicit market.

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
What makes working in cannabis most unique is that we are building a legal industry from scratch. This means that everyone in cannabis has to be an entrepreneur. With that in mind, the opportunities in cannabis are truly endless.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
We are truly at the first mile of a marathon in terms of New York cannabis, but once the market evolves and fully opens up, I envision a diverse, equitable and sustainable legal cannabis market. I’d love to see the next great nationally known cannabis brand to be a homegrown New York brand too.

What are some of the positive impacts you’ve seen from legalizing cannabis in New York?
New Yorkers are learning more about cannabis. While New Yorkers have always loved cannabis and their dealers, the opportunity of legal cannabis is to teach consumers about flavor profiles, the various effects of the plant and the endocannabinoid system. People are starting to become more educated consumers and that is a good thing!

Floyd Jarvis is the director of the BMCC Cannabis Workforce and Business Development Training Program, a Black masculine studies scholar and founder of Ganja War Veterans for Equity. His grassroots organization was instrumental in the passage of the MRTA New York. Floyd is also a former Bard Prison Initiative public health fellow, and former program manager of CUNY Brooklyn College Black and Latino Male Initiative. Floyd is also a Brooklyn College alum. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
The most urgent issue facing the cannabis industry is the proliferation of unlicensed smoke shops operated by non-legacy market operators.

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
Be yourself, believe in yourself and you will find your niche in this industry. On March 31, 2021 when the MRTA passed I told myself that I will be employed in this industry at an academic level and here I am. This is a potentially $400 million industry. There is room for everyone.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
My hopes for the future of the industry in New York is that it will continue to employ persons and communities that were targeted and directly impacted by over-policing during the war on drugs. This is important because arrests led to loss of jobs and loss of income. It’s only right to pay it back, that is why the MRTA was codified in such a way.

What are some of the positive impacts you’ve seen from legalizing cannabis in New York?
Some positive impacts I’ve seen from legalization are people being able to live their free and full lives. Cannabis is an intricate part to many New Yorkers “Livity”, particularly Rastafarians who use the plant sacramentally. With legalization comes an acceptance from mainstream society, not that we needed it, but it is acknowledged.

Craig Johnson is the founder and chief executive officer of Long Point Advisors and has been a long-respected figure in New York politics. Craig has been lobbying and advocating on behalf of clients in New York State for more than a decade after serving in elective office, first as a member of the Nassau County legislature and then as a member of the New York State senate.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
Fixing the office of cannabis management and restoring confidence in the agency that has been lost over the past few years. We have great people working for the agency but they truly need help and support.

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
Set reasonable expectations and have lots of patience. The past few years have been bumpy but hopefully the state is getting back on track.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
A successful crack-down on the illegal dispensaries that exist throughout New York State, particularly in New York City. The legislation in the budget should help.

Kristin Jordan is the founder and CEO of Park Jordan, a commercial real estate brokerage and advisory services firm serving the cannabis industry. She is also an adjunct professor at LIM College. Kristin’s passion for advancing cannabis reform has extended to a variety of professional and nonprofit endeavors. She is the founder and CEO of Mannada, a NYC-based cannabis professional event production company, and the founder of the Asian Cannabis Roundtable.

John Kagia serves as the director of policy for the office of cannabis management. He leads the team responsible for policy development and implementation for the medical, adult use, and cannabinoid hemp programs in New York. John also manages development of research and data systems to measure and track industry performance, and he oversees deployment of the Office’s educational public health campaigns. Since joining the cannabis industry in 2014, John has been a pioneering industry analyst delivering groundbreaking research into emerging global markets, investment and capital flows, supply chain trends, product innovation, and evolving consumer behavior. He works with policymakers, investors, and business owners to capitalize on emerging opportunities, hedge against risk, and predict market defining trends.

Sean Kang is a trailblazing Korean-American entrepreneur hailing from the vibrant borough of Queens, New York. With a passion for innovation and excellence. He is making waves in the flourishing cannabis industry with New Metro in Bayside Queens. New Metro is the 61st licensed dispensary in New York State.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
I think everyone can agree it’s the illegal smoke shops. They plague neighborhoods and operate with zero regulation or regards to the community. The NYPD and office of cannabis management are cracking down. I would be careful working or operating one. They are coming for you, good luck.

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
Just get involved and add value. This is still very early in legal cannabis. Let’s not forget, the NYC cannabis black market has been the reigning king of consumption.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
New Metro will be a leader in cannabis. New Metro hopes to set a good example for the new legal path in NYS cannabis. Cannabis can be consumed responsibly, safely, and medically.

What are some of the positive impacts you’ve seen from legalizing cannabis in New York?
You can experience cannabis without anxiety from the police. Do you know how nerve wracking it is talking to a cop with a gram of weed in your pocket? Cause I still do.

Elizabeth Kase is co-chair of Ruskin Moscou Faltischek’s (RMF) cannabis law practice group. She counsels clients seeking licensure in the emerging adult-use cannabis space. She lectures extensively on the laws, ethics, and compliance issues in cannabis. She has published numerous articles pertaining to criminal law, cannabis law, and cannabis/derivative products. She served as an assistant district attorney in New York County and has defended complex federal and state criminal matters for more than 25 years.

What do you feel is the most urgent issue facing the New York-Cannabis industry?
Enforcement!!!

Do you have any cannabis industry-specific advice for people looking to break into the field?
Be patient. New York is a slow roll. If you want to be in this business you must have strong intestinal fortitude and a big budget.

What are your hopes for the future of the cannabis industry in New York?
That we will be a thriving regulated marketplace. I hope our state delivers the promises it made to so many.