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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seeds-of-change-equity-in-the-cannabis-industry-webinar-tickets-1985995072724?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

As the cannabis industry grows, so does the responsibility to ensure it is built on fairness, inclusion, and justice.

As the cannabis industry grows, so does the responsibility to ensure it is built on fairness, inclusion, and justice. Today’s conversation brings together a diverse group of speakers to explore what social equity means—addressing the disproportionate impact of cannabis prohibition and creating real opportunities for those most affected. In New Jersey, equity was a key part of legalization, but how is that vision being implemented, and where do gaps remain? We’ll discuss current efforts, ongoing challenges, and what the future of social equity in cannabis could look like as the industry continues to evolve.

Sponsored by: Aunt Mary's

Presenters: Director Wesley McWhite III, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission and Michael Hoffman, Esq, Founder, The Hoffman Centers

Wesley McWhite III, was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy as the first director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission in 2021. In this capacity he builds relationships with New Jersey’s unrepresented and underrepresented communities to facility their participation in the state’s cannabis industry - as businesses or as patients. He is also responsible for building polices, practices, and procedures that promote and maintain fairness, equity, and diversity in all parts of the agency’s work. Even before joining the Commission, Wesley’s career has been marked by service to vulnerable communities. Wesley came to the NJ-CRC from the Hyacinth Foundation, New Jersey’s largest statewide HIV treatment and prevention non-profit organization. As the development director and policy manager at Hyacinth, he led advocate organizations and lobbied for equitable access to medications and for health equity in state and federal health policy. Prior to his time at Hyacinth, Wesley served as an outreach coordinator for the unhoused and unsheltered with Volunteers of America Delaware Valley in the city of Camden. While there, Wesley built sustainable models that bridged services gaps for individuals seeking supportive housing.

Michael A. Hoffman, Esq. Mr. Hoffman is an instructor at Rowan’s School of Professional Studies and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences who has become a leader in delivering expungement clinic services in New Jersey. He is also active in working with the New Jersey Cannabis Law Committee in making recommendations to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Mr. Hoffman organizes and leads groups of attorneys and experts in various fields related to cannabis who meet regularly to review/interpret and analyze ongoing and upcoming regulations and court decisions. He is a face that is widely recognized at cannabis industry events and is known for his passion to help those who are interested in being part of the industry, those who have been impacted by the criminalization of cannabis and his desire to help shape New Jersey’s cannabis regulations. Most recently, Mr. Hoffman, was awarded the 2023 New Jersey Cannabis Insider Award for Excellence in Social Equity.